Dogs in Restaurants

[whyaredogseverywhere]

I'm so annoyed still. We are on holiday at the moment and asked the cottage owner for a recommendation on where to go for lunch. They recommended a pub, but said to see if we could we should sit in the conservatory for the best views of the bay.

I subsequently booked a table for Sunday lunch and asked to be in the conservatory by the window, but mentioned that we don't like dogs so could they make sure there were none on the surrounding tables. It wasn't mentioned at this point it would be a problem.

Anyway we were sat at our table, drinks arrived and then a woman came in by herself (wasnt shown in or anything) and sat at the next door table with a labrador or something. Not nice when you are going to eat! Anyway I mentioned to the waitress that I had specifically said we hadn't wanted dogs nearby, and could they be moved. I was told that the consevatory was dog friendly, and we could have a table in the main dining room, but we had specifically come for the views so I said that wasnt going to work.

I then asked to speak with the manager, who basically told me the same thing. Anyway Dog-lady then calls the manger over, they exchange a few words laughing and she moves to a table down the other end of the room.

A few minutes later our waitress comes in with a cup of biscuits for the dog and a bottle of wine for the lady, I think they knew each other. Que more laughter and her saying in a braying voice (like something out of a Jilly Cooper book) that it wasn't needed and basically making a big song and dance out of how kind they were.

They all made us feel really awkward through the whole meal and like we were the butt of a big joke. We hurried our meal, and when the bill came I asked the manager to take off our drinks for the disruption we'd had at the start. He refused- even though I'd seen him give drinks to the other table.

It's really ruined the rest of my afternoon and morning today. We spent a lot of money with them, and were treated with less hospitality than a dog! I'm just sick of dogs being given better treatment than people all the damn time.

If this is real, que (cue) entitled nobs expecting dog people to move from dog area 🤷,suck it up they were laughing and taking the piss because you were behaving like twats, if you didn't like it you should have gathered up your stuff and left, not given them your custom

I was told that the consevatory was dog friendly, and we could have a table in the main dining room, but we had specifically come for the views so I said that wasnt going to work.

So you were offered a dog free alternative which you declined? I don’t see the problem 🙄

They're also often areas that are tiled/wood/laminate which is easier to clean. Most dogs, except maybe pups/older dogs are house trained (and if not shouldn't be a pub) but they can be hairy!

I love taking my dog to the pub.

In summary, you wanted the restaurant to swap its dining arrangements, just for you? You believe the venue should…. relocate its established dog friendly area simply to suit your wants? Righto. You are being entirely unreasonable and rather entitled.

But she couldn't ask the other woman to take her to a non dog area, where other people with allergies maybe sitting.

But surely they did do what the ridiculous OP asked in that the dog owner moved - thus ensuring there were no dogs on the surrounding tables.

Presume also she knew that the conservatory was dog friendly because she made that request.

So it seems like the OP chose to book a table in the dog area. Demand that dogs are removed from her vicinity. The pub did what she demanded and still she complains.

So 🤷‍♀️

Are people actually this jumped up? You wouldn't be welcome back at my restaurant 😒

That's what I thought! I've been to lots of dog friendly places and have yet to see any on the tables. That reviewer must have been on drugs.

Unfortunately this is representative of many restaurants now. I don’t think yabu at all and I’m sick and tired of dogs being in every restaurant and cafe. I went to the pub on a recent rainy Saturday afternoon but as I walked in, I could smell wet dog and there were three visible from the door. Put me off so much, I went to the local wine bar instead where they aren’t welcome.

They should have been clear when op booked that the conservatory was the dog friendly area and it was likely that if they were place there, dogs would likely be in close proximity. This was a case of the restaurant not being clear because they wanted the booking. They created the problem not op.

However, when the situation developed as it did, the other lady was offered a free drink as she voluntarily moved. OP should not have expected the same. As for the behaviour of the staff, it was unprofessional, but I guess expected under the circumstances.

YOU don't like dogs, but other people do.

Presumably the conservatory is dog friendly because it's further from the kitchens, or it's got a floor that's easier to clean or something. Either way, you were offered a solution, you declined to accept it, and here you are whinging about the fact that you kicked up a fuss over what seems to be a regular customer with a perfectly well-behaved dog, and now think you were treated worse than a dog (you weren't).

Just don't go to dog friendly places, it's not that hard. More places decline dogs than allow them, so pick somewhere that has a blanket no-dogs policy and you'll never have to complain about this total non-issue again, will you?

I agree with pp that you wouldn’t expect it and tbh I haven’t seen it myself.

But I don’t think the reviewer must have been on drugs /is lying just because you or I have never witnessed it.

(To clarify “dancing” on the tables obviously means they are meaning walking /jumping over the table not doing the samba 😆)

nowadays I’ve definitely seen dogs with front paws up on a table and staff/owners didn’t bat an eyelid, or sitting up on the seats etc and it’s not unheard of them to poo in restaurants /food areas unfortunately.

So is it really that unbelievable in todays climate to imagine a dog might then be allowed to walk on a table, when things have already got to this stage? It wasn’t a posh restaurant btw, just a regular casual city vegan restaurant aimed at a young crowd from the looks of it.

I read it as she was aware that dogs were allowed in that area, but she wanted the view so was trying to specify that they didn’t sit any dogs near her.

The OP hasn’t been back, but my suspicion is that they knew when they booked that they were in the dog friendly area- they just wanted things their way. She didn’t say that it was a surprise that dogs were allowed in that area and when making a booking at a restaurant it doesn’t cross most peoples minds to specify who is or isn’t at the next table…unless they are aware that their will be some sort of issue

Too much op. Unclench. We take our dog to restaurants and get food served to her. The shock and awe of the dog friendly establishment! Most servers at dog friendly establishments prefer the canines...go figure. I know immediately I'd prefer any Labrador to you.

Wow the absolute definition of a Karen!

Dogs belong in pubs, I love a pub dog and I don't even have a dog.

No way is this real
My guess is that part is dog friendly as it'll be hard floor

Dog owner was amiable, liked a laugh and was willing to compromise. Dog hater …wasn’t. 🤔

Surely you are not for real? If you are OMG get a grip

I know what would have worked. Booking out the whole conservatory and making up for their lost revenue
I'm sure they would have agreed to that

I don't think dogs should have access everywhere- more for the sake of the dogs than the dog haters, most dogs get little enjoyment out of being dragged around shops.

It sounds like there was miscommunication somewhere, it happens, but OP is a CF for breezing into an establishment thinking they're entitled to commandeer the designated dog friendly area & then expect compensation.

Refreshing to see replies that aren't filled with slavering dog hatred, as is usual on here.

YABU

I don't like dogs in pubs and certainly not in restaurants BUT you chose to sit in the dog-friendly section, refused to move and wanted them to give you free drinks?!

I can see where you’re coming from OP, and can see both sides. I absolutely love dogs but I don’t think they belong in restaurants.

It was the restaurant’s mistake not to inform you at the time of asking that they couldn’t accommodate your no-dogs request in the conservatory.

I don’t think the dog owner should have been asked or made to feel that she had to move – she’s wasn’t in the wrong, the restaurant was.

I also don’t think she should have made a song and dance about moving, having already agreed to move – she should have either agreed and accepted or not agreed.

I do think it would have been good practice to afford you a gesture of goodwill for having been told incorrect information. And I understand why the feeling of being laughed at throughout your meal was upsetting.

You do sound a bit silly OP however I hate dogs in restaurants full stop.

A pub we used to frequent started getting overrun with them, even witnessed one woman letting her filthy dog sit on a chair 🤮and we stopped going for ages.

Decided to go back on Sunday as we'd heard new management had taken over and I was so happy to find out they're now not allowing dogs inside. We'll start going again now. I've actually noticed a few other cafes near us that were letting in dogs have now stopped - I guess they got sick of cleaning up after them/having them barking.

Dogs shouldn't be where food is served, it's gross and antisocial.

You were the butt of a joke because of your entitled attitude and you made it awkward for yourself. How embarrassing.