Dogs slobbering on products in shops

[PurpIish]

I know I'm not being unreasonable! But surely some think I am as they allow their dogs to do this.

Took DD(7) shopping today, trip was really spoiled by a few dogs.

Lush. Someone brought their large dog in, this dog was head height to the lower shelves, and had its snout in several of the products. I was about to complain to the staff, but several staff went over and started petting the dog, clearly they were team dog. I don't want my clean bath products with added dog slobber, nor do I want them handled by someone who has just been touching dogs. I will email lush to tell them, but I am posting to please ask dog people to resist taking your dogs into stores where they are going to have their noses in the products.

Next was at the little pop up market. Another dog, in owner's arms, sneezed on the wares (hand-knitted toys). Obviously sneezing happens, but come on, that's just gross.

Third, today, mid-to-large sized dog, cocked his leg on someone's stall. Owner wasn't even watching. Stall -holder has to pack up her table, with dog piss on the table leg. I did tell the owner, of the stall, she was really pissed off, and lamented that it has happened before, but because she's positioned in the outdoor market area, she has no control over people bringing their dogs right up to her stall.

Fourth. Woman had her dog on a long leash. Elderly chap tripped over the leash. Luckily he didn't land on the ground, it was busy so he just half -fell on someone as he stumbled, but he was shaken, and the person he landed on was hurt too. Dread to think how the old man would be doing had he completely fallen on the ground.

Fifth, there was a dog shit in the middle of the outdoor market.

This is all in one day. We were only out for about three hours.

Please please stop bringing dogs everywhere. And if you absolutely must, please watch them vigilantly so that the rest of us aren't impacted by them.

Yanbu - dogs should stay at home, or go to the park. They should not be in the shops.

Yabu. Dogs are still great, better than humans, and comparable to kids.

But why on earth did you bring up children?

I don’t like dogs in shops or restaurants. I am wary of them after a bad experience. Also don’t like the smell of dogs

In the past I would see dogs in pubs or maybe cafes for walkers or hikers in places like the Lake District. The dog was there as part of a reasonably pleasurable activity for the dog. You don’t happen across Lush as part of a dog walk and can’t imagine particularly shopping is much fun for a dog.

Dogs are essentially just imprisoned slaves for human amusement. They walk when we decide, they sit when we tell them, they stay quiet and under a table if they want a treat. It's horrible really. No wonder they act like their owners are gods and get over excited when it's walkies or when they see another dog or a child. Their bored shitless most of the time whilst we drag them around shops, go on car journey and sit for hours in cafes. I feel sorry for pet dogs. One day humans will wake up and realise the cruelty of enslaving a species like this.

I have a dog and quite like being able to take them the odd place for an emergency visit - local corner shop, bakery with counter etc but people really are so unaware of their dogs. Last time I was in Waterstones in zone 1 London fgs I watched a dog piss all over the tower of baskets, the owner didn’t see and the till worker said it happens all the time and they can’t stop it (guess the smell of other dogs makes more do it). Makes me think twice about using a basket in places!

Me either. We don't all love dogs.

@QueenofFox 😱 oh god.

Lol I always know what the reaction to this is gonna be on Mumsnet as it’s a predominantly dog hating forum 🤣

@AndStand @kitsuneghost @Ohcrappydoo THAT is your question from my post? Ok, I’ll bite. Firstly, because it is a very dog friendly restaurant. Many locally are not, which of course, is normal and absolutely fine. When I got to those restaurants, I do not take my dog. Secondly, they advertise extensively that they are dog friendly. It is somewhat of a USP for them and they are always busy, with customers with dogs, so it’s working well for them financially. Thirdly, that particular dog loves to go out. I have others who really do not and would not behave well, so they are naturally left at home. He however loves it and he is a particular favourite of the staff there (he has his own treat jar) He goes in, has a big fuss from all the staff, takes his treat and settles happily under the table. If anyone else walked in you would not know he was there. He is well bathed and he doesn’t bark. The problem is not my dog, the problem is the shitty parenting my dog and I had to endure. Do not tar all dog owners with the same brush and if you don’t want dogs in a restaurant, then book one that doesn’t take dogs! Despite what you say, there are many. And I could understand why you would book them. If there was a list of restaurants where children with dreadfully entitled parents weren’t allowed, I would book them too, whether or not I was taking my dog.

Not a strange question at all. I have never seen a sign in a restaurant that states that it's dog friendly. Cafés yes, but not restaurants.

Totally agree that dogs are omnipresent these days. Yes, they are part of the family but they shouldn't be permitted everywhere. We have a dog but don't take him to shops or restaurants as I don't think it's appropriate. I also get the ick when they're on sandy beaches alongside kids making sandcastles. They often wee nearby, which is obviously not possible to clear up. I take our kids to sandy non-dog beaches and all plus dog to pebbly dog beaches that are more geared towards walking rather than sitting down for the afternoon and hanging out.

It’s all got a bit crackers hasn’t it.

I like dogs, we had a family dog, I would not have dreamt of feeding her treats out of my hand, or changing her water bowl and then going to prepare food/drink without washing my hands first

I have seen this happen in a coffee shop near me that I LOVE several times now, luckily two times someone else served me me but two times I had to walk out as I was in line to be served by the person who’d been slobbered over/just changed the water bowl and was cracking on without washing his hands 🤢😷. Am going to have to not go back now. Too grim.

back in the summer we went to our local pub and had two dogs begging for food for the entirety of our meal, the owners kept half heartedly telling them to stop but you could tell they did g a f. One kept getting really close to my 4 yo’s hand as he was eating and I was so scared he was going to be bitten. It ruined an expensive meal on a rare sunny afternoon as I was just really tense. Imagine a human going and begging at someone’s table for food. I didn’t feel I could say anything as it’s only a small area everyone would have heard making it awkward.

And I’m sick of nearly tripping up over the bloody long leads on the high street when it’s busy they’re a menace!

I know 🙄

Is that not absolutely exhausting for both you and the dog.

How do you relax with constant eyes on the dog. Would Fido not be happier at home?

Do you love buying products in shops covered in fresh dog piss? It takes all sorts I suppose.

Sod off with a dog friendly restaurant or dogs in shops. Literally no need. Can't imagine the dogs like it and it's all about the owners.

Dog wants a run, not to go shopping. In that, much like small children. People are awful about pets sometimes. You can tell it's an accessory.

Oh and how do you explain that decent dog-owners who love dogs abhor these behaviours too? I am interested in your response.

Stop being such a snob, I have never seen a dog piss on items in a shop. You’re just using the one time you’ve seen it as an excuse to ban dogs from everywhere because you’re a dog snob. Also, if a dog did piss on my products would I care? No. The reason why? Because the general public’s hands on my products is also extremely grim. People not washing their hands after the toilet, people coughing/sneezing into their hands, people picking their nose etc.

I didn't know dogs, other than proper guide dogs etc, were allowed in shops. Is it really that common?

I love dogs. I literally said I do upthread. 🤔

but no, I don't want dogs having their periods all over the restaurant floor. And licking the tables.

You can be dog loving and not want them everywhere at the SAME time. I know, crazy huh?

I'm in York and our food festival kicked off today, going to be watching closely when i go to make sure I'm not buying goods with dog sneeze on them.
YANBU OP. I love dogs, but not tripping me up or sniffing around me in cafes etc.

How do I explain other peoples thoughts/feelings? Is that what you’re asking me? If I could explain why/how other people think I’d be very rich!

Unfortunately it is in many areas. And in cafes, pubs and restaurants too! Awful.

why do so many threads turn to hating on innocent little children. wtf. it almost seems like a trend to hate kids? comparing your ugly little shitty smelling dogs to actual human beings is the weirdest and most pathetic thing, please don’t have kids of your own if that’s how you feel

Now you're a snob for not wanting to buy thigs covered in piss @NoodlesAndRice ! A 'dog-snob' 😂😆😂

Well @Weloveflowerss , if you are allowing your dog to carry out all it's natural behaviours, your dogs nose will have been right up a lot of other dogs arses all day before it went and sniffed around the cafe/shop/restaurant.

I know what I'd prefer, give me kids fingers sticky with sweets any day.

With both children and dogs it’s not their fault if they’re badly behaved it’s the parents or owners in either case.

Sorry if that’s not the answer you want to hear!