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.

I’m a scummy dog hater and avoid all dog friendly indoor venues. I’d ban them everywhere (except service dogs).

Do you not understad a joke?

PS. why does everyone throw in the line about children being my carer when I am older
No guarantee of that for any of us. Don't be so smug, your kids may end up hating you

I never would because my breathing problems would start pretty quickly…however I would like to be able to go to John Lewis and the Apple Store without the worry of an asthma attack…those are just a couple of the many places that I have encountered dogs whilst shopping recently.

This is categorically not the case. Most places are dog-friendly.

And you choose to have a dog, so you have to accept there are things you can't do. It shouldn't be the other way round.

And it is ludicrous to allow them anywhere near a school unless they are handpicked therapy dogs (and even then it should be in a room away from everyone else, with children choosing to go and see them, not having them imposed on all the kids).

I saw a TV ad yesterday saying that some airlines accept dogs. Cue all the calls for ALL airlines to accept dogs in the cabin, which will mean other people can't travel anymore. It's one thing allowing them on a train where you can potentially move elsewhere but planes is ridiculous.

As for other countries, they may allow dogs, but they definitely require them to be on short leads and much better controlled than we do in the UK.

The UK worships on the altar of the Dog. Reminds me of Egypt and cats.

I agree with others regarding dogs in shops and to a lesser extent shopping centres

I'm not talking about someone's own kids...I'm saying kids in general will grow up and it will be someone's child who grows up to be your carer.

Problem with dogs is, generally they are pretty revolting and I don't want them anywhere that serves or sells food.

Mr Mknkey worls in a clothes shop in central London, they don't have a dog policy as what kind of idiot takes a dog shopping in central London? Well apparently many many idiots these days. Last year someone bought a dog in to the shop and urinated on the floor and the owner just walked off. She looked shocked when Mr Monkey stopped her and said he would get a mop and she could clear it up.

His shop no longer allows dogs in.

I saw a TV ad yesterday saying that some airlines accept dogs. Cue all the calls for ALL airlines to accept dogs in the cabin, which will mean other people can't travel anymore. It's one thing allowing them on a train where you can potentially move elsewhere but planes is ridiculous.

I don’t think there’ll be huge numbers of dog owners wanting to take advantage of this. It will be mostly assistance dogs, and why shouldn’t people with assistance dogs be able to travel? I was on a plane recently where a guide dog was travelling with his owner. Neither had flown before. The dog was fine.

I wouldn’t deliberately go shopping with my dog but it’s great that when you are out and about you can pop in the odd shop if you want to.

I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere and been annoyed by misbehaving dogs. They generally behave really well. Kids on the other hand…

Agree that it’s the owners of both dogs and kids that determine whether they are a nuisance or not. There is a certain element of both types of owners that are rude and entitled. We should be moaning about them, not dogs or kids specifically.

I would have thought that there must be caveats for dogs in an airline cabin, in a similar way as there are restrictions on nuts etc, because of allergies. Some people are very allergic to dog hair and fur and would be made ill by being in an airline cabin with them.

My dog comes everywhere with me where I'm allowed to take her, she loves it, dogs are a way of life for many people like it or not, it is down to the owners to ensure they train their dogs, but my dog has been trained since day dot and also comes on holidays with us as she's part of the family, that's the commitment I made when I got a dog, she also comes on the sofa and sleeps on the bed. I have to put up with a whole host of different humans, rude ones, smelly ones, foul mouthed, the dogs are the least of my worries.

I'm sorry but this is bonkers. Not all of us have access to parks or if we do they may not have an area for scooters, or be somewhere you'd be happy to take your toddler. If toddler is properly supervised there's nothing wrong with them scooting on a pavement.

That's fine, my dog loves it though!! She laps up the attention she gets from dog friendly humans and most of all loves being with her family. Every dog is different, my dog comes on holidays with us and we always do dog and kid friendly days and it's brilliant, she loved the cable car, Abraham Heights, loved Cotswold Wildlife Park, Trentham Estate, tubing in London and lounging in cafes, she also loves a good hike, beach and woodland walk and definitely loves prancing in shops.

I don’t shop or eat in places unless they are dog friendly - our dog has separation anxiety made worse by lockdown. Fortunately he’s also well behaved - not interested in children, and doesn’t smell or shed much, even restaurants that normally don’t take dogs often make an exception for him 😍Am very aware of people being uncomfortable around dogs and move to minimise their distress - my dd was terrified when she was small.
My kids scootered on the pavement but knew that it was good manners not to scooter past people or animals. So they stopped when they met people and they walked to pass people going in their direction.

As a dog owner I love how dog mad the UK is. When I’m out without my dog I spend the whole time beaming fondly at other dogs who are out 😂 I think it’s nice that we are including animals in our lives more. l do really feel for people with allergies though, that must suck. I have less sympathy for people who are scared of dogs for no reason though, unless you’ve had a traumatic event with a dog (complete sympathy for you if so) the onus is really on the person to work on their irrational fear so that they can live in society. It’s like saying you’re afraid of cars so people shouldn’t drive so much - unfortunately something you’re just going to have to work on to live in a dog loving society.

even restaurants that normally don’t take dogs often make an exception for him 😍Am very aware of people being uncomfortable around dogs

You don't seem very aware, your entitlement to bring your dog into a place that doesn't take dogs screams this loud and clear. Actual human beings are being excluded from places because dogs are seen has a higher species, we get told to fuck off to dog unfriendly places if we don't like it then some entitled fuckwad thinks it's ok to do this?

Why don't all these people with dogs with separation anxiety train them? It's hard but not impossible, it took us a year to get is 20 minutes alone time, 2 to get over an hour. But we bloody worked on it because that's what responsible dog owners do. But it's too much like hard work to do what's best for your dog these days. One day you'll have an emergency and little Fido will lose his fucking mind because he's been pandered to. That's not caring for your dog. That's only caring for yourself.

I do think something will happen to trigger a change, a child will be bitten or have an allergic reaction. We can only hope these animals get put back in their place.

That being said, I always look at people’s reaction to my dog when out and if they’re anything other than extremely enthusiastic and asking if they can pat her, I keep her very close to me and distract her so she’s not even looking at the person who is scared. Essentially do all I can to make anyone uncomfortable feel like the dog is absolutely no threat and won’t approach them. And I think all dog owners should do this.

There is a man in our area who lets his dog literally jump on strangers laps in our local coffee shop and he clearly thinks his dog is the cutest and has no awareness of how annoying and rude he is being. That is irresponsible dog ownership though and he’s rare enough to stand out.

Our local bakery/coffee shop does not allow dogs in (except service dogs). The amount of people with dogs who just confidently stoll right in ignoring the sign and look very miffed when the staff tell them to take their dog out side is astonishing.

You used to be able to leave your dog tied up outside the shop but now some hoodlum might nick it so here we are

I'm a dog owner. Some dog friendly cafes... OK. Restaurants, shops etc no thanks. Went to the theatre this weekend, absolutely dog free, it was noticeable and lovely. Surprised about the school playground, absolutely no dogs allowed on the school grounds here, quite right too.

No, all the gardens are not assistance dogs only. Allen Bank, Gibside and Cragside are just 3 off the top of my head that allow dogs (no cafe at Allen Bank, just prepackaged refreshments but dogs are allowed inside the property). Sizergh allows dogs on the estate but not in the formal gardens, but the cafe is accessible without going in the gardens. I’m sure there are more across the country but those are just the ones I have been to.
Alnwick Castle is extremely Not Dog Friendly (to the extent of stopping you walking along a public right of way past the entrance ) so that could be somewhere to head for people who dislike dogs or whose dc are frightened of them. Chillingham, Vindolanda, Binchester……..again just a few from personal experience.

I like a long walk with our dog and a cafe at the end, or a pub, but she’s been Cafe Trained and doesn’t stick her nose anywhere where it’s not wanted. She certainly isn’t allowed to bother other customers, ever.
I can’t see me ever wanting to take her in a clothes shop or garden centre, that seems a weird thing to want to do. She’s been trained to be fine alone at home for when we want to go shopping and if we’re away somewhere one of us does the non-dog friendly activity and the other does something else.
On the whole, the increase in dog ownership should have seen an increase in responsibility on behalf of owners but unfortunately it hasn’t.

Don’t understand the hatred for kids but adoration for dogs, dogs ain’t gonna pay taxes or look after all these people who hate kids when they’re old

I personally don’t mind dogs, my friends have them and I like a fuss when I’m there but I wouldn’t have one, couldn’t be bothered with the responsibility for the next however many years, picking up crap 🤮, I like my house not smelling or the likelihood of accidents etc, we like going out spontaneously for days out without having to think about a dog, we are busy enough without adding more time intensive things to our lives, unfortunately a big majority of those who get dogs aren’t as sensible

Family member is an idiot. But the UK has always liked dogs. Just not in places with food - I find that a bit odd, but pubs generally let in dogs (in preference to children sometimes). To put it in perspective I am not really happy with children in pubs at night (noisy and they should be in bed) but I know how difficult it is to get out if you have children, so I tolerate it as long as I am not expected to coo over said children. Pubs have almost always accepted dogs, esp in the country, so I don't find that annoying as long as under control (like children). I don't like dogs in restaurants but coffee shops are essentially a non-alcoholic pub so that's okay.

Tell your family member that if they think their dogs would not hurt a child they are barking up the wrong tree. Any dog, in the correct circumstances, can attack and they should bear that in mind and know how to control their dogs. Your child matters more than your DR's feelings or their dogs, and if DR does not know that a dog should NEVER be left alone with a child then DR is a bad dog owner.

I can't take my son to a public beach due to his extreme fear of dogs (thanks to 2 separate occasions of dogs jumping up and knocking him over) so we don't go to the beach anymore. Now dogs are in shops, cafes, restaurants, everywhere. I love dogs and work in dog rescue so he's never had anything but positivity from us about dogs, but my son is petrified of them. Apparently though based on people on this thread I should just get him over it by taking him for phobia sessions or CBT. Hadn't thought of that...oh wait, I did and it didn't work. Yet all these dogs with separation anxiety apparently take priority to be in these public spaces, rather than owners pulling their finger out to address this with a dog behaviourist.

Love dogs. Happy to see dogs on the beach, in pubs and appropriate cafes eg somewhere that's frequented by dogs like a country park. I do not want to have dogs in restaurants or in shops other than assistance dogs. There was one sniffing the pyjamas at the White Company when I was there recently. God no.