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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:
sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:21

Plus the 1 star terrible reviews designed to fuck up someone's business when the reviewer hasn't even been inside but is pissed off they're not allowed to take their dog in.

Do you know anyone that's done that?

In Cornwall if a place is good, it's always full in the summer.

There also full if they're not that good tbh.

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 14:21

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:18

Yes I agree with that. But I also, as I said, spoke to a restaurant owner who said dog owners have become so vocal in demanding their 'right' to bring their dogs everywhere and so many businesses have caved to pressure that it is very difficult to now ban dogs as you get slated and bad mouthed and criticised and accused of hating dogs etc.
In the same way that restaurants who try to impose limits on children's behaviour on the premises, or times that they can be on the premises, often face a huge social media backlash.

I'm sorry I know enough Resteraunts and cafes that don't allow dogs inside that I think that's a very over dramatised view of the situation from one person.

People do it because it's good for business. If it wasn't those dogs would be gone.

Equally people who have a strong opposing view , can be equally vocal on SM.

No it's not over dramatised. Not all businesses in Cornwall, and in particular in touristy areas like St Ives and Padstow want to allow dogs into their premises. But so many tourists now bring their dogs on holidays with them and expect them to be let in everywhere that it has now become difficult to not allow dogs in. The pressure and expectation is huge, and small businesses often feel they have to cave.
It was interesting that there were no dogs in Rick Stein's restaurant. Presumably because he's a big enough 'brand' to not need to give in to dog owners.

OP posts:
sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:19

Vote with your reviews people if you don't want to be in social spaces with dogs.

TerryOrange1w2 · 18/09/2023 14:18

SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 14:07

Yes I agree with that. But I also, as I said, spoke to a restaurant owner who said dog owners have become so vocal in demanding their 'right' to bring their dogs everywhere and so many businesses have caved to pressure that it is very difficult to now ban dogs as you get slated and bad mouthed and criticised and accused of hating dogs etc.
In the same way that restaurants who try to impose limits on children's behaviour on the premises, or times that they can be on the premises, often face a huge social media backlash.

Show quote history

Plus the 1 star terrible reviews designed to fuck up someone's business when the reviewer hasn't even been inside but is pissed off they're not allowed to take their dog in.

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:18

Yes I agree with that. But I also, as I said, spoke to a restaurant owner who said dog owners have become so vocal in demanding their 'right' to bring their dogs everywhere and so many businesses have caved to pressure that it is very difficult to now ban dogs as you get slated and bad mouthed and criticised and accused of hating dogs etc.
In the same way that restaurants who try to impose limits on children's behaviour on the premises, or times that they can be on the premises, often face a huge social media backlash.

I'm sorry I know enough Resteraunts and cafes that don't allow dogs inside that I think that's a very over dramatised view of the situation from one person.

People do it because it's good for business. If it wasn't those dogs would be gone.

Equally people who have a strong opposing view , can be equally vocal on SM.

AheadOfMyTime · 18/09/2023 14:16

And yes he is on a lead and we clean up after him.

AheadOfMyTime · 18/09/2023 14:15

They also allow cats, l took my Maine coon last summer and he was welcome on the beach and in the shops, he loved it and got lots of fuss. He always travels with us since a kitten as he suffers with anxiety separation.

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 14:07

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:03

*People are giving examples of why it's not fair or appropriate to allow dogs in everywhere eg dogs pooing in shops, tripping people up.

Those examples demonstrate that for every responsible and considerate dog owner there are irresponsible and inconsiderate ones. Hence people saying 'well my dog is very well behaved so I don't see why he can't go into shops' need to understand that you can't discriminate between the good and bad owners. So by allowing dogs into restaurants etc you are enabling the bad dog owners to annoy and disturb other people.*

I totally agree there are inconsiderate dog owners.

At this stage I'd have to suggest that Restaurants, pubs, cafes etc have to decide was happens on their own premises. If it is better for their business it's better for their business . Money talks. And Cornwall is hugely reliant on the holiday trade.

So actually it is the resteraunt etc owners enabling bad d

Yes I agree with that. But I also, as I said, spoke to a restaurant owner who said dog owners have become so vocal in demanding their 'right' to bring their dogs everywhere and so many businesses have caved to pressure that it is very difficult to now ban dogs as you get slated and bad mouthed and criticised and accused of hating dogs etc.
In the same way that restaurants who try to impose limits on children's behaviour on the premises, or times that they can be on the premises, often face a huge social media backlash.

OP posts:
sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:03

enabling bad dog owners.

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 14:03

*People are giving examples of why it's not fair or appropriate to allow dogs in everywhere eg dogs pooing in shops, tripping people up.

Those examples demonstrate that for every responsible and considerate dog owner there are irresponsible and inconsiderate ones. Hence people saying 'well my dog is very well behaved so I don't see why he can't go into shops' need to understand that you can't discriminate between the good and bad owners. So by allowing dogs into restaurants etc you are enabling the bad dog owners to annoy and disturb other people.*

I totally agree there are inconsiderate dog owners.

At this stage I'd have to suggest that Restaurants, pubs, cafes etc have to decide was happens on their own premises. If it is better for their business it's better for their business . Money talks. And Cornwall is hugely reliant on the holiday trade.

So actually it is the resteraunt etc owners enabling bad d

TooOldForThisNonsense · 18/09/2023 14:02

I agree, I don’t know what’s happened that people now seem to take dogs everywhere. Especially cockapoos. Why are they everywhere? Can no one go out and leave their dogs at home for a few hours these days, this is what we did when we had a family dog when I was younger

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 13:57

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 13:53

If this thread was

Are dogs more badly behaved or what bad things have dogs done to you ( and sadly that has been in the news as we know ) I'd understand .

But specifically it's about, has England gone mad for dogs and particularly in Cornwall.

It's turned into a list of terrible things dogs do generally.

It's the same on threads about children.

People are giving examples of why it's not fair or appropriate to allow dogs in everywhere eg dogs pooing in shops, tripping people up.

Those examples demonstrate that for every responsible and considerate dog owner there are irresponsible and inconsiderate ones. Hence people saying 'well my dog is very well behaved so I don't see why he can't go into shops' need to understand that you can't discriminate between the good and bad owners. So by allowing dogs into restaurants etc you are enabling the bad dog owners to annoy and disturb other people.

OP posts:
sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 13:53

If this thread was

Are dogs more badly behaved or what bad things have dogs done to you ( and sadly that has been in the news as we know ) I'd understand .

But specifically it's about, has England gone mad for dogs and particularly in Cornwall.

It's turned into a list of terrible things dogs do generally.

It's the same on threads about children.

Abracadabra12345 · 18/09/2023 13:43

ChocolateCinderToffee · 17/09/2023 20:53

YANBU. I got lunged at again today by someone's dear little doggy, on a lead that was too long for it to be controlled. I'm in late middle age and have no balance function so it's easy for me to be knocked over, or to stagger if I have to get out of the way quickly.

One of our church members in his early 80s was knocked over by an off lead dog early this year and is only now being able to take short walks
Of course the dog was just being "friendly" which I'm sure was a comfort to this old, previously active man as he lay in hospital

Rollercoaster1920 · 18/09/2023 13:36

We wen to the US this summer and I was amazed at how few dogs I saw. The few that I did see were generally well behaved. Just one off lead in a park which chased the ball on the court I was on.

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 13:33

AmazingSnakeHead · 18/09/2023 12:41

I haven't read the full thread because you've filled two whole pages just with your replies, but I don't really understand your problem. You seem to be objecting to the sight and smell of the dogs - I mean you can't control for that, whenever you go out in public you run the risk of seeing or hearing something you don't like. For me it's swearing, for you it's dogs. You can't control your environment to this extent.

The question of over indulgent dog owners letting their dogs jump at you and running around off leads is different, and shouldn't be allowed.

😮Is that addressed to me?

OP posts:
Nevermind202020 · 18/09/2023 13:25

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 13:07

Ever heard the saying 'like a dog with a bone'.
Let's leave it there, not because I am telling you to, but because as sensible humans we can both recognise this is going nowhere fast.

My impression is that you will not countenance any disagreement.

You clearly generalise, it's there to see ,but no it's me. You won't discuss.

You decide it's time to stop and issue the command, somehow under the impression that you control this narrative and then you question that I don't do what you say.
Read back, it's wild.

Honestly . We're meant to be discussing dogs.

And yes unsurprisingly, often heard that saying.

Everything you think I am doing, you are actually doing, so we are never going to get anywhere.

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 13:23

vivainsomnia · 18/09/2023 10:52

Because so many people interpret 'allowed to' as 'I don't have to use any common sense or consideration'
So back to good Vs bad owners but it's not what you said. You made a generalisation about dogs owners as a whole.

Ultimately, generations evolve and what people did decades ago doesn't apply any longer. Nowadays, it is deemed appropriate in most places for dogs to be involved in human activities outside of home. It is also deemed appropriate to take a car to do less than a couple of miles travel, as it is deemed appropriate for kids to be loud in their garden even if it disturbs neighbours.

It's ok not to like these changes but it doesn't make those who act in accordance wit current acceptable behaviours wrong.

But these behaviours aren't generally deemed to be 'appropriate'. They are considered appropriate by people who decide if there's no rule or law against something then it's ok. They don't use any judgment or consideration or take different situations into account. That is the point I was making.

OP posts:
Original poster
SusanandMidge · 18/09/2023 13:20

Womencanlift · 18/09/2023 10:49

I was replying to Highandlows. I am in complete agreement with you OP

Show quote history

Sorry I've been out and only just seen your response. Apologies, I thought you were accusing me of calling people vile.

OP posts:
sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 13:14

I would never take my well behaved dog to an indoor cafe. He's not the coffee type.

I have taken him to cafes where you sit outdoors and it's allowed. And I would be extremely strict with him. Because it's well, a cafe.

Where I live, you never see dogs in shops and I wouldn't dream of taking my dog into one.

100% would take him to a beach he's allowed on. As usual I expect him not to bother anyone.

And if anyone's not sure where these beaches are, look at the local council website.

In Cornwall there are lists and lists of beaches that do not allow dogs. Same in Wales.

Cosyblankets · 18/09/2023 13:11

TerryOrange1w2 · 18/09/2023 13:01

Yes. People used to leave their dogs outside shops instead of dragging them in with them. Imagine that.

Show quote history

I meant are you seriously suggesting people do that now.

sunglassesonthetable · 18/09/2023 13:07

Ever heard the saying 'like a dog with a bone'.
Let's leave it there, not because I am telling you to, but because as sensible humans we can both recognise this is going nowhere fast.

My impression is that you will not countenance any disagreement.

You clearly generalise, it's there to see ,but no it's me. You won't discuss.

You decide it's time to stop and issue the command, somehow under the impression that you control this narrative and then you question that I don't do what you say.
Read back, it's wild.

Honestly . We're meant to be discussing dogs.

And yes unsurprisingly, often heard that saying.

PaulaZackMayo · 18/09/2023 13:07

TerryOrange1w2 · 18/09/2023 13:01

Yes. People used to leave their dogs outside shops instead of dragging them in with them. Imagine that.

Show quote history

Dog theft wasn't as popular as it was then.

That is why I don't put myself in that position by taking them shopping.

Alstroemeria123 · 18/09/2023 13:04

The question of over indulgent dog owners letting their dogs jump at you and running around off leads is different, and shouldn't be allowed.

And I wonder if this is one of the main problems - this behaviour isn’t addressed, because there are too many bad dog owners who assume “dog friendly” means “my dog can do whatever it wants and screw everyone else”.

Or think they don’t need to train dogs because they’re small and cute.

Or are using large dogs as penis extensions.

If we could go back to dogs only being owned by competent and responsible owners, I think people would have far less issues with dogs.

(I still think there should be accommodation for people with dog allergies / phobias, but addressing poor dog / owner behaviour I think would deal with much of the “dislike” factor)

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