AIBU to be surprise d that dogs are seemingly suddenly everywhere?

[Sibsmum]

What has happened? Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? Dogs suddenly seen to be allowed into shops, cafes, service station...I am not talking assistance animaks, just general dogs.
Now I am not adverse to dogs, but if a wet nose drew back the curtain as I was getting changed in a shop changing room, I would be miffed ( saw it happen!) And I don't see how dogs in cafes is hygienic. Dogs can be off putting to sacred of dog people. But I don't want to get into the why not...I just really want to know wh at I missed that resulted in this happening

Agreed it’s part of the hipster cult. I visit a very lovely vegan cafe that allows dogs, likewise a definite hipster bar/food joint that I’ve loved for years allows dogs to the extent they have a dedicated ‘dogs of x bar’ Instagram.

But then, cat cafes exist so...

I’ve noticed it as well. Lots of places are becoming more welcoming to dogs. I like dogs but I get nervous around larger dogs and I’ve recently developed a sensitivity to their hair and saliva and I get itchy and stuffy and can get hives so on a purely selfish note I wouldn’t be happy going to a cafe or bar and being around lots of dogs.
Having said that - it’s not actually happened yet, most I’ve seen are one or 2 smaller dogs sat under tables and I have no issues with that per se.

I haven’t noticed it, no. Dogs don’t bother me in most places - in fact it actively pleases me; I love them - but not in shops or naice restaurants.

Owners who don’t control their dogs, and especially owners who leave the shit lying around, yes even tied up in a bag, THEY annoy the hell out of me.

I’m not a dog owner so this is probably wrong, but it could be connected to the publicised rise in dog theft? If I thought my dog were at risk of being stolen, I wouldn’t want to leave it tied up outside.

It's definitely a hipster thing. There are a few trendy hipster cafes that have done it for a while and now more ordinary mainstream places are copying.

I’ve noticed it too, I’m a dog owner and hate dogs in cafes/restaurants/shops! I love my dog but am very aware he’s a big fluffy twat who does not belong in a shop or place serving food. For one thing he wouldn’t be able to contain his excitement as he thinks everyone is a new friend and he can be an entitled prick when it comes to food. Dogs shouldn’t be in indoor public places.

I think it’s a fashion thing, it’s seen as ‘cool’ to be all casual about dogs being allowed in.

Yes, last term there were loads of them on the school run every day, tied up at the front of the school while people took their dc in or carried into the classroom like babies

I agree with a pp, that it is often higher end places that allow dogs - most of the nicer pubs allow dogs near me, my quite trendy hairdressers does too - but then, I do live near a fairly affluent market town with countryside all around, so possibly it is more to do with the culture here. Before having dc I worked in events at a beautiful hotel where the attitude was very much that dogs were welcome - the manager was actually quite sneering (in private, not to guests) about any suggestion that dogs should be banned. All of that said, I don't often take my dog on errands or to the pub - he's huge and can be a pain in the arse if he gets overstimulated ('just being friendly' type behaviour........I don't tend to allow it myself).

Yes and their shit. Pick up your dog's shit dog owners.

I think a no dogs policy is within the rights of a food outlet.

I'm a non-smoker, but can't complain about other peoples' drifting fag smoke if I then take my dog into an eating area and expect nobody at all to complain. I love my dog, but someone else might be allergic to animals, or mind if their food gets contaminated - which (however perfectly behaved a dog is) could be entirely possible if you think about it.

I love dogs & I haven't noticed more anywhere. More & more I notice owners jerking them out of the way very afraid I might be offended by their existence when I'm still about 100 feet away. Almost never does a dog get to have a sniff of new person without owner hyperquick moving to stop it. Shame.

Dm visits weston super mare and ddog is made v welcome at most places, including being given free food often.

I live in a small town and there has been a campaign to increase the already large number of places that accept dogs. I have been climbed over by a large dog together with my friend who has a pet allergy, shared a table with two owners of warring dogs, seen dogs yapping or barking without being removed, and seen one curled up in an armchair in a trendy lounge bar. Also lots of well behaved dogs not causing much fuss. I’m on the fence.

Most places advertise dog friendly or not dog friendly. If you don’t like dogs or have allergies go to a non dog friendly cafe and I with my dog to a dog friendly cafe/bar. It’s not a new or hipster thing it’s been a thing in rural places for a long time.
Dogs are much less dirty than people. But i agree pick up the poo 💩 bag the poop and if there is no bin near you carry the bloody poop and wait till you find one.

Is it 'I'm not adverse to dogs'
Or 'I'm not averse to dogs'

Always confused me that one.

(Misses whole point of thread)

There are a few places round my way that allow me to take my dog in. One or two pubs, the garden centre cafe, the pet shop etc. He loves a day out! He is not un-hygenic when we eat - he only shakes when he is wet, not normally an issue in the pub! He comes in, sits quietly down by my feet and has a snooze. You'd not notice he was there most of the time. We have way more problem with people coming over to stroke him and bother him when he is trying to nap than with him bothering other people who are trying to eat!
I think a sensible mix of dog friendly and no-dog places is ideal. We are happy to use those places where dogs are expressly welcomed and avoid those where the mutt isn't wanted.

Problem is so many cafes are doing it that it's getting harder to find ones that don't.

YABU, it's good that more places are being dog-friendly. In Europe it's quite usual. The only elf and safety rule is that animals aren't allowed in a food preparation area hence why they can go into a cafe or restaurant seated area. Not sure what diseases you think you might catch from a dog but you can guarantee that the snotty kid next to you will give you more germs than the hound. Dogs are like kids - they are welcome if they are well-behaved. When we took our dog out most people didn't even know she was there until we left.

I think it is possible to be adverse to dogs, Oy.

For instance "She was adverse to the dog who wanted her muffin by telling him off for being greedy."

Although you could then counter, "The dog was averse to being denied anything at all he wanted to eat."

I live in a very middle class town and became a dog owner a year ago, I’d love to know where all these shops and cafe are that let dogs in. I know of one cafe in my town which is dog friendly, and that’s in the park where a significant percentage of their customers are dog walkers and I know one shop, a local health food shop, and that’s it other than actual shops which sell doggie products.

Why are they starting to allow it? There's a coffee shop in town that now has a space inside foir people with dogs.

Bleurgh.

They’re hardly assisting with meal prep. Gave me a good chuckle.

Went to the Peak District with Stelladog recently and she was allowed in the vast majority of shops, cafes, pubs and even a restaurant. They all had water bowls and free doggy treats on the counter.

I can only assume that it's a business decision, either that or everyone bloody loves dogs in the Peaks.

We've noticed this recently because we've had to as DS is very allergic to fur/dander so it's a pita.
I fully expect dogs in rural pubs and cafes, villages etc so we are mindful that we need to be careful as that's the norm and we're on their territory so to speak.
Just lately though it's been a nightmare, in city centre shops, supermarkets, everywhere. We've had to get off buses on trains due to multiple dogs (could probably distance him from the odd one)
Then there's the presumption that it's ok for the dog the come over to us with the onus on me to remove DS from the situation not vice versa. The following conversation has become draining:
Dog bounds over:"don't worry he's friendly"
Dog starts winding round DS legs or sniffing and jumping up
Me:"can you call your dog back please"
"Oh, he won't bite"
Me:"my DS is very allergic, please call him back"
Dog owners with face like a slapped arse and huffy, as we do not aDore the dog:"Really? Pfft, kids allergic to everything these days" - or some variation.
We love dogs and animals but definitely feel like our needs come 2nd these days in this very Dog friendly era.

YANBU

I hate it.

Both DS and I are severely allergic to dogs, causes asthma, itching, red swollen eyes, rashes etc and it can takes hours or days to recover fully.

I think it depends on where you live.

Here in the Lake District, dogs in shops/cafes is perfectly normal and has been for years. It's a business thing, for the most part. They don't want to lose the business of say, a four-person family just because they have a dog with them. So they allow the dog in too. The shop I work in allows dogs, and we provide water and biscuits (and fusses!).

I live just outside the National Park and have a Beagle. He's allowed pretty much everywhere in our little town except the supermarket. He comes to the pub with us, to lunch, out for coffee and cake. He sits under the table with a chew and doesn't bother anyone, but we do tend so sit outside with him and not inside as it's a bit too much for him at the moment (he's only 7 months). If we have to be out all day and know we can't bring him (because it's not practical) he goes to daycare so it's not a problem that he can't be there. But I like to bring him with us and it gets him used to all kinds of situations, smells, sounds and people.