To dislike the increase in dogs in shops/cafes

[amymel2016]

I’ve recently noticed a huge increase in non-service dogs in cafes and shops. I was in Joules earlier today and there were 3 in there, two of which were barking and growling at each other. I was in a cafe last week with 2 in there. Surely it can’t be fun for the dog having to sit under a cramped table?

I’m very allergic to dogs and the smell absolutely sets me on edge. I don’t understand why they are allowed in? I’m not about to walk in with a cat or a rabbit so why dogs? It’s also the attitude of most (sweeping generalisation!) dog owners which annoys me, no, I don’t want to talk to your dog or about your dog. I don’t care if you say he’s friendly I don’t want it anywhere near me.

Goes without saying that service dogs are bloody amazing and they should absolutely be welcome everywhere.

Whippets don’t smell ~ lf well fed and have their teeth cleaned from puppyhood. Their coats are like satin and don’t trap smells.

Some breeds reek, because of greasy coats and bad breath.

I agree there are very many yappy and poorly socialised dogs around.

That’s not the point that I was making though, of course business owners can do what they want.

Your post said children irritate some people but they are allowed in public spaces, the same applies to dogs.

However. No one has a medical condition against kids, people do however have allergies against dogs.

Children and dogs therefore cannot be put in the same category.

That’s not true though. People with MH issues can struggle to deal with the noise and chaos of badly behaved children in public places.

Yes and the point that’s being made repeatedly is that they’re allowed almost everywhere now so avoiding places where there are dogs is nigh on impossible.

It's up to people to manage their own allergies.

I'm allergic to the sun, but don't advocate for the sun to be extinguished and have no problem with other people going on beach holidays.

Never said it was. I was pointing out that your comparison of the chemicals of which we are composed and the synthetic chemical compounds of artificial fragrances, and your asking how the poster puts up with the former if she cannot stand the latter, was absurd.

Obviously the number of people with allergies is tiny compared to the number of people who want to be able to take their dogs with them. If there was the demand for more dog-free places then they would exist. That’s life.

I didn't compare anything. 🫣

Ridiculous comparison.
The sun is essential for life on earth, dogs are mostly not essential.

Coffee shops are not essential for life either so people who don’t want to share those spaces with dogs can avoid them.

I prefer dogs to sunshine, though.

What... it isn't all about me?!

Kinda like... businesses which welcome dogs don't operate exclusively for your benefit?

Shucks.

The number of people who don’t want to always share a cafe space with a dog is much more than just allergy sufferers. Many are afraid of them or just don’t like them, like me (I also live with someone with pet allergies so double whammy). As evidenced on this thread there are also plenty of people who like dogs but don’t want them around when they’re eating. The proportion of pubs/coffee shops etc that accept dogs now is not in keeping with the proportion of people who actually want to be there with a dog.

You're absolutely right, you don't know, you've assumed and are reacting on your assumption. They could own dogs at home, or snakes, or anything, could have even been to the toilet while on shift, so might the chef - which if we're assuming people don't bother washing their hands - means that you'd be refusing to use anywhere that employs humans that have to use the toilet or has anything in their home that you fear will contaminate your food? You clearly have a low opinion of the staff who serve you in such places so why use them at all?

Your call if you don't want to go anywhere with dogs present of course, but the result of that is less places to choose from.

I personally, love dogs and have 2, very occasionally I'll take them into a café to get a coffee on a walk if places don't offer service from a window for example but allow dogs, and get a takeaway anyway.
I don't sit in because although my two will just lie under the table quietly, so many people's dogs do not and that has an effect on mine when they're harassed by other people's poorly trained dogs.

And I don't think taking dogs shopping, dragging them around busy towns and cities or similar is in the dogs best interests, and I see it a lot working in a tourist place.

I've been tripped, snapped at and had to take food back and binned it, and had to have it remade because a dog jumped up at me while carrying the plates, but if we don't allow dogs then we lose a lot of trade and that could mean my job. And the place won't be open for people who don't like dogs to visit anyway.

Consumers like to dictate how businesses are run and who/what they allow in, at the moment a majority are dictating that their dog goes everywhere with them, so business is bowing to the consumer demand. Either consumers, by volume of demand, make the rules or the businesses do - and no one likes to be told where they can and can't go or what they can and can't do by a service business. It's exactly the environment created by customers demanding what they want and everything should work their way.

With you 100% but it seems we’re in the minority.

I would say Covid made the situation worse, I now think there are 2 types of dog owner - the ones that had them before (mostly sensible, I don’t remember this nonsense before) and the dickheads with dogs who bought them during covid and are very entitled that think they can bring them everywhere.

Drives me demented when I look at a menu with every allergy known to man catered for but my allergy no one gives a shit about.

Had a dog stick its head under my arm towards my dinner plate when I was eating recently. Dickhead owner did the usual “oh he’s just being friendly”.

but this is so grim… you are forcing your mangy dog on others where food is being served. Owners of the eatery are greedy feckers that would welcome paying goats if they could.

It’s weird that people don’t want to leave their anxious dogs at home because the dog can’t cope, yet owners assume dogs are happier to go shopping! If only dogs could speak.

I’ll also add I live in a large city, vast majority of properties are flats and I’m not sure a flat is the most suitable place to have a dog. A local pub has also had to ask people to stop bringing dogs in when there is live sport on because it’s too busy and upsetting for the dogs. Does make me think a lot of people are putting their desire to have a dog over the dogs best interests.

most, if not all, spiders in the UK can’t hurt you, dogs definitely can hurt you. Badly. Fatally.

Christ. Mutt, mangey, 'you and your house smell!'
Some of you never left the playground, did you?

Anyway, I'll take my dog to cafes/and pubs that welcome them. It's neither selfish nor entitled.

It's always quite funny to see some posters absolutely frothing with excitement at the chance to unleash some venom on these daily weekly threads!

I’m at a cafe now ( outside) with dog- dogs are welcome in the café- BUT they have a separate large bright room, behind a glass wall/door where dogs are not allowed 🚫.

This seems very fair.

This thread is obviously a 'letting off steam' sort of thread as most people dislike dogs in cafes etc. As part of this, of course people will rant. Most people are fed up, utterly.

YANBU. Someone started to turn up with their dog to my choir. Choir master never said anything. Now a second member is bringing their dog and the two need to be kept apart or they fight.

Irritated to the extreme - it’s not a fecking park.

(dogs not choir members)

@Dotto if people are utterly fed up then it would be better practice to put their money where their mouths are, and contact the businesses concerned/local politician/local newspaper or anything really that could help them get the change they want.

Not sit online attempting to insult strangers dogs.

Aibu is literally a place for having a good rant. I'm not sure why that's a surprise, and I'm sure your dog don't care about being insulted.