To think that dogs shouldn't be in toilets?

[LittlePearDrop]

I'm currently camping.

There's signs on the toilet / shower block door clearly indicating "No Dogs". Not small signs. Very obvious.

Went for a shower first thing this morning and a woman brought a dog into the toilet next to me. It poked its head under the gap and had a sniff. I just ignored it.

Took my daughter an hour later and whilst I'm waiting for her, another woman brings another dog in. This time, thinking maybe she has missed the sign, I said, very politely and calmly "Oh it's no dogs in here".

She immediately became defensive, saying there's no one else to look after him (there's a fence outside she could have tied him to) and that he would "cry" if left outside. Errm, so what? Dogs whine. It's not the end of the world.

AIBU to think that if the signs say "no dogs" then it means "no dogs" and not, "Well ok your dog can come in because it might whine if left alone for a minute"?

I know MN seems to think otherwise, but yes, most people are of the belief that humans come before animals.

I love animals - I work with them - I own four of them - but I don't expect everyone to love them or to want them in "human only" spaces.

Then they probably wouldn't go to a dog friendly campsite.

If I was in the situation where I was on a dog friendly camp site alone with my dog and needed to use the toilet then yes I would ignore the sign and take them in with me because it’s not safe to tie them up outside where you can’t even see them.

That doesn’t make me an entitled dog owner who likes to break rules…it’s keeping your dog safe.

Do you just blindly follow rules because a sign says so even when it doesn’t make logical or practical sense?

There's a different between "dog friendly" and "dogs are allowed absolutely everywhere no matter what".

I really don't think most people taking a dog into the loo with them on a campsite or at a services etc are doing so because they think they're 'entitled' to do as they please.

They're doing it because there is no other safe option - safe for their dogs (who they do have a legal and moral responsibility to) and safe for everyone else.

Several other safe options have been suggested, to be met with bizarre responses involving freak car accidents, soaring temperatures which surely isn’t a problem at present and the campsite owner has obviously just put the sign up to save on cleaning ?
It basically boils down to the fact that a certain element of dog owners think the rules don’t apply to them and their little precious, so fuck everyone else I’ll do what’s convenient to me. The very embodiment of ‘entitlement’.

They're not allowed everywhere and never will be but a solo person being able to go to the toilet is a pretty basic requirement

Then common sense would say that you make sure that the campsite you book is somewhere that allows that, surely?

We're not talking about an emergency, this is a holiday campsite.

Because there is no actual reason why a dog can’t come in with you and it isn’t safe to tie them up outside where you can’t even see them.

I respect and understand dogs not being allowed in certain shops or restaurants, but in a camp site toilet? No I don’t see the issue.

I mean, neither do I in terms of hygiene etc.

But I do think there's a difference between dogs having to come with you in a genuine emergency situation and planning a holiday knowing you'll need to take your dog with you and not thinking it through before you go.

I'm single. I have a dog. No matter how much I think holidays through I'm going to need the loo and I won't know where the toilets are, how far they are away from the car, whether they are dog friendly etc until I get there.

What about people that are scared of dogs, or are allergic, what do they do ? Piss in the bushes, is that a good enough reason for you ?

I solo camp a lot with my dog and I do think if you're going to solo camp you should take the time to teach your dog to be comfortable being tied up or left in the car away from you without barking. It's a necessary evil sometimes when you just have to pop into a shop or a toilet or some campsite receptions. I've never been on a campsite where I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my dog tied up outside for 5 mins - if I had any worries I'd leave him in the car. That being said I have taken my dog into public toilets & into train toilets when needed and it really wouldn't bother me as long as the dog was under control. I've also worked at a campsite and I promise kids & some adults make far more of a mess than any dog that's been in.

Well someone who is allergic is unlikely to choose a dog friendly place for a start. Same for those who are scared of dogs.

They should go to a campsite that doesn’t allow dogs. How would they cope being on
a pitch next door to dogs?

Isn't that something you should research before you go, though?

I've often found myself having to sneak off for a wild wee somewhere because I can't take the dog in with me to the services or to the toilets - it's a pain in the arse at times but part of having a dog really.

In an (often disgusting) campsite toilet I think that a dog is the least of your worries OP.

Says who ? What you mean is that they shouldn’t go there because it will inconvenience you.
They’re as entitled to be there as people with dogs and you should keep your dog out of the shared public spaces that you have been asked to.

What? Research every loo I plan to visit on holiday?

Yes, I can ring the campsite but there would be no guarantee of what pitch I'd get and where I'd get parked so I could leave her in the car.

So much what I think ! I’d be pleased the dog smell might deter the rats.

They are entitled to be there but they know there will be dogs around 🤷

🤣

Not in the spaces that dog owners have been instructed to keep dogs out of.

Well no, not research every loo, but if you go on holiday alone, you do need to think about what you're going to do with your dog in a whole variety of situations - buying food, using the loo etc.

I always assume "the dog isn't allowed" and plan accordingly. If he is, great, that makes things easier, but I'm more than willing to wild wee etc. if needed too.

Weird. Are you lacking in reading comprehension or something?

Where did I say I was traumatized? Genuinely, please quote back my own words and point out the trauma. I'll wait.

My original post described what happened with the first dog. That was all. Lots of you seem hellbent on making up my reaction to it.

I just think if the campsite owners have a sign up that says "no dogs" then you don't take your dog in. It's that simple. If they whine outside, tough. If you're genuinely terrified a dog napper might turn up at the exact moment you're in the loo on a remote campsite, tough. If you have no one else to look after them, tough. Your dog is not special. You're not special.

The owners clearly don't want the dogs in there. Maybe their cleaner is allergic. Maybe they just think it's common decency. Whatever. People need to have a little respect and not act so entitled just because they think they are exempt from the rules.

They could be pitched 6ft away from them