Do you think there will ever come a time when business need to take account of the needs of those of us allergic to dogs?

[Wonkypictureframes]

OK, so I don't want this to turn into one of the many threads where huge rows erupt about the number of dogs around. I accept that this seems to be the way of the world - for now anyway - but some recent experiences have made me question the implications.

I'm in the process of booking a UK touring holiday and have spent the last few weeks trying to book some medium range hotels in various places. Mainly countryside locations which might be part of the issue.

I am allergic to dogs and prone to fairly serious reactions, including asthma attacks if exposed for a prolonged period.

The problem is that I'm coming across so many places I like only to read that they are pet friendly. This is often accompanied by photos showing dogs running around the hotel interior, sitting on the beds and couches in rooms etc. If I were to stay in this room after a dog had been there it's highly likely I'd be quite poorly. When I've rung these hotels to ask if they have any designated pet free rooms, they have replied that no, they are 'pet friendly', as if this somehow makes them morally superior and those of us who have allergies are some sort of animal hater!

Given the legislation on dietary labelling that came in following some tragic incidents, I do wonder if we're going to end up in a situation where someone is likely to come to harm through inadvertent exposure. This is probably more likely to be a child as grown adults will be able to spot early warning signs.

I'm just interested in views on this as it's increasingly feeling like I'm being denied access to a service in a way that would not be acceptable in other situations.

And it's not discrimination because you are still able to use the business.

But you’re not able to use the business?

It absolutely is stupid and disgusting to bring a dog to a house you’re being paid to clean. I don’t know any cleaner who would do that and it’s not a controversial view .

It’s not ordinary at all for a cleaner to bring their pets along to properties they’re cleaning. Especially without permission. Stop trying to normalise this behaviour!

I called out that cleaners foolish actions, which negatively impacted on someone’s health - that’s all. I don’t know her and didn’t call them stupid and disgusting actually.

If you disagree with what I or anyone else has said say that and explain why, instead of deflecting from the points with pointless tone policing. “Aggressive”

Absolute nonsense!

While I do understand your issue, if your allergic your allergic there’s nothing you can do about that (and it’s shit). However, from a business point of view people from the uk who holiday in the uk will in the vast majority be outdoor people who are looking for a walking holiday and again the majority of these people (statistically) have dogs, a pet that fits into their lifestyle. Therefore the vast majority of the rural hotels will look to cater to the biggest business area possible

I genuinely don't get the aggression dog's existance provoke in people. I'm not especially fond of cats, and they do seem to be everywhere. They roam, unsupervised, shitting everywhere, digging up any flowers I plant to bury said shit, and there's one who follows me home from the shop and tries to get into my house to attack my chihuahuas.

I'm allergic to them. I don't trust them. They're skittish, unpredictable, and demanding. They bury their shit with their feet and then walk all over your lap and stick their arsehole right up in your face, and if you try to gently push them away, they dig their poisonous claws into your skin and leave itchy welts behind.

But I don't hate cat owners or find them disgusting. I don't even hate the cat who digs up my flowers. It's annoying, but it's a cat, doing what cats do. It doesn't realise it is annoying me.

I'm terrified of horses, but again, I don't hate horse people. I don't understand them. I have no clue why anyone would choose to own a pet that requires them getting up at the arse crack of dawn to shovel shit, but if that's what makes them happy, fine. I don't blame horses for being in fields I need to walk past.

This hate people have for dog owners is weird and probably not very healthy.

I am genuinely convinced that this ridiculous over dependence on dogs by some people is due to a lack of any viable personality on the part of their owners, but I know that viewpoint will go down like a lead balloon

Agreed.

I was looking into this women’s brunch/activity/book club in my area when I’d first moved hoping to meet some new people. Then I saw on their social media a lot of people bring their dogs to the book club meetings - and possibly their other events.

I thought can’t they just come and chat about the book, drink a coffee, and meet new people - why do they need to be sat clutching their dog that clearly isn’t going to be part of the discussion? Needless to say I didn't join the book club.

I don’t hate responsible dog owners.

i do dislike dog owners who seem to think their dogs can do no wrong, don’t bother to train them and expect everyone to just accept yapping, jumping up and otherwise being a nuisance to people. There seem to be an increasing number of that type of dog owner around, and they are usually found on local Facebook pages asking if any new business is dog-friendly and kicking up a fuss if not.

A Gail’s bakery opened up in a neighbouring town and I had to chuckle/groan at one of the Google reviews.

It was a woman raging that she had popped in with her dog and the barista hadn’t even said hi to her dog. She was questioning the fact they advertised as dog-friendly 😵‍💫 So to be clear, her dog was allowed in - the issue was she felt the staff weren’t friendly enough to her dog to count as a dog friendly place. 😂

more aggression

calm yourself down & don't tell

its not stupid or disgusting.

it's not about people you know. It's not out of the ordinary to take a dog to work with you at vacant properties.

If you disagree with what I or anyone else has said say that and explain why, instead of deflecting from the points with pointless tone policing. “Aggressive”
Absolute nonsense!

who do you think you are? You are not the thread police or a moderator so stop behaving like one to try to deflect fron your tone & aggression.

I’m shocked that you consider this the norm? I’d expect permission to be sought before bringing extra guests human or animal onto someone else’s property.

Though I will also add what is probably “controversial” point of view our dog is occasionally brought to a cafe (out a walk, cafe on the way we will stop for a coffee) but out of pre Covid/norm habit will sit outside with her sitting under my chair - she walks off lead and has zero interest in any other dog (regardless of their reaction to her) or any other human who ignores her. However, when young kids get excited and clap her she is guilty of giving them a kiss (nothing OTT and no jumping) but it’s quite difficult to discouraging a positive dog behaviour without causing a negative association with children (which I would hate).

My current go to is to say to parents “careful” (causing a very stressed look from parents) he/she is the perfect level for a kiss that (dogs name) will probably give. So if any (not OTT) dog avoiders with children who approach dogs have advice to on a better way to handle then I’m more than happy to take that onboard 😑😆

I think it’s the expectation of some dog owners that frustrates others.

There’ll be lots of examples.
One from me; a dog ran up and jumped up at my toddler. The owner was nowhere to be seen. Once I spotted him I asked him to call
back his dog. Instead of apologising he said my dog is only young. So what?! How young was my toddler??

See I’d suggest putting the dog on a lead for that walk.

Also to add fuel to the fire @Frequency I’ve 2 cats and one of them does like to go outside and I’ve no doubt when he’s there can be a complete pain in the arse. He would never go into anyone’s house but will stand on a flower bed to try and catch a butterfly, I’ve told neighbours who are keen on their garden a sprinkler/hose won’t hurt but will deter again, unsure what else I can do. He’s also really guilty of bringing any neighbouring cats back to ours (he’s got an empty coin purse if you get what I mean) to meet his cat sister and dog sister as well as eat any and is more than happy for them to help themselves to any left over cat lunch so basically if you don’t like cats or have a cat he’s a PITA if he’s not in a garden he’s not welcome in he has me accidentally locking a neighbours cat in he’s brought for a secret play date while I nip to Tesco

Have you looked at Sykes @Wonkypictureframes For holidays?
They have 'pet free' in their search criteria
Some cafes local to me are pet free- just to illustrate that some businesses do offer this. I have a dog and love him very much but don't want to see dogs in every establishment 😊

She’s not on a lead for any walk and will completely ignore anyone (child or not) she walks past unless they make a fuss over her. Given she’s well trained it feels like (from my right or wrong prospective) it’s unfair on her to then put her on a lead for any walk, while having a coffee (again it’s at an outside table) she just lies down under my seat so would only interact with someone who went out of their way to approach her

Would you put her on a lead in areas that say dogs must be on a lead?

Yes, not because I doubt her behaviour but when for example on dog walks in rural areas that we get to bits of private land with a “keep the dog on leash” I will stick a lead on (ironically she should have been a working dog but has no interest in live stock) I just feel like it’s not something I constantly need for a well behaved dog.

I have dogs and don't want them everywhere I go! But I'm not allergic. I'm just intolerant.

Loads of places don't have dogs allowed or a separate area. If I ran a hospitality business, I'd allow dogs though. People will pay anything for their dog to have a puppicino ( warm milk) and doggie ice cream.

If you have a regular haunt, you could ask them to do dog free afternoons or something? But you'd have to turn up and buy stuff.

Fair enough if it’s done when instructed.

tbh I’m ok with well behaved walking close to their owner dogs. But not the ones that are on a long leash walking way ahead.

OP, why don’t you set up your own website? It could be called www.dogfreetravel.com or something like that. You could list all the hotels that don’t accept dogs.

Jesus Christ, just slap ‘dog free pet stays’ in google. Problem solved.

Why?

Dog is minding its own business, if you don't want your child licked by a dog, don't let it approach a dog.

But having a disability does not mean the exclusion of others
It means reasonable adjustments should be available if proportionate

In terms of restaurants, cafes and hotels owners are not required to exclude all others.
Much the same as nut allergies, if you have one it is your responsibility to carry medication and take care in all environments. Restaurants need to make available their ingredients but are not required to have nut free establishments.

Depending on the area in the U.K. dogs have to be on leads. Pavements next to roads for example. So a cafe, even outside, is more than likely one of these areas.

Nuts are used in food and cooking all the time and can be essential ingredients.
Dogs aren’t. They are just brought along by the owners.