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 was actually sat in a coffee shop today with a friend when a dog was off lead came and jumped up at our table. The owner just sat and looked. There are now dogs everywhere and an utter nightmare for my daughter who is terrified of dogs as now even shopping centres let them in.

Yes in a few they are

My dog is small, very well behaved, very clever, doesn't shed, doesnt bark. She comes with me Almost everywhere because she is a breed that hates, being alone. Not just hate but becomes very anxious. She LOVES traveling, being out, anything that stimulates her. She causes no problems and people always comment how cute and well behaved she is.

If I had a dog like yours, I wouldn't take them out either. Not all dogs are the same just like kids. What is appropriate for one isn't for another. Making generalisations about them is very pointless!

“A dog like yours”…..charming! It’s usually the small yapping “Doodle” mongrels that cause problems. If you trained her to be alone, then she might actually cope with being alone? How do you work or have a life outside of your dog?

The more I read some of these posts about dogs that “can’t” be left alone, the more I think they are child substitutes. Train your dog ffs and maybe it would cope with being alone!

Dog owner and lover.
Went out for a birthday meal to quite a posh place. A family got out of three different cars - all dressed up but with four dogs between them. I get it if you have been for a walk but not just to take them out. One of them was a yappy little thing that made everyone have a bloody headache, it never stopped.
Also busy shopping places. Cheshire Oaks if you have been is full of designer dogs and they are such a pain underfoot

I'm a cat owner but sympathise with dog owners. Obviously I can't take my cats out but if it was possible, I totally would. I love them and want to spend as much time with them as I can.

I'm with you @Supernova23. I am a dog owner, but cannot fathom why this is now a thing. Or when. It seems that suddenly dogs are everywhere. I take mine to dog friendly pubs, but wouldn't dream of taking him to M&S or a restaurant. In fact I nearly walked out of a restaurant recently as there were dogs in there. I don't care how well behaved a particular individual dog is, the reality is that not all owners are responsible and if one is allowed in etc etc.

I recently visited a town in Yorkshire and would estimate the labradoodle population to be in the high thousands. They were everywhere - in cafes, pubs, shops..... even walking through the high street was problematic as their were leads and bored dogs tangled everywhere.

I like dogs, but found it annoying. My son is nervous of dogs and I don't appreciate being sniffed whilst walking down the street or listening to barking whilst I sip my americano.

Totally agree and I have dogs.

I think sites like this are to blame tbh. Pop over to the doghouse section and it's the same thing all the time.

OP: I work part time 3 days a week should I get a puppy?

MUMSNET: Don't be ridiculous! A puppy must not be left alone EVER! this is the dog for you OP (insert image of stuffed dog toy)

I worked in a pub 30 years ago and there were always dogs in the bar.

Do you mean that you're upset now this behaviour has been adopted by the middle classes too?

The more I read some of these posts about dogs that “can’t” be left alone, the more I think they are child substitutes. Train your dog ffs and maybe it would cope with being alone!

Mine's not a child substitute. He's much preferable to a child. My kids are nice but, actually, my dog is the actual best. He feels the same way about me.

Dogs are not children, or people. They are animals. They do not belong in shops, pubs or anywhere indoors other than a vets.

Humans are animals too though.

Pet dogs belong wherever they are allowed, and if you don't like that you need to take it up with management. Guide dogs are allowed everywhere by law.

A dog is not a child. A dog is a pet. And your dog would feel “the same way” about anyone who fed it and walked it - don’t kid yourself.

I was talking to a friend the other day about the cafe we went to and some people had a small yappy dog with them which was annoying enough for everyone. Then as they were leaving it bit a woman’s ankle as it went past and the dog owner tried to make out it was no big deal even though it had drawn blood.

I sometimes take my dog out with me but he’s quite happy sitting in the boot of car and watching the world go by while I’m in a shop or whatever and quite happy staying at home on his own too. I don’t want dogs everywhere, there’s no need for it.

Totally agree! Just because ‘people make more mess’ or ‘children can equally be a nuisance’ is missing the point. It’s not a race to the bottom. Smelly unpredictable animals - with equally inconsiderate and unpredictable owners should not be in public places like shops on a large scale. Assistance dogs only please. Leave the rest at home.

Course you haven’t. Because it’s obvious that your dog is one of them.

’It also makes sense from a climate point of view not to do lots of separate trips.’

Lol. The entitled dog owners letting their hounds slobber over people’s shoes and bags and jump up at kids, are just thinking about the environment.

This is the same where I live too.

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You could you know.

Mine would totally freak out if I tried to get them into anything like this 😁

Is yours a husky? Completely not the point of the thread but hoping I guessed right.

I have one of those doodle mongrels you've so lovingly described who can be left but we've had to work hard to do it. We wouldn't take her to pubs etc unless we could sit outside but have taken her to shops where they are doggy friendly

‘Almost everywhere because she is a breed that hates, being alone.’

Thats your problem. Why should hygienic people be subject to a dog in a restaurant because you selfishly chose a needy breed? It’s ok because it’s a clever dog? You sound like a deluded middle class mum whose darling child can do no wrong.

@AllInADay we have a building site next door to us and the builders lo have dogs roaming around.

We live in Surrey and there seems to be so many dogs post lockdown. I have two DDs (under 5) who are petrified as the dogs they have experienced are unpredictable and also many of them are almost these same size as them. We are regularly in queues where there are dogs immediately in front and behind us and they're often quite barky breeds.

My eldest's school has a new HT who brings her dog to work with her. School (imo) should be a safe space for pupils; not one where they have to face their fees on a daily basis unnecessarily.

I was brought up with family dogs but they stayed at home. They were loved and well cared for but they never would have been taken to restaurants or cafes.

I’m not sure I have ever been in a pub that didn’t allow dogs. 🤔

My employer has just agreed to allow staff to bring dogs to the office with them, which is wonderful for us dog lovers. There’s a woman in our specific office who has said she is allergic to dogs, so she now has her own little office which has made her very happy.

Their reasoning is that they now want hybrid working, with staff coming in one or two days a week. If they don’t offer the “bring your DDog to work facility, too many staff will leave as it’s so easy to get a job that’s fully wfh in our sector (legal)

Donutosaurus. We live in Devon. The whole dog thing is out of control. I could cite all sorts of incidents round here, similar to everything that many others have said.