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Original poster

Dogs Everywhere

768 replies

SusanandMidge · 17/09/2023 20:36

I don't live in the UK but am just back from a holiday in Cornwall. We were shocked at the amount of dogs allowed everywhere. They were in every restaurant, cafe, pub and hotel. Two or three people with dogs would all go into a small shop, blocking the aisles for everyone else. In Port Isaac on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon the whole harbour and uphill area was disrupted by loud and continuous barking. Dogs were running around off leash on every beach. People were clogging the narrow pavements with two or three dogs on leads, wheeling dogs around in prams and buggies, stopping outside holiday cottages for ages chatting while their dogs barked, yapped and howled and ruined the peace for the people inside.

We were genuinely wondering if the next time we came back there would be dog and owner spaces in supermarket carparks and an expectation that you should stand up on public transport to let people with dogs sit down.

AIBU to think England has gone a bit mad when it comes to dogs?

OP posts:
Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 08:58

vivainsomnia · 18/09/2023 08:55

So why for dog-lovers like you is your only desperate defence, ‘but but human people are worse’? Why not criticise the crap owners?
That's absolutely right. The issue is bad dog owners.

The problem is that the majority of posters here don't like any dog around them and put all owners in the same category. Good dog owners are a problem just the same.

After all, the initial posters moaned about dogs on pavements, good or bad.

Why is it 'the problem' that some people don't like dogs and don't want them around them? It's personal choice.

Mauricemossy · 18/09/2023 08:58

KenAdams · 17/09/2023 22:20

Aww were going soon and I wondered if it would be dog friendly enough. If we can take her everywhere that would be perfect!

I had no idea the beaches are all dog friendly too, I thought it was seasonal only but if you've been before the end of September it would seem that I was wrong!

Thanks for this OP x

Sums up dog owners pretty well

vivainsomnia · 18/09/2023 08:55

So why for dog-lovers like you is your only desperate defence, ‘but but human people are worse’? Why not criticise the crap owners?
That's absolutely right. The issue is bad dog owners.

The problem is that the majority of posters here don't like any dog around them and put all owners in the same category. Good dog owners are a problem just the same.

After all, the initial posters moaned about dogs on pavements, good or bad.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/09/2023 08:53

HalliwellManor · 18/09/2023 08:30

I've been to many UK holiday destinations and can't say I've seen piles of dog poo everywhere,nor in my everyday life,yes the odd bit of poo I've spotted but very rarely.The onus is on the owner to pick it up so blame the human,not the animal.I have however seen humans littering,vandalising,pissing in alleyways,vomiting and basically not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.
But yes,dogs are the problem..🤦🏼‍♀️

People are blaming the owners. I suppose it's easier to attack a strawman argument though.

MatchyM · 18/09/2023 08:51

littlebopeepp234 · 18/09/2023 08:47

I have whilst I was at a cafe in bridlington! Sat eating our food as a family of 4 minding our own business and someone’s dog decided to come over to our table (and yes the owners were aware) sat right up and started sniffing at me while I was trying to eat!! It was disgusting really! I didn’t want their fucking dog putting its wet nose all over me while I’m trying to eat food!

Show quote history

No no you are wrong. That never happened to you because someone else has ‘never’ witnessed it.

Or so MN dog-lovers would say…

littlebopeepp234 · 18/09/2023 08:47

KimberleyClark · 18/09/2023 08:22

I’ve never been sniffed at by a dog in a cafe or try to take my food or anything. They are either chilling under the table or completely focussed on what their owner is eating. We did once have a toddler crawl across the floor to our dog who was quietly chilling. Mum did not appear until she had almost reached him. He’s a docile lab who loves children but the toddler’s mum couldn’t have been sure of that.

I have whilst I was at a cafe in bridlington! Sat eating our food as a family of 4 minding our own business and someone’s dog decided to come over to our table (and yes the owners were aware) sat right up and started sniffing at me while I was trying to eat!! It was disgusting really! I didn’t want their fucking dog putting its wet nose all over me while I’m trying to eat food!

MatchyM · 18/09/2023 08:46

Carsarelife · 18/09/2023 08:32

@Nevermind202020 yes humans are very judgemental. Not of themselves quite clearly but of dog owners.
Humans behaviour can be questionable too. Pissing in the street and littering

Are you unable to critique dog owners’ behaviour without referencing humans?

On a thread about entitled obnoxious parents, I would agree with the criticism and not bring up random comparison to dogs.

I also acknowledge that here are good dog-owners who are tarred by the same brush as the shit ones.

So why for dog-lovers like you is your only desperate defence, ‘but but human people are worse’? Why not criticise the crap owners?

Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 08:36

Carsarelife · 18/09/2023 08:32

@Nevermind202020 yes humans are very judgemental. Not of themselves quite clearly but of dog owners.
Humans behaviour can be questionable too. Pissing in the street and littering

It's those who like dogs who are being judgmental of those who don't on this thread though - ascertaining that you can tell things about a person's character based only on a like/dislike of a certain animal.
I'm definitely not judging dog owners per se, there's lots of responsible ones. It's the irresponsible/entitled ones who create issues for everyone, including other dog owners.

AmIAutumnalNow · 18/09/2023 08:35

HuwEdwardsBottom · 18/09/2023 08:08

What a bunch of miserable buggers there are on this thread. I’d rather a cafe or restaurant full of well behaved dogs than one of screaming kids running riot and disrupting everyone else’s meal.

I'd rather neither

KajsaKavat · 18/09/2023 08:33

Yes I hate it. Smelly slobbering unpredictable sniffing things, I LOATHE how the owners think it’s fine for their disgusting pets to sniff my crotch

Carsarelife · 18/09/2023 08:32

@Nevermind202020 yes humans are very judgemental. Not of themselves quite clearly but of dog owners.
Humans behaviour can be questionable too. Pissing in the street and littering

Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 08:32

HalliwellManor · 18/09/2023 08:30

I've been to many UK holiday destinations and can't say I've seen piles of dog poo everywhere,nor in my everyday life,yes the odd bit of poo I've spotted but very rarely.The onus is on the owner to pick it up so blame the human,not the animal.I have however seen humans littering,vandalising,pissing in alleyways,vomiting and basically not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.
But yes,dogs are the problem..🤦🏼‍♀️

I do agree that not only dogs/dog owners leave mess/allow mess to be left, but you not personally having had much issue with dog poo doesn't negate all those who do. It's rife where we live, sadly.

HalliwellManor · 18/09/2023 08:30

I've been to many UK holiday destinations and can't say I've seen piles of dog poo everywhere,nor in my everyday life,yes the odd bit of poo I've spotted but very rarely.The onus is on the owner to pick it up so blame the human,not the animal.I have however seen humans littering,vandalising,pissing in alleyways,vomiting and basically not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.
But yes,dogs are the problem..🤦🏼‍♀️

Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 08:29

HuwEdwardsBottom · 18/09/2023 08:17

I’m always wary of people who say they don’t like dogs. They tend to be unpleasant people in my experience.

I find these sort of comments really odd, you're basically admitting how judgemental you are.

Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 08:26

Nw22 · 18/09/2023 08:15

This is so boring. How many times a week does the same thread come up? Pretty much everyone I know has a dog or loves them. And I’ve never had problems with other dogs in restaurants. Children on the other hand …

It comes up again and again because some dog owners behave in an entitled way again and again.

KimberleyClark · 18/09/2023 08:22

I’ve never been sniffed at by a dog in a cafe or try to take my food or anything. They are either chilling under the table or completely focussed on what their owner is eating. We did once have a toddler crawl across the floor to our dog who was quietly chilling. Mum did not appear until she had almost reached him. He’s a docile lab who loves children but the toddler’s mum couldn’t have been sure of that.

MatchyM · 18/09/2023 08:21

HuwEdwardsBottom · 18/09/2023 08:17

I’m always wary of people who say they don’t like dogs. They tend to be unpleasant people in my experience.

Do you check with your GP, dentist, kids’ teachers, new colleagues etc whether or not they like dogs before you interact with them and trust them? Because if that’s the reductive way you classify people, you can’t be too careful.

Womencanlift · 18/09/2023 08:20

HuwEdwardsBottom · 18/09/2023 08:17

I’m always wary of people who say they don’t like dogs. They tend to be unpleasant people in my experience.

Funny that as I am always wary of people who say their dog is as important as a human. They tend to be entitled people in my experience

MatchyM · 18/09/2023 08:19

Nw22 · 18/09/2023 08:15

This is so boring. How many times a week does the same thread come up? Pretty much everyone I know has a dog or loves them. And I’ve never had problems with other dogs in restaurants. Children on the other hand …

Why do people keep complaining about these threads yet still read and post on them. It’s weird behaviour.

And remember that new users join MN every week. So this topic might actually be new to some. It’s a bit arrogant to think everyone has been here as long as you have.

And for some people they may have had a recent bad experience with canines which prompts them to post a thread. Like the OP. Explain why they should not post? Surely it’s easier for dog-defenders like you not to open these threads if they upset you quite so much.

Yes and the predictable comparison with kids is embarrassing.

Narwhalsh · 18/09/2023 08:19

Why is everyone blaming the dogs when it is in fact humans who are the issue? Intolerant ones in particular… if you don’t like the way other people live their lives, don’t go to places like Cornwall in the Summer!

HuwEdwardsBottom · 18/09/2023 08:17

I’m always wary of people who say they don’t like dogs. They tend to be unpleasant people in my experience.

Nw22 · 18/09/2023 08:15

This is so boring. How many times a week does the same thread come up? Pretty much everyone I know has a dog or loves them. And I’ve never had problems with other dogs in restaurants. Children on the other hand …

Naunet · 18/09/2023 08:14

Trevorton · 17/09/2023 20:52

Are you american? Just wondering because of the use of ‘leash’. It’s a ‘lead’ in uk. And yes, dogs (like children) are welcome in most places. I think if you swap the word dogs for children the setup and irritation is similar for a lot of us.

Agree.

MatchyM · 18/09/2023 08:13

ivfbabymomma1 · 18/09/2023 07:19

I have 3 dogs, huge dog lover but I don't see the need to take them into shops & restaurants! They would much rather be at home in their beds in peace and be able to wander about.

A country pub after a walk is about my limit but it rarely happens, I'd rather drop them off home first.

I completely accept that well-trained dogs should be allowed in country pubs. It’s long been part of the culture. Central London cafes, not so much…

KimberleyClark · 18/09/2023 08:12

HaveANiceFuckingDay · 18/09/2023 08:09

We have a dog I'm our house . I don't like it but was out voted, the rest of the family are dog lovers. I have no like for it , they treat it like a child honestly. It seems lately that dogs ARE everywhere. Even my friend takes her dog to the pub when we go out and gives it her food.
Dogs shouldn't be everywhere it's disgraceful
I don't care your dog is friendly. I don't give a shit . I don't like dogs ffs ! Walk the thing but not in shops and treating it like your child that has to go everywhere with you . It's an animal ffs

Your beef is not with dog owners. They are doing nothing wrong by taking their dogs to places which allow dogs. Complain to the business owners. Vote with your feet.