Dogs at work

[Smartieskid]

We don't allow dogs at work we have a huge sign on the wall outside but people still act surprised when I don't allow them or they ask if they can carry them then they always storm off claiming to spend there money else where happens atleast twice a day Really winds me up and no we never used to allow dogs either

Meh, I'm glad my workplace allows dogs.

It's an outdoorsy type shop though, which probably helps. All the staff love dogs and we have a bowl of water out for thirsty pets. We've never had a badly behaved dog that wasn't removed by the owners straight away - and by "badly behaved" I mean barking. We've never had dogs make a mess on the floor, chew clothes, slobber on things and run around out of control.

I can understand cafes/restaurants having dog-friendly areas and non-dog friendly areas, but I don't see what the harm is in having a well-behaved dog wandering around Primark, for example. Better than having an anxious, upset, barking, unattended dog outside.

Maybe they should be left tied up outside and then they don't offend the childless either.

the huge difference is that can't legally tie a child up outside a shop.

Very will comparison.

over the years I have developed quite a severe allergy to animal dander, eg dogs, cats, horses
sad really as I always loved having all of these pets as a child and like animals/see the value they add to peoples lives in general

but now even 15 minutes in a closed space with a dog or cat will have me wheezing and tight chest, streaming eyes and nose. I take antihistamines but that's not practical all the time and has side effects for me so I don't take them routinely unless expecting exposure (the other daily drug that damped my responses successfully was withdrawn due to side effects)

even peoples clothes with animal dander on them can set me off, and once staying in apparently pet free rental accommodation where the last visitors had sneaked their dog in: absolutely awful experience, had to sleep in the car

I try and modify my life to avoid dogs and its easy to decide on looking into a cafe or pub whether I can stay there, eg with no animals in but I would be really upset if there were dogs (other than essential service dogs) in food and clothes shops routinely

Yes, service dogs will set off my allergies; but there tend to be few of them, they are incredibly well behaved and I would not ask a person requiring a service dog to get out and about to compromise their needs for my medical issues: only that a dog owner might compromise their wishes to have their pet with them at all times for my physical comfort in not having my allergies triggered by exposure to dogs in confined spaces. And don't get me started on people saying 'don't worry, hes just a big softy' as their dog jumps up at me - I'm not scared of him, I just don't want him near me'

Oh and as people have mentioned assistance dogs, in case people are unaware, assistance dogs, as a rule, are regularly groomed and cleaned with animal dander wipes to minimise having any affect on people who may be allergic etc. They are also intensively trained, far more than a pet dog even if it went to obedience classes.

Well obviously guide dogs are an exception. Didn't think I actually needed to spell that out

Why can't people just leave their dogs at home like normal? I don't know anyone who takes their dog out unless they were already out on a walk and decide to stop somewhere.

We have loads of glass about pluss delicate items pluss an an open kitchen meaning there's no door due to the lay out so dogs could easily wounder in

LunaLoveg00d that's a very strange bit of reasoning so why should children who aren't spending money or as customers be in there?.

So what is about guide dogs that makes them cleaner than other dogs?

I don't think they are. But they HAVE to be there. A pet dog doesn't. But I wouldn't choose to sit near a guide dog if there was in a restaurant.

And all those conspiring children to dogs are frankly, pathetic. Children are human beings.

Comparing *

its not that they are cleaner
although the care, dander wipes and training/non wandering habits make them less likely to be a problem in many ways
its that their presence in public space is a need for their owners and allows their owners to take part in public life/be independent and so their presence can be tolerated/rationalised in a different way
but personally I am less likely to tolerate or make compromises in my use of public spaces because someone wants to prioritise their household pet over my discomfort

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are trained to a very high standard so there is very little chance of them misbehaving or having a pee/laying a cable in a shop. I know a blind friend of mine had a guide dog who decided to lay a dog egg in the middle of a shopping centre once. It was seen as a very serious offence and he had to be sent back for extra training.

bit of crossposting there; I was speaking of guidedogs vs pet dogs

Anna you haven't met my guide dog :)

I need to move to Belgium!

You can't always leave a dog at home. When I'm on holiday I go away me and the dog in my caravan. In the summer I can't leave my dog in the car or the caravan as its too hot. Simple things like getting a pint of milk is a nightmare.

I tried tying her up outside a small village store in Coniston so I could race in and get a few things and the girl behind the counter shouted me as dog was going crazy tied up outside, like a bucking bronco. I ran out terrified she was about to snap her lead and end up in the busy road. So then the nice girl did my shopping for me and i paid in the doorway.

I now try and ensure intake enough food for a ten day stay but with a small caravan fridge it's tricky.

I don't demand or insist that the dog be allowed in places but I will find out before visiting an area where the dog friendly pubs and cafes are.

Not trying to be rude or anything but perhaps dog training is the way to go then PP if you can't tie your dog up for a minute or two?

We also have water for dogs outside and place for them to go and hooks on the wall

Dog egg! That made me laugh!

It very rarely happens in a shop, dog is likely to be ill if that happens but yes, my GDMI does take it seriously.

I will avoid any cafe or restaurant that allows dogs but doesn't have separate animal and non-animal areas. This is due to experiences of having wet dogs shaking their sandy wet fur right next to my plate of food (the smell of wet dog makes me want to vomit), barking and howling dogs when their owners have left them under the table to go order / toilet etc, and the best one was the dog that actually attempted to eat the steak sandwich off my plate!! His owner laughed and said what a cheeky dog he was. I was . And when I did get up and move when a family with a wet dogs sat right next to me in an otherwise empty pub, I got a snidey comment of 'is our dog offending you?' which then made me feel uncomfortable,
Yes, allow animals, but have consideration for the other people who have paid for their food and drink.

My guide dog gets wet in the rain.

She also randomly licks people's legs. I don't see her do it

Gah, I never understand why dog owners can't get that not everyone is keen to have their pet near them. Would you be equally outraged at a cafe not letting people bring along their 'very well behaved', hygienic', 'taking up less space than children' pet snake or pet tarantula?