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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should dogs be allowed in more places?

538 replies

Patchworkknitter · 05/08/2021 17:44

I'm a bit hurt today but I don't know if I'm being completely unreasonable.

A friend and I were trying to arrange to meet up. We had sorted what we were doing and then she changed her mind and wanted to change where we did something which would have added another 90 minutes onto the day.

I couldn't do that as my dog would already have been left all day (with 2 dog walks from a dog walker). Even with the dog walker, he couldn't do another 90 minutes. My friend got a bit cross and said I should just get my parents to look after him but they're already looking after him the day before so it wouldn't be fair. I don't like to ask them too often, a bit like people don't like to look after their children too often.

It just seems we always do child friendly places (I'm not a Mum but I try my best to be understanding of her childcare needs). She says she can't afford any additional childcare to that which she already needs for work but I can't afford additional dog care either (I pay £400 a month and don't have a partner to share any costs).

It got me thinking how restrictive it can be having a dog as a single person. I wouldn't change him for the world but it's incredibly difficult. If it was childcare I feel people would be much more understanding.

If I was a mum I could take my children pretty much everywhere.
As a dog owner, I can no longer go to the cinema, to most pubs, to restaurants, to the theatre, shopping, etc without paying out for extra dog care.

I feel dogs should be allowed in more places, more shops, more cafes, more pubs etc. Aibu?

OP posts:
MaMelon · 05/08/2021 22:15

@Indoctro

Dogs are massively tying , that's why people need to think long and hard how it will impact their lives.

We have recently got a puppy after 3 years being dog free, life was a lot simpler in those 3 years and we have had to make huge changes to our lives to accommodate our dog now. But I knew that would be the case as I've always had dogs. But being dog fee was actually nice if I'm honest, and had my kids not really wanted a dog as much as I love them I wouldn't have got one again. I think this will be my last dog, if it lives a full life my kids will be teens by the time he dies and I think I will be dog free as the are very restrictive.

Totally agree. We’d love a dog (even have its name and breed picked out!) but we both work full time and recognise it’s massively restrictive because there are many places we wouldn’t be able to take it to. Our choice of pets over the years have reflected that.
cadburyegg · 05/08/2021 22:15

The staff choosing to make their pub or whatever child friendly also do it to make money! Last time I was at Pizza Hut it was full of young families taking advantage of the kids menus. Some places also do offers like kids eat free with every adult meal. Put simply, kid friendly places bring in £££. Whilst having a dog friendly pub might be appealing to a few people, the owner isn’t going to be buying it a 3 course meal with a fruit shoot and mini dessert.

Anyway YABU because you knew the score before getting a dog. As for kids, there are some places that aren’t suitable for them - mine are 6 and 3 and I don’t moan that I can’t take them to the opera. I go to places which ARE child friendly which, unsurprisingly, is enjoyable for them because the place is designed for them, and also enjoyable for me because I can relax a bit knowing this.

Twokitstwokats · 05/08/2021 22:32

I went to a dog friendly pub the other day. Dog shit everywhere. It really put me off my chips. That has never happened to me in a child friendly pub. I will not be going back.

TheFoundations · 05/08/2021 22:35

@Twokitstwokats

I went to a dog friendly pub the other day. Dog shit everywhere. It really put me off my chips. That has never happened to me in a child friendly pub. I will not be going back.
That will be awful for them.

But seriously, some pubs are clean and some aren't. The dog thing isn't related. You can go into some pubs and the humans drool and stink and there's filth.

aproblemedbride · 05/08/2021 22:58

John Lewis allows dogs - go there?

Children are the worst. They ruin restaurant experiences. Dogs can also though.

I happily take my dog to places and everywhere near me is dog friendly so I factored that in.

However, I’d never relax with my dog at the cinema or theatre… she’d bark whenever a dog came on screen

Hopeisallineed · 05/08/2021 23:28

Come to Cumbria! I’m pretty sure dogs outnumber people here, at least it feels that way and they are allowed pretty much everywhere.

NoSquirrels · 05/08/2021 23:29

@Twokitstwokats

I went to a dog friendly pub the other day. Dog shit everywhere. It really put me off my chips. That has never happened to me in a child friendly pub. I will not be going back.
Really? Hmm

Not round here.

JesusIsAnyNameFree · 05/08/2021 23:36

I love dogs but I'm gonna pass on that. They are allowed in enough places.

CounsellorTroi · 05/08/2021 23:41

I read about a cinema in America that put on special mother and baby showings for new/breastfeeding mums. So why not special showings for dog owners and their dogs?

CounsellorTroi · 05/08/2021 23:42

@Twokitstwokats

I went to a dog friendly pub the other day. Dog shit everywhere. It really put me off my chips. That has never happened to me in a child friendly pub. I will not be going back.
What, inside the pub?
Schnauzersaremyheros · 05/08/2021 23:57

OP, I kinda agree with you! Although I don't think the cinema/theatre/opera are appropriate places for dogs. When my boy was younger, he would have barked at any loud noises in a cinema. Now he is a grumpy old git, he would likely fart and snore his way through the whole show Grin. However I do think more shops should allow dogs, and even some restaurants. My dog comes pretty much everywhere with me, including days out with family and friends (thankfully the majority of them are animal lovers). I have been known to decline an invite to days out where he couldn't come.

Willyoujustbequiet · 06/08/2021 00:22

Yabvu and I'm a dog owner. It's not comparable at all.

SoupDragon · 06/08/2021 00:22

the expectation in Europe is that...

And? What happens in other countries is irrelevant.

SoupDragon · 06/08/2021 00:26

This is Mumsnet though, full of pious dog haters who can’t live and let live.

What about the dog owners who think they should be left at home? Where do they fit into your narrow view?

BadLad · 06/08/2021 04:53

@SoupDragon

My dog is my child

No, it is your dog.

I'm reminded of this.
Should dogs be allowed in more places?
Saoirse82 · 06/08/2021 05:20

YABU. I'm a dog owner, I love my dog dearly but I don't think they should be allowed in more places as it could get crazy!
You can leave a dog for 4 hours at a time as long as they've had a good walk beforehand. I've never heard of a dog owner not being able to go to the cinema/theatre etc sounds like you're really restricting yourself. I understand dogs for some people are their children and my dog is certainly a very much loved member of our family but he's at his happiest at the dog park, I don't think he'd be much interested sitting in a cafe all day anyway.

Twizbe · 06/08/2021 05:50

@CounsellorTroi

I read about a cinema in America that put on special mother and baby showings for new/breastfeeding mums. So why not special showings for dog owners and their dogs?
Not quite the same
Sadiecow · 06/08/2021 05:52

@Patchworkknitter

For what it's worth, I didn't say I wanted to take my dog to the cinema or theatre. There were examples of places I could no longer go.
Which you knew before you got a dog!
LST · 06/08/2021 06:19

@Twokitstwokats

I went to a dog friendly pub the other day. Dog shit everywhere. It really put me off my chips. That has never happened to me in a child friendly pub. I will not be going back.
Ok then.......
hellcatspangle · 06/08/2021 06:27

No, because it can cause problems for guide dogs/assistance dogs being distracted.

TheFuckingDogs · 06/08/2021 06:45

Oh feel bad for the OP but no we don’t need dogs to be able to go to more places. Some dog friendly pubs/cafes near walks etc is great, in Yorkshire/The Lakes you can get some dog friendly hotels but dogs don’t mix with fancy restaurants, the cinema, theatre, ice rinks and shops.
The issue is trying to humanise dogs. Children going to these places even when young is fine because you’re training a “human pup” to eventually become an adult. Dogs are never going to start enjoying the cinema etc because they’re dogs!
They want a run, their owners love and food basically!

ichundich · 06/08/2021 06:51

@Patchworkknitter

I'm a bit hurt today but I don't know if I'm being completely unreasonable.

A friend and I were trying to arrange to meet up. We had sorted what we were doing and then she changed her mind and wanted to change where we did something which would have added another 90 minutes onto the day.

I couldn't do that as my dog would already have been left all day (with 2 dog walks from a dog walker). Even with the dog walker, he couldn't do another 90 minutes. My friend got a bit cross and said I should just get my parents to look after him but they're already looking after him the day before so it wouldn't be fair. I don't like to ask them too often, a bit like people don't like to look after their children too often.

It just seems we always do child friendly places (I'm not a Mum but I try my best to be understanding of her childcare needs). She says she can't afford any additional childcare to that which she already needs for work but I can't afford additional dog care either (I pay £400 a month and don't have a partner to share any costs).

It got me thinking how restrictive it can be having a dog as a single person. I wouldn't change him for the world but it's incredibly difficult. If it was childcare I feel people would be much more understanding.

If I was a mum I could take my children pretty much everywhere.
As a dog owner, I can no longer go to the cinema, to most pubs, to restaurants, to the theatre, shopping, etc without paying out for extra dog care.

I feel dogs should be allowed in more places, more shops, more cafes, more pubs etc. Aibu?

Another one where a dog owner compares dogs and kids 🙄. Newsflash: Dogs aren't people. Did you not research the restrictions that owning a dog would bring?
TheFoundations · 06/08/2021 06:57

@CounsellorTroi

I read about a cinema in America that put on special mother and baby showings for new/breastfeeding mums. So why not special showings for dog owners and their dogs?
www.picturehouses.com/blog/dog-friendly-cinema
MargosKaftan · 06/08/2021 07:01

No, dogs aren't people. But getting a dog is a lifestyle change that limits you that is comparable to having a child.

The real problem is that the op has a friend who expects the op to fit round the friends lifestyle limitations due to being a parent, yet doesn't think she should have to fit round the lifestyle limitations the OP has due to having a dog.

anon12345678901 · 06/08/2021 07:04

A dog is not and will never be the same as a child. I don't want a dog in the cinema or theatre. You must have researched what a dog would entail, or should have done.

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