Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs in cafes etc

1000 replies

Dogscanteatonions · 07/02/2023 10:46

I love dogs but I'm utterly fed up of them being cafes pubs restaurants shops etc, partly because I am allergic and partly because so many are poory behaved

However in the last week I've seen:

A man at the bar in a pub with his dog on the bar stool next to him with its paws up on the actual bar

A photo on the Facebook account of a favourite bar/ restaurant of a big hairy dog lying on one of the sofas - I'd have an allergic reaction if I sat on furniture right after a dog had been in it.

And to top it off yesterday I was in a cafe and the table next to me had a puppy which peed on the floor profusely which they halfheartedly mopped up with just a tissue from a pocket and didn't even tell staff so they could properly clean it. This was right next to serving counter.

I know a huge amount of people on Mumsnet are crazy pro dogs but I defy anyone to defend this. How do people think this is ok??

Aibu to think you should keep your dogs off furniture in these places and that you have an obligation to ensure its cleaned up properly if your 3 dog messes?

OP posts:
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:00

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 21:59

I'm not suggesting your dog is allowed to approach others, lick their hands, sit on a sofa or any of the other things which bother others but many do. Their presence usually bothers people for a reason. For me it's a possible allergic reaction. A dog on a hard floor, not approaching others and not on the furniture I can avoid. As some have said, as ever, it's the irresponsible ones who make a problem for everyone. But personally I think they have no place in a restaurant a or a department store and there really should be some dog free cafes and pubs and rules re acceptable dog behaviour even in the places they're allowed in.

Show quote history

I agree they should behave. But at the end of the day it is up to the owners if they allow dogs or not. It really is that simple.

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:01

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 21:57

I'm giving the examples that have been given on this thread. My dog doesn't get on furniture in pubs either, unless, as I have mentioned, he was invited up by the landlord for a photo.

And if it is a place that actively welcomes dogs on furniture then you know not to go there.

Show quote history

That is everywhere with a sofa though. Hetr really are no propeely dog free cafes near me. That's the problem. The LL should not encourage animals onto them and owners should not allow it either.

Led9519 · 08/02/2023 22:01

My brother lives in Austria, it is not a problem to take a small ish dog into a restaurant etc. I don’t know why ppl in the UK get so wound up about it. Allergies are one thing but you’re not going to catch a fatal disease from being in the same pub as a dog!

Springbreakwoohoo · 08/02/2023 22:02

Creamteasandbumblebees · 08/02/2023 21:53

I love dogs, we have a Labrador but I don't take him to pubs/cafes. He's gorgeous and beautifully well behaved but he's a drooler when there's food around. At home he's not allowed to beg for food but it's hard to stop him in a cafe or pub, it's so gross and I'd be annoyed if I had to sit eating a meal with someone elses drooling dog watching me so he says at home!

I agree, that would not be pleasant viewing whilst eating. And these are the choices that millions of dog owners make everyday. My dog is fabulous in cafes/pubs etc. He sits on his mat quietly under the table and this is a much better option for him than being left at home.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 08/02/2023 22:02

Judging by this thread I’m amazed people aren’t dropping dead around me every day.

XenoBitch · 08/02/2023 22:03

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 21:46

I'm not at all neurotic. I am however highly allergic and have suffered life threatening life threatening reactions to allergens. As said sooooooo many times, there are no longer many dog free businesses so what looks to you like a simple plan really isn't.

Show quote history

Then that is something you deal with, yes?
I have stayed in holiday accommodation where there was a rule to not have a takeaway with shellfish in, as even a tiny bit on a plate could potentially kill the caravan owner.
She could have an element of control on things like her own caravan.. but not public places. In those, the control is on you.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:03

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:01

That is everywhere with a sofa though. Hetr really are no propeely dog free cafes near me. That's the problem. The LL should not encourage animals onto them and owners should not allow it either.

Show quote history

Most places don't encourage it but why should it be dictated to landlords who sometimes live in the pub with their own pets, that they aren't allowed dogs on their furniture? Just don't go.

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:04

Sleepytimebear · 08/02/2023 21:55

It's just economics. What has changed is that people aren't happy to leave their dogs tied up outside shops anymore. So if you want those people to spend money in shops and cafes you need to let them bring dogs in. Otherwise you're losing out on revenue from a whole spectrum of society. So blame the criminals who stole all the dogs during covid and ran puppy farms. On the allergy point, I'm not allergic but seems irrelevant to me whether the dog is on the floor or on the furniture. If you are highly allergic surely both would trigger a reaction so you're better off not going to a dog friendly location?

No. You can wash a floor but not fabric cushions. Allergens stay around for years in fabric. Even if a leather sofar, people never reach deep into the arms etc. To get all traces of hair out.
So very different. Might be good if there was proper.advertising of this sort of issue because some considerate people would then keep their animals in check more.

XenoBitch · 08/02/2023 22:05

Led9519 · 08/02/2023 22:01

My brother lives in Austria, it is not a problem to take a small ish dog into a restaurant etc. I don’t know why ppl in the UK get so wound up about it. Allergies are one thing but you’re not going to catch a fatal disease from being in the same pub as a dog!

That is what I said in a PP. People get worked up that a dog is in the same place as a kitchen.. even though the dog is not allowed in the kitchen.
What are the rates of illness and food poisoning in dog owners, compared to non dog owners?

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:05

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:03

Most places don't encourage it but why should it be dictated to landlords who sometimes live in the pub with their own pets, that they aren't allowed dogs on their furniture? Just don't go.

Show quote history

Wow. Really

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:07

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:05

Wow. Really

Show quote history

Wow really what?

Out of all the places that allow dogs in my town there is only 1 who actively encourages them on the furniture. They have a resident cat. How would you go about forcing them not letting their cat on the furniture?

XenoBitch · 08/02/2023 22:09

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:07

Wow really what?

Out of all the places that allow dogs in my town there is only 1 who actively encourages them on the furniture. They have a resident cat. How would you go about forcing them not letting their cat on the furniture?

Show quote history

Yep. I used to go to a pub that had a resident cat. A lot of pubs have resident landlords too, and they sometimes come with pets.
Personally, I fucking love pub pets.

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:10

Really you want to exclude a load of people rather than have your dog stay on the floor. But you also want me to believe you're a considerate owner. I can't go just to places which have cats at all. It means I miss out on a lot of social events with friends who have cats. Thankfully those places are rare but totally off limits to me even for a quick drink.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:12

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:10

Really you want to exclude a load of people rather than have your dog stay on the floor. But you also want me to believe you're a considerate owner. I can't go just to places which have cats at all. It means I miss out on a lot of social events with friends who have cats. Thankfully those places are rare but totally off limits to me even for a quick drink.

Me personally? No. I don't have a pub. But the guy who lives above my local would probably like to be able to make his own rules for his own pub.

If I was allergic to cats or dogs I would know not to go there.

I'm disabled. Can't walk. I miss out on shit loads. I can't go to a pub I used to love going to because I can't get down the steps. Bastard won't rip out the 1600s steps to put a lift in for me...

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:15

XenoBitch · 08/02/2023 22:09

Yep. I used to go to a pub that had a resident cat. A lot of pubs have resident landlords too, and they sometimes come with pets.
Personally, I fucking love pub pets.

Show quote history

They're my favourite pubs!

The last time we were at said pub there were 10 dogs! (6 were really tiny with 2 couples who were together) And the cat just sat on the bar surveying the scene.

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:15

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:12

Me personally? No. I don't have a pub. But the guy who lives above my local would probably like to be able to make his own rules for his own pub.

If I was allergic to cats or dogs I would know not to go there.

I'm disabled. Can't walk. I miss out on shit loads. I can't go to a pub I used to love going to because I can't get down the steps. Bastard won't rip out the 1600s steps to put a lift in for me...

Show quote history

They'd be expected to provide alternative access if it was possible. No dogs on furniture rule is possible.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:17

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:15

They'd be expected to provide alternative access if it was possible. No dogs on furniture rule is possible.

Show quote history

It isn't possible so I just suck it up.

Keeping a cat off furniture is pretty impossible. So I can't see why it matters a dog gets on. It's up to the owner after all

Lockeddownagain · 08/02/2023 22:17

I hate dogs. Actually I hate dog owners they are.allowed.in my work and ita awful one of the dog owners said to her dog they other day after I refused to go into the office it was in ohhj she doesn't like little doggy woggys fuck off I don't want the bloody thing running /humping/attacking me. Now you can't go to the cafe without the fear

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:18

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:17

It isn't possible so I just suck it up.

Keeping a cat off furniture is pretty impossible. So I can't see why it matters a dog gets on. It's up to the owner after all

Show quote history

Most places which allows dogs don't have cats.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:18

howmanybicycles · 08/02/2023 22:18

Most places which allows dogs don't have cats.

Show quote history

Still up to the owner.

Edthehorse · 08/02/2023 22:19

A major reason for this problem is the very mumsnet view that dogs should never be left alone. If you have a puppy (and you shouldn't have one if you EVER have to leave the house) you must be surgically attached to it until it's a year old and then you must only leave it alone for 5 minutes at a time. It's just bollocks!

This is only my personal experience talking but a lot of the people that take their dogs to cafes etc will be lockdown dog owners.

Most experienced dog owners who have grown up with dogs in the family have no issue leaving their dog for a few hours to go somewhere.

Never leaving a dog alone (or for very short periods) is a modern concept that isn't doing dogs or dog owners in general any favours.

My only caveat to that is your mention of pubs...

Are you talking about an inner city pub or a pub in the countryside? Because a dog in a country pub, in my experience will have been on a nice long walk and will be tired and curling up under the table for a nap. Absolutely nothing wrong with dogs in a country pub.

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 22:20

Jesus, this thread! Does incapability of logical thought and hating dogs go hand in hand?

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 08/02/2023 22:21

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 22:20

Jesus, this thread! Does incapability of logical thought and hating dogs go hand in hand?

Apparently so

XenoBitch · 08/02/2023 22:23

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 22:20

Jesus, this thread! Does incapability of logical thought and hating dogs go hand in hand?

I have never seen such vitriol about dogs and their owners until I joined MN.

BlueDiamondGlow · 08/02/2023 22:25

I'm with you op. Loads of places where I live are dog friendly but I much prefer to go somewhere without dogs.
I'm a bit nervous of dogs and don't want to worry about them coming in my space etc "oh they are just being friendly"

If I ever owned a pub or cafe I wouldn't allow dogs inside.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In
This thread is not accepting new messages.