This “humanisation” of dogs has got ridiculous

[Houseplantmad]

Had lunch in a chain restaurant yesterday. Two couples came in with smallish dogs. No problem with that as the restaurant is dog friendly however, they insisted on having high chairs for the dogs when their meal came as they had been holding the dogs on their laps until then. The waitress refused but they went and got them anyway so we had these shoved next to our table with a restless dog breathing and being uncomfortable in the high chair very close to us.
Today I get on an intercity train and a woman boards with a medium size dog and puts it on the seat next to her across from me at a table. The person who had booked that seat then turned up and the woman said what was she supposed to do with the dog as it couldn’t go on the floor! It did but was clearly distressed and couldn’t settle, poor thing.
I think putting animals in these situations is so unfair on them and also on others but it seems to be very common these days for people to treat their animal as if it is a human.

My dh bought me a stocking filler last Christmas that was some kind of massage/spa in a tin. When I opened it I saw a dog on the front of the tin, turned it over and all of the tools were for dogs. 🤣

Ew! I don’t drive so tend to get online deliveries. Perhaps that’s why I’ve not seen it but I’d like to think it’s because my local branches don’t allow it.

They’re annoyed because even a toddler knows it’s absurd 😆

If anyone feels the same as I do, please report it to the security or management in Sainsbury’s or Tesco etc whenever you see it. If we’re all silent they’ll start thinking people are OK with it and change their policies to allow it which will really open the floodgates like how it is in America with dogs routinely being in the shopping carts.

I don’t take my cat shopping or to restaurants. Why do people insist on taking dogs?

leave your pet at home, it’s not a child.

Am a crazily besotted dog owner - but totally agree.

My fur babies are dogs, not people (half the reason I love them, really, as people are so unreliable and complicated).

In dog friendly restaurants we sit as far away from other people as poss, check with neighbouring guests whether they would rather we move/go outside/take the dogs to our room, never ever have them on communal/public furniture (they sit on the floor by our feet), even though they are allowed on sofas/certain beds at home.

Rather like our own children when they were very young - they should be accepted/welcomed in public spaces, but that comes with obligations on our part to ensure they behave. When kicking off in restaurants, we removed our kids immediately and gave them a stern talking-to outside - and both mine are ASD, one with ADHD. No different really. Consideration for those around you should be the norm.

I totally agree.I got on a busy,crowded bus the other day and went up to the upper deck.Trying to find a limited seat and there was a man sat next to dog!He wouldnt move the dog from the seat.Selfish git.
I was enjoying a coffee in a local cafe,which allows dogs.A lady and friend came in with two largish dogs.One of them started barking and I kid you not,this went on for a good five minutes!Why she couldn’t have removed them quickly so everyone else could enjoy their time in peace,I don’t know.

I don't mind well-behaved dogs in pubs or cafes, but anywhere that allows them to sit up on the furniture doesn't get my custom twice. Dogs should be on the floor under the table.

I was astounded to see not 1 but 4 posts on social media at the weekend from a dog owner, which were all written as if the dog had posted. This is from someone working in a professional role. I will admit to rolling my eyes.

The humanisation of animals has definitely gone too far.

I do. I popped into Cafe Nero yesterday and there were 2 dogs laid on the armchairs. The owners had put dog blankets on the seats so I’m presuming it’s not a one off.

i think relaxed places like pubs and cafes can be ok with dogs that are well behaved

i sometimes take dog on public transport. He’s not a fan and I only use it if I don’t have a choice. He sits on the floor by my legs or if it’s very crowded on my lap. I rarely see dogs on the tube or bus tbh.

my local park has a dog area which is gated off and that’s handy to let dog off lead. Problem is that there’s a few families who seem to think their kids would prefer to play in there than the kids play area because their kid wants to play with the dogs!

i don’t know how we get back on track with people’s attitude to dogs.

The highchair thing is bizarre and disgusting. I hope they thoroughly sanitized it afterwards! The thought if putting a baby in the highchair after the dog... 😫

Yeah they’re not allowed in M&S at all but well done for reporting it @RedVanYellowVan.

If everyone reports things like dogs in places where they’re not meant to be or fouling etc the food stores & restaurants not taking hygiene and other customers comfort seriously will need to change.

This article about the end of a dog friendly scheme was posted on another thread https://news.sky.com/story/amp/silverburn-shopping-centres-dog-friendly-scheme-in-glasgow-to-end-after-low-uptake-and-complaints-about-mess-12806658

I find this very weird and unhygienic. When I had a dog the only shop she ever went in was PetsAtHome and that was only twice. It just felt too weird to take an animal into a shop. I feel really sorry for the poor animals dragged about crowded places, especially in the heat of summer. At the county show last year there were a lot of dogs, getting tangled in leads and nearly stepped on.

As dogs are so humanised recently , owners really shouldn't be degrading them by thowing balls for them . The dogs should be kicking them , roll on Dogchester United , woof woof !

Tbf I’m actually impressed about the use of dog blankets. The bar is so low at the moment. My local cafe Nero which I’ve stopped going to has dogs on seats with no blankets. Last time I was there I saw a kid came up to say hi to a seated dog, but she did ask the owner first who enthusiastically said it was fine then the dog snarled and barked at the girl. It was all so odd.

The problem with “well behaved dogs allowed” signs is very few people admit or recognise their dogs aren’t well behaved. And people also have different ideas about what constitutes being “well-behaved”. My ex bfs mum thought it was perfectly acceptable to have their huge dog run up and hump strangers.

So it’s really just a get out clause that cafes and shops use to pretend they’re being considerate of everyone and are in control of the situation . I’ve never seen a badly behaved dog being removed from any of these places or asked not to return which is why I just avoid altogether.

They’re dogs FGS!

They’re not babies or children they’re dogs! They don’t need or should receive the same treatment as a baby or child.

I think it’s ridiculous.

I think the problem is that behaviour in restaurants etc has become worse in all spheres - people listening to music without headphones, having phone conversations on speaker, watching iPad with no headphones, letting kids run around and approach other diners.

people are more self centred so don’t seem to recognise how their behaviour(or their dogs or kids behaviour) may impact on others

This is probably catch me some flack but I’ve noticed Brits have more patience for animals than they do for children and it drives me nuts

Don't get me started on 'puppy-fucking-chinos'. What kind of twee daft cunt orders those?

Well when dogs start watching 'Let it Go' on loop on the ipad at full volume when at the restaurant I shall judge them accordingly as well.

Although remember the owners refused and the dog owners just put their dog in the high chair anyway. The owners should have banned them. Someone’s child has to use that high chair after the dog. Rank.

Wtf?!

I enjoy taking my dog to a dog friendly country pub as much as the next person but you’re right, some dog owners are utterly batshit.

I'd feel sick if I saw this in a restaurant. I would complain. I can just about tolerate dogs in an eating establishment if I can't see them.

Starbucks do those for free which annoys me because I think why am I paying for stuff and you’re using some of the profits to give free stuff to dogs, but from what I’m hearing they (at least some stores) no longer give free “babycinos” out to little kids ?!

I don’t go to Starbucks anymore anyway. From a metro article :

“Starbucks will usually hand over a puppuccino for free. We’d recommend repaying them for this kindness by lifting your dog above the counter and allowing the baristas to fuss over them.”

If this is what goes on how many of those baristas do you think wash their hands or wipe the counter afterwards? 🤢

I do acknowledge that mine may well not fit the definition of 'well behaved dog' so I do not take him into shops ever (why??) and pub/ cafe really only if we can sit outside which I think is more acceptable. This would be as part of an activity that was suitable for him like walking at an NT place.

It would ruin my enjoyment quite apart from anyone else's if I took him to somewhere I wasn't sure he would cope with. My MIL once heavily pressured me into taking him into a restaurant where she lives where she usually takes her dog. He actually did lie down under the table quietly and was much less bother than her small dog which whined the entire time but I could not relax worrying if my dog would bark at people or other dogs going past 'too close' (he has form for this)

Yep I love dogs and want one when I retire but I'm really hating dogs being in every coffee shop and pub I'm in