Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

When I see comments like that, I imagine a small child holding their nose saying "you smell".

It isn't so.

People's spiteful agenda is easy to see through though. Most people are well aware, dog owners or not, that it's possible to have a dog and not have a smelly home. When people keep rolling this out as some kind of "gotcha", it says far more about the spiteful people saying nonsense like this than it does about dog owners homes.

They do. I’ve heard plenty of Americans complain about dogs with their noses in fresh produces at trader joes and how people are abusing the assistance dog claim over there.

I remember a woman I used to follow on Twitter way back in 2016 was posting about her neighbour who was complaining about her having an “emotional support dog” in their dog free apartment complex in Seattle . She posted a picture and it was a pitbull 😬

But I suspect it depends on the state. I don’t remember seeing dogs in restaurants as much in say Houston or Charlotte as I did in NYC or Chicago.

Agree. But they keep pretending it isn’t so.

There are only about 7000 guide dogs so it's very unlikely you'll have one sitting next to you.

I sometimes see them on trains because they are being trained.

I thought in the US you could take a pet anywhere if you said it was an emotional support animal (and not just dogs).

Not read the full thread but there are chains that don't allow dogs (Pizza Express maybe)? But on the whole it's very difficult to find places that are dog-free these days.

People on holiday used to use kennels or dog-sitters, they didn't take them everywhere with them. And pub gardens are still an option.

If places do allow dogs maybe one per party would be a better idea - three sounds over the top for one table! Although I suppose it depends if it's a table for 4, or a table for 20.

I remember a few years ago we were on holiday out of season (so it wasn't busy in the hotel) and when we came in for breakfast the waiting staff wanted us to sit next to someone with a big dog. We politely demurred. That said, it's happened to me when there hasn't been a dog, waiting staff like to cram everyone onto adjacent tables it seems.

Nope, they don't!

I've been to non dog owners houses that stink! You open the door and all you can smell is mustiness and unclean bodies. Does that mean all non dog owners homes stink? Of course not.

Homes of dog owners who have certain breeds, or don't wash their dogs enough or don't clean often enough, or have chosen unsuitable furnishings might smell. But it's perfectly possible to have a dog and a home that doesn't smell.

They do. All dogs smell.

However clean the dog's owner tries to keep their home, it will always stink of dog.

I know a number of dog owners with high standards of personal hygiene and whose homes look immaculate, but the moment you step through their front doors, the smell of dog assaults your nostrils.

There is nothing you can do about the smell. It goes wherever the dog goes and lingers long after the dog has left.

Yes you did have places available to you. They just weren't open at the time you wanted, in the exact location you wanted or in the price bracket you wanted. It's not the fault of dog owners that you failed to do appropriate research before booking a holiday.

As a dog owner, if I book a holiday with the dog, I research whether or not there are suitable accommodations, facilities and venues that suit our needs. If there aren't we keep looking!

The compromise situation is that both dog owners and those who want dog free venues do their research. Dog owners don't attempt to take their dogs into dog free places and don't complain about it, and in return, those who want dog free spaces stick to those, or if they choose a dog friendly venue, they don't get to complain about the dogs being there.

I don't have a dog, but if I sit at a table with someone who has a dog then I am suddenly unclean 😂

There were not places available to me locally to that were dog free. Witney again was a few miles away. I couldn't eat in a closed garden centre, we didnt have the car last week. Your attitude is the reason why the phrase 'entitled dog owner' exists and the reason why reasonable dog owners who on this thread alone have expressed compromise is needed get cross.

You can be clean and have a dog.
You can be filthy and not have a dog...

There were 2 dogs browsing in my local Sainsbury's when I went in last week. Both on the floor on leads, one a small dachshund and the other an exuberant cockerpoo. Neither of them looked as though they'd be useful in a crisis. As I tutted my way to the front of the store, the bored security guard was explaining to 2 women that no, he would not do anything about it and, if they had a problem, write in. And no, there wasn't a manager available at thst particular moment. I did email Mr Sainsbury about my disgust and his reply was 'thank you for contacting us, we hope it didn't spoil your visit to or store' or similar (I was angry, I deleted it).

So there were lots of places available to you, you chose not to go to them for reasons other then dogs, since (apart from one I got wrong in my 10 second google) they are dog free. P.S There's also a dog free Weatherspoons just down the road in Whitney.

It's staggerly entitled to refuse all the dog free venues available to you and insist on eating in the dog friendly ones and complaining about dogs being there. You are literally expecting them to turf out their loyal customer base who keep the venues going year round, so you can get first dibs on places when you tip up as a tourist for a week or two.

I don't have a dog.

Sorry but they do all smell.

You are just used it the smell and don't notice it.

I totally agree. I live in the US where the only dogs allowed in eating establishments are service dogs, which of course is absolutely fine and isn't something you see very often.

It always surprises me (and grosses me out) to see dogs in pubs when I'm in England.

Not all dogs smell.
A establishment can have a 5 star hygiene rating and allow dogs.

My mum used to give her old lurcher cooked bones and grapes, and she lived to almost 17. She only went to the vets for injuries and jabs.

You can't be clean and have a dog, you are clean OR have a dog. A smelly dog nearby does affect the eating experience and shows that the establishment doesn't value hygiene. And for Mrsm43 Chadlington is 9 miles from Burford, I didn't think i had seen it last week.

I'll be sure to let them know. They've got to 15 and 17 and also have onion gravy - oops!

I wouldn't necessarily use the word "friend" but dogs can very much express a preference for certain dogs or people and can express their pleasure at being in their presence.

My dog mixes with other dogs on her walks a lot, but when she sees a certain brindle staffy she starts to wag her tail, whimper, hop around and offer play bows. She genuinely expresses enjoyment when he's around.

I agree with you, I think it's gross.

Also feel very sorry for people with allergies, it must be a nightmare for them now.

We have dog friendly cafes nearby, thats fair enough as everyone knows they're gonna have dogs in there (and I know to steer clear)
But i don't agree they should be allowed everywhere, that's just wrong.

You can be clean and have a dog.
A dog sat under a table several metres away from you is not going to have an affect on your own hygiene or cleanliness at your table.