Dogs Everywhere

[SusanandMidge]

I don't live in the UK but am just back from a holiday in Cornwall. We were shocked at the amount of dogs allowed everywhere. They were in every restaurant, cafe, pub and hotel. Two or three people with dogs would all go into a small shop, blocking the aisles for everyone else. In Port Isaac on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon the whole harbour and uphill area was disrupted by loud and continuous barking. Dogs were running around off leash on every beach. People were clogging the narrow pavements with two or three dogs on leads, wheeling dogs around in prams and buggies, stopping outside holiday cottages for ages chatting while their dogs barked, yapped and howled and ruined the peace for the people inside.

We were genuinely wondering if the next time we came back there would be dog and owner spaces in supermarket carparks and an expectation that you should stand up on public transport to let people with dogs sit down.

AIBU to think England has gone a bit mad when it comes to dogs?

It's so funny I've had dogs all my life and absolutely love them .But I'm sick of dogs everywhere .Never minded the odd dog lying quietly in a pub but you can have too many dogs in a small space .Recently in a cafe 5 dogs 2 sitting next to owners on couches. Another 1 on someone's knee
Only 1 dog was comfortable In my opinion.
I think the problem is some people forget they are dogs

@vivainsomnia 'Nowadays, it is deemed appropriate in most places for dogs to be involved in human activities outside of home'

I think that it's deemed appropriate by some people, it's not deemed appropriate by everyone, hence these posts. It goes back to why anyone thinks dogs should suddenly enjoy activities that humans do? Are we to also suddenly enjoy things they do? Dogs are dogs, and trying to humanise them lies at the crux of this issue!

This is a strange thread.

Not sure what you want people to say.

There do seem to be more dogs around?Yes

Are there bad dog owners ?Yes

Are there good ones?Yes also.

Proportionally probably more of both.

is this true?

Go where? Every restaurant and shop in Cornwall is now being put under pressure to let dogs in.
Nope.

Should you avoid beaches where dogs go?
Clearly Yes.
Because there are more dogs.

Times change.

Covid is to blame. Mad rush on people getting them during lockdown. Now we see the other side of badly behaved dogs and entitled owners who have no idea how to train their dogs.

“Should you avoid beaches where dogs go?
Clearly Yes.
Because there are more dogs. “

But are there many /any places in cornwall where dogs can’t go? My friend who is there now with her parents dog has been to various beaches and restaurants with the dog. There hasn’t been anywhere that I’m aware of that hasn’t allowed her dogs during this visit or any of her previous visits.

I think the point you may have missed of the thread is people including dog owners are saying there is a lack of alternative places to go across the UK if you want to visit a coffee shop, or restaurant without dogs and theres a lack of beaches and parks without off-leash dogs.

I live in a market town and there is no coffee shop I’m aware of that doesn’t allow dogs and no park that requires dogs to be on leashes.

This isn’t necessarily the fault of dog owners but there needs to be more consideration from governments, councils and businesses about those who don’t want to be around dogs especially off leash ones.

Until I complained to my housing manager after I was jumped on and scratched by a neighbours dog, dogs were allowed off leash in my flat building and the communal garden.

@sunglassesonthetable

'Should you avoid beaches where dogs go?
Clearly Yes.'

An alternative view might be: 'Should dog owners keep their dogs under control (on a lead if need be, not leaving poop, and ideally not incessantly barking) on beaches where lots of humans go, and if they cannot do that then should they avoid these beaches?
Clearly Yes'

Dog owners don't have ultimate higher priority than non dog-owners.

I think the point you may have missed of the thread is people including dog owners are saying there is a lack of alternative places to go across the UK if you want to visit a coffee shop, or restaurant without dogs and theres a lack of beaches and parks without off-leash dogs.

I have a dog and there are tons of places I can't and wouldn't go with my dog.

I'm from Cornwall and my mother lives there and there are lots of beaches and places not available to dogs. It's simply not true that are not.

*An alternative view might be: 'Should dog owners keep their dogs under control (on a lead if need be, not leaving poop, and ideally not incessantly barking) on beaches where lots of humans go, and if they cannot do that then should they avoid these beaches?
Clearly Yes'

Dog owners don't have ultimate higher priority than non dog-owners.

Edited*

Taking a dog on a beach is not the same as taking a badly behaved dog on the beach .

Quite clearly.

A badly behaved dog , like a person, is never welcome.

I don't live in Cornwall, but, as already stated, there are very few cafes, beaches, even shops, that don't allow (or turn a blind eye) to dogs in their premises. It's draining tbh.

I was in a restaurant a while ago and although they let someone bring their dog in they were tucked away in a corner. I appreciate that if you're allergic it wouldn't be suitable but if you're scared or just don't like dogs it was a good idea.

don't live in Cornwall, but, as already stated, there are very few cafes, beaches, even shops, that don't allow (or turn a blind eye) to dogs in their premises. It's draining tbh.

Well that's not something I find to be true.
It's a VERY sweeping generalisation.

'Badly behaved' is open to interpretation though, as evidenced on these threads. Again though, why do you think dog owners/dogs take priority? Why are you saying people shouldn't go places when actually you could suggest that dogs/dog owners don't go to these places? I cannot go to a beach because a dog owner thinks they have more right for their dog to be running about than I have to enjoy a dog free beach? It's crazy, dogs are not more important than people.

You don't find it to be true so it's a sweeping generalisation, despite me and others stating that it has been our experience? OK then.

I love dogs but there's no bloody need for people to take them everywhere they go.

I went to a huge outdoor market a while ago which was absolutely rammed with people and it was difficult navigating through because so many people had dogs with them and it was hard not to trip over them in the crowd.

I am a dog lover but I think it is disgusting to have dogs in places where food is served.
I don’t want to eat in a place which is reeking of dogs tbh
I know that this is common in places such as Milan when you can often find dogs in McDonalds and other eateries but it is not nice

I haven’t been to Cornwall but multiple people I know as well as online reviews in trip advisor etc is saying dogs are allowed almost everywhere so I’m not sure what to believe.

But yes more widely speaking across the uk I do agree there are very few cafes, and shops which don’t allow dogs! I even see them in libraries and banks! I have found it’s more 50/50 with restaurants and hotels and it’s easier to find out if hotels are dog friendly are not.

Although I did once book at a b&b in Hastings that said “no dogs allowed” and to my horror they had dogs themselves which barked and tried to jump at me when I entered. Their “no dogs allowed “policy was a bit misleading and I wish they’d made it clear that other dogs weren’t allowed but they did have their own dogs on the premises

You don't find it to be true so it's a sweeping generalisation, despite me and others stating that it has been our experience? OK then.

Well I'm taking a guess but that when you say "very few " beaches/cafes /shops you haven't actually done a sweeping UK Survey.

Or do you mean in your County, or Town, or area or road?

And tbh I haven't seen a dog in a shop in years. And no dogs on my local beach March - October. And only one chain of dog friendly cafes. So you don't live near me obviously.

So yes your statement IS sweeping unless you say where exactly you are referring to.

It's crazy, dogs are not more important than people.

I don't think this.

You are making a sweeping generalisation, based on where you live, and not willing to accept that it isn't the case in other areas! I don't need to tell you where I live, other than it's not Cornwall, for you to believe me that there are a ridiculous number of 'dog friendly' places where I live.

If you go on the the Cornwall Gov website you'll find yourself a lovely long list of beaches where and when dogs are not allowed.

Well, you are entitled not to feel that way, but overall it's true.

...and people ignoring these rules, based on previous posts and other sources......

YANBU op. And the voting stats back you up.

There has been an explosion in dog ownership and things have got ridiculous. I live in a National Park (not Cornwall) and the increase in dog excrement is changing the nutritional content of the soil, making it harder for the rare flora (and hence endangered fauna that depends on it) to survive. And then there’s all the filled poo bags lining the footpaths and swinging gaily from the trees…

You are making a sweeping generalisation, based on where you live, and not willing to accept that it isn't the case in other areas! I don't need to tell you where I live, other than it's not Cornwall, for you to believe me that there are a ridiculous number of 'dog friendly' places where I live.

Nope you said.
don't live in Cornwall, but, as already stated, there are very few cafes, beaches, even shops, that don't allow (or turn a blind eye) to dogs in their premises. It's draining tbh.

What I said was very specific. I know there are variety of circumstances.

What you said was the definition of a sweeping statement there are ....

no place, no exceptions, no criteria

and obviously simply not true.

You're clearly unable to move from your fixed view, let's leave it there.