Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

Yea I don't get it OP. Why people feel the need to take their dogs absolutely everywhere is beyond me. Leave it at home, or don't have one.

I'm on the side of no dogs, and if that were the case, would holiday differently to what we currently do. The lax attitude of dogs in places has benefited me, though I don't actually like it and the only times I take the dog in places is on that holiday (camping, so can't leave the dog in the accommodation) or if we've hiking and quite frankly dropping wet, muddy hikers are quite akin to dogs so it's usual if a place accepts one, they accept the other!

I don't get the dogs = children. They are not, and never will be the same!

But I also don't get people who feel entitled to bring their dog everywhere or people who get upset a dog is in a dog friendly establishment.

Nah i”ll take mine to dog friendly establishments that want my custom thanks.

I'm more of a cat person but I don't really mind eating around animals. Sorry. I mostly prefer animals to people and their wretched bratty children.
My DC always behaved when we were out. I don't know why people let their kids run riot and shout and scream in eatinng places.

I'm probably one of the owners who is rarely seen on walks close to cafes. If I'm in a cafe with my dog/s it is either because we are on holiday, on a day out, or I have chosen to take that specific dog to that specific location at that time for training purposes.

We rarely stop for food on our usual walks. Why would we? I'll occasionally grab a coffee on my way home if it's cold or wet, but not often.

I was in a Gail’s yesterday (after I had read this thread). Hence I noticed the large dog taking up all of the walkway with the lead across the walkway. Luckily i couldn’t see it from my table. I don’t know why, but a dog in a cafe turns my stomach. Just as some veggies / vegans find that meat in their house turns their stomach, dogs in eateries turns my stomach.

Same. It’s instinctive.
I think we are different species of human! Those of us who find it disgusting, and then the others who let dogs lick their faces and sleep in their bed!

Ok so now you know Gail’s is dog friendly( thanks for the heads up) look for a cafe that prohibits dogs.

Nah, there's a middle ground - dogs don't turn my stomach but they belong on the ground and their tongues kept to themselves.

The last time I ws in Gails, somebody brought an elderly dog which vomited. the staff made a great fuss of it. I hope they washed their hands.

What have you added to this discussion?

I never had a dog just to leave her alone at home.

I don't understand this view at all. I similarly don't understand women who can't be away from their partner ever or parents who won't have a night out without their kids. Seems odd to me to be so utterly linked to someone or something else that you can't bear to be apart.

This is pretty much how I feel. Pubs are a less formal environment and I think it's less of an issue there, but I think it should be an absolute no for restaurants, where people might have paid a lot for a nice meal that could be a rare treat or a special occasion.

Dogs are social animals. They like to be with their family.
I did not take my dog everywhere, but a dog friendly cafe was part of our walk.
I also used warm spaces in the winter, and she was welcome there too.
When she came on holiday with me, she was not allowed to be left in the accommodation alone, so I found dog friendly places to go to.
I also did lots of things without her.

People get dogs because they want do to things involving a dog.

With the caveat that dogs aren't supposed to be left on their own for too long and adult humans usually can be, this is how I tend to feel. There's wanting to be around one's partner or children most of the time, that's normal, but I don't understand people who won't ever be away from them under any circumstances.

Caffè Nero is foul with or without dogs!

Yes, I get that - I have a dog. What I don't get, is not being able to go for a meal out in a nice restaurant because you refuse to leave the dog. Or a coffee at a friend's house, because she won't let you bring the dog because she's allergic etc etc.

Yes exactly. I'm not suggesting people leave their dogs alone for hours and hours on the regular but unable to go out occasionally without the dog seems to be an owner issue rather than a dog issue. I do understand that some dogs have horrific separation anxiety and can't be left alone just like some children are so high need that they require specialist support and not just granny babysitting but they're they exception, not the rule.

It’s up to the owner, not you!!!! Dog friendly establishments have looked into it and calculated they make more being dog friendly with dog owners and the odd obsessive dog hater loss than prohibiting dogs. Get over it, it’s not going to change .

Dogs shouldn't be in an establishment that serves food and drink. Full stop. It's unhygienic, and makes others feel uncomfortable as a result. For want of a better word, my 'right' to feel comfortable eating out far outweighs a dog owner's supposed 'right' to take their dogs wherever they please.

A line has to be drawn somewhere. Yes pubs can do what they like, but I daresay a lot of them do it to please the dog lovers parade and stop them whining.

These threads are really quite pointless, when you think about it. No one ever changes their minds about this issue, so we just go round in circles.

Then again, I suppose that’s true of most of MN!

Seeing in a dog in a cafe once does not mean that dog is never left alone. Taking a dog to a place they’re allowed does not mean the owner is selfish or entitled. Can you all hear yourselves?

Pubs have always been dog friendly, especially country pubs. I don’t see that changing, however much you moan about it!