Just so many dogs nowadays, or is it just me?

[HairyFanjoBanjo]

Away for the weekend at a typical British seaside town in Anglia and am quite shocked at just how many people have dogs now. Am sure there never used to be quite this many, or maybe I am just more observant now I have a child who isn’t keen (on bigger dogs).

Reckon I’ve seen well in the hundreds today, I’d say at least every other family or couple had a dog. So many labradoodles / toy poodles, cockerpoo’s, pugs everywhere.

Some people looked to be almost dragging dogs around the shops in really busy / small lanes of endless gift shops, then waiting for friends/family outside shops (as no dogs allowed) some with fairly stressed looking dogs😢

Is this the lockdown puppy effect in full force now? Just everyone and their pal has a dog now.

Something needs to be done about all these dogs.

I live in East Anglia too, we are in the minority, as we no longer have a dog (couldn’t face losing another, after our dog was pts at 13) but yes I agree most people have a dog or two locally.

What do you mean?

I work in a dog friendly restaurant and I seriously think they're a hazard, people just let them lay anywhere, I'm amazed I haven't tripped over one. Must be shit for people who don't want to eat dinner out surrounded by dogs.

Yeah it's getting really bad

Not enough doggos imho. The more the better. Thanks for listing all the places I can go to to get dog therapy.

You can look up official statistics on dog-ownership levels (households with at least one dog). They are up compared to last 20 years but lower now than before ~1995 iirc.

What annoys me is it usually the same people telling others to reduce driving and flights because of the environment while they decide to get a dog.

OP....the best cure for a child who isn't keen on dogs is a lovely puppy for the family.

I love love love my dogs and dog people are the very best people 🐶

Far too many. And as for importing strays that should be banned for a start. Mad idea. Not keen on dogs at all.

Rather lots of dogs than people.

Same. I live in a Medium sized town and AFAIK there is no non-dog friendly cafes! So I work from home exclusively whereas before I might have taken my laptop to a quiet cafe. At least I’m saving money!

I feel cafes and restaurants should have a simple paws sticker or something on their window if they welcome dogs. And for those who don’t (if there are any of them left!) display that sticker we should be able to assume it will be free of dogs.

That makes things easier for both people who wants to bring their dogs and for those who don’t want to eat next to dogs.

I was on holiday recently and stayed in 4 different hotels. I hadn’t realised that one of the hotels allowed pets - I had checked for the others but this was an oversight. There was an altercation between a jumpy excited dog /careless owner and another hotel guest. Just because somewhere is dog friendly it shouldn’t mean you should have to accept a dog jumping on you 🙄

OP, there is a definite rise in dog ownership that is shown in the statistics AND people are bringing them more places. As a 90 kids I don’t remember seeing dogs in banks, post offices, libraries and rarely in food places . I now avoid parks which totally sucks but the irony is the only dog that jumped up on me was a neighbours dog so it almost feels unavoidable. I was scratched and she shrugged and said she couldn’t help it when I asked her to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

I really feel for those with kids who have been jumped on and who are now frightened of dogs. Even the friendly ones can easily do harm. A friend of mine has a kid who came home bright red from a walk with his dad since he comes out on a rash after close contact with dogs. The funny thing is he likes dogs but it’s still shocking owners are letting dogs jump on a tiny human! What if his allergic reaction was worse than a rash?! Or if he was knocked to the ground and hit his head?

We need to reduce the population not increase it. Humans and dogs.

1 in 5 household had a dog 3 years ago,

now 1 in 3 households have a dog.

Weird thread. You are on a UK holiday destination, and are complaining about dogs. Dog owners tend to take their dogs with them when they go on holiday day in the UK (I always do). You are not allowed to leave them in the accommodation, so of course you will see them out.

Yes! I noticed this today. Live in a small seaside town and with the weather it’s been busy with dozens of dogs, most on leads. I noticed queuing in the chemist late afternoon three people ahead of me with dogs. I thought they must be so bored standing around and waiting!

They don’t need to be ‘cured’ it’s ok for people not to be keen on dogs. And not every child will respond well to that scenario, it could very well be forever lodged in their mind as a traumatic event if they’re scared of dogs to have one welcomed into the family.

It is good to reduce fear if they are freezing etc because you don’t want them to be in a state of anxiety but actually it’s perfectly ok for someone to regard dogs as potentially dangerous because they are. Something like 8,000 people are treated for dog bites every year.

One of the ways to reduce fear is to have owners control their dogs so people aren’t scared the dog is going to jump on them. My fear of dogs had almost gone after years of being exposed to well behaved dogs who knew not to jump on me or sniff around me etc as they listened to their owners. A couple of more recent events from badly trained and/or aggressive dogs have set me back a bit.

I don’t agree dog people are the best, some are cool, I have friends who own dogs but many dog owners are incredibly selfish hence the increase in dog shit and dog bites and anti-social behaviour involving dogs

I thought most people had ditched their dogs with the crisis at the rescue centres currently, on their knees most of them.

I hate seeing dogs being dragged around & it will get worse over summer, looking all hot &bothered & just wanting to be cool & snooze.

I love dogs & will stop for a fuss of them all given the chance but I don’t take my dog unless it’s a cool/quiet day at the park & I know it won’t upset him.

he does come to school pick-up though, it’s his fave thing to do as he loves that we’re picking up my DD!

When I was younger there were definitely fewer dogs. However, they also used to roam much more freely and be friendlier. The behaviour of the dogs was much more similar to cats.

As a foreigner it's one of the things I like most about the UK.😄 I don't have one myself but I love seeing them all on a sunny day. They are just so happy! ( most of them).

I was cycling along the prom last weekend (I only cycle slowly) and a dog went running from the beach straight in front of me! Another second and it would have knocked me straight off! Dogs are supposed to be on a lead. Owner was way too far away to control said dog.

SO MANY in our village. Literally everyone I know from the school gate has bought a puppy within the last 3 years, as have both my neighbours.

Cats are better, people! They don’t bite strangers or kill children or shit on public pavements and in parks.

Ah goody! Another knock dogs and their owners thread.

I really hate seeing dogs on the beach. Also, I live in a small village where people come especially to walk their dogs, as there is a nice circular walk here. There is so much dogs mess on the pavement and also bags of poo hanging in trees - why do people do that?

I love seeing dogs on the beach, dogs are wonderful.

No, they go into your garden and shit in there. At least dogs don't do that.