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?

No. My dog is not an accessory. She is family. She is my doggy companion. This will wind you up.. she is my furbaby

She comes with me because I meet up with friends and they like to see her too, I can combine a walk with seeing friends and sitting in cafe, and the places we go to are super dog friendly. She will say hi to the staff, get a biscuit and then have snooze under the table until we go back home.

Have you ever had a dog? There is so much more to them than running around outside.

Do you think a guide dog is being subject to animal cruelty? I mean, it is literally being used as a disability aid, and is used to run errands.

People seem to think it's their God-given right to own a dog, no matter how unsuitable they are to be dog owners.

Personally I have a similar issue with other people’s children on occasion. However, if they are annoying me I leave and go somewhere they are not.

Yes, some clear parallels between other peoples' dogs and other peoples' kids.

I'm happy to be surrounded by 99% of other peoples' dogs, and a far lower percentage of other peoples' kids. All part of life's rich tapestry. Public distaste for dogs or children is a sign of a bit of a miserable person best avoided, imo.

She will say hi to the staff ...

No, she really won't.

And here's the cruz of at least part of the problem: grown adults indulging in this kind of infantile anthropomorphism and 'ah my baybeeeee' attitude. And this links directly with overindulgence and their kids making a nuisance of themselves to other people.

Even those who like kids don't want the back of their seats kicked incessantly on a journey, or to have a meal out ruined by screaming kids charging around their table. Likewise, some people might like dogs but don't necessarily want other people's pets sniffing, licking and jumping up at them: nor in places that are clearly unsuitable for them. (A quiet dog in a cafe, no problem; begging food off strangers' plates or growling ferociously at anyone who enters or leaves the premises: problem).

It's the fact that dog-owners and parents like this simper like nincompoops whilst their 'family' annoys others, and don't impose any limits on their 'babies'' behaviour, that gets people's goat.

crux*. Not cruz.

And that should have been kids/dogs. Clunky typing on phone app.

Some dogs may be just pets but others are people in the family x

Oh come on, of course a dog shouldn't be taken about like it's an accessory! It's a dog, it deserves to be outside running around, anyone with half a brain knows that. Not stuck with its owner running errands. Animal cruelty, pure and simple!
I'm not going to speak for every dog, but you are very wrong about my dog. And yes, I know better than you when it comes to them. I adore my dog. Why would I do something that made them unhappy? Anyone with half a brain, to use your term, would understand that.

No, all dogs are pets. No dogs are people.

No, they're dogs they are not human. I'm highly irritated by the Instagram videos of a puppy being presented to a boy toddler #meetingnewbrother. They are clearly not brothers ffs they are a human and a dog.

This is the problem though isn't it @Bookist . Some people truly believe that their pets are just the same as human family members. This is something which has changed in recent decades. And those people who bang on about "furbabies" and how their pets are exactly the same as people are the ones who want to take their animals into John Lewis, or take up a seat for them on a train/bus, or allow them to sit and slobber in close proximity to other customers in a cafe.

Because you wouldn't expect granny to sit on the bus floor, or not allow your brother into John Lewis, and animals are "just the same" as any other person.

YANBU.@I've had dogs all my life.I have 2 and adore them.Also love a good dog friendly pub or cafe if we are on holiday or day out.However much they are loved they are treated as dogs and primarily due to their breed they love long walks.This morning that's what they have had.Then washed off and left at home for a couple of hours whilst I shop and treat myself to breakfast in a cafe.Too many people infantalise dogs now.And it doesn't do sensible dog owners any favours.

These people should all be directed to the delightful Mumsnet thread from last year about how most dogs love eating shit (human, other dogs', soiled nappies, used sanitary towels etc).

It was a game changer for us and we now have two cats...

Dogs most definitely do 'say hi' to people. Not in the human sense of speaking or shaking hands, no, but they absolutely greet people or acknowledge them entering a room.
It's rather facile to make out that saying this is the same as 'infantile anthropomorphism and 'ah my baybeeeee' attitude.'
Which I despise, BTW: I don't think most dogs need clothes, or to be taken everywhere, or carried, or pushed in prams. And I wish people would train their dogs not to run up to people/sniff them/stick their noses in bags, coffee cups etc.
But dogs do, in their own way, 'say hi' to people, and saying that doesn't make me or anyone else a 'nincompoop'.

Some people don't like how pets have evolved in family life, others don't like how disciplining children has evolved in the new generations.

It doesn't make anyone right or wrong. I think kids are more and more let to rule the roost in important family decisions and my view is that this is not good for society.

But it is how things have evolved and accept it because thats how society has moved on. Same applies with pets having a more important place in family life. Not liking it is absolutely fine. Expecting things to change isn't. You accept or ignore it.

I refer to my dog as my furbaby, but I don't take her into John Lewis, neither do I let her sit on furniture in cafes or on buses (she is too big for starters). In a cafe, she lies on the floor on her bed and naps. She doesn't slobber over other people or their food.

Sorry that me and my dog do not fit your stereotype.

No, they're dogs they are not human. I'm highly irritated by the Instagram videos of a puppy being presented to a boy toddler #meetingnewbrother. They are clearly not brothers ffs they are a human and a dog
This is also extremely dangerous especially if big brother plays with the dog like he would a little brother and gets a nasty bite or worse because he played a bit rough

OP YANBU there has been such a massive increase in pet dogs over the past 10 years that everywhere is full of them. When I was a kid there was one or two kids in my class that had a dog now my kids are the one or two that don't. My pet hate is people with those extendable leads and not paying attention. I have been tripped up by one and fell flat on my face, dog owners response "oh sorry, he (the dog) is so exciteable didn't notice him run across the path.
I would like businesses to be honest if they're dog friendly so I know to avoid.

People who think dogs are human are deranged.

I have never met anyone who thinks that dogs are human.

Oh. It’s you @XenoBitch

What is that meant to mean?

The shopping centre in Glasgow allowed dogs as a trial for a period of about 8 weeks.

Possibly because another large out-of-town shopping centre which is really close allows dogs.

However, the other one is actually an outdoor out of town shopping centre (think the layout of a designer outlet) with dogs only allowed in some designated shops.

We have gone to the outdoor one with our dog, but would never go to the indoor one.

The indoor one doesn’t allow dogs now anyway. But the reason there was so many dogs was because it was a novelty.

Yes I imagine this dog probably did want something - not to be stuck in a garden centre whilst it's owners chose a house plant.

Yep, then they "kiss" their dog 🤮

👏👏👏

I really doubt that, it's just being selfish for the owners wants. It's so cruel, very unfair for the dog, it's not a natural environment for an animal. Poor dogs, they deserve to be treated better with owners who want the best for them, not who just take them around like some kind of fashion accessory. Smh.