To think that shops and pubs are no place for dogs?

[Misssss]

We went to the pub for dinner last night. It is a naice pub with a good menu. When we walked in at about 7.30pm there was a cacophony of barking because at least four dogs, owned by different people, had decided to "play," with each other.

This afternoon we were shopping at a little retail park. Lots of little handbag type dogs were being paraded round. One woman even let her two dogs walk all over the rugs on display.

Aibu to think that they shouldn't be there? Why can't the dogs be left at home. Obviously these weren't guide dogs, just pets.

Dogs in places where food is served, definitely a no no for me. And why would you need to take your dog into shops unless it is an assistance dog? Just leave the dogs at home when you go shopping people, not everyone wants to be within sight or smell of your animals.

That dog looks like a vicious brute. I'm glad you took a photo, although it's face would a have even better rather than its arse!

Anyway people tie their dogs up at our village school gate too. Mind you, children round here usually ask if they can stroke the dogs rather than being scared of them. I wonder if that's got something to do with their parents attitude?

I totally get people not wanting dogs around whilst their eating. There's very few food places that allow dogs though, so for people to turn up at one of the few and complain about the dog riles me. Go to one of the plethora of non-dog places.

Reminds me of the arsehole family who turned up at a dog park and decided to have a picnic then complain when a dog ran over despite the rules being 1. no children under 8, 2. only with dogs and 3. no sitting down with food.

I do feel for people with guide dogs when I read threads like this. They have enough to deal with without people constantly turning their nose up at their "smelly" "slobbery" friends which are their lifelines and valued companions.

Has anyone said they object to guide dogs Lockheart?

I like dogs. Let me just say that before I post because my post will sound like I don't!

Our local allows dogs. It gets very busy and fun at a weekend. Nowhere to sit unless you are there early so lot of people standing, people eating at tables, very crowded and loud. The amount of dogs there too is getting beyond a joke! Last night I was stood having a drink and tripping over dogs, stretched dog leads, avoiding stepping on paws and tails. It was more like a kennel .

Surely it isnt enjoyment for the dog to see a sea of legs and be trapped. And what's in it for the owners... surely they are spending their whole time trying to keep their dog safe. Also when I do go up and have a pub meal sat at a table, I don't want huge dogs pushing between my legs, pawing me or putting their head in my lap whilst I'm eating.

I may sound like I don't like dogs, I honestly do but I do think there is a time and a place and 9 dogs roaming round a small crowded bar is not the place, one was the size of a baby calf! Lovely in the pub garden though, thank goodness summer's coming!

I wonder if that's got something to do with their parents attitude? No it has everything to do with some dog owners assuming that all children love dogs and do not control their dogs or even take their dogs over to small children with out asking or paying attention to the child's reaction. Yes I am aware children do this to dogs as well, two wrongs don't make a right The number of times my DC have been frozen in fear as an animal with sharp teeth, toddlers don't know they're highly unlikely to be hurt, and nearly the same size as them, are allowed by their owners to continue investigating my child. I didn't cause the fear, crap dog owners did that.

Anthony whilst many have said that they would be OK with guide dogs as an exception in shops etc, they have also then gone on to say dogs are smelly / hairy / slobbery and they don't like them. Surely that applies to guide dogs just as much as normal ones - even if they will grudgingly allow a guide dog into an establishment. Even you did it. Guide dogs OK, but "not everyone wants to be within sight or smell of your animals".

Has anyone said they object to guide dogs Lockheart

The people on this thread have been objecting to the presence of dogs and describing them in negative ways, which lockheart has just said. Does a dog become less smelly and slobbery if it's a guide dog?

I'm glad you see what I'm getting at Grays!

I don't see your point about dogs in pubs, before ds me and dh often would walk to a few dog friendly country pubs on a sunny day. Not all pubs allow dogs so maybe go to one that doesn't if it bothers you?
I thought only guide dogs are allowed in shops so I don't see you point there either, you say the little dog was all over the display rug but whenever I've been in any shopping centre I have only seen guide dogs.

Scaredycat I won't comment on your username iit s unacceptable for dogs to approach children without persmission so I'm with you in that. However not all owners behave this way, there are loads of dogs and owners going about their business NOT harassing small children. So children need to taught that they shouldn't be scared of ALL dogs because of a few stupid owners.

Dogs in pubs is a really mixed one for me, I think it really depends on the nature of the individual pub. An upmarket gastro pub is a definite no no for me. In more rural pubs or 'locals' I think it is more acceptable but it depends on the dog and the owner. During the day time (weather permitting) it's much more acceptable for them to be outside in the beer garden.
Although I'd accept a well behaved dog inside a pub, i have a huge fear of dogs and would still be wary of it being there.

I also think they should be restricted to the bar area, I really don't agree with any animal in an area where food is being prepared.

As for shops, no dogs (other than guide dogs...)

I'd avoid the US if I was some people on this thread. 'Emotional Support Animals' have boomed. They're completely ridiculous mind, anyone can get one with a doctors note. It's led to emotional support ferrets, sheep, llamas... all allowed in places animals usually wouldn't be.

But Rousette, that proves your point
Dog owners like taking dogs to pubs and spending lots of money on food and drink

That's why pubs encourage dog owners in...

I can't go to another pub, if I did we would have to drive and we both like a drink on a weekend, plus our friends are there.

I do not object to dogs in pubs per se. Just on a very busy crowded standing room only friday and saturday night, it seems selfish and ridiculous to take your dog to the pub. A lot of people including us don't go till about 9.30 or 10 at night ready for the lock in haha. Why would you tke a dog to the pub then? I nearly did myself an injury last night trying to avoid stepping on one of the 8 or 9 that were up there

Lockheart Even my DC seem to get a calm feeling from guide dogs, I was very pleased to meet a recently retired Guide dog, the whole atmosphere was completely different and calm. I did how ever feel very sorry for a guide dog and owner that had been trapped in a corner of the wool shop by the shops dogs and owners that appeared to have no coprehension that the dog was working, the owner did not look happy.

Surely dog owners don't have to have their dog with them to enjoy themselves? There is no other pub in walking distance so locals won't be going elsewhere. It just seems odd to take a dog out at 9.30pm to a really crowded pub and think the dog is enjoying itself. Most of the dogs looked thoroughly miserable trying to avoid the mass of people!

scaredy that's strange and to me that suggests your children are picking up on your own feelings and body language. You see guide dogs as safe and okay so they do too.

My dog is completely calm. If another dog barks at him he doesn't bat an eyelid, doesn't even acknowledge they're there. He'll sit calmly and if people want to stroke him he'll accept the strokes and is quite happy about it. He acts no differently in his behaviour from a guide dog.

But because he isn't a guide dog and isn't wearing something to say he is, your idea of my dog would be different from that of a guide dog. You'd discriminate.

Roussette we take our dog to the pub in the evening because it's our reward at the end of a walk, I also think it's nice to not leave her at home all the time. As long as it doesn't inconvenience other people, she comes.

I do agree that they should be kept out of the way though, she is used to it and sits under a chair, won't move unless we do.
I loved dogs in pubs before we got one though, it's a feature of this country that I like in rural areas.

Most people come and talk to her and little ones always come up to say hello, it's made me lots of friends having her.

It depends on the dog and the atmosphere of the pub I think. A well behaved dog in a quietish pub is fine. God knows when I worked in a bar we'd have been much happier to have dogs in than some of the horrifically behaved kids whose parents made no effort to control them.

I probably wouldn't take my dog to the pub in the evening, no. If we had been on a long walk and called in for Sunday lunch on the way home though then yes, I would.

I'm with you Peace, there is nothing like a friendly lab sat under a table. However, my posts aren't about that... I'm saying that a noisy, busy sea of people letting their hair down on a weekend night with barely any room to get in the door... and loads of dogs... don't go together.

And how many parents have complete panic attacks, and pick up their children and back away when they see him
I've had parents cross their children over to the other side of the street so as not to walk past my dog. The kids themselves are often intrigued (my dog wears a bandana so looks kinda cool) but the parents flap just at the sight of him. I just hope the kids don't end up being hysterical like their parents are.