To not understand the culture of taking dogs everywhere?

[Supernova23]

This isn't an anti dog post, as I have two dogs, and have had them for my entire life. But I can't for the life of me understand the idea of taking them everywhere which seems to be the case now - I see dogs dragged around in shops, restaurants, cafes, literally everywhere you go.....there are dogs. Perhaps it wouldn't be so obvious if they were quiet and well behaved, but that often isn't the case. Recently in a pub I was at, two different sets of dogs were going mad at each other. The owners could care less and probably thought it was funny. You go to places where dogs should strictly be on leads, and they are running loose in their droves, followed by their hapless owner on the phone who has no control over it. If you tell their owners to control them you get a mouthful of abuse.

I have two large breed dogs, one of which is VERY heavy shedding, and can be very vocal as a breed trait - and I don't just mean barking, but making all sorts of weird wookie noises. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking her into somewhere that served food, knowing that her fur would probably be flying off her. I think that would be quite gross for the people around me, and the people who come afterwards. Plus, what does the dog actually gain from being dragged into shops, restaurants etc? my dogs get long daily walks, and do come out and about in the car with me while I do errands (it fits in with walks). They get plenty of attention, and when they were younger (one is very elderly, the other middle aged) got taken to training classes - you know, actual dog stuff.

So can someone enlighten me? why is taking your dog everywhere a "thing" now?

I have two dogs and I’m with you, I cannot for the life of me understand why people take dogs to places that are “dog friendly” (ie let dogs in but are insanely over stimulating) and basically ignore signs of distress, or in your case let two potentially lead reactive dogs just kick off at each other…

I have dogs and love them dearly but I wouldn't be taking them to the local shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon which seems to be a thing now.

I do take them to the pub, it's a well know doggy pub and they are well behaved.

You know it's going to be an anti-dog thread. MN loves nothing more than frothing about dogs. We have this thread every week. Personally I haven't noticed hordes of dogs everywhere or them running wild when they are there.

Though pubs that allow dogs aren't that new imo.

Interested to know where you live as this is not the case near me at all.

There's a few dog friendly pubs. These are handy for the end or beginning of a dog walk.

Noone takes their dog shopping or literally everywhere they go

We have a large hairy dog, but he’s no trouble in cafes or restaurants etc. If we are going for a walk or similar and lunch is involved then we do take him but never to an environment where he would be unhappy or would bother anyone.
I have been to events that are dog friendly and seen plenty of other dogs there but as I know Ddog would be happier at home due to crowds or heat then he stays at home or goes to a friends if we are going to be out all day

Are dogs allowed in shops?

I have a dog, he's nearly 2, I've tried and tried but he doesn't like being home on his own. He barkdls and gets upset. I could be really horrible and leave him anyway, sometimes I have too, but if there are places I can take him then I will do. He's always on a lead in public places, hes small, non shedding and because he's used to going to cafes etc he's very well behaved when out. Just has a little snooze under the table.

If I knew a magic answer to him bring home alone I would, however I cam combine this with a walk too, I work from home so I like to go out and see people.

I agree it's annoying when people can't control their dogs, have them off lead or they are being very vocal. I also don't like when I hear dogs really upset cos they've been left and are unhappy about it.

I have a dog, the only places he can come with us nearby is a garden centre inside with a few tables exclusively for people with dogs, local pet shop and certain areas in pubs, cafes. Our dog will just lay down if we are eating. We have 3 cafes in our village, 2 have 2 outdoor tables where dogs are allowed, so get taken quick, but inside they are empty. A lot of places know there’s money from customers if they allow dogs as well.

I work in a shop and recently someone mentioned we might put up a sign saying only guide dogs allowed as we've had a number of people bringing dogs in, one that got a bit over excited and started barking the place down. I think it's a mixture of people not having the time to get stuff done and exercise the dogs and the fact that dogs are no longer dogs now, people feel so guilty about leaving them at home they bring them everywhere, which I'm up for in some ways, but in others dogs need to be left alone and allowed to be bored

Nothing wrong with a dog being bored thars different to them being really distressed!

I am so glad that you have pointed out that many dogs getting nothing from this experience it doesn't invest their lives and as someone who said can be overwhelming

I love dogs but no they don't need to come with you to The coffee shop, card shop or travel agents! ( among many businesses in my town who are on the dog friendly businesses list)

I don't know any shops that allow dogs anyway? Only a few cafes/pubs?

I was annoyed when pregnant and on the train, some couple sat opposite with their dogs on their laps so super close. I’m allergic and couldn’t take any medication while pregnant other than some weak over the counter stuff when needed. Ruins my day when my allergies kick off, I feel like I have the flu.

I like dogs but some people don’t seem to get that other people might not like their dog near them.

I find dogs who are taken to lots of rather boring places are then much better at coping with being left at home (obviously that still needs to be introduced properly!), simply because they have some general concept that 'out' does not automatically mean 'wahey super exciting its all about meeeeeee'.

For their mental health, dogs who get to see different things, go to different places, practice chilling out, being bored, etc, do tend to be better balanced, more resilient, etc etc.

This is NOT the same thing as people trundling dogs out to places they're unprepared for, letting them disrupt other people, get in the way, experience stress and often fear and generally being a bother.

We really do need businesses to get a bit more sensible about making it clear visiting dogs should be:

Clean
Well behaved
Under appropriate control
Quiet

And willing to ask people to control their dogs or leave if these criteria are not met.

Cornwall (when I was on holiday) they seem to be allowed in most cafes and pubs. Also on the dog free beaches cause they were just 'passing through'.

A big shopping centre near Glasgow now allows dogs and at Christmas when I went for a few hours, I saw at least 10 dogs that had been taken 'shopping'.

My nearest big town is very touristy and all the shops welcome dogs.
I take my 2 large breeds and it’s always commented on how well behaved they are, not sure I’d be so keen to take them if they were unruly and lunging.

The owners who walk their dogs off lead looking down at their phones the whole time give us all a bad name. Especially when they’re so busy they can’t notice their dog leaving a steaming 💩.

Don't know whether this is a cause, consequence, or just totally unrelated but the amount of people I know with dogs who suffer from awful separation anxiety has increased dramatically in recent years.

I feel terrible for poor dogs who are so unhappy, nervous and anxious because their owners can't seem to understand that they're dogs and want to be treated as such. Treating dogs as if they're people does not do a dog any good.

A sensible dog owner. You come as a relief, OP.

I've always liked dogs but you'd never guess it from my posts on MN. That's largely because they've been much more of a nuisance since lockdown, after which there seem to be far more of them about. It's very noticeable how many more owners now don't pick up after their animal, their dogs are poorly trained often with no recall, they allow them to jump up on unsuspecting passers-by, frightening their children and smearing their clothes in mud, and don't get me started on the simpering owners who just give you coy looks as their dog approaches you, as though you're going to fall as much in love with Fido as they are. Then there are the ones left outside for hours at a stretch, not to mention the far more serious and worrying issue of an increase in dog attacks.

Of course, none of this is the dogs' fault. It's the idiotic owners who are the problem; wish there were a lot more of them with the attitude above. As for OP, owning a breed like this takes a lot of commitment and I can't imagine anyone doing this who didn't have a genuine love of dogs.

And already a PP - probably one of the second breed detailed above - is calling her 'anti-dog'.

QED.

I have 2 labs.
I am totally with you OP, it’s not for me. When I go to a cafe or restaurant, I enjoy my time away from them. I cannot imagine that other shoppers would be thrilled to have them wandering around the shopping centre.

I have friends with reactive dogs and they jump through hoops to take these growling little buggers everywhere with them. It’s stressful for the dogs, and the rest of us. I do not get it.

Please tell me then what I can do to make sure my dog doesn't bark continuously when he's left home alone? Or do I just accept that it's OK and not worry. He doesn't come everywhere but he's happy to be out and about. Always on lead and never ever allowed to approach people, at all.

I wonder if some of it is a rise in urban dog ownership.

I live in London and there are a lot more dogs around post pandemic. There are also a lot of 'dog friendly' cafes etc. there is even a dedicated dog cafe that does birthday parties for your dog...

I grew up in the country side and the only people who took their dogs with them into town were the farmers on market days. Those were some seriously well behaved dogs who would be near their master at all times. You'd see them going into the pubs at lunch time as well.

Haha yep @SerafinasGoose , I'm sure a look through my posts would have you imagining I'm a dog hater too!

I honestly love dogs. What I cannot stand is bad dog owners, and unfortunately more and more bad owners seem to be around these days.

I agree. I have two dogs who I love dearly, but don't feel the need to take them to the supermarket with me. I was in Pets At Home a few weeks back and a dog pissed on a shelf full of dog food and the owner just walked on and left it. Grim.