To dare to think that the Cult of Dog has gone too far?

@Isobel201 I live on the coast. Most of the beaches used to be dog free over the summer (there were still some that weren't) but the dog-owning mafia, who outnumber those who don't have dogs, got the rule changed so now dogs are allowed on all beaches all of the time. It's so gross - I've seen them poo and the owners not pick it up - "it gets cleaned up by the tide" - yes but I, and my children, and lots of other children want to swim in the sea. Preferably, a sea that hasn't got dog poo really close to the shore. I don't actually understand how the law got changed. I reckon the councillors must all have dogs, too. And there are people who bring dogs to church - and they start scratching during the prayers or the readings and one of them is really smelly.

We joined the cult just over a year ago. Guilty as charged.
On the plus side my little mongrel (cavapoochon) is scared of people so doesn’t go near anyone. But you’re not wrong, we are completely obsessed with her. Take her everywhere, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs. On the plus side, everyone else near me seems to have a variety of “poo”. they’re everywhere.

Oh I absolutely love her, Can’t describe it. Couldn’t be without her.

My cat used to eat venison, goose or pheasant cat food. It cost a fortune but he liked it. Maybe I should have fed him Whiskas and bought some random kid breakfast!

If my child ran up to a dog minding its own business and smacked it, I would be very apologetic and cross with my child. I'd expect a similar response from a dog owner who had let their dog encroach unwanted on our personal space. Mutual respect and consideration.

You might think it's unlikely but it happens. I was walking our dog and a kid ran up to her and smacked her on the nose and shouted 'doggie'. She understandably snapped at the little brat but she was on a lead so she didn't get him. I was ready to defend my dog but his Mum came up to me and apologised and said it'll teach him not to do that again. This was a long time ago, nowadays the dog would probably get the blame.

''You'd like my dog''

No I wouldn't. If it has teeth and a pulse I'm going nowhere near it.

I was bitten twice as a child by both of my friend's dogs. On my hand and my face. Thankfully It didn't break the skin.

I'd seen these dogs regularly every week since they got them. Once the trust is broken it's not coming back. No one ever thought it could happen, after all they were 'friendly'. Until they weren't........

There is a bit of a culture clash too, with Muslim teaching being that dogs shouldn't be kept in homes, or lick people, which can lead to many Muslims being wary of dogs.

I had a woman make a cross with her fingers (like you would to a vampire) at me when I said I didn't like dogs. Barking mad.....

Wish they did as I hate having to tie my dog up outside while I nip in a shop I have huge anxiety about someone stealing him.

Can't you leave him at home when you go shopping?

yes I'd love to know where op lives too, where I live (big city) dogs aren't allowed anywhere no shops or cafes libraries . only pets at home allow dogs in. Wish they did as I hate having to tie my dog up outside while I nip in a shop I have huge anxiety about someone stealing him.
must admit i do hate other people's dogs running up and jumping up leaving muddy paw prints on my clean clothes etc while in the park. I keep my dog on his lead.

There's a neighbour across the way from us large type XL dog unmuzzled walked by a young teen if this dog flipped she wouldn't be able to control it... accident waiting to happen.

I hate it when dogs are allowed on furniture. They are dogs, not people.

I agree - so fed up up of entitled people letter their untrained dog off lead. I have been growled, barked or jumped up at several times already this year.

I love dogs too - just hate the owners.

I'm a bit phobic of dogs but I don't think it is the majority of dog owners. I've learnt that the majority of dogs and dog owners are sensible. Unfortunately the one's who are not have a significant impact.

One dog owner not picking up shit makes somewhere unpleasant quickly with a new pile everyday.

Tramatising the child is the entire point! And the traumatised child is their parent’s fault. Perhaps they won’t be such an entitled dick in the future.

I adore animals but I do agree on some these points. When DC was about 3, we had a picnic at our local park. A large-ish dog repeatedly ran over our picnic blanket, knocking dc and messing up the blanket. Owner just said "she loves kids!". Then it snatched a chocolate cookie from us (a giant cafe one) and the owner freaked out cause chocolate is bad for dogs. I couldn't believe the entitlement. She was acting like it was OUR fault.

It's not the only time our picnics have been hijacked by "friendly" dogs

I don’t agree. I think it’s crass and othering.

No one is equating persons with disabilities and pets. Please.

But assuming that a pet in a pram is just a coddled lapdog when it too may be disabled, elderly or ill, is also wrong. There is nothing wrong with being kind and compassionate toward animals; it takes nothing away from compassion toward human beings.

No one was comparing them at all. Some pets are disabled too, either by illness, injury or old age.
The dogs in prams usually have mobility issues. They do still like to get out, and have a short walk at their destination.

That is not saying that disabled humans are the same as pets at all.

@Azureshores Oh Wow - about the Swan Hotel at Newby - that is really utterly disgusting. I love my dogs but as you say, those people were beyond redemption. That dachshund could have walked in anything before placing its paws (and everything else) on the table. I know it wasn't your responsibility to do so but did you tell the next lot of people who sat down at the table that it needed a really good clean?

RE : Dogs in Prams

a bit like taking a disabled person out in a wheelchair (done that too) They still like to get out and about

I can’t believe that this comparison was made as if disabled people were a subclass of human roughly equivalent to a pet, AND I’m surprised it’s not been picked up on more. How Disgraceful !

I really don’t think that, apart from the first comment by the OP, for which she has apologised more than once, that the majority of the responses on here, from people who prefer some spaces and areas to be without dogs, have been vitriolic.

There are views expressed from dog owners, who choose not to take them to shops, cafes and restaurants. There are views expressed from people who have a serious allergic response to animals, which can be debilitating, if not dangerous. There are views expressed from dog lovers who recognise that some dog owners are irresponsible and discourteous.

If, as a dog owner, you ignore local regulations, then I think it’s reasonable for others to be annoyed by that, especially on beaches and AONB, where they should be on leads.

It’s a shame that those who are responsible dog owners are tarred with the same brush as irresponsible and thoughtless ones. I think so many more people acquired dogs during Covid and I’m not convinced that all of them were for the right reasons. I agree that it is primarily owners and their lack of responsibility, who are causing the division between groups of people. I don’t think thats a vitriolic response. I

It's definitely a Cult. There's really no escape. Every café, shop or space where I live is "dog friendly". I genuinely don't know what's happened, why dogs are everywhere and why they seem to be getting equal status with humans.

I’ve always loved dogs and have had them all my life—but I still completely agree with you. As a responsible dog owner with a calm, well-behaved dog, I find it incredibly frustrating how many selfish and oblivious dog owners are out there.

There’s a local woman near me whose dog has repeatedly tried to attack mine over the past two years. Every time, she acts like it’s just harmless play, while I’m desperately trying to protect my poor, frightened dog from her aggressive animal. She never steps in.

I finally snapped one day—heavily pregnant, with two small children in tow—when her dog was growling, barking, and baring its teeth at me as I stood between it and my terrified dog. She kept insisting her dog “wasn’t doing anything,” even as it tried to lunge at my dog’s neck. Then, she had the nerve to tell me that if I didn’t want other dogs approaching mine, the park wasn’t the place for me. I honestly thought I was going mad.

I have no problem with friendly dogs coming over to say hello. But being a responsible owner means understanding that not everyone wants your dog near them or their pets—and if your dog is off lead, you should have enough control to call them back immediately.

Yep. Was in a really nice (well, it used to be) hotel restaurant at the weekend that we used to go to a lot - one couple thought it was acceptable to put their sausage dog ON the table. With its grubby paws that have trod through god knows what. The staff did nothing. Il name the place actually - it was the Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge. When the couple left another party came and sat down and the table wasn't wiped in between🤮
Also other dogs barking away at one another and basically being annoying and getting in the way of waiting staff.
I Frequently see people putting their dogs on the chairs in cafes lately, even upholstered ones. It's bonkers.

My favourite cafe that we go to the most is the only one that doesn't allow dogs. Please God let it stay that way - they're a dying breed.
I just don't understand why people think it's ok to let their pets sit at the table in a public space, I suspect it's a kind of aggressive "il do what I want - what you gonna do about it"? type of thicko mentality. And the worst part is that the cafe owners do nothing and can't be arsed having some standards.

and don't get me started on the amount of parents letting their kids have their iPads/phones blaring out Bluey etc in the middle of a restaurant

I honestly feel like no one has any manners any more or gives a shit about other people.