Dogs in Greggs

[Globules]

I'm in Greggs getting my free O2 coffee. There's a dog next to the counter.

Surely dogs in open food places shouldn't be allowed?

YABU - of course all dogs can go in these places
YANBU - dogs have no place there

(Awaits the Greggs comments...🤣)

It stands to reason that the UK is dog friendly. The British have always been a nation of dog lovers.

YANU - I jumped out of my skin the other day when I came around the isle in small corner shop and was confronted with a dog the size of me! When did this become a thing??? Pretty sure humans have had let dogs for years and never been a need previously to take your dog in the shop with you!

Me neither. I’ve had them wag their tail if I smile at them but that’s it.

And you know this how?

I regularly worm and flea treat my dogs but this doesn't stop them from picking them up between visits.

I do agree that humans can be more anti-social than some dogs. Just depends on the human in both cases.

When a dog comes in to greggs on his own, orders and pays for his own lunch with his own money, thanks me and accurately counts his change before waving good day, then I’ll agree they should be allowed in shops.

My dog rolls in fox poo, he’s not a model citizen so let’s not pretend they are all mini humans.

in fact the more I think about this, the more I consider that it’s the owners who can’t face being alone for more than 5 minutes without anxiety.

Uber eat instead and keep your dog with you without pissing anyone else off.

YABU, if a premises allows dogs then the owner is doing nothing wrong by having their dog in there with them.

From what I see any kind of dodgy is allowed in any kind of shop now. There was red setter in Wagamamas yesterday. Dogs in M&S. Cadbury outlet, Pandora etc

I would not be surprised to see them at the gp or A&E now. Good thing is I felt no guilt staying out past 9pm with my kids in Wagamamas. Old pre covid socail norms have been Binned off. I don't mind dogs unless they are barking which is also no longer frowned on ( dogs barked their heads off at each other in cafe - neither owner left ).. if your baby was crying in a cafe and you sat and ignored it you'd be tutted at.

Not sure when it changed? I guess they will be in Tesco very soon to.

Our local shopping mall allows dogs now. I feel sorry for them being walked around a busy shopping centre when they’d much rather be at the park or at home. Most look fed up tbh. With Greggs, as long as the dog wasn’t trying to lick your sausage roll then I think it’s not too much of a problem. If I was sitting down to eat and a dog was jumping up, putting paws on the table etc then I’d be a bit more grumpy about it.

Sadly dog entitlement has gone mad in the UK. They absolutely should not be in food places.

You don’t clean your dog after it rolls in fox shit?

I was in a national trust restaurant yesterday. It has a large outdoor seating area and yet the smaller, indoor section had been half designated 'dog friendly'. Plus a beautiful big ice cream fridge from Jude's, just for dogs.

A new play park just opened near our house, with signs on the gate saying no dogs. We've seen people take dogs in every day.

I don't understand the sudden influx of dogs and the sheer entitlement some dog owners seem to expect. Why are so many companies pandering to it, just to jump on a bandwagon? Don't they realise how many other, dog free, customers they may be alienating?

@Globules cars and bikes are not sentient. They are also not used as bare in dog fighting rings. People steal dogs for that reason or for puppy farms. very rarely are they used to sell on.

meant as bate

I don’t think the UK is very dog friendly at all. I’m British living in Budapest, Hungary. Here, it’s really common to see dogs in cafes and shopping centres. My hairdressers has a couple of dogs that stay there throughout the day so they aren’t left at home. I also find that dogs are better behaved because they’re more involved in daily life. There are dog parks everywhere so they’re well socialised and I think this also makes a big difference. It’s really nice. My daughter loves dogs and I don’t worry as much about her encountering an aggressive dog here as I would in the UK. Personally, I think a culture shift around dogs in the UK would be beneficial.

In terms of EHO & food regs, dogs are fine in non-food prep areas so 'out front', not behind the counter or in the kitchen area. It's entirely up to the business if they want further restrictions.

For what it is worth - the same applies for non-staff humans. They also aren't allowed in the exact same areas of a food establishment.

But I can tell you, having worked in food for 25yrs, kids cause FAR more problems than dogs. So do adults tbh.

Ditto 🤣

Don't they realise how many other, dog free, customers they may be alienating

They clearly don't care. Dog owners probably shout loudest and it's "mean" not to like dogs, so people don't like complaining about them. The "dog pound" might be worth more.

Although according to today's Times, the RSPCA is saying a dog is harmed every hour in the UK. So much for being a nation of dog lovers. Dog exploiters, more like.

I’m British living in Budapest, Hungary

We do know where Budapest is.

I didn't notice loads of dogs when I was there, but it was 20 years ago. Anyway I know not to visit again - sounds hellish for someone who doesn't want dogs around them although the dog parks sound good - I wish we had them here. And I'd avoid any hairdresser that had a dog around, let alone two.

Completely agree a culture shift around dogs in the UK would be beneficial, but not in the way you mean. People only having them if they are willing to look after them properly and make sure they don't bother other people would be a start. Not having them absolutely everywhere.

I don't like dogs that sit on the furniture in cafes and shops. But to be honest if I'm shopping I'm more worried that the owner is distracted and the dog is bored or anxious in a crowded environment that it is not used to. Shops are often loud and overwhelming for many, children running around etc. What if a dog snaps at or even bites a child or something? I guess dog owners are going to say 'oh my dog wouldn't', but can you really take that risk?

Obviously guide dogs etc are trained and are working dogs and so totally different. I really don't know where the trend for people needing stress animals have come from, there was a local case recently where a person charged with a serious offence wanted to bring a stress parrot into court for support and wanted it to be able to fly around!

I'm afraid as far as I'm concerned if you are a responsible pet owner you do responsible things for your pet, not cafes, shops etc. It's similar to having children, sacrifices have to be made for the pleasure they can bring in other ways.

Why do people even think to take a dog shopping?
I was in John Lewis a few months ago and was bewildered as the whole time I was in there I could hear a dog barking, I was like wtf!
Now I have noticed similar in other shops, it's madness.

Those who have issues with dogs need to stop implying they know better about what make a dog happy than their owners. For one, you're bound to be biased anyway and for two, unlikely to have expect knowledge of dog breeds, let alone specific dogs.

As it is, my dog really -yes, really- enjoys being out in public. It's a treat for her to go out to cafés, restaurants, shops. She hates being left at home.

So no, she wouldn't be happier alone at home. However, my dog IS extremely well behaved. She sits under my seat or next to me (will always put something under her) and stays there quietly. She has never barked, jumped, peed or pooed in an establishment. She is a small very cute dog and everybody fusses over her.

The bottom line is it's absolutely fine for some dogs to be out with their owners, it really isn't for others.

Making generalisations is totally pointless.

Those who have issues with dogs need to stop implying they know better about what make a dog happy than their owners. For one, you're bound to be biased anyway and for two, unlikely to have expect knowledge of dog breeds, let alone specific dogs.

This. As I said above dogs are social animals and love being involved in whatever their owner is doing.

That doesn’t give an owner a right to foist their fur baby onto other people’s space though

That doesn’t give an owner a right to foist their fur baby onto other people’s space though
What do you mean by other people's space? My dog doesn't go to other people unless these people call her towards them or show enthusiasm.

If dogs are allowed though (and I would never take my dog where they are not), the place is as much their/my space as anyone's else.