Dogs are everywhere?!

[LadyMonicaBaddingham]

I took DS to a university open day today. Two separate families had brought their dog with them! Is this someone I've missed?! Why is this necessary?!

So we can't walk dogs at all? The world is not the humans. We have to share the outside

Service dogs magically don't set off people's allergies or phobias it seems.

I don't think there is anything wrong in not liking dogs. There are lots of things I don't like, but the level of vitriol aimed at them and their owners, even responsible ones, gets too far on here.
And the dog haters seem to think dog owners are one homogenous mass. I am a responsible dog owner, and I do not like people who leave shit everywhere, or allow their dogs to jump up etc.

I go to a MH group, and we have a regular therapy dog attend. She is lovely, a French Water dog. She gets so much fuss. I think she gets more out of her sessions than the clients she is seeing.

All dogs go to heaven.

Humans are animals, so that business idea is dead before it started.

I'm presuming you mean why is inside with dogs worse than outside with dogs if you have an allergy to them.

The simple answer is space and fresh air. As long as I don't touch the dog or let it lick me I'm fine outside when they are around as will others with the same allergy. Indoors, for example sitting at a table in a bar where dogs are allowed, the dander will be permanently in the air,on the seats etc. If there is more than one dog on the premises its worse. As I've already mentioned the dog doesn't have to be in the room although the reactions are worse if they are. It's the dander left behind that causes the problem. A single dog hair can cause a reaction due to the dander on it. Perhaps if bars and restaurants where dogs are allowed made their dog friendly areas totally separate there would be less complaints. Regardless like many posters I don't believe they should be allowed in supermarkets or for example places like John Lewis. Again with the exception of service dogs.

Surely dog owners that don't have their dog with them would have dander on their clothing? Wont that be an issue of you have a severe allergy too?

It's mad, there were no fewer than 10 dogs at the firework display I went to on Saturday for Halloween, it was so loud and they were scared. I've also seen dogs at a small music festival.

I don't think it's fair on the dogs walking in crowded areas. I think some people just can't be bothered to take their dog on a proper walk once they are back in the house so they take them with them. Either that or they haven't bothered to train them properly.

It's mad, there were no fewer than 10 dogs at the firework display I went to on Saturday for Halloween

Anyone who thinks that’s an appropriate place to take a dog - regardless of whether it’s technically allowed - shouldn’t be allowed to have one. It’s just unfair on the dog to expose them to that environment.

Costa now allows all dogs. I visited the other week when it was raining and almost slipped on the damp floor caused by all the wet paws. All three dogs were shaking off the water, and I noticed dander floating in the air—some pieces almost landed on my toast, which was quite gross. The dander also clings to the staff, so it could easily end up on people's food or in their cups. I really don't think dogs should be allowed where food is served.

People know their dogs. Only an idiotic owner would drag a distressed dog out in a crowd. Those people taking dogs that don't like fireworks are fools.
My dog is fine with crowds. And it is good to get your dog used to all sorts of situations, otherwise they will end scared in them.
Guide dogs are taken out in crowds, shops, public transport etc to get them used to it. It is the same with a pet dog. My dog is well behaved in shops/cafes etc because I took her there and got her used to them.
My dog comes to a shop or cafe with me as part of our walk.
In the cold winter days, she will come with me to any warm spaces too.

Carry a microscope with you when you go for a coffee do you? Being as dander is microscopic.

Yes. When my DH got in a car with a dog owner then came home it would cause a reaction. If the dander got on his clothes & he hugged me that would be enough. The severity of the reaction is determined by the amount of dander present. If I was in a house with multiple dogs where there was loads of dander I would be a wreck with swollen red itchy eyes & hives if I was licked.

As I've mentioned one of the most upsetting things is often people really do take offence if I say sorry I can't interact with your dog or no I can't join you for coffee if your bringing the dog. I can feel the disdain in their reactions almost like a huff.

Hyperbole as usual.
People and their wet shoes don't make the floor slippery, but dog paws do?

ETA - oops meant to quote @K0OLA1D

So, ban all dog owners from being in public then? Even without their dogs?

There's a lot of research that supports this very idea, that companion animals are family & not only that, but they can make attachments with people, just like people. Sometimes especially for young people who don't have good family connections, they can fill in these gaps.
You only have to look at people who are bereaved to know how important their pet is. This is a known fact &:is also supported by research.

Yes, this!
It is hurtful for someone to say my dog is not family, that she is just a pet. She is a pet and family. She is my first greeting of the day, and last at night. She cuddles up with me on the sofa, sleeps on the foot of my bed. I get a hero's welcome when I come home from even a 5 minute trip to the shop.
She is very old, hence my name. I will be utterly bereft when she leaves me.

I’d rather have dogs than kids in my cafe any time

As I said the amount of dander determines the reaction. Personally I just get slightly itchy eyes if I mix with dog owners. If I'm in a confined space with dogs and their owners it's far worse. Another example is hotels. If they allow dogs and the lounge areas are not kept extremely clean and there is dog hair on the sofas that's bad. I do avoid dog friendly hotels though so not an issue. Finally I don't dislike dogs but due to being allergic I'd be lying if I said I was a huge fan.

Nice to see OP dumped and ran.

Probably still coming to terms with seeing two dogs earlier.

OP is so OTT. Two dogs at an open day is "dogs everywhere". I would hate to think what would happen if they left the house and saw the real world.

I love dogs, I own 2 fab well trained dogs, but I totally agree with you! I loathe dogs being allowed everywhere - I don’t have any desire to take my dogs shopping or out for meals and nor do I want other peoples dogs in those places either. New dog owners seem to create anxiety in their dogs who then can’t be left, aren’t crate trained (or trained at all) and then have to treat them like substitute children and take them everywhere with them. It drives me mad.