Page 8 | Should dogs be allowed in more places?

Heyha · 05/08/2021 19:25

Actually thinking about it the cinema is a really shit environment for most dogs so why on earth anybody would want to take one (assistance dogs aside, they obviously have the training and temperament to go with the flow) is beyond me.

lazylinguist · 05/08/2021 19:29

Sorry but YABU. The fact that you don't have children does not make your dog your child. Your dog is your dog. And I say that as a devoted dog owner.

It's great that dogs are allowed in some pubs and cafés. They should not be allowed in cinemas, theatres, formal restaurants etc. And ideally they shouldn't be allowed in all pubs and cafés, because some people are scared of or allergic to dogs.

Having a dog is a choice, as having children is a choice. They are both restrictive in their own ways. But it would be naïve to expect people to give your dog equal consideration to a child.

StrangeToSee · 05/08/2021 19:29

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?

You can’t compare a human child with your pet dog. A child is a citizen, a member of society. Your dog is an animal.

I say this as a mother AND a dog owner; train your dog to be able to stay home alone for longer periods. It’s the core of training. As long as she has access to the garden and plenty of water, someone taking her for a walk, she should be fine. If she’s not then something’s gone wrong in her training.

Our dog (rescue) has his own heated kennel in the garden. He doesn’t come everywhere with us. We can leave him for a day and he’s content.

I want to be able to take my kids to the cinema, restaurants, shops and cafes without dogs around.

Dogs are smelly and shed hair, often wee and poo in inappropriate places; imagine how revolting it would be in a small cafe in warm weather, fluff drifting through the air to land in your cake. Or the smell of dog poo in the cinema!

Not to mention what happens when lots of dogs are allowed in the same place; dog fights, sudden ear splitting barking, people treating their dogs like humans and letting them sit on the seats etc. Dogs wandering about licking and sniffing random people, trying to snatch food, terrorising kids (and adults) who fear dogs.

How would you like a pet pig wandering around the restaurant? Or a goat?

We need more dog free spaces not less! People want to be able to enjoy going out without dogs around. Personally I hate it when I see dogs on the train or bus, it seems so inappropriate and unhygienic.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 05/08/2021 19:30

crazycatgal I've lived in Germany for 14 years and never seen a dog in a restaurant or bar here, very, very occasionally in a cafe, more often outdoors in beer gardens (where you'd see them in the UK too) maybe once a year I see a small "toy" type dog in a clothing shop - once and once only a totally inappropriate large muddy dog on a long lead with an owner paying no attention to it. There are fewer dogs per head of population than in the UK and owners legally have to register them with the council and importantly are legally obliged to have insurance for any damage or injury they might cause.

I've noticed on visits to the UK in recent years that there are far more dogs than 20 years ago and they're everywhere - people used to leave them at home - and there are far more untrained dogs treated like very over indulged children by owners who appear not to really know that's not in the dog's - never mind anyone else's - best interest.

Sxxyfing · 05/08/2021 19:30

Dogs should be allowed in less places in my opinion as well as being made to stay on a lead in any public place. I'd even go so far to muzzle certain breeds in public. People and their children should be able to enjoy life without having to experience other people's pets

Blossomtoes · 05/08/2021 19:31

Of course there is a difference

There isn’t. If you have a dog allergy or phobia it doesn’t magically disappear if the dog is an assistance animal. A dog is a dog.

RickJames · 05/08/2021 19:32

@crazycatgal

We live in Germany. Dogs are taken very seriously here and everyone goes to puppy school. I struggle to recall a time when I've seen a dog misbehave in public indoors.

I personally don't do all the puppy school and rigid rules but then I only keep mild-mannered dogs. I don't go for big, fancy breeds. I must admit, i often walk past people bent backwards anchoring GSDs and Cane Corsos, foaming at the mouth on the lead. But you'd never see these dogs in a shop or restaurant. I just assume they are home protection dogs.

The dog laws here are very strict. You have to register your fog with the tax authority. That probably helps with responsibility.

budgun · 05/08/2021 19:33

@Blossomtoes

Of course there is a difference

There isn’t. If you have a dog allergy or phobia it doesn’t magically disappear if the dog is an assistance animal. A dog is a dog.

I'm not sure why this is the angle you have decided to attack but it is very clearly not what anybody was saying when they said assistance dogs are different.

Goldbar · 05/08/2021 19:33

No, they're already allowed in more than enough places.

But your friend should accommodate you and meet somewhere dog-friendly.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 05/08/2021 19:34

Blossomtoes assistance dogs only automatically limits number of dogs and excludes poorly trained dogs (as long as the American model of any animal is an assistance animal if its owner says it is, is avoided).

BaublesAndGlitter · 05/08/2021 19:35

I don't think dogs should be allowed in more types of establishment (ie theatres or cinemas etc) but having more dog friendly pubs / hotels / cafes to choose from can make all the difference IMO.

Last year we took Ddog on holiday to Scotland and it was lovely to be able to still go out for a meal / stop for a drink / stay at a fancy b&b and bring DDog with us. Saved a bloody fortune in kennelling fees too - but we were only comfortable to do that because BaublesDog is older, completely unflappable and quiet.
Compete opposite to where I live where there is 1 dog friendly cafe that I'm aware of.

Also, all this dog v children nonsense are missing the point I think. Both children and pets need someone (parent or owner) to look after them and ensure their needs are met. Neither can just be left alone while parent / owner goes out for dinner etc but people are aware and give leeway for childcare - not so much for pets.
And the whole 'you chose to have a dog' doesn't wash either because a fair amount of people chose to have children too.

As an aside, I've spent many an evening at a cinema / restaurant etc and had the experience interrupted or ruined by badly behaved children!

RossPoldarksWife · 05/08/2021 19:35

No, too many entitled dog owners take their dogs everywhere with no regard to anyone else.
Their not “your child” it’s a bloody dog, an animal.
You chose to get a dog and all the responsibilities it brings. Just like other people choose to have children with all the responsibilities they bring. Both mean missing out on some things.
The entitlement of dog owners is unbelievable.

TedMullins · 05/08/2021 19:36

I have a dog, I’m also single and live alone (with my dog) I’m obsessed with my dog but YABU. Where I live 99% of pubs are dog-friendly. If I want to go somewhere without him he stays at home for up to 4 hours alone. Sometimes he goes to the dog walker, sometimes my neighbour has him. It sounds like your problems are more to do with where you live not having many leisure facilities nearby and your friend being selfish and unreasonable, rather than dogs not being allowed in enough places. (While we’re here, though, I would happily see fewer places allow children)

LST · 05/08/2021 19:37

@Sxxyfing

Dogs should be allowed in less places in my opinion as well as being made to stay on a lead in any public place. I'd even go so far to muzzle certain breeds in public. People and their children should be able to enjoy life without having to experience other people's pets

No one has to experience my dog apart from look at him if they choose. He goes off lead and he certainly isn't muzzled

TedMullins · 05/08/2021 19:37

@BaublesAndGlitter

I don't think dogs should be allowed in more types of establishment (ie theatres or cinemas etc) but having more dog friendly pubs / hotels / cafes to choose from can make all the difference IMO.

Last year we took Ddog on holiday to Scotland and it was lovely to be able to still go out for a meal / stop for a drink / stay at a fancy b&b and bring DDog with us. Saved a bloody fortune in kennelling fees too - but we were only comfortable to do that because BaublesDog is older, completely unflappable and quiet.
Compete opposite to where I live where there is 1 dog friendly cafe that I'm aware of.

Also, all this dog v children nonsense are missing the point I think. Both children and pets need someone (parent or owner) to look after them and ensure their needs are met. Neither can just be left alone while parent / owner goes out for dinner etc but people are aware and give leeway for childcare - not so much for pets.
And the whole 'you chose to have a dog' doesn't wash either because a fair amount of people chose to have children too.

As an aside, I've spent many an evening at a cinema / restaurant etc and had the experience interrupted or ruined by badly behaved children!

Yes, all of this! Dogs and children are BOTH lifestyle choices, all the people acting like they’re single handedly ensuring the survival of the human race by having children need to get a grip

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/08/2021 19:37

I do also think your friend should be more accommodating though

Blossomtoes · 05/08/2021 19:37

@RossPoldarksWife

No, too many entitled dog owners take their dogs everywhere with no regard to anyone else. Their not “your child” it’s a bloody dog, an animal. You chose to get a dog and all the responsibilities it brings. Just like other people choose to have children with all the responsibilities they bring. Both mean missing out on some things. The entitlement of dog owners is unbelievable.

I completely agree. We’re currently on holiday and the dog’s in kennels.

1stTimeMama · 05/08/2021 19:38

Absolutely not. And we have a dog.

NoNameNoOne · 05/08/2021 19:38

Not a fan of dogs in food places or on buses. Not a fan of kids in them either... but... seeing as I'm a mum myself with zero assistance on the childcare front I have to put up lol 😆

Greyrootszerohoots · 05/08/2021 19:39

Only if I can also take my 2 cats and yukka plant to the library.

Wouldyoudothesame · 05/08/2021 19:39

If the issue is that there aren't many dog friendly places near you perhaps you should move sonewhere more dog friendly? Lots of people choose to move somewhere more child-friendly before having kids if they have the freedom to do so. If you don't feel you can leave your dog for that long, move somewhere closer to amenities I guess... possibly something you could have considered before getting a dog though. It is a big responsibility so comes with its sacrifices.

Cillmantain · 05/08/2021 19:40

I love dogs but please don't compare them to children.
Most towns and villages are much more dog friendly than years ago.
It's not the dogs that are the problem it's their owners who think I want to share my space with them.
No thanks that's why I left my own dog at home.
I will agree your friend is unreasonable to change plans,at such a late stage though

Knittingupastorm · 05/08/2021 19:40

@Blossomtoes

Of course there is a difference

There isn’t. If you have a dog allergy or phobia it doesn’t magically disappear if the dog is an assistance animal. A dog is a dog.

No, but the benefits then outweigh the negatives because the need for someone to have their assistance dog with them overrules someone with a fear of dogs having to temporarily step outside. Someone just wanting to take their dog with them, just because, doesn’t overrule someone else’s phobia.

Besides, such a severe phobia would be rare. More people who are scared of dogs would be able to cope with a dog that they know is really well trained, it’s unknown dogs, off lead, jumping around that would be more of an issue.

Goldbar · 05/08/2021 19:40

Well, it comes down to the preference of the business owner, doesn't it? All businesses have the right to ban dogs/children if they choose. If it would benefit their business to allow dogs, they would (as many country pubs do). And I seem to remember a couple of pubs banning children.

GSD20 · 05/08/2021 19:41

We have just been to the lakes and took our very well behaved dog (trained therapy and obedience dog)
He sat under the table as we ate and we spent most of the holiday walking. It was camping so no hotels etc.
Ours was on lead the whole time and approached nobody without them asking to touch him first. We also didn’t take him anywhere indoors because he’s too big to avoid him touching things.

However, I was quite shocked at how many badly behaved and untrained dogs were around and how unbothered the owners were.
We saw some very aggressive ones in public places, had a chihuahua launch for our dogs face, saw some filthy ones in shops and lots of off lead ones running up to our dog/children and shoving their noses in our faces when it wasn’t wanted.
I also had to listen to some of them barking constantly and another couple breaking their own necks on flexi leads to run at other dogs in the town centre.

As a dog lover I can 100% understand why some people hate dogs in public as by the end I was sick to death of them! Owners need to be responsible enough to judge whether their dog would actually be okay in that type of environment and whether it’s behaviour will effect someone else. Clearly some owners are unable to do this!

I would think a normal well trained dog should be able to be left alone for 5 hours or so while we go out to eat or go to the cinema so it wouldn’t even cross my mind to take it!