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to think it’s time to ban dogs from shops and cafes?

615 replies

timetoban · 10/04/2026 13:07

I’ve just read a BBC article about the increase in dog attacks in the UK.

Dogs seem to be everywhere now. Cafes, shops, even places where food is being served. I’m not anti-dog at all, but I don’t really want to be eating or shopping surrounded by them.

It’s not just about preference either. Some people are allergic, some are genuinely scared, and others just don’t want to deal with barking, smells or dogs getting under their feet. The BBC piece even mentioned people feeling like they have to avoid going out because dogs are everywhere now.

I also don’t really get how it’s hygienic in places serving food. I know people say “well-behaved dogs are fine” but not all dogs are well-behaved, and staff aren’t exactly going to challenge every owner.

Before anyone says it, yes obviously assistance dogs are different and should be allowed. That’s not what I mean.

I just feel like we’ve swung too far the other way where dog owners expect to take them absolutely everywhere, and everyone else just has to put up with it.

Surely it’s not unreasonable to have more dog-free indoor spaces again?

OP posts:
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Keepingthingsinteresting · 18/04/2026 23:21

I went to a lovely dog friendly cafe with my dog today after a long walk. We only went in as she was so knackered from all the sniffs she needed a rest before we walked home. The cafe got £20 out of us, the couple of one side asked if they could pet her, the women at the table across the aisle sat making eyes and cooing at her and the man in the couple at the next table beckoned her over and put her on his lap (didn’t even ask first), plus all the wait staff came for a fuss. Don’t think she made anyone unhappy, quite the opposite!

ItstoolateformeDaveyourselves · 16/04/2026 01:11

GreenCandleWax · 10/04/2026 15:30

DH and I had a lovely meal in an upmarket pub restaurant the other night. Great food and service, lovely waitress - all really good. Then as we were leaving, a dog and owner had come in and our waitress was all over the dog, holding its chin in her hands, practically rubbing its nose and ears etc. etc. Would she have washed her hands before serving the next dinner? Based on what I once saw in a similar situation elsewhere - no she wouldn't. Won't be eating in either place again, sadly.
😞

That's so wrong. You were happy with the service and food. She would obviously wash her hands to take out food!! Part of her job is to make new customers feel welcome.
You have labelled her now through your experience of her serving versus "based on what you saw similar". Not good. I presume none of you got sick?

Gloriia · 13/04/2026 16:45

MyLuckyHelper · 13/04/2026 15:43

Guessing you’d never have a picnic in a park or the forest then 😂

Parks and forests tend to be a bit roomier than your average coffee shop tbf.

KeepDancing1 · 13/04/2026 16:21

ConstanzeMozart · 10/04/2026 17:08

In London, and yes there are loads.
I was also in Bath for a week recently and there were tons there too.

Bath is completely overrun with dogs - my latest unwelcome encounter was in the changing rooms in Zara!

MyLuckyHelper · 13/04/2026 15:43

SUUUUUUNNNNN · 13/04/2026 12:00

Totally agree OP. A place where people want to eat and relax is no place for an animal (service animals aside).

Guessing you’d never have a picnic in a park or the forest then 😂

Onleemoi · 13/04/2026 12:05

Unless, of course, the owner of the business allows animals in.

SUUUUUUNNNNN · 13/04/2026 12:00

Totally agree OP. A place where people want to eat and relax is no place for an animal (service animals aside).

Lavender14 · 13/04/2026 10:14

MandingoAteMyBaby · 11/04/2026 00:52

On a normal temp day the car is fine; if it’s warm then use the cage. Not hard.

Cars heat up faster on sunny but cool days than you'd think and many dogs would find a cage upsetting. So I'd imagine you'd be having your coffee while listening to howling or barking from outside. I get your thinking but it wouldn't work in reality.

MandingoAteMyBaby · 13/04/2026 08:02

Whydidyouletmedown · 12/04/2026 20:53

Me too. They just live in the moment and every day is the best day ever to them

beST dAy eVer

Whydidyouletmedown · 12/04/2026 20:53

PomegranateVase · 12/04/2026 20:51

I’d prefer more dogs and less people.

Me too. They just live in the moment and every day is the best day ever to them

PomegranateVase · 12/04/2026 20:51

I’d prefer more dogs and less people.

LotusMandala · 12/04/2026 20:42

PottingBench · 12/04/2026 20:34

That'll be what's doing it.

I should probably also confess to the pork chop gloves.

yep. You got me.

PottingBench · 12/04/2026 20:34

That'll be what's doing it.

LotusMandala · 12/04/2026 20:31

PottingBench · 12/04/2026 20:24

I don't drink and the schools don't go back until the 20th here. Not that it matters to me as I'm 61.

I really can't imagine what you're doing to be such a dog magnet. Do you carry sausages with you? Or perhaps wear beef socks?

Nope. A whole chicken as a hat if you must know.

PottingBench · 12/04/2026 20:31

@Gloriia 's local cafe

to think it’s time to ban dogs from shops and cafes?
PottingBench · 12/04/2026 20:24

LotusMandala · 12/04/2026 13:17

You can ridicule my statement all you like by making it sound farcical, but the fact is, whether it’s comfortable for you or not, this is my experience. I am a walker, I walk a lot, and on every single walk, a dog is allowed to run up to me off lead, or let sniff around me or jump up me. None of this is invited and the response is always a cheery ‘don’t worry he’s friendly!’ as if that cancels out my dislike and then the owner won’t apologise, clearly offended that I don’t like their precious animal.

It’s not actually dogs I dislike. It’s the attitude of outrage of the owners that I hate, as demonstrated so beautifully on this thread.

Lay off the wine tonight eh? School tomorrow.

I don't drink and the schools don't go back until the 20th here. Not that it matters to me as I'm 61.

I really can't imagine what you're doing to be such a dog magnet. Do you carry sausages with you? Or perhaps wear beef socks?

MyLuckyHelper · 12/04/2026 19:26

Goldenbear · 12/04/2026 17:27

No, where have I stated that, I have an example of one pub who gave me the idea. Not every single pub at all. I haven't brought up the idea with any other pubs as I haven't been to many of them for a long time due to knowing I'll probably have to leave anyway!

You said every single business is dog friendly. I asked you if you’d asked them if they’d consider zoning and you then said “why would I ask them if they’re already thinking about it”.

mydogisthebest · 12/04/2026 17:56

Goldenbear · 12/04/2026 17:30

The sitting on the chairs is really commonplace here.

I have honestly never seen a dog on a chair in the UK despite going to numerous eating places that allow dogs every week.

I have however seen it fairly often in France, particularly in Paris

TheGoldenOwl · 12/04/2026 17:45

Gloriia · 12/04/2026 16:58

We don't know who reports what. Ive had posts deleted on other threads, it's the way it goes. To talk about me like this as I'm not here is a bit unpleasant tbh.

I'm more than happy to be challenged. Challenge away!

👍

Gloriia · 12/04/2026 17:41

MyLuckyHelper · 12/04/2026 17:16

You’ve just repeated the same story. You asked them to move and they did. Whether they flounced or not is irrelevant

Well you've repeated your 'so what'?

I'll try again.

I shouldn't have had to ask staff to to tell them to get their dogs off customer's seats. Once told they should have said 'oh sorry how inconsiderate of us', instead they stropped off. Can you not see the entitled arsey mentality we are dealing with?!

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 12/04/2026 17:36

JulietteHasAGun · 12/04/2026 17:11

Some people here would not be happy about the Curzon cinema having dog friendly viewings. 😁

Why not? It seems to only be one day a week and no dogs on furniture, so pretty easy to avoid if you don’t like dogs.

Goldenbear · 12/04/2026 17:30

Gloriia · 12/04/2026 17:04

Yes it's always worth asking. We went in a coffee shop where 3 big dogs were sat on chairs. I asked the staff to kindly ask the owners to get them off customers chairs. They took it badly and flounced but still, job done Grin.

The sitting on the chairs is really commonplace here.

Goldenbear · 12/04/2026 17:29

MyLuckyHelper · 12/04/2026 16:14

Every single business in your city is already thinking about it and none have implemented it? Wonder why that is 🤷

I'm hoping the one pub that I mentioned told me about it have implemented it but why would that be an issue, surely it is more inclusive and less morally blind?

Goldenbear · 12/04/2026 17:27

MyLuckyHelper · 12/04/2026 16:14

Every single business in your city is already thinking about it and none have implemented it? Wonder why that is 🤷

No, where have I stated that, I have an example of one pub who gave me the idea. Not every single pub at all. I haven't brought up the idea with any other pubs as I haven't been to many of them for a long time due to knowing I'll probably have to leave anyway!

MyLuckyHelper · 12/04/2026 17:16

Gloriia · 12/04/2026 17:14

The dogs were sat on customers seats! I, a customer, had to ask the staff to tell them get their dogs off the seats. They then flounced off in a strop. Hardly polite behaviour.

They shouldn't have been on seats.

You’ve just repeated the same story. You asked them to move and they did. Whether they flounced or not is irrelevant

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