How to say 'No dogs'?

[LadyPamelaH]

I belong to a local friendship group for women. It works on the basis of anyone arranging events and putting up the announcement on our social media page.

I may arrange a walk (I did a survey and there was some interest.)
However, I've seen that when another member arranged a walk, some women took their dogs along.
I noticed from the chat that one dog was 'lively'.

The venue allows dogs on leads only but nevertheless there is a cafe etc...for a drink afterwards.

I'm not scared of dogs and I don't dislike them, but I admit I don't like them jumping up, slobbering over me, or barking. Is there are nice way of saying 'No dogs' because it may not just be me who feels like that.

I want a relaxing walk where we can all chat and get to know each other, not women trying to control their dogs.

I mean.. 'no dogs please'/'humans only'?

Say no dogs.

There's no way to sugar coat it.

I have dogs I don't leave, it's much easier for me to navigate situations if it's clear.

The drama comes from situations where it's not been clear & resentment has resulted.

If you’re walking in a public place that allows dogs I don’t think you can stop anyone from bringing them. You could state a preference but couldn’t enforce anything.

I think the only way you can do it without explicitly saying you don’t want dogs there is to arrange it at a place where dogs aren’t welcome. The walk is dog friendly but is the cafe at the end? Though maybe people might say they’ll go on the walk with the dog and skip the cafe part if you don’t want to say you’d rather dogs weren’t there. I don’t think there’s a clear way to communicate no dogs in a subtle way, especially when going on a walk in a place permitting dogs is generally seen as a dog friendly activity.

That’s a point, I suppose — can you enforce something in a place with different, less restrictive rules on the grounds of personal preference just because you’re the organiser?

It may just be you that feels like that or it may not.
Find out and then act accordingly - if most people want no dogs then you can say that but if the majority are happy for dogs to come then you will have to suck it up or leave.
You could set up a dog free walk - just call it that and see who wants to come

I’d see a walk as an ideal activity to bring my dog, as opposed to other activities that are clearly not appropriate so I’d appreciate you saying you didn’t want dogs, so I could decide whether to go or not.

Just lie and say you're allergic / phobia

Why should your preference for no dogs trump those who are happy for dogs to be there?

Because that’s not likely to cause an issue down the line!! It’s not okay to lie about something to get your own way.

Surely even if you ban dogs from your group walk, there will be other dogs there?

Unless you choose a dog-free walking location, like a formal garden etc?

Perfectly normal on organised walks to state if it's dog free.

A quick "sorry, no dogs on this walk" should suffice. Don't tie yourself up in knots with reasons.

To be honest, I always work on the basis that no-one pays attention to anything. If you organise a walk, people are going to bring dogs.

What you can do is reiterate that the venue only allows dogs on leads, which will mean that dogs are under control and can't jump up, etc.

Yeah I'm probably what many would consider an "anti-dog" person but I'd still consider an outdoor walk a perfectly acceptable activity for dogs.

However, I've seen that when another member arranged a walk, some women took their dogs along.

So, you've never been on one of these friendship walks, but you want to do the friendly thing of criticising other people and their dogs who you have no direct experience of.

You're not exactly the Friendship Bunny here.

You can’t really say no dogs when arranging an outdoor walk somewhere dog friendly, it’s a bit odd. If they’re on leads then they’re not running wild or jumping all over you and as someone who has a dog I certainly don’t spend a single second of a walk “trying to control” him- he’s on a lead and walks beside me.

If you want no dogs you need to make it somewhere they aren’t allowed really

Say no dogs - and if anyone queries say something like if everyone brings a dog we could end up with a difficult pack to manage , and it could overwhelm the cafe

Btw it's quite common that organised walks are all no dogs and the reason I give is the one always shared

Just say - you know people might be inclined to bring their dog but for the enjoyment and comfort of all members of the group who might not be dog owners/lovers we ask that dogs are not brought along.

If they're bothered they can organise a walk where dogs are allowed/encouraged.

You just need to say no dogs and anyone who doesn’t want to come, won’t. If anyone wants a ‘dog’ walk they can arrange one.

Of course she can if she's organising it - she isn't trying to take control of the whole site just the group they're walking with. I am a dog owner and lover but encounter people who don't like dogs and that's fine - it's not for me or other owners to force our dogs on them!

The venue is National Trust.
They permit dogs on leads.

The whole point of the group is for women to get to know each other and build up friendships.

There are regular doggy walks arranged within the group so anyone who wants that can do those.

Thanks for the ideas about how to advertise this as 'no dogs.'