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?

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On the last 3 occasions I've been into John Lewis in Leeds there were people with their dogs in there. I actually gave up in the shoe department because I couldn't get round the groups of people fussing over dogs. It's bizarre.

I have noticed this too. Since when is it acceptable to bring dogs into department stores? I have seen this quite a bit recently. Also cafés, eg Pret, where they have open food (fruit etc). This is in London so not rural/seaside where there is a general culture of dogs in shops and cafés. It's so inconsiderate and testament to the fact that covid had caused an increase in inappropriate dog owners.

We get dogs at work. Vomiting, hacking, and shitting on the carpets

One pissed on some cables last week and barked throughout a phone call to a client.

They're all lockdown puppies....

I love dogs but surely the owners need a break??

I'm finding it more and more frustrating. My foster child is severely
Complex, severe health needs and is blind. Dogs suddenly barking in confined places where it's more echoey terrify him. He's also allergic with severe lung disease and it can be life threatening. There is no where local that is dog free and we're currently trying to find holiday accommodation that has the search criteria is 'no dogs' so there (hopefully) no trace of their hair. I love animals, have had dogs in the past but please!! It's getting silly.

Hi @BubziOwl . My second dog was like this - she’s a rescue. I had to go back to basics - as if she were a puppy . Leaving her alone for a minute , rewarding her for silence; building up the time away. Teaching her a settle command Etc.
It takes a lot of time and patience, but it’s for her good as well as mine.
it is miserable listening to a dog stressed and barking.

@Timeforachangeisitnot I think it's @Nowillpowerarall who that message was intended for?

Apologies @BubziOwl , that comment was incorrectly sent to you!

And now I cross posted! Yes @BubziOwl . I am just going to step away from the tablet 😳

I'll admit I am scared of dogs so that does influence my views.

Unless a dog is a working dog ( guide dog, seizure alert dog) I do not think they should be inside any building, and certainly not anywhere food is being served.

Our dogs come with us for pub lunches as it’s usually part of a long walk. They have some water and sleep through the meal.

We take them in shops if we’re just popping into get something, but not if we were wanting a good look around.

We take them in our village tea room but then it’s unusual to see anyone in there without a dog.

They’re well behaved and are always on a lead. We only let them off lead on our property.

I see more bad behaviour and mess made by humans than our dogs. We pick up after our dogs unlike people that come and picnic by us and leave there rubbish... or their mess on sofas like on yesterday’s thread.

Ownership has changed. New dog owners are told Fido can't be left for more than 4 hours. If you are out longer than that, you end up with dogs going along. Dogs howling sets off every complainer.
Dogs like children have far more input from owners/ parents these days. Training, dog related activities.
My dog has more 'clubs' than my children had!
As a child in the 70s I was used to seeing dogs out loose all day. Dogs and kids were out and went home to be fed. Parenting changed, so has animal ownership

My dog comes near everywhere with me- pubs because I tag the visit on at the end of my dog walks. I don’t go to the shops, I do it all online, I work from home and my days out at the weekend tend to be walks in the countryside.

i don’t think I really frequent places that you wouldn’t take a dog…. But I think my life is different to most

We have a local independent bakery that has a sign on the door saying no dogs as they have an open kitchen and bread out on display.

Love that place!

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Have shops relaxed their rules, because not long ago, apart from service dogs, dogs were not allowed in most shops.
Ddog does come to the some pubs, but only if we've been out walking, so 1)she's knackered 2)she'll tuck herself up small and lie under the table, so no one would know she's there, 3) because we've been out walking we normally get to the pub when it's much quieter, and just in time for last meal orders!

Thank you, I have tried all that. I would love him to be happy home alone.

Thank goodness people are expected to actually parent and not let their children and dogs be feral. Although there’s still plenty of appalling parents and pet owners unfortunately.

We even have dogs in the school playground when it used to be "no dogs on school grounds"

@kitsuneghost 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

If it's the one I'm thinking of, they don't any more as the trial was unsuccessful.

People are selfish and don't want to be tied to their house or pay for dog walkers so take them out with them. I guess it's better than the dog being left alone all day. I have a spaniel and had (deluded) visions of taking her out for pub lunches etc... Did not happen, she was too hyper. She was a lockdown pup too so we couldn't really go to pubs until she was 6 months, so I guess there is a chance that if we'd taken her out more from the early days she might tolerate it better. But the best thing for my dog is to be left in the house when we go out, even if we go somewhere dog-friendly. Some dogs do seems to enjoy the outings though and are able to settle.

Not many shops allow dogs. My greyhound would love to be let loose in Sainsbury's though. Talk about supermarket sweep 🤣

More seriously I don't take her everywhere, but if we are out on a long walk and plan to stop for a bite it's good to find a dog friendly place to eat. Though we'd sit outside if we can.

I'm allergic to dogs and I hate this new trend. I was on a packed train the other day and some twat had his dog sat in a seat while others stood!! Another time on a train I was eating and an owner sat their dog on the chair next to me then got arsy when I asked them to move it!

Can’t stand it. Eating in a garden centre restaurant the other day (pretty fancy, not your usual sandwich & soup and prices reflect that) and a large dog was snapping at my 1 year olds food(!) owner couldn’t control it and just laughing away. I don’t want her to be afraid of dogs but can’t see how she won’t be if people have dogs like this.

We also have friends with lockdown dogs who refuse to ever leave them anywhere. So you have to plan social events around them where they sit there whining and barking until they get picked up and hand fed treats. One even brought their puppy to my house to meet my newborn baby(!!) without asking.

To me, 'dog friendly' is somewhere the dog might actually enjoy visiting. What does a dog get out of a visit to a shopping centre?