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.

I absolutely love dogs and will always make a fuss of a friendly dog but I still think they shouldn't be in certain places based on principle.

I think for a lot of people (myself included), the annoyance isn't directed at the animals but the way some people think they are their children and that they should be allowed to bring them everywhere.

My annoyance is people thinking that because you take your dog to a cafe that accepts dogs it’s equal to treating your dog like a child. Parents need to do better if that’s the case.

Always feel the need to chime in on these anti-dog threads, as a dog-lover who doesn't own a dog, that meeting all these very good boys and girls in cafes and shops is very much appreciated here and I'm happy to make a fuss of them if their temperament and owner permit. Meeting a dog always brightens up my day.

There are NO cafes near me anymore that don’t have dogs allowed. So that’s not much of a choice…

Because often they are.
I don’t mind them being in a pub garden it’s natural but not inside.

This.

Plus the establishments are still maintaining their hygiene ratings despite allowing dogs.
It might have been on another thread, by one poster was saying how unhygienic it was to have dogs in hair salons. The logic of that one defied me.

We wouldn’t dream of taking our dog to the shops, but when we are on holiday we do like to go to cafes. We do walking holidays and we take her with us, we have a blanket for her to lie on so she settles and if she were to make a noise(which she doesn’t) I would take her outside so she wasn’t bothering anyone. We are equally happy sat outside if the weather is ok and would never go in somewhere unless they state on the door dog friendly or we ask first. I fully respect that not everywhere wants dogs and not everyone wants dogs in their vicinity, but there are plenty places to accommodate all likes/dislikes.

If the dog is quiet and under a table out of the way in the pub/cafe then I don’t mind. Thankfully no allergies here. But I’m fed up of owners that let their dogs roam around freely while I’m eating and they sit and beg. Unlike annoying children who you can send back to their parents.
I’m Fed up of the he’s friendly. I was bit badly whilst out running by a friendly dog and the owner openly admitted the dog had no recall.

dogs aren’t needed in clothes shops, supermarkets etc. people have had dogs as pets for centuries and dogs survived at home but now we have dogs with mental health issues. Separation anxiety etc. It’s owners who haven’t trained their dog properly.

during a pub quiz, the dog was barking all the way through. Everytime someone walked past. It was ridiculous. Spoke to manager who said he couldn’t ask them to leave. So because we were drunk, every time the dog barked, we barked. They kept giving us dirty stares and eventually left.

Dog lover/ dog owner perspective - I understand not wanting to be approached by a dog or in any way inconvenienced by one. Under no circumstances will anyone be approached, tripped over, sniffed or anything else by my dog. He is unlikely to look at you because we have been able to train him to behave in a well mannered way because we have had access to busy places like cafes and shops to practice in.

The dog owners who walk their dogs on an flexi lead in shop aisles/ cafes and small spaces are disrespectful. You can get very nasty injuries from a flexi lead.

I was confused by the smell comment as you support service animals but also say that all dogs smell.

I think there is a balanced discussion to be had rather than an outright “all dogs should be banned from public settings” versus the “but your bratty children get food all over the table and chairs and scream their heads off so they shouldn’t be allowed” type comments.

Maybe if all dog owners could be more respectful, peoples view would be different. I have witnessed a dog steal a sausage from a nearby tables plate! That is unacceptable and if a dog cannot settle on his place mat for the duration of the meal without barking/ lunging/ growling or bothering someone then the dog shouldn’t be in that setting. Equally, people need to look at the dog they have and really understand if they have a dog who enjoys that setting or not. The amount of dogs you see with a halti over their face being dragged through a busy crowd looking so uncomfortable is awful.

In short, I think there is room for everyone and if we all show some respect, I think it’s a wonderful thing to have the opportunity to eat out with the dog in tow. Especially when you have a campervan and staycation often!

I wonder if it's like smokers they don't notice the smell. I agree all dogs smell not nice when your eating

I take my dog into John Lewis regularly and the Apple Store just recently. Both very dog friendly. The Range is also dog friendly now. Please note that I said dog, not "fur baby"🤮🤮🤮

Surely it's only unhygienic if the dogs are in the kitchen, on the surfaces, licking utensils etc.

I don't see how a dog sitting on the table next to you affects the hygiene status.

Our local shopping centre has become dog friendly. Not all stores inside are though, my mums a dog owner and it’s so frustrating that she has to bring the dog absolutely everywhere with her. It means a lot of her not wanting to go in certain shops or hanging around outside waiting for me. It’s a pain in the neck and sometimes I just want to spend time with her without her constantly fussing about the dog!

It’s a recent change. I’m all for it - I love dogs (and their smell).

I might not notice my own dog smells, but I notice other people's. It depends on the breed. Some breeds smell more than others.

While I’d agree that shops are inappropriate, although dogless myself, I’d choose a dog friendly cafe or pub over a no-dogs one any day.

I viewed a house last year and the owner had two Shih Tzus. The house absolutely REEKED of wet dog and my then five year old DD said "It smells funny in here". Mortified. I think it was the throws on the sofas that mainly smelled because the dogs weren't even in the room.

My mum has a long haired toy dog and within two days of my mum adopting her she was the world's cleanest smelling dog 😂

My boss used to have a springer spaniel and he reeked even after coming back from the groomers. I. Think the smell does depend on the breed/if the dog gets wet outdoors/how often the dog and bedding is washed etc

The owner should have been banned there. Not the dog's fault

Yeah I don't like it either, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if people were better owners and trained their dogs to behave. I'm fed up of people letting their wet/muddy/boisterous dogs jump all over me without a second thought.

I have 2 dogs and I agree with you OP; the only place I find I don’t mind it is the outdoor cafe at our local park.

Totally agree. Also think it's down to the owners and staff. One cafe owner went over to a sleeping dog, woke them up to smooth them, take photos to show they are dog friendly to post on social media and then went back to serving customers without washing their hands 🤮
Totally unnecessary!

I visited a Hotel Chocolat café today, thinking we would be safe from pet dogs. However, shortly after we ordered and sat down, a dog and its owner entered the café. They sat next to us, and when the dog shook itself off and hair flew into my cup of tea and onto the staff who were cleaning the tables. No doubt microscopic dander too. It was quite unpleasant. I can't help but wonder how many customers have unknowingly eaten hair and other debris on their food and drinks directly from dogs, not just directly from pet owners, double whamy. Needless to say, we decided to leave. I also suffer from pet allergies, so I spent the next couple of hours sneezing and coughing.

I've had dogs for most of my life and can honestly say I've never had a dog hair land in my cup of tea.

I’m a dog lover but not currently a dog owner. It does seem that dog friendly is becoming the default now andI do get it’s hard if you have allergies or just don’t lime them.