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.

The nauseating phrase ''Pet parent''
So insufferably twee.

We are not ''Parents'' to our pets, but responsible for them.

I’m in the U.S., the only store I really ever go to is Walmart, and I’ve noticed the same trend here as well, and I’m not talking service dogs, either. Every time I go in I see at least one person with a small dog that’s sitting in the cart.

Come to think of it, just before Christmas I did see a medium-sized dog on a leash that clearly wasn’t a service dog. It was led around by a couple of teenage girls and no one said or did anything.

Never has a dog caused a problem that I could see and they’re quiet and so cute, but I wonder when the rules shifted. There used to be a sign out front that said “Service dogs only” but it’s since been taken down.

I forgot to say in my previous post - our local primary school has a school dog! There’s a formal policy and risk assessment and everything

I have dogs and I like dogs generally, on a walk when I’m suitably dressed to play with them and not mind other dogs jumping on me.
I do not want dogs jumping on me when I’m nicely dressed for shopping or eating, so it would be lovely if everybody could be considerate and only take their dog when appropriate.
Mine is a bit wary of some strangers and can woof at them, he is an unusual breed so has people approach him, he doesn’t get taken in any indoor place where he couldn’t be removed if this was to happen. And he is not in a position to be out of control anywhere, if he was that would be my fault and not his.

Another job I had was an ice cream parlour. We had a weighted advertising sign that I had to drag out and then in again when packing up.

One day a woman let her dog wee on the sign, a sign that I had to store in the same place I served ice cream.

The thing is, the parlour had no running water. I had to go to the public toilets 300m away and get jugs of water to boil in the kettle to clean it all up.

This brings me on to, when people go out on the town and drink too much why must they wee/vomit against walls, where it won't rinse away, instead of into the gutter. Same for dogs; in paris they encourage owners, if you won't pick up, get it done in the gutter where at least it can be rinsed away.

Don't assume that energy hasn't been invested into phobic children - it's not always as simple as introduce them to a friendly dog and all is solved.

My DD is okay around the 2 dogs we know socially - a bit nervous at first each time, but she knows them and can cope. After a while she can play with them, walk them etc.

She has also had a full course of CBT.

However, a couple of trusted dogs sadly makes no difference because she's still terrified of all the ones she doesn't know. The CBT goes out of the window too in the moment.

I'm sure that when dog owners see her having a meltdown and they're huffing and eye rolling (very common) they think that we haven't tried to solve the problem...that couldn't be further from the truth.

I rather like it as it makes it easier to get a coffee or a meal after a dog walk. And even if we don’t have the dog with us I like seeing dogs out and about.

I've got reactive dogs so can't take them
Socially to places so have to admit I'm
More than happy to have a fuss when I see any dog wanting one & the owner actively encourages it .. but that's usually on walks etc
I know of a few dog friendly cafes but haven't seen any in shops except John Lewis before Christmas

Would never assume, I known of adults who really suffer with fear of dogs because they were never given the opportunity to overcome the fear which is really sad & distressing.

A phobia is something else though I mean it's different than a fear isn't it? That's something that needs proper untangling. It's like comparing anorexia nervosa to picky eating. Not the same thing at all.

I hope that your DD does receive support with this - & that it works.
I am surprised that people are so judgemental about your DD's response, it's not exactly uncommon. It always makes me feel sad & worried when someone responds to my dogs like this.

There was a surge in dog ownership due to the lockdown.

Personally, I like seeing well behaved dogs in cafes etc. I take mine along sometimes, and she lays nicely on her bed. One time, a small child approached her with a toy and went to bash her on the head with it. Luckily kid's mum stopped them in time and gave them a rollicking.

I hate dogs.
I used to be very scared of them but now I’m just scared of the ones that run up to me or look a bit threatening.
I love the outdoors but it boils my piss that people still let dogs run up! I don’t think me and all the other people with fears should have to get used to it. Perfectly natural fear if you ask me. A big animal with sharp teeth and a strong jaw running towards me 🤔I’d like to see more dog free places, indoor and out. People should have priority 🤷🏻‍♀️

We have 2 local shops... a Spar and a Premier Stores. The premier allows dogs at the front of the store, so sells a lot of newspapers, bread and milk at peak dog walk times. The Spar looks empty at those times. No one will leave their dog tied outside, and no one would come back after taking the dog home.

I've got up and walked out of cafes and pub restaurants that allow dogs in them

Always look for "No Dogs" signs these days

My dog is a smallish, quiet, friendly, happy, well trained breed that doesn't shed (poodle type). I like that I can take her out with me as I've always been jealous of Spain and France which are much more dog friendly. As long as dogs are trained and in control I can't see the problem.

In a cafe or pub I'll bring a little blanket and she'll sit and snooze under my feet. On a train, she fits on my knee and looks out the window. She does come on the school run but I tuck her in a bag so she's not on the floor and can't run around or poo on the playground (she wouldn't but some dogs might). I also wouldn't take her in a playground or let her off around very small children.

She's very attached to her humans so can't leave her for more than an hour or two at home and I wouldn't tie her up outside a shop.

I prefer dogs to the general public.
I'm very happy about how dog friendly the UK is.

I don't currently have a dog so live vicariously through all the lovely local dog owners and dogs. I cannot wait until I am out and about with a dog again.

I will never get my head around people not liking dogs, I am very suspicious of non dog lovers.

@pharaohrocher you need to research that. We live near an nt property and the only place dogs can't go is inside the house. Same with 20 others nearby

First paragraph - kids with dog phobias need to work on this. Dogs are great.

Second paragraph- never leave a dog alone with a child.

Can you not see why some people have dog phobias? 😂

I filtered NY places by 'dog friendly' on their website. 413 listed.

NT that should say

Why do I need to research properties we don't go to? As I've said, the ones local to us that WE go to don't allow dogs in the formal gardens.

Many of which will be dog friendly in the wider estate but not the gardens.

Why are people so intent on telling me I'm wrong? I know full well where doesn't allow dogs!

It's shit when you're allergic.

Several relatives acquired dogs over lockdown, none of them are properly trained. They jump up, bark, whine and can’t be left alone for a second.

I don’t understand why people think it’s ok to bring their dogs with them everywhere. My kids are now scared of them as they keep lunging and trying to jump up at them. They’ve made an absolute mess of the house, mud everywhere, plants knocked over etc and no attempt from owners to clean it up.

Dogs are now banned from our house!

Meant in kindness but it would be an idea to get whatever support is needed to help your dd overcome her fear of dogs. As you say, it is hard to avoid them and your social life is ever dwindling. Rather than struggling to avoid dogs, would you consider seeking help if necessary to assist your dd?

I'm not quite sure your concept of 'behind' is the same as mine. I love dogs. I have 3 but I don't want them in restaurants. Cafes are ok but actual restaurants? That's not being advanced. It's being a bit basic and agricultural