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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Bradbury4858 · 10/04/2026 16:40

Tutorpuzzle · 10/04/2026 16:35

You’re absolutely right! We’ve even had someone complaining about dogs in Dorothy Perkins - which closed its last high street shop in 2021!

All we need now is that strange poster who is adamant that all dogs should be let free to live their lives in the woods….as nature intended 🤣🤣

We’ve not had the poster who said she’s sick of dog owners pushing their dogs into her face for a kiss yet either.🤣

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:38

Tutorpuzzle · 10/04/2026 16:35

You’re absolutely right! We’ve even had someone complaining about dogs in Dorothy Perkins - which closed its last high street shop in 2021!

All we need now is that strange poster who is adamant that all dogs should be let free to live their lives in the woods….as nature intended 🤣🤣

Haha, I did not spot that. 😆

I am waiting for the poster who is on a one woman mission to get dogs banned from all cafes. She reckons she has been 100% successful so far (2 cafes).
Oh, and the one who says "Keir Starmer needs to do something about dogs".
Also the one who insists dogs are man made and not actually animals.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 10/04/2026 16:38

This is so boring, what is the point of these posts? I could do a daily post asking why there aren’t more child free places, but that would be ridiculous. Seems to just be an opportunity for dog haters to moan.

Businesses will make the decision if dogs are allowed into their cafe, pub etc. It must be beneficial to their businesses or they wouldn’t do it. There’s still plenty of places that don’t allow dogs, and that’s fine. Serious dog allergies are very rare, and you can’t ban guide dogs, thank goodness.

Tutorpuzzle · 10/04/2026 16:35

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:32

Bingo card filling up 😆

You’re absolutely right! We’ve even had someone complaining about dogs in Dorothy Perkins - which closed its last high street shop in 2021!

All we need now is that strange poster who is adamant that all dogs should be let free to live their lives in the woods….as nature intended 🤣🤣

PottingBench · 10/04/2026 16:35

LighthouseLola · 10/04/2026 16:28

Don't drag the poor bugger round Dorothy Perkins

Or into John Lewis to 'try a coat on' as I disbelievingly read the other day on here.

If John Lewis allows dogs and sells dogs' coats then what's wrong with any of this?

Dog's aren't allowed in John Lewis cafes, Waitrose or Waitrose cafes to answer the original post.

golla346 · 10/04/2026 16:34

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:29

I do not for one second believe you own dogs.

Why’s that then?

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 10/04/2026 16:34

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:26

Do you make your kids sit on the floor in cafes?

A lot of dog owners round here don’t make their dogs sit on the floor in cafes, even when there’s a published “paws on floor” policy.

Staff never challenge them, which is the most frustrating part. (And it’s always, always small, yappy, badly-trained dogs. Which is unsurprising, as the owners seem to think they’re exempt from rules.)

Onleemoi · 10/04/2026 16:33

We’ve had dragged, fur babies, John Lewis, stinks … right on track for shitty bums on page 9.

Spidey66 · 10/04/2026 16:33

Yawns.

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:33

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:32

We have not had "dog anus on seats" yet 😆

😂

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:32

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:32

Bingo card filling up 😆

We have not had "dog anus on seats" yet 😆

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:32

Bingo card filling up 😆

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:31

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:29

I do not for one second believe you own dogs.

Nor me

GenieGenealogy · 10/04/2026 16:30

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.

YANBU. But there are a lot of people who think their animal is equivalent to human beings and will start going on about badly behaved children and how everyone loves their little fur baby.

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:29

golla346 · 10/04/2026 16:28

I own dogs and I don’t even wanna see them out and about. They should be banned from anywhere that serves food end of. They shouldn’t be allowed in shops either unless it’s a service dog. Dog are everywhere what happened to leaving them at home?

I do not for one second believe you own dogs.

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:29

LighthouseLola · 10/04/2026 16:28

Don't drag the poor bugger round Dorothy Perkins

Or into John Lewis to 'try a coat on' as I disbelievingly read the other day on here.

It was a coat for a dog. It makes sense to see that it fits. 🙄

golla346 · 10/04/2026 16:28

I own dogs and I don’t even wanna see them out and about. They should be banned from anywhere that serves food end of. They shouldn’t be allowed in shops either unless it’s a service dog. Dog are everywhere what happened to leaving them at home?

LaurieFairyCake · 10/04/2026 16:28

You can’t take dogs in shopping centres. I’m in London, you can’t take dogs in either of the huge Westfields, Bluewater, Lakeside, Canary Wharf shopping centre. These are the shopping centers closest to me and they are massive and no dogs !

you can take dogs in John Lewis and Liberty in the West end (individual shops) so people blathering on about shopping centers are talking SHITE.

LighthouseLola · 10/04/2026 16:28

Don't drag the poor bugger round Dorothy Perkins

Or into John Lewis to 'try a coat on' as I disbelievingly read the other day on here.

YeOldeGreyhound · 10/04/2026 16:28

Sweetpea333 · 10/04/2026 16:27

Yes. I was in a trendy cafe/bookshop today and there were 2 dogs. One was disruptive and the other STANK.

That is very often my experience, but with humans.

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/04/2026 16:28

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 10/04/2026 16:20

Dogs are now treated like children when they should be treated, respectfully, as the wonderful creatures they are. Dog behaviouralists only exist as a result of humans failing their dogs….. often by treating them as children.

But my children are adults now.

Onleemoi · 10/04/2026 16:27

I honestly despair of how some MNers treat their children. Poor things.

Tutorpuzzle · 10/04/2026 16:27

timetoban · 10/04/2026 16:16

Of course not

But I don't get why people keep saying not this post again etc. Why post then?

You agree there have been multiple threads already then? And surely you see that economic forces will outweigh an individual customer’s desire to ban dogs? So the question really is, why have you begun this thread? With your very appropriate username?

Bit bored?

Whydidyouletmedown · 10/04/2026 16:27

ArtemisNutella · 10/04/2026 16:26

My dog thinks people who don’t like dogs should be banned from cafes. She wants to enjoy her puppacino without grumpy tutting in the corner thanks.

Well said

Sweetpea333 · 10/04/2026 16:27

Yes. I was in a trendy cafe/bookshop today and there were 2 dogs. One was disruptive and the other STANK.

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