Dogs in restaurants

I live in the Lakes so having a meal without dogs is practically impossible and while I really like dogs I don’t want them around me when I’m eating. What is this trend of taking your hound everywhere with you? Was never like this growing up with animals, they stayed home. The other day, in a cafe, dogs were everywhere and two enormous huskies blocking up the entire gangway of the cafe so the waitresses had to step over them while delivering breakfast. Entitled owners did not move dogs or apologise or even notice what was going on. The hair the dogs left behind was unreal, big clumps and as they left they jumped up at the counter and tried to snaffle the cakes! I would have been mortified if it were my dog. Well, I would not have taken it in in the first place.

A kid threw a stone at my dog once. The most beautiful rescue boy, recovering from having a tumour removed, 10 years old. And this obnoxious little shit threw a stone, whist his parents looked on. Not really relevant to this thread but 3 years on and I still hate that family with a passion.

What's more annoying is other peoples dogs barking at my well behaved dog who is lying quietly under the table at a dog friendly place. If you dog is going to bark at other dogs, don't take them. Also, other people disturbing my dog whilst he is lying quietly!

Other peoples children are worse, once we wre trying to eat. Their children insisted on constanty coming over to disturb us because we had our dog with us (on holiday) thus unsettling him each time, then they started running around, nearly running into the servers.

It's also not a great idea to let your children start running around or playing tag at dog shows!
People do travel with dogs for various reasons, and that occasionally does mean eating out somewhere as a result.

I just searched several “high end” restaurants in my local area - restaurants, not country pubs - and none of them allow dogs (except guide dogs). So a “nice meal” is absolutely possible for you.

Well, a dog barking is unacceptable. As is any behaviour from anybody which disturbs other customers.

There are plenty of restaurants that do not accept dogs. If you go in a pub, well, you probably won’t be in luck, but do a search of “nice” restaurants and there will be endless opportunities for dog-free dining. And if you’re not feeling flush, Weatherspoons does not accept dogs.

Ha ha! If you hate dogs, you surely hate all dogs. Guide dogs are still dogs. You should see ‘em when they have their r&r - being total dogs!

As a pp said, dogs have always gone to pubs. If the pub is a gastro-type then often there’s a separate dining part to the bar area. High-end restaurants that are not pubs mostly do not accept dogs. Even low-end actually: I believe that Weatherspoons is dog free.

I have posted this before on a similar thread, but a while ago we went to a pub with an actual sign outside saying “The New Forest’s Most Dog-Friendly Pub”. Lo and behold a miserable pair of so and sos at the next table glaring, theatrically flinching and not-so-quietly whispering about my dog asleep under the table.

Oh do stop being so reasonable and using sensible arguments and valid points, poor @MealDealDreamz just doesn’t like it and doesn’t feel she should be challenged on that 🙄

And can't dictate a dog friendly place be dog free for you either. They are the type of dog haters who call dog owners 'entitled'. They need to look in a mirror.

I agree. I don’t understand why the OP thinks she should be able to dictate whether dogs are present or not. It’s fair enough to object to bad behaviour whether it is from other diners, children or dogs.

What is the difference between a guide dog that is under its owner's table and minding it's own business and that of a pet dog that is doing exactly the same?
I don't understand. Why would the pet dog ruin your meal, but a guide dog not? Why would you even be giving it that much headspace?
If you want a dog free place, then find one.

Even a guide/service dog?
Because if that is ok to you, then it seems you have a problem with dog owners, and not actual dogs. And a dog owner taking their dog to a place that allows dos is doing nothing wrong. It is a you issue.

Most dogs that accompany their owners to restaurants and pubs are well socialised and don’t cause any disturbance. If you are just opposed to them being there then it is up to you to choose a dog free establishment. Similarly, some folk don’t like screaming brats disturbing their meal.

An argument which quickly falls apart if we all bring in goats, cows and so on.

I'm sure everyone can come up with animals they don't want to see at the next table while they are eating.

Societies work by limiting the rights of individuals where they impact on others.

But the best bit is that in most cases this doesn't require a law because our mothers teach us to be considerate.

Sadly that doesn't always stick.

Not on who, no, in the sense of not being able to choose which of your fellow humans might be sitting nearby, but I don't think it's unreasonable not to want an animal near you when you're eating in a restaurant.

Unfortunately for those of us who think it's just plain nuts to allow dogs in restaurants everywhere nowadays, we are well outnumbered by those who love being able to take little Woofles wherever they go - there was a post on a local facebook page complaining about dogs in our local Dobbies, and there were 98 in favour and only 2 against. If that's the sort of stats on which businesses are basing their dog policy, you can see why it makes more economic sense for them to carry on doing it.

The mistake was, ever allowing it to seem a reasonable thing to allow animals in food outlets/restaurants in the first place.

I absolutely hate it that dogs are allowed to go everywhere with their owners. I’m a dog owner and I wouldn’t dream of taking them to cafes/restaurants with me. I was sitting outside a cafe recently and people at another table just let their dog yap the whole time. In a pub I have seen people letting their dogs sit on chairs and one was on the table!!!!

Genuinely wondering, as guide dogs are allowed everywhere, surely that means you can’t risk going out to eat anywhere? Or in any public space that a guide may have been in previously or may come in during the course of your visit?

Well you don’t have any say on who is occupying the other tables in the restaurant. That’s life unless you want a private dining experience.

how does a dog lying at a table next to you require you to 'put up with' anything. He's in his space, you're in yours.