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?

Also, there is the question of accepting that while a place might be dog friendly, if there are already 3 in there and space is limited, is it really a good time to add a 4th?
It might be a question in theory but in reality, that's not a likely situation. If that situation was to arise, it's unlikely the 4th person would want to come in.

There will always be exceptional circumstances. If there are already 4 babies with pushchairs in a bus, is it a good time to add a 4th one. In this unlikely scenario, number 4 would wait for the next bus.

While some responsibility lies with those running the cafe, when they are busy making and serving food, clearing tables and so on, you'd hope the dog owners would also exercise a little common sense too, surely?
As for making views known, I firmly believe in 'voting with my feet', not just in relation to dogs being allowed or not but in other areas which I feel strongly about (e.g. there is a local place which employs local teenagers, which you might think is great in terms of opportunities, but they are failing to train them in even basics, which makes it not quite so great for the teenagers or customers who are consistently let down by this).

I think it's ridiculous humanising animals. We all have to cope with uncertainties in life, sometimes life is tough. I really can't understand why it's so difficult for a dog to be left for a number of hours whilst the owner goes out. All seems crazy, doggy daycare, dog walkers. There are a lot of people who must have a lot of spare cash. I'm wondering how since so many people are complaining of rising costs. We have had dogs all of our lives and they've stayed at home no problem when we go to work. Perfectly happy and calm because we don't project our anxieties and fears onto them.

Well, most sensible people might think it was unlikely, I imagine you'll also get the odd 'it's busy, one more dog won't matter/a few more customers won't matter/they obviously welcome dogs/look at all those other lovely dogs/it's raining/I'm starving' etc approaches.
As for the bus thing, I have frequently read phrases such like 'the bus driver should make space for me/my pram/my buggy because there's hardly any buses/it's raining/I'm late/it's not fair'.....etc. There are a surprising number of people who assume they should always be accommodated - these people exist outside and inside the dog owning world, sadly.

While some responsibility lies with those running the cafe, when they are busy making and serving food, clearing tables and so on, you'd hope the dog owners would also exercise a little common sense too, surely?

Of course dog owners should exercise common sense. Just like the rest of the population.

Ultimately if you open a dogs welcome cafe or not there's a finite number of dogs or humans that are appropriate.

Just as if too many people were crowding in. That's for the cafe to manage.

well trained dogs are a joy but even then such dogs would have been left at home back then wouldn’t they?

I actually think if nobody is going to be at home for long periods (both working, kids at school, for example) then a paid dog walker or even doggy day care is an excellent idea, and shows that an owner is doing their best by their pet. Going to day care, or having a walker come in, doesn't mean the dog cannot also be trained to spend time alone.

well trained dogs are a joy but even then such dogs would have been left at home back then wouldn’t they?

Agreed.

And back before that they would have been allowed to roam out all day.

Our culture seems to have changed.

One of my dogs hates being out of her comfort zone.

She loves being out for hours walking or laying on our sofa. The few times we've nipped into a pub after a walk she is just restless and whinges so we don't bother. She is happy to be left at home away from people.

As already stated, in a busy cafe, you would hope that customers would be able to cope with an element of self management.

As already stated, in a busy cafe, you would hope that customers would be able to cope with an element of self management.

We agree then.

Parents with small children, dog owners and other humans alike.

We actually agree!

We actually agree!

But who wouldn't ?

Customers of a cafe should exercise an element of self management.

🤷‍♀️

I hated people smoking in the cinema, in restaurants, at work. That used to be allowed. I was angry about it, even though it was legal.
Just because something is legal or allowed, doesn't mean we can't be annoyed by it.
I am so much happier now smoking is banned in indoor places. I only wish we'd get back to banning dogs.
I didn't have a problem with dogs in the 70s, 80s, 90s, even 2000s. It is only in the last few years that I cannot abide their presence everywhere because they really are overabundant in their presence now. I can't stand how they smell, their yapping or barking, their slobber, the lipstick dicks on display, absolutely gross. I don't see why humans should be put off going to Cornwall or the Lake District just because the dog contingent have taken over. I too only book hotels where they clearly state no dogs, but still people take their dogs in. I complained at the hotel in Ambleside only to be told dogs aren't allowed in most rooms, but people can call up and book a set of particular rooms. Means the dogs are in the lifts and restaurants. Exactly what I tried to avoid.
Dogs are dirty vermin, I don't understand how people overlook the shit-eating habits, or pissing up lampposts, shitting on paths, and thing that's just fine.

You seem to want to antagonise even when we agree, I am not sure why.
(I am also not unaware that you have agreed with something slightly different than I actually said, and also slipped parents with children in before dog owners on your little list).

I don't see why humans should be put off going to Cornwall or the Lake District just because the dog contingent have taken over.

If enough of you , the dog avoiders contingent, want to go to Cornwall and the Lake District do so.

Money talks.

I am also not unaware that you have agreed with something slightly different than I actually said, and also slipped parents with children in before dog owners on your little list).

No 'slipping on my little list' . Just posting in the usual way.

My point being it's not just dog owners who should be singled out.

‘I didn't have a problem with dogs in the 70s, 80s, 90s, even 2000s. It is only in the last few years that I cannot abide their presence everywhere because they really are overabundant in their presence now.’

This is the key point. When people whine about the number of dog threads, these threads get started because the culture around dogs has changed so much. It’s become intrusive and unpleasant for the many people who whilst they don’t like dogs, previously quietly lived alongside them and their decent responsible owners. The attitude of owners has changed.

The majority (64%) agree with the OP. I didn’t think it would be that way round. Pleasantly surprised. As I said, I think we are at peak dog, and hopefully things will shift to something a bit more sensible over the next decade.

The attitude of owners has changed.

Yes agree. Big cultural shift.

sadly so many dog lovers don’t pick the shit up , disgusting!
Agree completely there are too many lazy dog owners who palm care out on dog walkers ….. don’t get it

I really can't understand why it's so difficult for a dog to be left for a number of hours whilst the owner goes out
You don't have to understand. Ultimately dogs were not happy left alone for hours. Now dogs' welfare and happiness is more important to their owners. Simple as that.

There are a surprising number of people who assume they should always be accommodated - these people exist outside and inside the dog owning world, sadly
Indeed. And this thread shows it also includes people who don't like dogs too.

@MatchyM

We are at peak dog. I know many who have regrets over their lockdown purchase. My 16 year old dog died this year (she was an impulsive purchase when I was 18). I spent my first pay packet on her. I loved her but I’ll not be getting another dog ever again. Most people are quite envious of my dog free life now. Sounds crazy I know, but so many dog owners have said to me “oh I’m not getting another one either after s/he dies”. But they have years left.

I agree. The sheer number of threads on this forum complaining about dogs in shops, cafes etc etc surely demonstrates that this is a development that is causing annoyance to many people. As does the majority vote on this thread.

But there seems to be a lot of denial around the issue. Posters insisting they have never witnessed any annoying behaviour from dogs, that their dog is perfect, that anyone recounting annoying incidents is making them up, 'dramatising' and so on.

Also, some posters are asking why 'dog haters' don't raise the issue more, while others are yawning and saying 'oh not another thread on this'.