Dogs in Restaurants

[IDontGetOutMuch]

Took my mum out to lunch today. It was a nice enough place-£25 per head.
Have expectations changed with regard to dogs in restaurants? There were four other tables in our section and three had a dog with them.
Two of them barked at least three times during the meal. One jumped up at a waitress carrying puddings to another table, paws on her apron. One jumped up at the table wanting to be fed. One was petted by another waitress who then went straight to a table to take orders without washing hands. One was lying in the way so that I had to ask the owner to move it to allow my mother to get through with her Walker.
We had a dog when I was a child. He never went to a restaurant. What about people with allergies?
Is it okay that they do? Do I need to get over myself? I tried to compare to children. I expect my children to cause no disturbance to others at a restaurant and to stay at the table. We expected this even when they were little and actually rarely went to restaurants anyway.

@TheFoundations no, I don’t have statistics (how would you even collect data on that?) but given the increase in dog ownership over the past few years as it’s got more trendy to have a dog and particularly over lockdown it’s inevitable that large numbers of people who are not competent dog owners have unfortunately acquired dogs. And then the rest of us have to suffer the consequences of this pro-dog mentality.

Alas, @PattyPan, that mentality isn't pro-dog. Those of us with pro-dog mentality are against the idiots who got 'lockdown puppies'.

I'm sure that there are a few more idiots, yes. But that doesn't mean there's any suggestion of 'rarity' in responsible, decent, thoughtful, respectful dog owners.

Sorry, I wasn’t clear @TheFoundations. I think a pro-dog/ dog loving culture is a driving factor behind the increase in dog ownership. It’s trendy especially for millennials (I speak as one) to become “fur parents” as mentioned above. There are so many memes about loving dogs and petting dogs being the best part of the day etc etc. I meant that kind of thing. So everyone thinks yes dogs are great and I should get one, when really they should not. You are right that it isn’t really pro dog in that dogs don’t benefit from rubbish owners. They really need to make it harder for people to get pets.

I mean quite strange but some people must be lacking if they need a fur baby and to treat it like a human
Why do you care? Do you judge mums who still breastfeed their kids at 5yo, or still sleep with them at 10. I don't agree with a lot of how the new generation raise their kids, but I accept that it's part of life and that's that. I just stay away a much from young kids as possible. However, I don't label all kids the same and automatically assume they are going to be misbehaved as soon as I see one in a restaurant.

unfortunately responsible dog owners are becoming rarer
Or maybe your expections are not in tune with what is considered normal nowadays.

I've taken my dog three times to a restaurant so far, twice outside, once inside. It was a very pleasant experience all around with everyone making a fuss.

There are thankfully much much fewer dog haters in real life than on MM.

Those of us with pro-dog mentality are against the idiots who got 'lockdown puppies'
Talk about generalisations and assumptions, all this because some people just don't like dogs.

Have you considered that there are more dogs around since lockdown because most dog owners are responsible and therefore didn't get the dog they very much wanted before because they worked FT in offices but now they can work from home, they can finally be a loving responsible owner who can be with their dog rather than leaving them home alone all day.

The idiots are those who lack tolerance and judge everyone without knowing.

There are thankfully much much fewer dog haters in real life than on MM.

I don’t think that’s the case, it’s just socially unacceptable to say you don’t like dogs irl.

I mean quite strange but some people must be lacking if they need a fur baby and to treat it like a human

I expect a few people are lacking contact and affection from humans, especially in recent times. And maybe that might make some of them treat their pets a bit more like a human. But you go ahead and mock them if that makes you feel better.

The rest of us dog owners treat our dogs like what they are - animals, but also affectionate, loyal companions who feel like a part of our family. I know a huge amount of people with dogs (I live in a very doggy area - practically everyone has dogs here). I know only one who treats his dog like a spoilt little princess, but even he doesn't expect to take her to places which aren't appropriate for dogs.

^ Oh and he is an arse generally.

I'm not sure that restaurants and pubs can afford to turn away customers with dogs in the current climate, tbh

I would think it would put off more people than it would draw in. I wouldn't eat in a restaurant with dogs in it and most people I know wold feels the same.

I don’t think that’s the case, it’s just socially unacceptable to say you don’t like dogs irl
They don't have to say anything, it's easy to pick up on vibes! I've never experienced any of it in real life. I love my local park. Kids, elderly, dogs, birds and squirrels all manage to get along and be happy. Nothing ever like the drama some seem to experience almost daily here

People with allergies need to look after themselves, rather than expect the world to behave as if everyone has their allergy with them

Said by someone who thinks their dog should be free to go everywhere. I guess my kids should just stay at home their entire lives so you can bring your hound to restaurants and everywhere else?

I would think it would put off more people than it would draw in. I wouldn't eat in a restaurant with dogs in it and most people I know wold feels the same
I'm sure businesses can work that I e out better than those who don't like dogs. If more and more places allow dogs, it's because it attracts more people.

There's a big difference between a star Michelin place in London and a pub in the countryside too.

@vivainsomnia

I don’t think that’s the case, it’s just socially unacceptable to say you don’t like dogs irl They don't have to say anything, it's easy to pick up on vibes! I've never experienced any of it in real life. I love my local park. Kids, elderly, dogs, birds and squirrels all manage to get along and be happy. Nothing ever like the drama some seem to experience almost daily here

This with bells on! I've owned dogs my whole life and never witnessed half of all the MN threads!

I would think it would put off more people than it would draw in. I wouldn't eat in a restaurant with dogs in it and most people I know wold feels the same.

Do you honestly think restaurants make those decisions without looking into it? Why would they?

People with allergies need to look after themselves, rather than expect the world to behave as if everyone has their allergy with them

Believe me l try to. What do you suggest, as mine is so severe antihistamines don’t touch it. 10 mins in contact with a dog and l can’t breathe or see.

I’ll just rephrase your words and see how they read.

People who are disabled need to look after themselves, rather than expect the world to behave as if everyone has their disability with them

Substitute disability with homosexual, transgender, ethnic minority…. Fortunately we have the Disability Act to deal with people like you.

@claralara42

I'm not sure that restaurants and pubs can afford to turn away customers with dogs in the current climate, tbh

I would think it would put off more people than it would draw in. I wouldn't eat in a restaurant with dogs in it and most people I know wold feels the same.

Yeah I've worked in pubs and you get more people asking if dogs are allowed who has a dog with them than people who ask if dogs are allowed because they won't come it if there is one. In fact the second situation has never happened!

Do you honestly think restaurants make those decisions without looking into it? Why would they

There is a "mob rule of one" mentality. One person complains, and the owner of a business says "how high". So someone will turn up at a restaurant with their "fur baby" and get stroppy with the owner because they won't let them in. They put it on Twitter, Tripadvisor etc, owner gets hassle from completely unrelated people and the restaurant decides to allow dogs. Those of us who would prefer a dog-free environment don't matter because we are bigots or as a poster so kindly put it above, why should the world change itself for your allergies?

I'll turn that round and ask why the world should change itself to accommodate peoples' pets.

people who ask if dogs are allowed because they won't come it if there is one. In fact the second situation has never happened

because we wouldn't dare. It's not allowed to not like dogs.

@igelkott2021

people who ask if dogs are allowed because they won't come it if there is one. In fact the second situation has never happened

because we wouldn't dare. It's not allowed to not like dogs.

So it to the pub owners it's a win win

This with bells on! I've owned dogs my whole life and never witnessed half of all the MN threads!

I know, it's incredible how many people who already hate dogs just happen to have experienced a ferocious pit bull totally out of control in a very surprising venue... almost as if they make shit up!

Those of us who would prefer a dog-free environment don't matter because we are bigots or as a poster so kindly put it above, why should the world change itself for your allergies?
Why the need for such drama! How about asking if there's a table away from dog and ask if possible if any family with a dog could be sat the other part of the room. I'm sure they'd oblige as much as possible.

I really believe it's not about uneasiness for most but just pure contempt for dog lovers because they just can't understand that people can feel differently to them.

Yeah I've worked in pubs and you get more people asking if dogs are allowed who has a dog with them than people who ask if dogs are allowed because they won't come it if there is one. In fact the second situation has never happened!

We don't tend to ask if dogs are allowed because we assume they are not. You don't go into a pub and ask if bears are allowed, you don't go into a nightclub and ask if babies are allowed, do you?
Pubs and restaurants that allow dogs in are the exception not the norm, that's why people don't ask, NOT because everyone is happy to have dogs in there.
Amazed that has to be explained to anyone.

@TheFoundations food outlets have a responsibility by law to ensure their menu is clearly stated which food contains which allergy. No one gripes at this.

@claralara42

Yeah I've worked in pubs and you get more people asking if dogs are allowed who has a dog with them than people who ask if dogs are allowed because they won't come it if there is one. In fact the second situation has never happened!

We don't tend to ask if dogs are allowed because we assume they are not. You don't go into a pub and ask if bears are allowed, you don't go into a nightclub and ask if babies are allowed, do you?
Pubs and restaurants that allow dogs in are the exception not the norm, that's why people don't ask, NOT because everyone is happy to have dogs in there.
Amazed that has to be explained to anyone.

As I have explained before where I live it is the norm. Every pub and cafe allow dogs apart from 1 pub and 1 cafe.

We don't tend to ask if dogs are allowed because we assume they are not. You don't go into a pub and ask if bears are allowed, you don't go into a nightclub and ask if babies are allowed, do you?
Pubs and restaurants that allow dogs in are the exception not the norm, that's why people don't ask, NOT because everyone is happy to have dogs in there.
Amazed that has to be explained to anyone.

Dog friendly pubs are common so you should not assume. Your examples are nonsense. A comparison would be to ask if children were allowed in the pub if you detested (or were allergic to) children, as not all pubs have children's licences so you can find ones without if you wish.