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Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

1000 replies

Doseofreality · 26/08/2026 16:06

The hill that I will die on. Dogs should not be allowed in eating establishments.

Just had another lunch spoilt as a family came in with 3, yes 3, large dogs and sat down at the table beside us. It’s gross, unhygienic and anti social. If I wanted to eat surrounded by animals I’d grab a takeaway and go and sit in a vet’s waiting room.

Close to £100 wasted on a lunch where I had a dog licking it’s bumhole in my line of vision.

OP posts:
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WerewolfOfLoudon · 26/08/2026 17:09

Gutachenow · 26/08/2026 16:55

I love these threads. All the foaming at the mouth when there is nothing you can do about it. The majority want to be able to take their dogs with them when they are out for the day and that usually includes a meal out too. The RSPCA says that dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than four hours so it makes sense to include them on days out from that perspective too.
People should train their feral, screaming brats before criticising dog owners IMO.
ENJOY

What would your dog do if a feral screaming brat got in her/his face? Parents who allow their feral screaming brats to run around will have your dog put down for snapping at their offspring.

I'd happily eat somewhere that banned feral screaming brats. Don't want to dine with dogs either though.

Frugalgal · 26/08/2026 17:10

Doseofreality · 26/08/2026 16:06

The hill that I will die on. Dogs should not be allowed in eating establishments.

Just had another lunch spoilt as a family came in with 3, yes 3, large dogs and sat down at the table beside us. It’s gross, unhygienic and anti social. If I wanted to eat surrounded by animals I’d grab a takeaway and go and sit in a vet’s waiting room.

Close to £100 wasted on a lunch where I had a dog licking it’s bumhole in my line of vision.

Dog owner here and I completely agree. I would never bring my dog into a restaurant.

aliasfrog · 26/08/2026 17:10

ThisWiseRobin · 26/08/2026 17:08

⁷has anyone actually ever in the history of the world died from a hair in their food....dog or otherwise.
The world will not be kind to you, and you will not be liked.

People have and do still die from having allergic reactions. Dont be ridiculous "nobody died". Nobody died from a dog shitting next to them in a restaurant but it shouldn't happen.

Gutachenow · 26/08/2026 17:10

SapphireSeptember · 26/08/2026 17:06

41% of households owning dogs isn't the majority. I'd love to know how many of that group are the kind who take their animals everywhere Vs the people who don't. And why is it only dog owners? I don't see people who own cats or guinea pigs insisting on taking them everywhere.

Good grief. I can bring my goats and chickens too but they will definitely shit on your shoes

Lowlagal · 26/08/2026 17:11

Dweetfidilove · 26/08/2026 17:01

Do these restaurants have a sticker or something that says they're dog friendly, or will I need to check now before entering?

Most don’t have a sticker afaik but as I mentioned upthread there should IMO be a nationally recognised symbol they all use.

It’s one of the reasons I rarely eat out now or go to coffee shops, unless it’s a special occasion where I can be bothered to call ahead to check.

Mooselove · 26/08/2026 17:11

Willope · 26/08/2026 17:00

So don’t go on holiday then. You chose to get a dog. Your decision. You need to deal with the consequences of your decision. Bother members of the public didn’t make that decision so why should they have to suffer the consequences?

No one suffers any consequences because of my dog. Yes we chose to have a dog and yes we will go on holiday with him and eat in cafes and coffee shops and even restaurants. You can choose not to go into a dog friendly place. Not exactly difficult is it.

Despite what some posters may say eating places have signs on their doors/windows when the allow dogs. I presume that most posters can read!

Limeandfigs · 26/08/2026 17:11

I admit I still can't understand the logic of going somewhere dog friendly and complaining there's dogs.

It's like going to McDonald's on a Saturday afternoon and complaining there's a tonne of noisy kids in there.

Just ask the venue if it's something that important to you. There's enough variety in this world to suit everyone.

Gutachenow · 26/08/2026 17:12

WerewolfOfLoudon · 26/08/2026 17:09

What would your dog do if a feral screaming brat got in her/his face? Parents who allow their feral screaming brats to run around will have your dog put down for snapping at their offspring.

I'd happily eat somewhere that banned feral screaming brats. Don't want to dine with dogs either though.

I’m sure there is a child and dog free establishment somewhere just waiting for your call.

Motnight · 26/08/2026 17:12

Glitchymn1 · 26/08/2026 16:11

Have both. Children are worse.

Why did you go somewhere dog friendly op? Usually there’s a dining area where dogs can’t get to unless 5 of you are eating for £100.

At least (I assume) people don't have to watch kids licking their arseholes.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 26/08/2026 17:13

We had a lovely time (just having drinks, not eating) with two huskies in a pub recently, we shared a table with (them and their owner). They were lovely and very well behaved.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 26/08/2026 17:13

Plenty of restaurants don't allow dogs - maybe eat in one of those.

Mooselove · 26/08/2026 17:13

Gloriia · 26/08/2026 17:03

Dog sitter or sit in an outdoor area then? If he was a rescue wasn't he actual in a kennel when you rehomed him?

No he wasn't in a kennel. He was with his owners who could not keep him. We might sit in an outdoor area if it is not red hot or freezing cold or pouring with rain.

Stormyrose · 26/08/2026 17:13

I e only ever seen this in pubs and cafes. I’ve genuinly never been to a restaurant that allows it.

FallenMadonnawiththeBadBoobies · 26/08/2026 17:13

I'm a dog owner and a dog lover, and I agree with you OP. Unless it is a pub which sells food in the middle of no-where in a dog walking area, and it's impossible to sit outside, I can't see why it is necessary to take a dog with you when you want to eat.

But, honestly, around here, I don't see it that often. The only place I know where it happens a lot is in a place which is specifically advertised as being dog friendly, and dogs tend to be in a certain area.

FishersGate · 26/08/2026 17:13

I dont mind a sectioned area of a pub or cafe. I absolutely cannot stand the trend of taking dogs shopping. Large shopping centres with dogs being dragged aroumd shops, clothes shops, tons of people, unfamiliar sights sounds receipe for disaster. But its ok as the owner thinks its best. Absolutely no valid reason for a dog to be in a clothes shop apart from guide dogs. Unless there is a regulated recognised scheme for assistance dogs then a no. People take the piss using assistance when they dont need it

Doseofreality · 26/08/2026 17:13

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 26/08/2026 17:08

Did you say anything to the restaurant? Because it's not the people with the dogs that are the problem, it's the establishment. They've decided they'll make more money if they allow dogs, than if they don't. And they're probably right, unless people who don't like them start complaining and making it clear they won't be eating there in future.

Yes we did. We politely declined desert, more drinks and told them it’s because we’d rather not finish our lunch sat next to three animals.

OP posts:
Greedybilly · 26/08/2026 17:14

It's a complete piss take now. I live somewhere very touristy with 20 odd cafes/pubs- only 1 is dog-free. Just one!
My daughter worked there and said people were very arsey when told they couldn't bring their beloved mutt in.
So not as simple as 'go somewhere dog free' - there's not many of those left.

vodkaredbullgirl · 26/08/2026 17:15

It's National dog day, today how ironic 😂

BeachTimeIsBliss · 26/08/2026 17:15

strawberrymatcha22 · 26/08/2026 16:33

You just eat at your accommodation, surely. I only ever take my dog to airbnbs so we just cook there or order food! I guess it’s a bit different if you’re staying in a hotel or something but most hotels aren’t dog friendly.

If you stay in Birmingham when Crufts is on at the NEC there are dogs in all the hotels and the hotels really make them welcome.

Gutachenow · 26/08/2026 17:15

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metalstrawsarecoldbutnotsoggy · 26/08/2026 17:15

I know loads of places that don’t allow dogs, or if it’s a pub they are only allowed outside or in the pub bit (where you can still order food) but not the the restaurant area of the pub. I have a dog and there are plenty of places my dog is not allowed. I rarely take my dog to pubs/restaurants anyway as she is usually happier napping at home for a couple of hours.

Lorrymum · 26/08/2026 17:16

I think this all started after Covid and restaurants/cafes/shops were desperate to get people into their establishments. I don't think the genie can be put back in the bottle.

BeachTimeIsBliss · 26/08/2026 17:16

gottakeeponmoving · 26/08/2026 16:33

I didn’t have strong feelings either way until I went for breakfast at a local cafe. The couple at the next table had a little dog with them which was sat quite happily at their feet while we ate. I have no problem with that.
What happened next horrified me. The lady put her plate down on the floor for the dog to lick. Disgusting.
I would have said something but the owner of the restaurant was clearly a friend of theirs because he came over and joined them at their table.

You know the plate gets washed before it's used again.

SapphireSeptember · 26/08/2026 17:16

There was a thread about Wetherspoon's a couple of months ago and people were complaining about them not being dog friendly. As though there's a dearth of places where they can take their dogs, but they wanted to moan about the one pub chain where I don't have to worry about dogs. (Guide dogs are gainfully employed and tend to ignore other people instead of jumping around.)

Someone wanted to bring their dog into my local polling station the other day (local by election.) There were some ladies outside who said they'd dogsit, then one of the ladies came out and said they liked it when people brought their dogs in. I give up! The blue cross actually had a thing about it on their website (no you're not allowed to take pictures of your dog inside polling stations.) Who the hell is taking their dogs into polling stations? You're in there for the two minutes at most.

Lowlagal · 26/08/2026 17:17

Mooselove · 26/08/2026 17:11

No one suffers any consequences because of my dog. Yes we chose to have a dog and yes we will go on holiday with him and eat in cafes and coffee shops and even restaurants. You can choose not to go into a dog friendly place. Not exactly difficult is it.

Despite what some posters may say eating places have signs on their doors/windows when the allow dogs. I presume that most posters can read!

Maybe some do where you are, but in my town not one coffee shop on my high street has a sign to say “dogs allowed”.

I appreciate your experience may be different but you can’t tell us what we’ve seen.

My favourite local coffee shop has a sign that says “NO dogs allowed”, but none of the others in my town that do allow dogs indicate that they do.

I have NEVER seen a restaurant advertise it on their windows. I’ve only ever figured it out through personal experience or via their social media posts, reviews or (on a few occasions) their website.

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