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?

What is a "natural environment" for a dog? And what breed? They are all so different.
I have a greyhound, and her natural environment is on my sofa under a throw. If you think that is cruel, then have a

I’ve no idea, it’s really weird isn’t it. My local cafe changed to dog friendly around September last year. Overnight it went from being a lovely place to sit and relax to some unofficial dog owner meeting ground.

It stinks in there now especially when it rains so if you want to eat in you have to sit outside, I can mostly ignore the well behaved ones but the ones that are allowed to beg for food, jump up and weave in and out of your legs, trample over bags and small children and bark endlessly for no reason or at each other are just fucking infuriating. I wish the owners would leave them at home.

I had a dog who has never been left alone so she has to come with us unless there is someone who can dog-sit. My dog doesn't bark and is great at sitting under a cafe/restaurant table quietly though.

** have, not had!

I think the trouble is that lockdown increased the number of dog owners to the point where they have reached a kind of tipping point, dog owners now refuse to leave dogs in cars or tied up outside even in mild weather and for short periods of time, and in many areas cafes, shops and restaurants have decided that there is more money to be made by catering to dog owners who want dogs with them, than to people like me and PP who detest the smell of wet dog. Ugh!!

Is there really some kind of epidemic of dog theft? Every shelter is full of unwanted dogs, so while I can see that a pedigree puppy would fetch money, in other cases I feel that a lot of dog owners are really overestimating the extent to which the world wants to steal their pet.

And yeah, I have no bloody patience with the people whose dogs “can’t be left.” You made the decision to buy this bloody animal. Didn’t you ever realize, in the course of your research, that some dogs have separation issues and bark/destroy the place if left, and that this is a risk you have to take if you ever get a dog? Did you think lockdown was going to last forever? Get a dog therapist and deal with the issue. Dog lying under the table still smell, and the rest of us don’t want it there.

I agree. Guide dogs, which are obviously taken everywhere, have really good training around shops and cafes, and have strict vaccinations and healthcare also.

Dogs with little training and probably no regular vaccinations shouldn’t be taken to indoor public spaces, and to be honest are a hazard to others including other guide dogs.

Firstly, I don’t take my dog with me very often, so that’s not my game here.

But there is no way I’d leave her tied up outside. Mine isn’t a “fancy” breed (border collie, so a “real” dog if you like) but yes, dog theft is increasing. And I wouldn’t leave her in the car either because I either need to leave the car unlocked, or she sets the alarm off, which stresses her out.

I leave her at home most of the time; but sometimes we take her for dog focussed days out (hillwalking and country walks) and when we do that, we do take her to dog friendly pubs and cafes.

And yes, shelters are full; mainly because a lot of people took a dog on during covid lockdowns and then realised the realities of dog ownership after returning to work. Second to that, the financial crisis.

Our previous rescue dog couldn’t go anywhere because he was dog reactive and hyper (rescue dog) so when we got our current dog, we made a point of giving her as many experiences as possible so nothing fazed her. Unfortunately, lockdown struck about three weeks after she got her second vaccine. It was very frustrating and she’s definitely not as well socialised as we planned, and she isn’t great at being left because we were stuck home with her for months on end.

I can’t imagine why anyone thought getting a dog during covid was a good idea!

I have a dog, I am not a fan of yappy dogs being little doggy pricks all over the place, either.

My border collie literally comes everywhere including work. Why wouldn’t you? People take their kids everywhere. I find it easier and less stressful as my dog is really well behaved.

Dogs are animals and children are people, that's the answer to "why wouldn't you?"

I see dogs much less often now (outside, at work, on train, at shops, at pubs, on bus) than I did in the '90s. 90s was less than the 70s.

I don't see stray/free roaming dogs nearly as much as I did as a kid. But there are far more people walking dogs, carrying dogs, taking them into shops, on buses/trains etc. It's very strange.

I think people are treating their dogs as though they’re human. I’ve certainly noticed an increase in dogs being taken into cafes and pubs where I live.

I guess it’s up to you where you take your dogs? Otherwise it’s up to businesses whether they allow dogs or not? Presumably they do as they feel it boosts business?

To be honest I haven’t noticed ‘hoards’ of dogs everywhere, certainly not in town centres so I can’t really comment on where you’re coming from.

We have a well behaved dog who we sometimes take to country pubs with us. I’m guessing they want our business so that is their decision?

If the business owners allow dogs, then why not?
It is not about treating dogs as human at all. it is about enjoying the company of your canine companion in a variety of environments. I met a puppy in a pub yesterday. They had a ton of fuss (and crisps). Young dogs need to experience different environments and people to be a well rounded and happy dog.

I have a small local chain of dog friendly coffee shops near me (as in, that is literally their USP, they are not cafes that previously didn’t allow dogs, and a substantial amount of their profits goes towards guide dogs, and they have home made dog treats for sale)and I like going there even when we aren’t dog sitting for friends or family.

Never seen a badly behaved dog in there either.

Dogs do not need to go to the pub to be socialized.

And I am pretty sure you are not supposed to give puppies crisps. Or feed them at the table. No wonder there are so many pushy dogs around who bother people when they are eating.

I was queuing in a well known coffee shop minding my own business when my son who's terrified of Dogs started getting upset. There were 3 people immediately behind us with their dogs who were on long leads and winding around customers queuing. No. This is not OK. I absolutely love dogs but I'm sick if having to constantly be on the alert for dogs near my son, there are no safe spaces anymore. Our local shopping centre is dog friendly so I can't go anywhere with him anymore.

Train her to be left. This is part of basic training for a dog when you get one. There are classes, resources online to help and a behaviourist available if you need further support.

The daftest thing I heard given as a reason for not walking was that the family dog was too small. My acquaintance was waiting to get another dog so she could walk so that's why she stayed at home. Bloody mad!

I don’t mind dogs in bars but certainly not in restaurants or shops. It certainly is a thing to take your dog shopping where I live. I have seen dogs piss and even worse over stock in the local garden center and the owners just walk away.

If the owner likes to regularly visit the pub, then what is wrong with getting their dog used to it too?

It does feel like they are everywhere now. I like dogs but felt queasy when in my local coffee shop. Barista came out front to greet what was obviously a regular four legged customer, fussed all over it, stroking it all over, it was licking her hand and arms and she fed it dog treats.
She then went back behind the counter, straight back to serving food and drink without washing her hands 🤮