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

I tolerate working dogs as they are usually well trained and well behaved as a result.

Here's where I am confused

You've got people saying they hate dog hair and are allergic to dogs but don't object to assistant dogs.

They are still a dog you know? They don't shed any less.

Or are you only putting up with them because it's against the law to object?

Thank you for tolerating my dual purpose assistance dog. She is sometimes well behaved :D

I think that the cats, rats, birds, reptiles etc. argument doesn't stack up. These species do not require daily walks as dogs do, and most of them would find the experience of being in busy public places very stressful. If you do get them there there are toileting/toilet training issues (good luck stopping a parrot or rabbit pooing wherever they happen to be), and how do you physically restrain them? You can put a collar and lead or harness on a cat or rabbit but with few exceptions most of them won't find it particularly enjoyable to be dragged or carried around busy public places or taken out hillwalking. As for the others, just holding on to them isn't enough - what if they freak out and struggle or jump or fall out of your hands or fly off - how do you catch them? I've had plenty of cat/rat/rabbit/gerbil/bird carrier escapees in my consulting room and it can be a nightmare to catch them even in that tiny space, let alone without them being terrified. None of those species are famed for their recall, let alone when panicking in a busy place, and they can fly/jump/climb and fit into tiny spaces that dogs can't - they could end up absolutely anywhere.

"You've got people saying they hate dog hair and are allergic to dogs but don't object to assistant dogs.

They are still a dog you know? They don't shed any less."

Yes of course, as a previous poster said upthread:

"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."

YANBU. Hate seeing dogs in cafes unless it's my local park cafe where there is a designated are for dog owners with dogs on the terrace. They are not allowed inside. I really don't understand why people need to take little Fido with them to the shops anyway. It can't be much fun for the dog.

I don't mind dogs but I don't think they should be allowed in cafes or restaurants etc.. I've had far too many run ins over the years with badly behaved dogs and stupid entitled owners.

Guide dogs aside of course as if it needs saying.

My ideal would involve trips to shops, cafes and restaurants with no dogs at all. I can't take issue with a dog working. It's just one of these things.

I even hate people getting on buses with dogs and, depending on the dog/owner I have swapped buses before!

An assistant dog behaves and I trust they will. I don't have that confidence in other dogs and prefer not to be around them.

I think if dogs were allowed into more places where theres currently no legal reason they can't be - shops, cafes, restaurants (yes, its NOT illegal, it breaks NO hygiene or health and safety rules)..

We would have a society more tolerant of dogs and more sociable, safe, friendly dogs.

Tying dogs up outside stores - whoever has said that in a PP - MASSIVELY dangerous, hugely irresponsible, puts the dog AND members of the public at a huge risk.
For the dog itself - at risk of being stolen, abused, accused of biting
For the members of the public - risk of being bitten.

Not worth the risks, please do NOT do it.

Of course it is ENTIRELY up to any business as to whether they want the custom of dog owners or not - I would suggest if you are somewhere you are CONSTANTLY being asked if dogs can come in, maybe reconsider your policy - after all there is NOTHING that says you have to welcome in ALL dogs regardless of their behaviour or how they are managed by their owner!

You can welcome well behaved dogs at your discretion, meaning you can ask owners of badly behaved dogs, dogs coated in mud, or irresponsible acting owners, to bugger off!

As far as dogs being unhygienic, well frankly, they are no less hygienic than people - both can spread parasites, disease and all manner of filth including skin particles, and faecal matter.

So if HYGIENE is your only issue - YABU, and very silly indeed.

If you just don't LIKE dogs well, theres a lot in life I don't like either, suck it up sugar tits, its not the end of the world.

If you have a phobia - then YOU have a problem that YOU need to deal with, not make the rest of the world deal with it for you. I have a phobia about wasps, I don't seek to eradicate them or expect everyone else to deal with them for me!

I don't see why human spaces should be encroached by furry animals just because their owners are precious and entitled.

I quite like wasps, sugar tits.

I don't see why people should be encouraged or forced to put animals at risk, tying them up outside shops, when its not remotely necessary.

I don't like going to places filled with screaming snotty pukey babies but its not practical for them all to be tied up outside so I get on with my own business and ignore them - its possible to do the same with dogs too you know.

It's perfectly possible to go about your day to day business without a dog in tow.

What on earth is there to like about wasps? And why "sugar tits" ? And don't get me started on "precious and entitled". Why is it any more precious and entitled to want to take your dog with you than to not want dogs around? That seems to be the default insult on MN towards dog owners.

Did you read the post before mine?

Yes, but two wrongs don't make a right.

I am so sick of these threads on mumsnet.

I'm a dog lover and have owned dogs but there are very good reasons to keep dogs (and all animals) out of say clothing shops. Some people are dangerously allergic to the fur and dander. This will inevitably get on the clothes and could cause a severe allergic reaction. There are also people who are afraid of dogs. If you let one in you have to let them all in and could end up with dangerous dogs/ uncontrollable dogs in a fairly confined space. If you have a dog accept you can't take it everywhere

A business not allowing pets in their cafe or shop etc risks losing business from people who want to eat lunch, do their shopping with their pets, a shop or cafe who do allow pets in also risks losing business as not everyone wants to do their shopping/eating with their own, or other peoples pets.

I don't think either is right or wrong. It should be a choice that's down to the owners. Lots of people love dogs, but lots of people also don't, those who want to eat with their oets can go to a place that allows them and those who don't want pets around can go to one that doesn't allow them.

I don't think there has to be reason for not wanting pets around in cafés or wherever, not everyone likes the same things and pets are one of them.

By law any place serving food must have procedures in place so that dogs have no access to the food preparation area as we have an open kitchen we can't allow them other wise we wouldn't comply with food hygiene rules

This bullocks
A cafe I take my cafe is like this but allows dog on lead in
As it is a middle of park it would not have any customer if it did not
environmental health says it up to owner of cafe who he allow in his cafe

I dont understand the comparing pets in cafés and shops, with children in them.

I know some people don't like the noise children make in shops and cafés, I have a friends in general they go to adult only places to eat and avoid supermarkets etc during school hols and do shopping online to avoid stress of "noisy misbehaving children"

Comparing children and dogs in this sense I think the same, it should be up to the owners, people who like children can eat in child friendly places, those who don't can choose adult places. I wouldn't say my dd is perfectly behaved and would sit nicely so children should be allowed in all cafés, like pets, children are different and nobody but myself and dh know how dd would behave, in general the presence of children do not have medical implications for others or are phobic of them like lots of people are with animals, but if they were, they'd see a child and think "oh fuck", they wouldn't know she'd be an angel so could understand their frustration if children were allowed in all cafés etc.

WiddlinDiddlin
I don't really mind dogs, certainly not scared or phobic of them,
and hygiene wise, as long as they stay on the floor and don't lick used to manage ok. Outside, in the park I can walk past them (never pet or interact) with no problems at all
if I hadn't developed allergies I would live in a country cottage with horses and dogs - like the one I grew up in. Always wanted a Sheltie as a child
but as it is I am stuck with my overactive mast cells now

I am very willing to change my behaviour, vote with my feet, if a café takes dogs then I don't use it, I make sure I get pet free accommodation, explain to visitors I cant have their dogs in the house, generally try and be considerate and accomodating
About service dogs: if someone comes into an area near me with one I will happily leave or move: because I perceive their needs for the dog to be greater than mine in that situation. But I am not willing to suck it up, have an unnecessary allergic episode or take daily medication with side effects just because someone feels poor wickle Fido apparently needs to come everywhere with his mumsy-wumsy.

It says quite a lot about you when you feel animals should be shown more consideration than fellow humans, as allergy, fear and phobias are not chosen and not always easy to overcome

I'm nc to sugartits