Fed up of other peoples dogs complicating my life.

[CrystalE]

I don't mind dogs. We don't have them because of environmental concerns - we have vegetarian pets.

However recently I am fed up as trying to arrange to meet various family members seems to be totally constrained by their dogs . Here are examples:

Lets meet up for a pub lunch - family member A - "are dogs allowed"
Lets go for a country walk - family member B "can it be dog friendly"
How about a beach visit - family member C - "will dog have to be on lead"

I want to see family - not their dogs. Why can't the dogs just stay at home ...............

We love our pets but we don't want to take them everywhere with us.

We did actually go to an outside table at a dog friends pub two weeks ago and it was shut, he spent the entire time focusing on stoping his dog barking at the other dogs and excitedly trying to run round to the limit of her lead.

@Pinchoftums

What the fuck is a vegetarian pet?

A rabbit lol

Dog friendly eating places are also losing custom because people who don't like dogs around them while eating will avoid them.

Sometimes you just want a peaceful meal without barking dogs and/or screechy children.
True, but that's when you choose to go somewhere that caters for no children and no dogs. At least that's what i do as a dog owner.

Places might lose some custom if they allow dogs, but the owners have decided that overall being open to dogs is a better business decision.

One pub near me does very well as an adults only pub. They're known for it. They put some good music nights on. They run a successful business because they've decided their target market and they stay in business. They've had to do more than rely on your locals having an evening pint though.
Another local pub serves food and welcomes families up to a certain time. They are also a very successful pub. They've made their business plan based on opening to families because again there isn't a viable business running a pub for locals having a couple of pints.

People who want an adult only environmental go to one pub. People who are happy with families being present go to the other.

Only moaning minnies sit and whine about the fact that the pub they want to go to that evening allows children. The bottom line was if more money was made catering exclusively adults who don't want to be in the vicinity of a child, more pubs would do that. As it stands, each pub will make their plans based on their context.

Same for dogs. Before being a dog owner I was ambivalent about the presence of dogs in pubs and viewed them the same as children pre-DC: as long as they were reasonably well behaved I couldn't care less. Most people probably fall into this category, no strong feelings either way. That then leaves:
Dog owners as potential customers
People who feel strongly about only going places that don't allow dogs

In some locations the ambivalent people plus dog owners is probably a bigger slice of the market than ambivalent people plus people who strongly want no dogs. Businesses are in business to make money and will plan accordingly.

@lakesidelife

I'm a dog owner and have every sympathy with you OP. I never take my dog out when meeting people, anymore than I take the cat, mice or gerbil.

The habit of turning dogs into children that have to be taken everywhere is a bit odd.

I would agree with this, I have two beautiful dogs but don't take them on social visits with friends

@KaleSlayer

There was a thread a few years ago called something like animals vs humans asking people if they had a choice would they save a stranger's child or their dog from a burning building.

Who the fuck thinks that question up? Clearly someone who is very fucked up. If I had those thoughts, I’d seek some help.

It was a random musing question like many on AIBU.

But in a bit that the part that disturbs you is someone thought of the question, not that someone would let their child die to save their horse

But in a bit confused that the part that disturbs you is someone thought of the question, not that someone would let their child die to save their horse

I really couldn’t get past the question. It’s just so unlikely to happen. Random musing? It sounds more like something someone might have a nightmare about.

It's a bit oversensitive to be so upset about a question asked years ago on MN

You'd have hated the answers!

OP, I totally agree with you. It is bloody annoying and there's little more off-putting than catching sight of someone's wretched dog hunched over and curling one out while you're trying to have a conversation.
Too many bloody dogs in the world. Give me guinea pigs any day.

It's a bit oversensitive to be so upset about a question asked years ago on MN

Upset? 🤣 No, just think it’s a bit fucked up.

You'd have hated the answers!

Would I?