Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

It's a lot more than 10% of places. And, as people have repeatedly pointed out on this thread and others like it, it can be hard to find places to eat these days that don't allow dogs.

This is because it is profitable for businesses to allow dogs. That's the crux of the matter at the end of the day. Businesses have always and will always prioritise profits. As it is profitable, it's clear the majority don't mind dogs being in these places.

If you are one of the minority who do mind, it's a case of take a picnic or suck it up. There is no way businesses are going to start reducing their profit margins to suit a minority.

I'll post this again for those who keep spouting nonsense. It's less than 10%, and most major chains are dog free.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good whinge, though.

According to a study by Dojo (payment provider), Brighton and Hove is the most dog-friendly place to be with, wait for it, a whopping 4% of restaurants and 4% of cafes allowing dogs inside. Pubs come in at 8% and hotels at 33%.

I think it’s also a cause and effect situation. The popular places are often popular because they’re dog friendly. Due to the higher numbers who visit because of dogs they’re often bustling, independent, nice atmosphere, good fresh food and fast service because they have a higher turnover and aren’t skimping corners etc. The dog haters want to go to these places because they’re good and resent them because dogs are there however the added income from dog owners helps to keep them good.

It's geographical though, isn't it? If you live somewhere especially touristy: (Lake District. North Norfolk. Southwold where the estimate is 60-80 percent of eateries are dog-friendly) you have fewer dog free places to choose from.

edit: friendly to free!

You know someone realises their argument is illogical when they start obsessing about dogs bums.

That's why, if you have specific requirements, it's important to do your research and make your plans accordingly.

Simply, people taking their dogs into dog friendly places are not doing anything wrong and don't deserve to be abused.

That’s definitely not accurate - don’t know how they are getting their figures.

This website lists 472 cafes and restaurants that are dog-friendly (which seems more realistic from my experience; I don’t live in Brighton but am there frequently) - for only 4% of cafes and restaurants to accept dogs there would need to be over 11,000 in Brighton & Hove, which is also definitely not the case!

www.brighton.dog/eat

People will find it hard to fathom the statistics quoted above that only 7.7 % of pubs allow dogs. On what basis that figure came about I cannot imagine.
There are thousands of dog friendly places. As others have said, they claim to be keeping much of the cafe and pub industry afloat.

It would be really good for those dog owners who have no clue how to manage their dog to take note of those that do. And listen to the concerns of people without a dog.

I don’t think explaining the problems that can occur is abusing dog owners.
It might be difficult to hear, but these are real problems that can occur.

The vast majority do. I have yet to see a poorly behaved dog or dog owner in a cafe or restaurant ever. Re children it’s the opposite. I rarely see families with children that aren’t loud,engaging in loud parenting( no we don’t want to know that Tarquin eats Babaganoush all the time ), messy, with children roaming round establishments invading privacy of others, with huge buggies parked with little thought and a huge mess left behind.

There are thousands of dog friendly places, there are thousands of dog free places. Do your research and make your plans around places that suit your requirements.

When I have my dog with me, I don't expect my dog to be welcomed everywhere. I do my research and select a dog friendly venue. Having been responsible and considerate, I don't then expect people who have, either through lack of research or pure pig headedness, picked a venue inappropriate for their needs to start whinging about me being there with my well behaved dog.

So go to a dog free venue. Good Grief!

People taking their dogs into dog friendly venues are doing nothing wrong.

The data from Dojo surveyed over 50,000 businesses and, as per my post, they have included those that allow dogs inside.

If you include those that allow dogs in outside areas, the number will be larger.

For example, that 472 includes two branches of Five Guys, neither of which allow dogs inside (except guide dogs).

There are also three Pizza Express branches which only allow dogs outside at the managers discretion.

See also: three Starbucks, which allow dogs only at the managers discretion, so it varies by branch.

I suspect that 472 figure is somewhat of an overstatement.

Surely that depends on what they’re allowing their dogs to do?

Even in a dog-friendly place it’s not unreasonable to expect the dogs not to bother people / other dogs / cause a nuisance.

They aren’t!

Well obviously bad behaviour is bad behaviour, be that adults, dogs, children etc.

But this thread is about dogs merely existing in venues that welcome them. Read the OP. Someone went to a dog friendly venue, and is complaing about dogs simply being there - that's utterly unreasonable.

'The dog haters want to go to these places'

I have a dog, I love dogs! That is why I hate to see them shoved under tables, under chairs, on a lead in a busy noisy place getting stressed. They like their own space, they like exercise in open spaces. They shouldn't be in busy indoor areas.

These people who say they can't leave their dogs for any length of time, what will happen when they have to? If anyone has hospital appointments which can take hours? You need to be responsible and let you poor dogs get used to some time alone.

We regularly go to a place where dogs are welcome (big sign to this effect in the window - “don’t leave your best friend at home”, specially baked dog treats and puppacinos available, it’s a local chain). The dogs are never being a nuisance!

Some children can be annoying if they are badly behaved, but most are not and very few will spoil your enjoyment of your food.

All dogs are annoying whether they are well behaved or not, because they are animals and they smell and they have fur and dirty habits. Whether they go they take their nasty smell and allergy-inducing fur with them.

It's not the dog's fault. It's the owners' fault, but that doesn't mitigate the unpleasantness of their minging presence in places where people eat.

All dogs are annoying whether they are well behaved or not, because they are animals and they smell and they have fur and dirty habits. Whether they go they take their nasty smell and allergy-inducing fur with them.

That’s just your opinion. One that millions do not share.

But where are these restaurants that don't allow them? Apart from Wetherspoons - and all credit to them.😒

I think they're getting dogs confused with cats. The behaviour they're obsessing about really isn't something dogs do. It's a cat thing. Dogs spend a couple of minutes a day grooming. I very much doubt grooming would be their number one priority whilst sat under a pub table while their owners enjoy a meal.

I love dogs. I have 2 dogs. We eat out at least twice a week. Do we take our dogs? No.

Very occasionally we will walk to a pub garden with the dogs and meet friends, but we’re sitting outside.

I don’t actually mind other people having well behaved dogs in pubs/restaurants/cafes. The type that lie down and sleep.