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.

Well, yes, of course most people would object, if there were specific rules and designations. My point being that my local council does not have such designations, but the local (and only) beach has essentially become dogs only at certain times by default, due to the sheer numbers. Which does not seem fair. Personally, I think we should have specific times where dogs are not allowed - e.g. an hour a day - then a free for all any other time. Allows folk who are nervous of dogs to use the public beach, with limited impact on everyone else.

I see the poster hasn't come back. Just told us two unbelievable situations (especially the highchair one).

Honestly, most dog owners I know don't take them everywhere.

I think there’s also been a shift in mindset where some people think dogs allowed = mainly for dogs, rather than realising it’s a shared space.

It’s a problem with all my nearest beaches as well. They all allow dogs late autumn / winter / early Spring and the number of out of control dogs makes it unusable for anyone else.

YANBU
Just to add to the anecdotes, I was recently in B&Q and a guy was letting his young, energetic spaniel run loose all over the shop, no lead! He wandered about while the dog ran about and every so often he lightly whistled or called it, his idea of training I think, the dog took minmal notice.

I kept thinking about the ways the dog could get itself into trouble by for instance, knocking things over or pulling things down, I also thought about children who might be frightened, people who were allergic or nervous of dogs and also just what a great big ego trip. I used to love dogs, now I loathe them and would happily give any dog annoying me a great big boot up the arse!!

This is for *Daisy (so many posts I can't remember your full name)

A friend of mine buys Advent calendars for her dog, and for her 2 cats 😆. She generally loves buying stuff though, sometimes I'm not sure how we remain friends!

I really like dogs generally but am impatient about the current silly language about them, and I feel very sorry for flat faced, saggy-skinned, tail-less creatures that certain humans seem to find appealing.

I'm realistic about the hygiene aspect too, although if you ever saw the episode of Embarrassing Bodies where they found E Coli in young men's hair you'd be less confident that humans are cleaner! Also when mobile phones and computer keyboards have been swabbed there have been unpleasant results...

Don't get me started on cat owners though, none of them care where their pets poop whereas nowadays most dog owners will happily take responsibility for that. And most dog owners don't want their dogs going round killing birds and little mammals.

Yes, thank you, the shared space point was exactly what I was trying to say, but you have put it much more eloquently than me.

I know two people who have pushchairs for their old little dogs. It's not hurting you if it's outside.

I agree. Some dogs can still enjoy a gentle stroll around the park but the walk to get there is too much for them if they have arthritis for example. Using a stroller or carrying them sensible and caring.

We see a couple use a stroller for their old dog to take him to the river/woodland that he loves to play in. He’s fine to play/walk for 30 minutes or so but he’d be in pain if he had to walk the 40 minutes there and back to get there as well.

now I loathe them and would happily give any dog annoying me a great big boot up the arse!!

@IthinkIamAnAlien
I wouldn't do this with just the dog and their owner around if I was you.

I would be very unhappy having to sit next to someone on a train who had a dog sat on her lap. I am allergic to most animals and also rather nervous of dogs if they are close to me.

I once spent a very uncomfortable flight across the US with a dog sat just across the aisle from me. It was mainly on the floor but kept fidgeting and moving closer to me, smelling my shoes and whining. In the end the crew told the woman she had either to keep the dog on the floor near her feet or she would be moved to a new seat - out of first class into economy! I had not complained but I think the crew could see that I was getting upset.

I definitely recommend it. That's the reason I have one. My old boy still thinks he's a puppy, but his hips start aching halfway through his walk and he struggles. I just pop him in the stroller and take him the rest of the way. It's also handy if you need to take the bus (I had to take him for a routine vet appointment one time while my car was in the garage. People gave me funny looks.)

My cats are indoor pets and any cats I own always will be. More and more of us are choosing to keep our cats indoors now.

This, I think that any formally recognised therapy/assistance dog should only be as such if they have gone through extensive training like guide dogs/epilepsy dogs do (obviously don't have same requirements, but certainly behaviour wise should be taught the same) and the owner should carry registration docs to show that, although sadly I bet people would forge the docs because it is their 'right' to take the dog wherever they want.

Great to hear that!
(Should have said, I really like cats too, it's the lazy owners I don't like)

@Notahotmess This is a genuine, non-goady question as I don’t know much about cats.

Are cats ok not going outdoors? I grew up in a village where cats roamed around and I always assumed that it must be beneficial for them.
My neighbors, however, now have an indoor cat, although their previous cat went outdoors.

Is it mainly safety concerns?

They let dogs fly in first class? That is disgraceful. People are paying a premium for a more comfortable flight, not to have a dirty animal sniffing around them.

In many other countries it is quite normal to keep your cat either indoors or only allow them access to a secure, cat proofed garden. Keeps them safe from traffic, dogs, and other hazards, and keeps wildlife safe from them.

As long as you provide sufficient enrichment and exercise opportunities, most cats will be fine as indoor pets.

That is true. But I have seen cat proof gardens abroad only where people have larger gardens than much of the housing in the UK.

Bit like children

This thread is like dog post bingo! Here are my thoughts:

(a) If you lose a much-loved pet, no one gets to audit your grief.
(b) Some people love dogs and don't like children. That's allowed.
(c) Some people don't like dogs. That's allowed.
(d) High chairs in restaurants are for the use of human babies, unless they're specifically labelled as being for dogs or the restaurant has said it's ok to use them for that purpose.
(e) However clean a particular dog's bum is, dogs' bums generally are to be avoided (by humans).
(f) Dogs and children should always be kept under their carer's control in public places, even if the places are marked as "dog-friendly" or "kid-friendly". That's the law.
(g) If people want to produce dog ice cream/dog coffees/ whatever pawsecco is, and if other people's dogs enjoy those products, that's allowed.
(h) Dogs smell. Even clean dogs. They smell of delicious clean dog. Not everyone likes that as much as I do. That's allowed.

Really? That’s brilliant. 😂😂

Taking your dog to see santa makes as much sense as taking a baby to see santa. But if people want to pay for it, that is their choice.

You get a photo to cherish, which one day will be all you have of your dog.

Why do people always compared dogs to babies and children. Babies and children aren’t animals.

Babies and children are animals. Just like we all are.

There’s more people saying what dog loving mners are going to say than dog loving mners saying it😅 To the people saying about reporting the cafe, op said the waitress said no. It’d be horrible for a cafe to get in trouble for something they said no to ! Op I think you were just very unlucky to encounter two instances such as this

Why do people always compared dogs to babies and children. Babies and children aren’t animals.
They’re quite similar in terms of keeping you awake, you having to get up early and not having sense in certain situations so needing you to bail them out!! 😅Oh edited again to add they follow you about and hit into you as you sweep/ hoover and make noise, do something they shouldn’t when you’re on the phone!!😅