To wonder why the UK became so dog friendly?

[LancelotsLeftArm]

I have had several dogs in my life but I'm finding recent events in the last 2-3 years baffling.

Local ice cream shop lets dogs in - no longer go there as last time there was a massive dog blocking serving place where DC choose flavours, not sure what breed but size of a Labrador. 2 year Old's face ended up getting licked and knocked over,now DC doesn't feel comfortable around dogs. Always dogs there now but usually not that bad.

Family member has 2 labs that hate each other (no idea why) plus a history of "nipping" each other (?!) and recently they were growling at each other, teeth bared, lips rolling back. Toddler right between them with a toy. Heard the growling, got worse for about about 2mins, decided to tell toddler to move away quietly and calmly. Put myself between toddler and dogs. In law Relative went ape shit , offended. FFS. Decided we're not welcome in future if we don't accept that the dogs would "never harm a child" (like that's a reassurance).

School (primary school) is dog friendly and allowing dogs on leads in playground at pickup times which would NEVER have been accepted in my school. Including larger ones, not terriers etc - more Pointers etc.

Just do what dog owners have done for years. Avoid the dog friendly places like dog owners have to avoid the unfriendly ones! You still get much more choice

As someone who doesn't like dogs it can be a problem. A favourite cafe has new owners. Dogs used to be banned but now they are allowed in, including sitting on the sofas. They have lost my custom but they won't miss it as all the dog lovers will be in there now.

I would imagine avoiding the school playground might be tricky though..?

I don't know but there was a dog in the harvester with the family having Xmas dinner on Xmas day .. very odd !

Ugh, I'm a dog owner and I hate it. A shopping centre near me lets dogs in basically everywhere. The other day a massive lab had its big, stupid, slobbery head in the fridge at Pret. Disgusting.

(Come at me lab owners, I don't care, labs are greedy idiots and not appropriate to take anywhere with food)

As a dog owner I'm loving this new doggie inclusivity. I'm guessing it's because coffee shops / pubs realise more and more people have dogs and will choose a dog friendly place to spend money over one that isn't .

Dare I suggest that the increase in dog ownership due to lockdown and, subsequently, more WFH might have influenced this?

I assume it's due to more people liking/having dogs and places seeing a commercial opportunity.
I appreciate it must be a bummer if you don't like dogs.
A labrador is not a "massive dog" op, but YANBU about your family member who is being a dick.
My dog is extremely placid and well behaved but I'd never claim he couldn't hurt a child, even though he's never shown any sign of it. He is a dog.

More people have dogs than before. Because of the whole dog kidnapping thing of 2 years ago, lots of people aren’t prepared to leave their dogs tied up outside shops as they would previously.

there’s money to be made encouraging in those dog owners who might not bother popping back later without pup. In some areas, there’s more money to be made from dog owners popping in on dog walks than us lost from those who avoid dog friendly places.

I am a dog owner and was surprised recently at the number of shops that let dogs in ( all digs not just assistance dogs)
These included Boots, a department store and New Look (New Look even had doggie treats on the counter!)
I was using the department store as a cut thru and was paranoid that my v springy springer spaniel didn't 'wag' something off the shelf!

I’m currently visiting a tourist town and can’t move for dogs on long leads and taking up all the paths. We can’t visit any pub or cafe because my DH is allergic to dog fur. Even the place we are staying in (even though it was classed as pet-free) had caused him to wheeze and not be able to taste properly. Selfish owners are taking dogs on the beach when there are clear signs saying they are not allowed. Earlier I avoided a part of the coastal path where two dogs were fighting and barking and growling. I felt very uncomfortable.

When I was a child, people left their pets at home. It’s completely the opposite now - if you’re not keen on dogs there is absolutely no respite from them - and worse, the increasingly amount of entitled, inconsiderate owners.

No idea. I’m not a dog person though I can appreciate why people like having them as pets. I do think it is an individual choice though so that shouldn’t impact others (and every responsible dog owner I know thinks this too).

I’m more surprised by cats. There’s absolutely tons near me and I’m sure many more than there were 30 years ago and we’re supposed to not care that someone else’s pet shits on our garden constantly with no effort from the owner to do anything about it.

John Lewis have dog friendly signs. WTF.

We live rurally and have two dogs.

Dog friendly pubs and cafes? Yes absolutely. But I still choose to go places without my dogs too so am happy if they don't accept dogs either.

Dogs in bloody shops near new clothes? No and I will give you a dirty look for bringing your dog to a clothing store.

Dogs belong on muddy fields and in muddy pubs if they behave. Not shops.

A bit like my children when they were small!

My husband and I got shouted at today by another customer at a dog friendly cafe (NT). We were having a scone and our golden retriever was lying at our feet; there were two routes to the till (think big room with a pillar in the middle essentially, could go both ways around the pillar; we were next to one side of the pillar but even with the dog there was room for a buggy to get past). A family came in and a man shouted at us for being selfish because his daughter (about 8ish?) was scared of dogs.

Instinctively we apologised (even though our dog was lying there, didn’t even look up when they walked in!), but a lot of “dog friendly” places aren’t actually that dog friendly after all - we sharp left after that as we didn’t want our dog upsetting anyone else.

When I was a child, people left their pets at home

This is the bit I don't understand. My dog and my toddler have the same interest in going out for a coffee. I'd leave them both at home if it was an option!
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I think this too.

Thank you for this. Some dog owners will not be this honest.

The UK is pretty odd in the sense that children are hated and barely tolerated but dogs are adored.

I took my DC who were primary age at the time to a family friendly pub at lunchtime. They were sat quietly round the table and a woman at the next table was giving them dirty looks and tutting at their mere existence. My friend would take her huge dog along and people adored it.

I find it pretty weird but lots of people are totally socially inept so find it easier to communicate with dogs than people.

John Lewis have dog friendly signs. WTF.
Oooh I forgot that one - last time we were in John Lewis there was a dog rolling around on the fake grass toddler play bit next to the kids clothing section. It has little fake veggies that you sit on. But no.... Springer spaniel dog owner thought it was acceptable to let dog run around it?! Despite signs up for children and saying to please take off shoes for hygiene reasons... I was gob smacked

I agree OP, and with a daughter who is properly terrified of dogs it’s a nightmare 😩 going for a walk/bike ride I expect to come across dogs (though it is a pain) but it would be nice to go to a cafe without having to coax her in and then calm her down when the bloody things keep barking at each other. Was really really disappointed in wales to see dog owners ignoring that certain beaches/sections of beaches should be dog free - probably won’t holiday there again as a result. Also have very few friends I can visit now as almost all have dogs.

The UK is behind most countries. I live in Spain and take my dogs everywhere they go in supermarkets, shops, restaurants the UK is so far behind

P.s. several John Lewis staff walked by and said / did nothing about toddler play grass being used by dog...

I’m glad it’s become more dog friendly but I agree some places should still be dog free.

School playgrounds are not a good place for a dog. It only takes something to startle them and children are unpredictable

falling birth rates! they are the new dc 😆