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?

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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.

There's a dog friendly pub down the road from me that won't allow them in the garden, so work that one out. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s probably because dogs are trained to urinate and defecate outside, not inside. They probably don’t want to be dealing with any mess and don’t want their other customers complaining they trod in something etc. Unfortunately not everyone cleans up after their dog.

I did not cause my child to have a dog phobia. He has a learning disability and struggles with all animals, but dogs are everywhere now so makes our life quite difficult.

No one can guarantee a dog free life, as I said in my last post, nor do we feel the need to have one. But unfortunately where we live they have become completely unavoidable. It is okay for us to have this discussion about the impact of dogs being everywhere has on some people.

Ironic that someone is on here accusing all the people on here claiming to have a dog allergy (its a thread about dog allergies, so yes there will be a higher percentage of people claiming to have one on this thread than usual) are making it up (cause that's something really fun to do) when they have just proudly announced that they pretend to be allergic to seafood because they dont like it. Which really helps those of us with genuine allergies be taken seriously, so thanks for that.

I actually do like dogs by the way. I take an antihistamine every day now as I expect to run into one wherever I go. But people who dont like dogs or have reason to prefer spaces without them are allowed to express that without it being some kind of personal failing.

But people who dont like dogs or have reason to prefer spaces without them are allowed to express that without it being some kind of personal failing.

Yes, I agree, likewise as long as that non-preference doesn't extend to the kind of nastiness and ableism some on this thread have expressed towards those who do have dogs.

I suppose I'm wondering what the people who don't want to go to dog friendly places would propose as a solution, given we have a free market and businesses are free to make their own decisions about whether or not to accept dogs? Government is very unlikely to pass legislation on it, and if so what could they realistically do, other than the provision that already exists for those who provide services and have a medical condition to refuse entry to any dogs, including service dogs.

I personally wouldn't want to take my dogs to John Lewis or Pandora, because in my mind that isn't a good environment for them. But others disagree, and love taking their wee handbag dogs there, and so do the business owners, so me getting frothy about it isn't going to make a difference. If businesses see a way to make money, they will. The vast majority of people are in the "I don't care whether there are dogs allowed or not, I just want to go to the pub/cafe/shop" camp. The next biggest majority are the dog owners/lovers, and the population with severe allergies that can't be managed temporarily with antihistamines etc or severe phobias are a small minority.

Maybe there needs to be a directory of allergy friendly businesses across the UK that includes pet free spaces? Allergy sufferers coming together to create them? Lobbying local businesses to have a day a week that are pet free perhaps? That may not help those in the severe allergy camp, but might help those with milder allergies or phobia.

It's all very well going "baaaah dogs are everywhere and I hate it" - but what are realistic solutions, given dog ownership isn't likely to significantly decline? Remote/hybrid working practices have opened up dog ownership to those who previously couldn't have them, and that's not going away. The problem isn't going to disappear simply because you don't like it.

Our eldest had a dog phobia. He suffers from anxiety in general
He didn’t have it u till he was about 6. Then it went away by the time he was 16
It did restrict what we could do.

Ironic that someone is on here accusing all the people on here claiming to have a dog allergy (its a thread about dog allergies, so yes there will be a higher percentage of people claiming to have one on this thread than usual) are making it up (cause that's something really fun to do) when they have just proudly announced that they pretend to be allergic to seafood because they dont like it. Which really helps those of us with genuine allergies be taken seriously, so thanks for that.

It’s mad, isn’t it?

It does explain why pp is stubbornly insisting people on here are making up their dog allergies though. You tend to judge others by your own standards.

Well it makes business sense - there are more dog owners who are likely to take multiple countryside UK holidays than there are people who are allergic to dogs who take countryside holidays in the UK.

Dog owners are the bigger market.

I agree - some people are very needy. Which is fine but don't impose it on the rest of us.

There are also lots of people who don't want dogs around and will avoid places that are dog-friendly but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do that.

MNers see to think that people who don't like dogs or who are scared of them should fix themselves. They never seem to realise that people wouldn't be scared of dogs if their owners looked after them properly and stopped them jumping up at and biting people.

As I said above or perhaps it was on the other thread, in some countries there are dog exercise areas. That helps in parks for example.

Also stiffer penalties where dogs bite or injure people That would sort out the "he won't hurt a fly" crowd. No he won't hurt a fly but he will hurt a human (possibly by accident, by being overexuberant - still for the owner to resolve).

And penalties if your dog fouls inside a shop etc. I really don't see why shop staff should have to clean up dog mess and urine.

It's all very well going "baaaah dogs are everywhere and I hate it" - but what are realistic solutions, given dog ownership isn't likely to significantly decline? Remote/hybrid working practices have opened up dog ownership to those who previously couldn't have them, and that's not going away. The problem isn't going to disappear simply because you don't like it.

True, but I do think there would be some value in a campaign to legislate for some services having a mandatory animal-free option (I’m thinking of things like animal-free train carriages, hotels and service stations over a certain size having to have an animal-free area etc).

None of that has anything to do with allergies though!

I remember that crazy thread. I was completely astonished.

Yes, and people saying they'd prioritise getting the dog out over their own kids because they should be capable of getting themselves out. That thread has always stuck with me.

It was the first time that reading MN diminished my respect for the general population.

One of our locals tried this recently- but it was a short lived experiment as many more kg their customers were dog owners

I just feel like, every time anyone brings up a reasonable argument to have simply the option of dog free spaces, not a dog free existence, especially in places where I live where the entire town has declared itself dog friendly, some dog owners come out with arguments of either
A. Go somewhere else if you dont like it - yes Id love to, that's what im asking for. Just a dog free option.
B. Oh but I love my dog she's part of my family - so is my son, but we are so restricted where we can go due to his difficulties and my allergies.
C. Your business won't be missed - I'm sure it won't, but again, it would just be nice to have the option of a dog free space.
D. What about service dogs? Of course nobody wants them banned from any space. Nobody at any stage has suggested this.

Also, ive seen a few times a dog urinate in a shop or restaurant and I do feel like, for decades dogs were banned from most indoor spaces and there was a legitimate reason for this, because good behaviour and hygiene simply cannot be guaranteed. Latest one was when I saw someone's christmas tree wrapped up and ready to collect in a hardware store a dog on a lead weed up it! I'd be so mad if that was my tree.

What do you want dog owners to do? In all seriousness, you want people with dogs to just decide to stay away from a place they would like to and are allowed to visit in case there’s a phobic or allergic person there? It’s something that needs to be taken up with business owners.

What do you want dog owners to do?

Leave the dog at home sometimes?

I can’t take any of you seriously.

Start a petition about dog free places, I’ll share it and sign it for you. In the meantime, if my dog is allowed somewhere and I want to go there with him, I’m taking him.

But no ones asking dog owners not to take their dogs to places they're already allowed? Were just wondering if any businesses might provide a dog free space?

To be fair to pp, I would like people to think a bit when they take their dog out. To at least be aware that they may be negatively affecting others when they take their dog into a crowded cafe.

This thread is discussing business's approach to those with allergies, and not asking anything of dogs owners themselves.

Enjoy your repetitive conversations then. Wind each other up and exaggerate your anecdotes. I’ll carry on doing what I’m going and if anyone is ready to put their money where their mouth is I’ll support your efforts.

Such empathy 😅

I agree with this. Just because a place is dog-friendly it doesn’t mean it’s OK for your specific dog.

There’s a tiny dog-friendly charity shop in a nearby town. Barely room for a person to get round the display units. Someone took their St Bernard in…

Well I agree. Most of us will just carry on and use a premises that supports our needs
Its just common sence to chose accordingly. I wouldn’t ever tell a business how they should be run in this area.