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To dislike the increase in dogs in shops/cafes

541 replies

amymel2016 · 10/11/2024 18:07

I’ve recently noticed a huge increase in non-service dogs in cafes and shops. I was in Joules earlier today and there were 3 in there, two of which were barking and growling at each other. I was in a cafe last week with 2 in there. Surely it can’t be fun for the dog having to sit under a cramped table?

I’m very allergic to dogs and the smell absolutely sets me on edge. I don’t understand why they are allowed in? I’m not about to walk in with a cat or a rabbit so why dogs? It’s also the attitude of most (sweeping generalisation!) dog owners which annoys me, no, I don’t want to talk to your dog or about your dog. I don’t care if you say he’s friendly I don’t want it anywhere near me.

Goes without saying that service dogs are bloody amazing and they should absolutely be welcome everywhere.

OP posts:
Newdaynewstarts · 11/11/2024 15:37

It’s weird that people don’t want to leave their anxious dogs at home because the dog can’t cope, yet owners assume dogs are happier to go shopping! If only dogs could speak.

Newdaynewstarts · 11/11/2024 15:30

whatatodoaboutnothing · 10/11/2024 18:59

Take my fur baby (🤣) everywhere cause why not? She’s small and no bother

In the same way I check where I can take her, you can check where you can go that wouldn’t allow dogs 🤷‍♀️

ps my dog doesn’t smell and sleeps under the table if we stop to eat, so not a trip hazard when she’s out and about

but this is so grim… you are forcing your mangy dog on others where food is being served. Owners of the eatery are greedy feckers that would welcome paying goats if they could.

ForMintUser · 11/11/2024 15:27

With you 100% but it seems we’re in the minority.

I would say Covid made the situation worse, I now think there are 2 types of dog owner - the ones that had them before (mostly sensible, I don’t remember this nonsense before) and the dickheads with dogs who bought them during covid and are very entitled that think they can bring them everywhere.

Drives me demented when I look at a menu with every allergy known to man catered for but my allergy no one gives a shit about.

Had a dog stick its head under my arm towards my dinner plate when I was eating recently. Dickhead owner did the usual “oh he’s just being friendly”.

Maverickess · 11/11/2024 15:26

ILikeItWhatIsIt · 10/11/2024 23:07

No it wasn't and I'm sure you're going to say how do I know she didn't wash her hands. I don't know, but I did just see her touching a dog so that's where I draw the line.

You're absolutely right, you don't know, you've assumed and are reacting on your assumption. They could own dogs at home, or snakes, or anything, could have even been to the toilet while on shift, so might the chef - which if we're assuming people don't bother washing their hands - means that you'd be refusing to use anywhere that employs humans that have to use the toilet or has anything in their home that you fear will contaminate your food? You clearly have a low opinion of the staff who serve you in such places so why use them at all?

Your call if you don't want to go anywhere with dogs present of course, but the result of that is less places to choose from.

I personally, love dogs and have 2, very occasionally I'll take them into a café to get a coffee on a walk if places don't offer service from a window for example but allow dogs, and get a takeaway anyway.
I don't sit in because although my two will just lie under the table quietly, so many people's dogs do not and that has an effect on mine when they're harassed by other people's poorly trained dogs.

And I don't think taking dogs shopping, dragging them around busy towns and cities or similar is in the dogs best interests, and I see it a lot working in a tourist place.

I've been tripped, snapped at and had to take food back and binned it, and had to have it remade because a dog jumped up at me while carrying the plates, but if we don't allow dogs then we lose a lot of trade and that could mean my job. And the place won't be open for people who don't like dogs to visit anyway.

Consumers like to dictate how businesses are run and who/what they allow in, at the moment a majority are dictating that their dog goes everywhere with them, so business is bowing to the consumer demand. Either consumers, by volume of demand, make the rules or the businesses do - and no one likes to be told where they can and can't go or what they can and can't do by a service business. It's exactly the environment created by customers demanding what they want and everything should work their way.

Mnetcurious · 11/11/2024 15:23

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 15:06

Obviously the number of people with allergies is tiny compared to the number of people who want to be able to take their dogs with them. If there was the demand for more dog-free places then they would exist. That’s life.

The number of people who don’t want to always share a cafe space with a dog is much more than just allergy sufferers. Many are afraid of them or just don’t like them, like me (I also live with someone with pet allergies so double whammy). As evidenced on this thread there are also plenty of people who like dogs but don’t want them around when they’re eating. The proportion of pubs/coffee shops etc that accept dogs now is not in keeping with the proportion of people who actually want to be there with a dog.

Swivelhead · 11/11/2024 15:19

I prefer dogs to sunshine, though.

What... it isn't all about me?!

Kinda like... businesses which welcome dogs don't operate exclusively for your benefit?

Shucks.

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 15:18

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 15:10

Ridiculous comparison.
The sun is essential for life on earth, dogs are mostly not essential.

Coffee shops are not essential for life either so people who don’t want to share those spaces with dogs can avoid them.

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 15:10

Swivelhead · 11/11/2024 15:04

It's up to people to manage their own allergies.

I'm allergic to the sun, but don't advocate for the sun to be extinguished and have no problem with other people going on beach holidays.

Edited

Ridiculous comparison.
The sun is essential for life on earth, dogs are mostly not essential.

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 15:09

KimberleyClark · 11/11/2024 15:06

Never said it was. I was pointing out that your comparison of the chemicals of which we are composed and the synthetic chemical compounds of artificial fragrances, and your asking how the poster puts up with the former if she cannot stand the latter, was absurd.

I didn't compare anything. 🫣

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 15:06

Mnetcurious · 11/11/2024 15:03

Yes and the point that’s being made repeatedly is that they’re allowed almost everywhere now so avoiding places where there are dogs is nigh on impossible.

Obviously the number of people with allergies is tiny compared to the number of people who want to be able to take their dogs with them. If there was the demand for more dog-free places then they would exist. That’s life.

KimberleyClark · 11/11/2024 15:06

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 11:53

Naturally occuring is definitely not always better than synthetic though.
Tell me more about chemicals which I didn't learn in my Uni lectures, I'm intrigued. 🫣

Never said it was. I was pointing out that your comparison of the chemicals of which we are composed and the synthetic chemical compounds of artificial fragrances, and your asking how the poster puts up with the former if she cannot stand the latter, was absurd.

Swivelhead · 11/11/2024 15:04

It's up to people to manage their own allergies.

I'm allergic to the sun, but don't advocate for the sun to be extinguished and have no problem with other people going on beach holidays.

Mnetcurious · 11/11/2024 15:03

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:57

People with allergies to dogs just have to avoid places where they hang out. It is the business owners decision whether they want to allow dogs in their premises.

Yes and the point that’s being made repeatedly is that they’re allowed almost everywhere now so avoiding places where there are dogs is nigh on impossible.

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 15:03

StandingSideBySide · 11/11/2024 15:01

That’s not the point that I was making though, of course business owners can do what they want.

Your post said children irritate some people but they are allowed in public spaces, the same applies to dogs.

However. No one has a medical condition against kids, people do however have allergies against dogs.

Children and dogs therefore cannot be put in the same category.

That’s not true though. People with MH issues can struggle to deal with the noise and chaos of badly behaved children in public places.

StandingSideBySide · 11/11/2024 15:01

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:57

People with allergies to dogs just have to avoid places where they hang out. It is the business owners decision whether they want to allow dogs in their premises.

That’s not the point that I was making though, of course business owners can do what they want.

Your post said children irritate some people but they are allowed in public spaces, the same applies to dogs.

However. No one has a medical condition against kids, people do however have allergies against dogs.

Children and dogs therefore cannot be put in the same category.

oakleaffy · 11/11/2024 15:00

Whippets don’t smell ~ lf well fed and have their teeth cleaned from puppyhood. Their coats are like satin and don’t trap smells.

Some breeds reek, because of greasy coats and bad breath.

I agree there are very many yappy and poorly socialised dogs around.

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:57

StandingSideBySide · 11/11/2024 14:55

I don’t known anyone who has a medical condition eg allergy to kids though

The same doesn’t, therefore apply

People with allergies to dogs just have to avoid places where they hang out. It is the business owners decision whether they want to allow dogs in their premises.

Mnetcurious · 11/11/2024 14:57

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:52

“Make it make sense” 🤣
Could you BE any more patronising?
The point is that children irritate some people but they are allowed in most public spaces. The same applies to dogs. That’s life.

Sorry if you feel patronised. It must be because you insist on saying allergy sufferers have to endure dogs everywhere because you have to endure children screaming sometimes. Once again they’re not comparable but I’ll leave it there.

StandingSideBySide · 11/11/2024 14:55

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:52

“Make it make sense” 🤣
Could you BE any more patronising?
The point is that children irritate some people but they are allowed in most public spaces. The same applies to dogs. That’s life.

I don’t known anyone who has a medical condition eg allergy to kids though

The same doesn’t, therefore apply

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:54

Makingchocolatecake · 11/11/2024 14:49

What about the dogs that sit at home alone missing their owners though :-(

My dog gets plenty of time to run free but she also likes coming with us for meals and snacks, often these are part of a long walk.

vodkaredbullgirl · 11/11/2024 14:52

Too much bitching on here 😆

Pickandmixmood · 11/11/2024 14:52

Mnetcurious · 11/11/2024 14:47

You said “the more the better” so those with allergies to dogs should have to struggle to find a suitable coffee shop, in your opinion, just because some people let their toddlers run around screaming? The two are not related. Make it make sense.

“Make it make sense” 🤣
Could you BE any more patronising?
The point is that children irritate some people but they are allowed in most public spaces. The same applies to dogs. That’s life.

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 14:51

PyreneanAubrie · 11/11/2024 14:47

When did I say that?

I didn't.
Just stop now, you are embarrassing yourself by imagining things and being pompous.

I was referring to general replies on the thread, not just you. As I said, stop embarrassing yourself.

Makingchocolatecake · 11/11/2024 14:49

Differentstarts · 10/11/2024 18:38

Yanbu I don't want dogs jumping up me and slobbering everywhere. No I don't think your dog is cute and I don't want to fuss over it. Taking a dog out into shops and cafes is 100% for the owners benefit and not for the dog. Dogs want to play, and run in open fields and beaches not dragged around crowded shops or squahed under tables at cafes.

What about the dogs that sit at home alone missing their owners though :-(

PyreneanAubrie · 11/11/2024 14:47

DieStrassensindimmernass · 11/11/2024 13:57

Eh?
Just stop now, you're embarrassing yourself.
Of course I'm aware that different chemicals can do a whole host of differebt things, my point was that referring to 'chemicals' as bad or thinking 'natural' is always better than 'synthetic' is essentially meaningless.

When did I say that?

I didn't.
Just stop now, you are embarrassing yourself by imagining things and being pompous.