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.

Off topic but I've noticed a dramatic increase in clothes shops stocking outfits for dogs both online and in store. It used to be a bit of a novelty and now it's normal. Even loads of Halloween outfits for dogs about this year. And when I go into town I usually see dogs being pushed around in prams, which used to be considered a bit eccentric. Do people really think their pets are like mini humans now?

Mine's a big fluffball and she wees on her knickers, but she's only 7 months so I'm hoping she'll grow out of it. My previous one was a boy and he didn't really smell much, for obvious anatomical reasons 😁

Agree though, I love their ear flap smell and their neck 🤗

I have a dog but I agree that there are too many dog owners who don’t adequately control their dog, and I sympathise with those who don’t want dogs in food places. Also with those who don’t like dogs running around off-lead, not enough dog owners understand that it doesn’t matter if their dog is “friendly”, other people have the right not to have your dog’s nose in their crotch or paws all over their jeans. If it doesn’t have excellent 100% recall, have it on a lead.

However wrt cafes and pubs it does come down to the cafe owner and the clientele in the area.

(I wouldn’t expect a food shop, like a deli, to allow dogs in and am really surprised that this is a thing- I haven’t seen it in my area, the opposite in fact with dogs allowed in some areas of places like garden centres, but not in the food-shop areas.)

Please share!

It's gross and unnecessary. I'm allergic too so I can't go if they allow dogs in.

I'd rather share a cafe with a well-behaved dog lying quietly under the table than an annoying shrieking toddler running around!

I loathe it! It shouldn't be allowed!!! 😡

It's totally demeaning. Your dog wants to be a wolf not a baby ffs.

Other people’s dogs, other people’s children… there are elements in common 🤣

All dogs smell, some* *folk just don't mind it or are oblivious to it.

I’m a dog owner and it’s never crossed my mind to take my dog into a shop or cafe. And yes I probably would avoid these places that allow them in where possible. As with a lot of things these days, it’s all to post on social media so they can show what a “good” dog mum (or dad) they are (not in all cases). But I agree with others, it’s on the businesses for allowing it. Obviously doesn’t apply to guide dogs etc.

@fatphalange

The dog 'buggies' are not used in the same way human buggies are. If you see a dog in a buggies, their is a 99% chance that they have a mobility problem that means that they can't walk far any more. But they still enjoy going outside for some stimulation, going to their favourite places, different sights, smells sounds etc, getting out to walk for a little bit here and there. It is a lot better rfor them than sitting in a dog bed in the living room all day every day.

I had a lovely friendly dog in the 90's and I would never have taken him in a cafe or shop.
I like dogs, but the whole 'take them everywhere' thing has got totally out of hand.

I take mine in dog friendly cafes when out on walks. Nothing wrong with that, and these cafes would close down if they banned dogs as very few families now go on walks ( prefer to stay home on devices). The one I go in near a large woodland walk is full of dogs and owners on a weekend, so it would silly of them to ban dogs or they’d get no customers. As far as actual shops, I agree probably not appropriate to take dogs in. But I have to be honest here and say I never see that. I go shopping every weekend at either my local large shopping mall, or city centre (Leeds) and never come across this.

Anyone thinking dogs are treated like children need to report themselves to social services. Popping into Costa with a dog should not be your childcare benchmark.

I have just read a post on a woman's group on facebook about a lady who has an extreme fear of dogs and was looking for suggestions as to where she could walk locally without dogs being off lead. The main consensus of the comments are people telling the poster to get counselling and therapy?! Wtaf! She walks in areas where dogs should be on a lead and they aren't and it's her problem? The world has gone mad.

I have a dog btw and I wouldn't subject to him being shoved under a table while I ate my dinner/lunch. It's not fair on him, he'd rather be a home in his bed. So OP, yes I would refuse to visit dog friendly establishments. My dog shakes and there are hairs everywhere. I don't want that in my food.

@PyreneanAubrie

My dog wants to be a domestic wolf (which is what she is). This means that she gets to spend loads of time running around on the mountains where her wolf ancestors once roamed before getting a dog treat off and a cuddle off her favourite waitress in her regular dog friendly cafe while her mum has a coffee. Before going home to her nice warm house and curling up on her soft doggy bed.

Wait didn’t we have this thread a few days ago?

Oh I know that's what they are supposed to be for. But I'm talking about in shopping centres. If I never used to notice it and now I do that's because it's happening more. People are strolling around the shops with them.

And the day before that, and the day before that and then last week and a few last month......

I'm with you OP. I'm not allergic but I do wonder how people with dog allergies or people who are really afraid of dogs cope with them being in shops and cafes.

@Buttermints

Whereabouts are you? I don't want to list every dog free place in the lake district, it would take too long.

@WhereAreWeNow

Hopefully someone with a dog phobia would have the sense to go to one that doesn't allow dogs

I give soooo much custom to those few shops that allow me in with my beautifully-mannered pooch. It's probably me you're seeing again and again, OP.

Dogphobic types should have some therapy. I did the spider course; it was brilliant and I no longer scream like a maniac and drive off the road off a tiny money spider appears on my windscreen. How would dogphobes ever go to the beach or the park? What a crap life

Can you please share the names of all the places in the Lake District that don't take dogs?
I'm going there soon and will make it my priority to visit these establishments.

If anyone else has any names of dog free places in the lakes (cafes, b&b's, guest houses) I would be very grateful!

Thanks