Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

Yes, the owners make them welcome - but this is a case of just because you can, doesn't mean you should. They're a headache in that setting, which I now studiously avoid.

I dont like it either but you cant expect people to risk losing custom to fight some sort of social etiquette battle on our behalf . People who run restaurants, pubs, cafes, etc have to put up with all sorts of arseholes in the name of making a living, entitled dog owners are just another in a long line of them.

Of course not every area is the same. But you research it!

If dog free is so important to you, why not research where you can accommodate that.

Honestly, there's tons of stuff I don't like in my town. My choices are to accept/tolerate it or move.

I’ve worked in cafes and restaurants over 20 years.

Some allowed dogs and some didn’t …

**During that time, I’ve cleaned up human vomit (too many times to mention)
human wee, millions of times, and human poo, rare but sadly, not unheard of..

**Ive cleaned crayons off walls, re-sewn curtains ripped from their rail, retrieved nappies and t-shirts stuffed down toilets and lamented the loss of cutlery and ornaments that have been stolen. Replaced logs stolen from the open hearth, re-sanded tables that have been gouged with knives, and wiped up cocaine from the men’s toilets more than once

There was a water bowl overturned once…

The starred comments refer to humans in these places
The dog bowl refers to a Labrador that upturned the bowl

Hmmm. It doesn’t really bother me in cafes where we’re just having coffee. Typically a third of the clientele have dogs with them pre-lunch, and IME they’re all very well behaved. It’s a different matter in an upmarket restaurant (that allows dogs) though.

Would you leave a toddler alone and unattended outside a restaurant whilst you ate a meal, or before the crazies arrive, your car with the doors open and keys in the ignition?

People steal dogs, you can’t just tie them up outside and leave them (would also be a shitty thing to do as most dogs would be upset by that).

They should use cages then

For toddlers? Really?
They're an annoyance, and allowed in most places so...

No but it's arguably dull as hell! The clue is in the word 'holiday' which, for most of us, usually involves dinner in some nice places. Fact is there are far, far more establishments that don't welcome dogs than ones that do. However, I am personally pleased there are some eateries that understand that if you've been on a long walk with your dog, you might want/need some sustenance, which you shouldn't be forced to eat in your car or sitting on a wall!

I was literally just discussing this with my hairdresser! I have recently been back to the UK and was genuinely shocked how dog friendly it had become, even since last summer. I love my dog but I would never dream of taking him into a busy restaurant because a) he's a dog and I'm fairly sure he would much rather be at home snoozing on our sofa that he's not allowed on and b) if he suddenly decided to randomly bark (because he's a dog) he'd break half the restaurant's ear drums.

A pub/bar garden after a good walk, absolutely fine. An indoor restaurant with busy staff and lots of people, nope.

Please reread my post.

You have not responded to what I actually wrote. Or perhaps you have replied to the wrong poster?

You’re much more likely to catch something from other humans than you are a dog.

You don’t think there are people out there who would do this kind of thing? There definitely are.

If it did happen the likely scenario would be person with senior or injured dog in pram said excuse me. Poster, so enraged that a dog was in a carriage made for actual humans, believes it was a demand. If there was room on the bus for all, why wouldn’t you move up a bit? It would benefit the dog owner (a human) not the dog.

Dogs have been allowed on trains and buses for over a century.

This is another pointless thread.

Dogs have have never been banned in UK cafes and restaurants. Regulations only state that dogs must be kept out of food preparation, handling, and storage areas like kitchens. The choice to allow dogs in the front-of-house dining areas has always been left entirely up to the individual business owner or manager.Growing demand has lead to an increase of dogs allowed in cafes and restaurants.Traditional rural pubs always welcomed dogs. No amount of whining by those that don’t like dogs is going to change that, particularly so given how much pressure the hospitality sector is under.

I have read your post, I have responded to it. My point still stands. If you don't want to go to a dog friendly venue, do your research and go to one of the 90%+ of venues that are dog free. Yes, that might mean going somewhere different than you planned, but that's what you need to do if dog free is important to you.

If you fail to do your research, and choose to frequent dog friendly places, don't then moan when dogs are there, as they are perfectly allowed to be.

I know because I'm a customer and I know other customers.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Walk your dog then leave it tucked up at home. A dog doesn't want to be in a noisy busy place, other customers will all be thinking ffs. Why do it?

Be kind to your pets and do what is best for them not you (you generally not you specifically). It shouldn't need saying but here we are.

You know absolutely nothing about dogs. They vary massively. Our dog only wants to be with us. She hates being alone at home and will howl if left. We went out to dinner last night. 5 of us so spent a lot I’m sure the bistro was happy to have. Our dog was in heaven, water bowl put out by owners, tucked by our feet in a corner behind our table people watching and snoozing. The same as every other dog I ever see in restaurants.

'don't then moan when dogs are there, as they are perfectly allowed to be'

Lots of thngs are allowed, doesn't mean it's ok. Must everything be banned or illegal before people do the right thing? Some people are so gormless and need to be told how to behave constantly.

Use your common sense and be considerate both to your dog and other customers.

I absolutely hate kids in restaurants they’re rarely quiet or well behaved. Owners like them there so I have to suck it up. You have to suck up dogs. Such is life.

Dogs are not toddlers
Mine was actually quite smarter.....

For instance, you’re allowed an opinion but it doesn’t make it right.

It is ok because owners set rules and want them there. Popping in before or after or even during a walk brings in extra business. Dog owners curtail to restaurant owners not a few entitled customers who think their wishes trumps the wishes of the person an establishment belongs too.🙄

'She hates being alone at home and will howl if left'

Yes, dogs need training this is true. As dog owners we have a responsibility to do that and teaching them to be left for periods is one thing we should do. We had a pp sharing regular ice cream with their dog, seemingly unaware that regular ice ream is not recommended for dogs.

So may owners seem unable to provide the correct care for dogs.

I'm sure the bistro owners welcomed you custom. I bet they'd have been equally if not more happy to welcome you without your dog.

Again, just because you can does not mean you should. Try and have consideration for other customers and your pets.

She has had training and hates it. We need to be considerate to our neighbours and her.

And no this popular bistro goes out of its way to welcome dogs, advertising online and outside so definitely not more happy without. The staff welcome our dog on arrival and always give us the perfect spot for her. It’s a lovely relaxed popular venue with a happy vibe, lovely staff frequented by happy customers young and old. Great food, drink and independent. It attracts the type of clientele it wants.

It’s you that needs consideration- for restaurant owners and their many other customers who don’t agree with you.