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Original poster

When did dogs in food shops become a thing?!

134 replies

HermioneWeasley · 23/10/2021 15:50

I went to a local bakery today and there were 3 dogs in there. It’s a bakery and cafe. I thought it was illegal to have dogs where food is made and served but apparently not. DH told me it’s pretty standard now and all the local coffee shops and cafes allow them.

I’m sure all the dog lovers will say it’s fine, but I was really shocked. Am I the only one? I’m also allergic so normally choose not to be indoors with dogs.

OP posts:
Meloncurse · 23/10/2021 17:21

I'm amazed you've managed to find so many. I've had to do a lot or research to find coffee shops that allow dogs inside. Pubs are easier. I actually don't mind sitting outside but if I'm on my own I can't get inside to order. Happy if anyone has any Nottinghamshire recommendations

dottiedodah · 23/10/2021 17:23

Well I love Dogs,however I wouldnt take mine to a food /cafe place ! I dont know why they have become a thing now ! Fur babies I suppose!

Elleextra · 23/10/2021 17:24

@dottiedodah

Well I love Dogs,however I wouldnt take mine to a food /cafe place ! I dont know why they have become a thing now ! Fur babies I suppose!
The term 'fur baby' makes me throw up in my mouth

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dottiedodah · 23/10/2021 17:25

Lets be clear ,children are not comparable to dogs at all! Unless small humans are going to be left at home /in the car! (Totally illegal obv!)

ScrumptiousBears · 23/10/2021 17:50

I went for a weekend in a hotel the other week and dogs where allowed there. Trying to sit in the bar having a drink and a conversation with dogs barking at each other wasn't fun.

Essen · 23/10/2021 18:00

@dottiedodah

Lets be clear ,children are not comparable to dogs at all! Unless small humans are going to be left at home /in the car! (Totally illegal obv!)
Completely agree! I think it is so weird when people do this. People don’t compare children with other animal species and the don’t compare dogs to other humans, such as old people. I don’t know why they think it is relevant to compare dogs with children.
heebiejeebies45 · 23/10/2021 18:09

I hate it tbh, I think it's disgusting. Really don't think it's hygienic and not a fan of some owners just letting their dogs wonder round people's legs!

TertiusLydgate · 23/10/2021 18:10

My local John Lewis allows dogs.

I’d love to take mine, but couldn’t trust it not to wee with all those exciting new smells.

Flyinggeese1234 · 23/10/2021 18:11

I know this is slightly off topic as not a good shop, but I’ve started to see people with dogs in John Lewis. Assume they’ve has a recent policy change. It’s really odd.

Flyinggeese1234 · 23/10/2021 18:11

food

DirtyBlonde · 23/10/2021 18:15

@Flyinggeese1234

I know this is slightly off topic as not a good shop, but I’ve started to see people with dogs in John Lewis. Assume they’ve has a recent policy change. It’s really odd.
It's not recent. They've always allowed dogs in - well they have for as long as remember back to 1970s
limitedperiodonly · 23/10/2021 18:15

I have never been bothered by a dog in any shop or cafe. They tend to stand quietly in the queue or lie under tables until their owners want to leave. I have been bothered by people though.

Ragwort · 23/10/2021 18:20

Dogs are everywhere these days and it is really annoying if you don't like dogs, I manage a shop which does not allow dogs in (assistance dogs excepted of course) and the amount of abuse I get when I politely advise customers that they cannot bring their dogs in is unbelievable ... who wants to take a dog shopping? Hmm.
One customer wrote to complain to HO about me (I had offered to take items outside the shop for the customer to look at) ... fortunately HO backed me up as it is a company policy ... not my own interpretation!

SingleHandSue · 23/10/2021 18:22

@Ragwort

Dogs are everywhere these days and it is really annoying if you don't like dogs, I manage a shop which does not allow dogs in (assistance dogs excepted of course) and the amount of abuse I get when I politely advise customers that they cannot bring their dogs in is unbelievable ... who wants to take a dog shopping? Hmm. One customer wrote to complain to HO about me (I had offered to take items outside the shop for the customer to look at) ... fortunately HO backed me up as it is a company policy ... not my own interpretation!
Oh god yes! I used to manage a small shoe shop and had so many people moaning that their dogs couldn’t come in. One lady even threw a shoe at my head after I asked her to leave with her dog. Nutters.
MrsDoylesLastTeabag · 23/10/2021 18:26

Business owners can do whatever they like. Choose somewhere else to eat if you don't like dog-friendly policies. (Personally, I would pay a premium for adult-only services. To each their own.)

hotmeatymilk · 23/10/2021 18:33

It’s not always clear, @MrsDoylesLastTeabag, that you’re in a place of questionable hygiene with slobber and dander and dog people frequenting it dog-friendly place. Are we supposed to abandon our plates the minute a mutt wanders in? Better to finish our chips then later muse idly on the internet that a few more hound-free eateries would be glorious.

My take is that I’m always surprised by people bringing in dogs. It’s a human business, for humans, selling human food – then someone wanders in with a dog. It always makes me do a double-blink: why? Surely tie it up outside?

Mommabear20 · 23/10/2021 18:36

It's definitely not illegal, I used to work at a cafe where they were welcome.
But even as a dog owner, I personally don't like it. Some people don't like dogs (have a fear) or some are allergic not to mention that some people find it unhygienic.

icedcoffees · 23/10/2021 18:42

I can't think of a café, restaurant or pub around here that isn't dog-friendly, to be honest. Some don't allow dogs inside but they all allow them in the garden or outside areas.

I also used to work in an outdoor shop that allowed dogs. We had a constant supply of biscuits behind the counter and a water bowl by both doors. Customers absolutely loved it and their dogs got so much fuss and attention.

SauvignonBlanche · 23/10/2021 18:44

I much prefer it to be clearly signposted at the door when dogs are welcome so people can choose to avoid.

I have recently re-homed an elderly dog who was evidently glued to her former owner, it’s only working as DH has recently retired.

We’ve just come back from our first holiday with this dog and I was surprised how many places let her in.

We planned one night out without her on our road trip I had planned ahead by booking the restaurant closest to to the Airbnb so DH could nip back between courses and given her a new bone.

We got to the restaurant and immediately saw the ‘Dogs welcome’ sign. DH nipped back after the starter and she was barking her head off, it was great that he was able to bring the poor thing back (not every dog is able to be left) and I didn’t feel guilty as it was right on the door that she was welcome.

I can totally see the OP’s point, I just think better notification is the key here.

Glenthebattleostrich · 23/10/2021 18:51

In a cafe or pub my dog happily lies beside me quietly whereas some children are tearing around being incredibly obnoxious. We were having na nice lunch a few Fridays ago andy dog was snoozing happily after a long walk and a toddler tried to help themselves to my bloody chips while the shit parent smiled and laughed about them loving chips. They were less happy when i suggested they buy then some then and stop letting their kid bother others.

Where we live there are a nice mix of places, some pubs have dogs and no kids, some neither some both some only kids. It works well for us as a family but when we are having a quiet pint in the dog friendly child free place theres always a parent complaining they cant bring their little precious in.

Wolfiefan · 23/10/2021 18:51

If you really want a place that’s dog friendly or dog free then just check. There are plenty of each option around here.
Saw a dog in John Lewis today. On a bloody escalator. Nearly didn’t manage to get off. I was really worried it was going to get its paws or fur caught at the top. Hmm

Kiduknot · 23/10/2021 18:55

I’d rather see we’ll behaved dogs than noisy kids!

KissedintheDark · 23/10/2021 18:55

I innocently went in to a cafe on a Devon beach one rainy Sunday morning to find it was practically full of wet stinking dogs.
the stench was fucking gross.

MoreThanAnOffDay · 23/10/2021 18:59

It puts me off.
Ds has a dog allergy but he loves dogs. He's be trying to feed them! But he'd be so poorly I won't go anywhere that allows them

Mistlewoeandwhine · 23/10/2021 19:02

I hate dogs. They are dirty and smelly and I can’t bear them anywhere near my food. I also feel anxious about them in case they bite.