Dogs in restaurants

[MealDealDreamz]

Informal dining and cafes, fine. Pubs, fine. But only if dogs are on the floor and reasonably well behaved (by that I mean not barking all the time).Restaurant not fine. Am I alone in this?
If I am paying to go somewhere specifically to enjoy the food and pay extra for it and want to enjoy a special evening (birthday) why do I have to put up with a dog lying on the floor at the table next to me?. I just don't think this is necessary or acceptable. Am I totally alone in this?

Ha ha! If you hate dogs, you surely hate all dogs. Guide dogs are still dogs. You should see ‘em when they have their r&r - being total dogs!

As a pp said, dogs have always gone to pubs. If the pub is a gastro-type then often there’s a separate dining part to the bar area. High-end restaurants that are not pubs mostly do not accept dogs. Even low-end actually: I believe that Weatherspoons is dog free.

I have posted this before on a similar thread, but a while ago we went to a pub with an actual sign outside saying “The New Forest’s Most Dog-Friendly Pub”. Lo and behold a miserable pair of so and sos at the next table glaring, theatrically flinching and not-so-quietly whispering about my dog asleep under the table.

I don't hate dogs. I dislike dogs in restaurants which are meant to be for 'more special than normal meals' which I mentioned in my original post. I actually don't understand why people can't see the distinction. Pubs, gastro pubs, Wetherspoons, cafés, etc etc yes fine. Special occasions in expensive restaurants like the one I mentioned originally, I would rather not have a dog near me.
Laughingly, I met a friend yesterday who lives abroad and I very rarely see. We didn't have much time together. We went to the part of the cafe which was dog friendly and a dog barked all the time we were trying to talk. It actually stressed us out as we had to keep stopping and starting the conversation. Now I'm sorry but that's just a pain in the arse and not actually fair on the other people in the cafe. We just finished our drinks quickly and went for a walk.There is clearly no answer to this dilemma.

Well, a dog barking is unacceptable. As is any behaviour from anybody which disturbs other customers.

There are plenty of restaurants that do not accept dogs. If you go in a pub, well, you probably won’t be in luck, but do a search of “nice” restaurants and there will be endless opportunities for dog-free dining. And if you’re not feeling flush, Weatherspoons does not accept dogs.

I just searched several “high end” restaurants in my local area - restaurants, not country pubs - and none of them allow dogs (except guide dogs). So a “nice meal” is absolutely possible for you.

As I said before I live in an area with limited high end restaurants. I cannot choose from a vast selection.

What's more annoying is other peoples dogs barking at my well behaved dog who is lying quietly under the table at a dog friendly place. If you dog is going to bark at other dogs, don't take them. Also, other people disturbing my dog whilst he is lying quietly!

Other peoples children are worse, once we wre trying to eat. Their children insisted on constanty coming over to disturb us because we had our dog with us (on holiday) thus unsettling him each time, then they started running around, nearly running into the servers.

It's also not a great idea to let your children start running around or playing tag at dog shows!
People do travel with dogs for various reasons, and that occasionally does mean eating out somewhere as a result.

A kid threw a stone at my dog once. The most beautiful rescue boy, recovering from having a tumour removed, 10 years old. And this obnoxious little shit threw a stone, whist his parents looked on. Not really relevant to this thread but 3 years on and I still hate that family with a passion.

I live in the Lakes so having a meal without dogs is practically impossible and while I really like dogs I don’t want them around me when I’m eating. What is this trend of taking your hound everywhere with you? Was never like this growing up with animals, they stayed home. The other day, in a cafe, dogs were everywhere and two enormous huskies blocking up the entire gangway of the cafe so the waitresses had to step over them while delivering breakfast. Entitled owners did not move dogs or apologise or even notice what was going on. The hair the dogs left behind was unreal, big clumps and as they left they jumped up at the counter and tried to snaffle the cakes! I would have been mortified if it were my dog. Well, I would not have taken it in in the first place.

Probably a lot of holidaymakers in the lakes and most accommodation doesn't allow dogs to be left alone there, so owners forced to take the dog if they want to eat out

YANBU except I’d hate it in cafes too

I was in a restaurant once and the waitress was bringing our food, fajitas on sizzling skillets, one on each hand. A dog leapt out from under another table and because she had massive skillets in her hand she didn’t see it and went flying, as did our food. She was lucky she didn’t burn her hands though she did have a bleeding knee. The dog owners couldn’t have been less sorry (kept saying “poor baby did the lady kick you” to their dog) and the manager was furious at the waitress for not looking where have was going! I gave him a piece of my mind and told him to take care of his staff, she can’t control a dog misbehaving, and also get us some more food ASAP please. He wasn’t even sorry that our food was on the floor.

There are kennels or cars or tie them up outside like we used to!

There are... But most dog owners like their dogs and don't want to leave them tied up to get stolen 🙄

People holiday in the Lakes because it is great for dog walking. Their dog is there for a holiday just as much as the owners are.
People taking their dogs into places that allow dogs are doing nothing wrong

I'd like to tell you about my dog. He isn't my fur-baby or child. He is my side-kick, wing-man, companion.

I was in a shitty relationship for 6 years, financially abusive and generally unpleasant. It was very lonely and my dog was beside me through that. When I made the decision to finally end things with my ex and told family and close friends, they were incredibly supportive and really encouraged me that I was doing the right thing.

The day my ex left however the support stopped. It was as if they went "she's done it now, well done" The thing is actually that's went things got harder. I was so lonely. Having someone around at the end of the day, someone (however shit) to talk to, or exchange a few words with). I suddenly went from having companionship to being on my own 7 days a week. I went through a stage missing being in an abusive relationship because I was so lonely.

Friends and family had said they were supportive, but it was just words. But unless I called, or asked to do something there was nothing. After a few weeks of me always being the one to reach out I felt like a burden.

I then started dating again, and it was great. But the difference is, early days you might see them once or twice a week, but I missed that daily interaction.
Through all of this my dog has been there, making me smile, being dependable, accompanying me or trips to the pub or on a day out (when all my friends are too busy).

When you see me and my dog in a pub or a cafe, yes I can leave him at home, but I don't want to; in fact I'd then probably stay at home with him. For me he is my support into the world, he isn't part of my family- he is my family. When people say I dont know why people have to take their dogs everywhere- well he's all I've got. And as I try to rebuild a life, he'll continue to support me and help me through, more so than anyone else ever has done.

If I don't go to a pub with my dog I probably don't go at all. I work from home and unless I make the effort to go out I will see my boyfriend 2 days a week, my parents or friends maybe one, the rest of the time I am alone. And it becomes a long time to be by yourself. I like to sit in a pub or a cafe and surround myself with chatter and maybe exchange a few words with people- I certainly wouldn't do it on my own. My dog allows that.

Totally get this! And so glad he's been the support you need.
There are plenty of dog friendly and dog free places. I don't understand why this has to be an issue at all!

My point is people should train their bloody dogs or keep them out of the way when in a restaurant and cafe.Most people on this thread don’t hate dogs, they hate their shitty entitled owners who think it’s okay to let their dog behave badly in public spaces. So yes, they are doing something wrong.

I think it’s rude to take your massive hairy dog into a tiny cafe where there’s no room at the best of times,

Definitely rude if the tiny cafe says no massive hairy dogs allowed. Not rude if they don’t.

But surely manners would dictate that it’s not the place for them?

Nope. I can’t see what’s rude about taking dogs somewhere they’re permitted to be. Might not be to your liking but that doesn’t make it rude.

Many places round us are fed up of taking dogs but feel like they can’t refuse them because competition in The Lakes is strong and it has this reputation of being dog friendly but behind the scenes owners are often really pissed off and annoyed that people have really badly behaved animals they can’t control. Our local place kicked someone out the other day because their dog was constantly barking. Maybe eventually more places will be chose to be less dog accepting. Certainly the amount of badly behaved dogs has increased massively.

Are you going from business to business questioning them about their behind the scenes opinions on dogs?

So they dont like my dog, but want my money because if they don't allow my dog I'll go elsewhere? Seems perfectly fine to me- if they don't want me and my dog I am perfectly happy for them to say so and go somewhere else. What's the problem?

Oh they want my money but not my dog?

@Trixiefirecracker I also live near Lakes and before I start can I just stress AGAIN that I like dogs. But a cafe in Pooley Bridge which is dog friendly which I do not have a problem with at all (unless posh restaurant specifically visited for special occasion and quality of food) was overrun with dogs to the point that all I could smell (it had been raining) was damp dog. Two wet labs were on leads but walking to our table and the owners were allowing this while continuing chatting. I put up with it, the dogs were lovely and we tried to ignore as I didn't want to seem off about it or difficult and as many people have said if it's dog friendly then you just have to go elsewhere. But can anyone see an argument where the dogs are so prevalent that they are taking over a bit? I think my issue is just that I don't get many days out or treats and posh meals and it would just be nice not to be faced with the presence of dogs everywhere I go.

@ForRealCat I am not sure what they want. They want everyone to feel welcome I suppose and they will also want your money of course. Some cafes will be dog friendly because they want to welcome dogs as they really like them themselves. Others will be doing it to be as busy as possible and to keep their businesses open. Still have no answer to this apart from if cafes etc state they reserve the right to ask dogs and their owners to leave if they are creating a disturbance. However, i really wouldn't want to be there when that were put into action 🤐