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Original poster

To not understand the culture of taking dogs everywhere?

326 replies

Supernova23 · 22/03/2023 13:42

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?

OP posts:
eatdrinkandbemerry · 22/03/2023 17:40

It's a pain in the arse finding places that there's no dogs anymore!
I don't want to eat my lunch at a place where there's dogs or where dogs have been as i have allergies 🤧.

ActDottie · 22/03/2023 17:45

Our dogs can’t be left alone so they come with us. I take a blanket and they sit on it under the table. I also enjoy taking them out.

GuyFawkesDay · 22/03/2023 17:46

I even avoid taking mine in pet shops as he has a shoplifting habit 😂

Once he's sensible enough to go so sleep under the table I might consider dog friendly pubs but right now he's an idiot 1yr old spaniel who nobody else needs to tolerate!!!

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 17:47

Dogs in human spaces is like the debate on transmen in women's spaces.

Or the new vaping debate.

It is fine for those who support it and can't see the harm, it is abhorred by those who don't.

My solution is to boycott anywhere there is food and drink that allows dogs. Online shopping was made for me, aswell as dog free pubs and cafes. If I can't find one I'll do without.

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 17:47

Transwomen oops

Ricco12 · 22/03/2023 17:54

I have a 2 year old SBT I have invest many many hours of training from when I got him.

We are just back from crufts which is insanely busy , he walks at my heel and never bothers anyone or anything

He is used to coming lots of places he tends to only be left at home when he has to be, any cafe we enter , he will sit silently under the table. He has never been allowed to greet dogs so basically ignores them. He has never been allowed to jump up at people if he wants a pay he lies down quietly then he will get attention.

He is treated like one of the family so comes with us. He doesn't bother anyone or ever disturb anyone.

Crowded places do not bother him to be honest nothing does because he has been trained to ignore stuff

I show him so he is used to going to large busy noisy places and being expected to relax and not react to anything

To be honest all he cares about is me and what i am asking him to do. Pleasing me seems to be his life goal. It's a trait of the breed. People pleasing.

I have witness dogs in cafes barking or lunging and dragging owners if he behaved like this I wouldn't take him that said a dog I owed wouldn't behave like that because it would be trained.

GlassBunion · 22/03/2023 17:58

It's usually owners of cockyshitpoos or whatever mongerel that do this.

They can't bear the thought of their little snappy thing being left alone.

I have a large, shedding breed that makes chewbacca noises and I wouldn't dream of taking him to a shop or a coffee bar.

Avarua2 · 22/03/2023 18:19

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.

This is my dog, too. Bet he's a schnauzer? My boy really does not like being left alone. Part of the breed.

Avarua2 · 22/03/2023 18:20

That was @Nowillpowerarall 🙃

Avarua2 · 22/03/2023 18:22

Fwiw it's my idea of heaven going to shops and being surrounded by non-shedding small breed, cockershitpoo dogs. Even the spoilt ones. Big shedding dogs, not my cup of tea, they can stay home dropping hair.

Lockheart · 22/03/2023 18:28

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 17:47

Dogs in human spaces is like the debate on transmen in women's spaces.

Or the new vaping debate.

It is fine for those who support it and can't see the harm, it is abhorred by those who don't.

My solution is to boycott anywhere there is food and drink that allows dogs. Online shopping was made for me, aswell as dog free pubs and cafes. If I can't find one I'll do without.

Guide dogs are allowed everywhere, so you'll be boycotting an awful lot!

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 22/03/2023 18:43

But guide dogs are trained from very young puppies to be totally focused on their client, and to ignore all other stimuli. If you approach a guide dog they will generally stare through you, you are not their ‘job ‘, just a distraction best ignored.

They are the complete opposite of the demanding, self focussed, untrained and over indulged dogs who are causing other people annoyance and discomfort.

WiddlinDiddlin · 22/03/2023 18:49

Assistance dogs... are allowed pretty much everywhere with very little exception.

Not just Guide Dogs, who are just one organisation. All assistance dogs.

If you're allergic to dogs, at a distance, or where dogs have been... that would indeed mean boycotting a LOT of places.

Twizbe · 22/03/2023 18:49

Guide dogs are totally different. They are exceptionally well trained and when out in public are working.

BeatrixFranklin · 22/03/2023 18:53

WiddlinDiddlin · 22/03/2023 18:49

Assistance dogs... are allowed pretty much everywhere with very little exception.

Not just Guide Dogs, who are just one organisation. All assistance dogs.

If you're allergic to dogs, at a distance, or where dogs have been... that would indeed mean boycotting a LOT of places.

As are ‘fake’ assistance dogs. There really needs to be one governing body for all assistance dogs and their training, too many people are buying assistance dog gear from Etsy, eBay and Instagram and claiming to have trained the dog themselves.

BeatrixFranklin · 22/03/2023 18:56

Sorry, posted too soon.

Buying this gear to take their dogs into shops/restaurants that don’t allow dogs and claiming they are assistance dogs.

LightsOnNow · 22/03/2023 18:57

As others have said I have no issue with guide dogs. A colleague at work is blind and her lovely black lab sits under her desk all day without a move out of her. That is until colleague gets up. I hardly know dog is there and they are professionally trained to do a job. They do not interfere with me and are working dogs, not indulged like some dogs in human spaces are.

Anyway as usual the debate does not allow for anyone to have a view that doesn't absolutely idolise dogs no matter where they are or what they do. I am referring here to pets, not working dogs.

Keep your pets at home. Take them for a walk, but please don't think that everyone likes hairy things when socialising. I am referring to the dogs lol.

Nowillpowerarall · 22/03/2023 19:05

Avarua2 · 22/03/2023 18:19

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.

This is my dog, too. Bet he's a schnauzer? My boy really does not like being left alone. Part of the breed.

No he's a shihtzu! But I don't think their breed likes being left alone either!

Sarahjaykay · 22/03/2023 19:11

I've got a dog but she stays home if I go out to eat, for a coffee etc. Find worrying about the dog and what she's up to in a restaurant or cafe just another stress.

RoxTen · 22/03/2023 19:17

I'm yet to ever witness behaviour that some mumsnetters report as endemic - I've never seen a dog off lead in a cafe, never seen a dog peeing in a shop aisle, never seen a dog doing anything but sleep/quietly people watch in a coffee shop.

tillyandmilly · 22/03/2023 19:21

I don’t see a problem with dogs in cafes - i cant’ have a dog as i am in a flat but i love meeting them and it gives me a real lift!

Noodles1234 · 22/03/2023 19:23

What a relief to hear! I also have a dog.

i feel so sorry for dogs in department stores, cafes etc. Way too much sensory overload for them (and for most humans)! When I’m looking at a jumper I’m immediately put off when a dog rubs against it.

Noisy cafes with barista machines whirring, crockery clinking and dogs ‘talking to each other’.
Dare I say it, even outside school gates, squealing kids running amok and jumping. Our local Primary a dog bit two children doing just this by the railings on a warm day last year. The dog (previously fine), was put down.

Puts me off using a shop, cafe etc when dogs are in there especially when barking.

Fizzbiltz · 22/03/2023 19:31

Most the local pubs round us accept dogs now. It annoys me that people think it’s ok to have them sat on the chair at the tables. I love my dog but do I want to take her when we go out to eat or shop or on holiday….No. She goes on her own holiday to our friends house and likewise, their dog comes to us when they have days out or holidays.

Flowerblooms · 22/03/2023 19:40

I have a very well behaved dog that has complex health issues and needs round the clock care so comes everywhere possible.

SwimmingAgainstTheTides · 22/03/2023 19:47

Can't say l have noticed but surely its better than the poor dog being stuck in the house all day, bored senseless?
it seems to me that people on MN never expect anything to ever change, kind of a "well this is how we' ve always done it" attitude.
Retail is on its knees, cafes are struggling, maybe that's why places are more relaxed, it won't be long before most major stores move completely online, then people will be complaining about that, Must be so much easier for them, no customers constantly in their face complaining and no theft.