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?

It seems cruel for the dogs, I don't know why people aren't more disturbed by it. Dogs aren't meant to be going shopping and to cafes, they should be outdoors and running around

Dogs aren't meant to be going shopping and to cafes, they should be outdoors and running around

I'd hazard a guess that most dogs you see in cafes have already had a walk and run around. It's in addition rather than instead of.

do you see the shit strewn everywhere that the hordes leave?
I don’t get this taking dogs everywhere either. And I love dogs, growing up we had 4. It’s ridiculous.

People treat their dogs like children and want to be with them while out and about everywhere. It's creepy and unhygienic.

There was a trial whare our local shopping centre (a big one, think MetroCentre size) allowed dogs.

It's a place that gets really busy and noisy. Firstly it's not fair on the animal especially those little dogs and secondly those bloody extending leads along with owners not paying any attention caused havoc.

I appreciate that well behaved animals aren't or weren't a problem but theres always a few. I'm not anti dog at all just that there are times and places where it's not appropriate.

I think there's just more dogs now.
And it's "couldn't care less" btw x

I have a dog and agree.

I also don’t get the personification of dogs. My parents, for example, routinely sign birthday cards from both of them and their dog. Odd!

I am a charity shop volunteer and since the pandemic I have definitely noticed and increase in people trying to bring their dogs into the shop - despite the "assistance dogs only" sign on the door.

Pre-pandemic we used to have one regular who was a puppy walker for Guide Dogs who would bring her (impeccably behaved) pup for a sniff around. Now it seems every time I'm in there is someone else wanting to bring a dog into the shop. The reason we don't allow dogs is partly because we have things like chocolate and coffee on sale and partly because dogs can be messy and badly-behaved. Most dog owners who are asked to take their dogs out are polite enough, but seem surprised that we are not welcoming their pet with open arms. There was one who tried to claim her dog was an "assistance dog" for therapy.

I saw a dog in a food shop yesterday (Budgen ) since when was this a thing ?

its handy on holiday with your dog if places are dog friendly…Lake District was great to have dog friendly accommodation and cafes and restaurants and shops. we’ve found though that our dog prefers to stay home with in laws than go to somewhere new.

dog friendly pubs, love it, even if eating, even if we don’t have our dog. I like seeings dogs out and about. In the olden days of the 1960s they’d have been let out in the day to wander and come home in the eveNing.
taking your dog round the Trafford centre not so much

It’s great on holiday. We holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s very dog friendly and we can take ours just about everywhere.

I haven't, no. But I have seen the mountains of litter (including dirty nappies) and the piss-soaked alleys when the (human) hordes leave the beach and the countryside after a weekend.

Frankly, dogs would be preferable.

Part of it is about catching passing trade. With an increase of people driving, a lot of the people on foot to pop into shops are dog walkers. Round here most people on pavements are either dog walkers, or joggers (who are unlikely to be browsing shops)

If people walk by on a dog walk eg cafes by parks, but even parades of shops in residential shops, if they can't bring the dog in then they won't come.

If I pass a shop with my dog, then I'm unlikely to go home to drop the dog off then come back. It's not because I'm incensed they don't allow dogs, it's just not convenient.

It's a big thing in holiday destinations too, dog owners make up a large portion of UK holidayers (up to a 1/3rd and well over 6 million in England alone). If im camping then the dog has to come everywhere we do, but even lots of holiday cottages/ air bnbs don't allow dogs to be left alone. If your in somewhere popular with dogs like the lake district then If people can't bring their dog for dinner there's a large chance they can't come, If you are a shop then people will walk on by.

Theres also lots of other changes in the background. Historically as a kid my dog didnt come on holiday with us, we tied him up outside shops when we wanted to browse if he was with us, left him in the car while we did errands at times.

Rising dog care costs mean a dog free holiday is an expensive luxury that lots of people might sacrifice for the dog coming with them. People are home less so If a dogs been left all day while someone is at work then it's unlikely you'll then go for the pub for the whole evening without it too. The rise in dog thefts mean that people won't be leaving them tied up outside shops, or in cars.

Just this week I went to wickes over b&q because I happened to drive past on my way back from a dog walk, and I wouldn't want to leave my dog in the car while I picked up some things.

Dogs are perfect. Some owners are shit.

Creepy? How so?

There has been a huge explosion in dog ownership as far as I can tell, and people treat them like an additional child, they think oh poor dog would be so sad to be left at home and miss out! It's crazy. It's partly consumerism craziness too, lots of shops geared to dog paraphernalia, special food, it's just another lifestyle/luxury thing as far as I can see. It totally puts me off dog ownership

Wow bring on the dog bashing.

I take my dog with me when I go places suitable for it. Often pubs and cafes are at the end of a lovely country walk so we go there then. We wouldn’t go to a town pub on a Friday or Saturday night with her. On holiday we’d take her everywhere we went and if not dog friendly one of us would stay outside or we wouldn’t spend our money there. We wouldn’t take her to a busy town centre restaurant. It all depends on where we are, and what is best for her, what the weather is like and whether it is an environment she would be happy in. I don’t really care if it annoys dog haters, there are plenty of places dogs are not allowed and the haters should spend their time there.

Same as we do!

Lots of holiday cottages won't let you leave the dog alone in them anyway.

I agree and I have a dog!
I was surprised that I can (if I want) take him into Boots

He us a v waggy Springer and a couple of times he has waited outside a clothes shop (I was returning sth) with someone and the shop assistants both times said he could come in - but he would be wagging his tail and probably walking past clothes leaving hair on them!

I think , in our city anyway, it's predominantly caused by younger single people or couples who live in smallish apartments getting dogs.

It used to be more typical that families in houses with gardens would get dogs, so they could happily be left alone - there is space and usually always a family member there.

In flats, the dogs don't have much space and if they bark it disturbs other people in the building. They are just trying to give their dogs a decent quality of life, but I realise what a PITA this can be!

Well then they shouldn't own a dog, it should be called out for what it is, animal cruelty

I completely agree. I was in a garden centre just before Christmas and heard the most bizarre noise. I assumed it was coming from the animation icon polar bear, but no it was coming from a visibly distressed dog, whose owners were completely oblivious.
Last weekend in a different garden centre a dog was whimpering continuously. The owner said to the dog 'anyone would think I was trying to murder you, that could be arranged'. The poor dog quite clearly didn't want to be there.

Damn autocorrect *animatronic

@Judgyjudgy but they are trying to be nice rather than cruel, by taking their dogs everywhere with them.

I think more young people are getting dogs because there's unfortunately an epidemic of loneliness with young people now, from what I can see.

Far less are in a relationship - when I was in my 20s I hardly knew anyone who wasn't in a long-term relationship - it was like there was just someone for everyone, or the impetus to be in one was a lot stronger.

Also many young people, particularly more introverted ones, tend not to socialise as much IME, relying on social media etc. This has led to a much greater need for companionship which dogs can fill.

This is true I think.