To think dogs shouldn't be in pubs?

[Orangesinthebag]

Yesterday I went to the pub for an afternoon NY Eve drink and couldn't believe the number of people who brought their dog (sometimes two dogs!) with them.

Why is this such a thing now? Can't dogs be left alone any more?
A couple of the dogs were growling at each other and owners were having to drag them apart.
It happens all the time these days - pubs, cafes, restaurants, shops but only a few years ago it would have been so weird and only guide dogs were allowed into places, especially places serving food.

I love dogs but I know several people who are scared of them & find it difficult to have to encounter them everywhere these days.

Is it unreasonable to think dogs should be kept at home?

(Sorry could add a poll for some reason)

My parents dog is very anxious and they take it with them to pubs, cafes etc. Tbf it's very well behaved and just lies on his blanket.

I haven't ever taken my dogs to pubs and cafes myself. Unfortunately it means they aren't used to the environment so now they wouldn't be able to go. I don't think they would sit still and would find it overwhelming. They would want to say hi to everyone 🙈.

On the upside they are fine being left at home.

All dogs are different and very complex. I don't think people should take unfriendly dogs to pubs and cafes etc. I don't mind them being in the environment if they are friendly and sociable.

But dogs have always been welcome in pubs. Why does that have to change to suit a moaning few?
My only problem is people taking unsuitable dogs out to pubs. Snappy or smelly ones for example. I wouldn’t take all of my dogs but the majority are lovely pub dogs and if I’ve only got one with me and we’re on a walk then I’ll usually pop in for a drink and some crisps.

Pubs have been dog friendly for generations, so dogs in a pub isn’t a surprise, if you don’t like dogs you need to choose pubs that don’t let dogs in.

Pubs, cafes, restaurants there is nowhere dog free now. I don't know why people can't leave their dog at home when going out for a meal. It's unhygenic if nothing else.
A cafe I used to go to has often more dogs than people. You will have dogs at the table in front and behind. Last time I went there were two dogs at the next table that barked throughout the hour we were there.

YANBU - dogs are a darned nuisance in eating places. If every owner kept their dog under control and off the tables (yes the other day there was one scrabbling around on the table!) then it might be different - but they don't. Of course dogs are animals and pubs/cafes etc. are an alien environment for them so it is not entirely fair on them either.

I was in one pub where there was a vicious breed that the owner could barely hold - every time anyone tried to get to the toilet they had to go past it and its hackles would rise and it would growl with bared teeth and strain at its leash and the owner would be struggling to keep it away from the other customers.

No - just no. Say no to them all then the vicious ill-behaved ones are definitely covered.

Dogs have been allowed in country pubs forever, but there does seem to have been a rise in not well trained / badly behaved dogs, which I don’t particularly like sharing space with.

YANBU to object to this

A couple of the dogs were growling at each other and owners were having to drag them apart.

one or both of the owners should have left and taken their dog(s) home if they can’t behave around other dogs

Dogs have always been allowed in pubs.

No they haven’t (family of publicans and first started working in them myself 35 years ago)

YANBU op. And I say that as a dog owner and dog lover. The new breed of owners who can’t leave their dogs at home for an hour baffle me. They even drive them to the retail park to take them shopping, just why? Baffling.

We have a local pub that bans kids but welcomes dogs.

I agree.

The issue is that some people don't seem to realise if their dog may be one of the unsuitable ones.

Yabvu

They are family members. Sounds like the issue here is badly trained ones - that applies to arsehole parents who let their kids run wild too. Problem is with the owners

Far better than children in pubs.

YABU as most pubs have always allowed dogs in. We are taking our dog for a walk this morning and plan to stop in a pub for lunch. He's well behaved and will sit under our table.

Our favourite pub allows dogs in the bar area but not in the restaurant part which seems fair enough.

If we're just going out for a meal we leave the dog behind. However, we don't leave him alone on November 05th or on NYE as he is terrified of the fireworks. We don't go to pubs and restaurants on NYE but wouldn't blame a dog owner for taking their dog with them.

I disagree that it's a new thing really. Due to circumstances I haven't been in a position to have a dog over the last decade but back when I did it wasn't unusual to find pubs and cafes that welcomed them in. The difference now is the amount of people who have them since Covid and because it's become a statement for a lot of people, and because so many people take them everywhere, regardless of necessity or suitability.

I only took my dog in places like that when we were on holiday or on a big day trip, and if he hadn't been laid back I wouldn't have even done that. Now people won't seem to leave them for a couple of hours to go to the local and don't seem to bother about training.

I love dogs and seeing them out and about now I can't have my own but if they're stressed and growling they don't want to be there and shouldn't be.

Dogs have pretty much always been allowed in pubs.

The issue is that some people don't seem to realise if their dog may be one of the unsuitable ones.

Ding, ding, ding

Couldn't agree more! Parents who hiring them along and ignore them whilst they get hammered - the worst

The dads who have their kids for weekend and spend it all down the pub. Poor kids

Yes I hate it
Stinky smelly dirty dogs

I imagine people might bring their dogs out on NYE because of fireworks maybe.

YABU, although I personally wouldn't take my dog out on NYE as she would hate it.

I'm allergic and live in a rural area that welcomes dogs everywhere. People get very aggressive and downright rude about the rights of dogs to be allowed everywhere.
I don't eat out now as I can't last a whole meal before my throat swelling or my eyes streaming.
I don't know why there can't be a non dog area in restaurants and cafes. Surely that would be catering to everyone rather than a blanket "dogs should be everywhere and if you don't agree then fuck you" approach!

Lots of owners will have wanted to keep their dogs with them while there’s fireworks around. Pubs usually find it’s good for business to allow dogs. They are not there to cater to people’s irrational fears.

Far better than children in pubs.

Why is it always a comparison to children? Why not adults? Many can’t behave appropriately in a pub…

But your issue is clearly with dogs as a whole so you’re probably not capable of having a level discussion on the suitability of them being in a public place or not? If we replaced this thread topic with ‘children in pubs’ and all I had to contribute was ‘stinky snotty little brats’ then my post would be quite pointless.

The problem is that everyone seems to have a dog these days and a lot of them are quite mental. When it was like one old guy and his labrador sat in a corner it was fine. We've got friends that got a lockdown puppy and the bugger chases other dogs, eats stuff off the table and they can't recall him. I never want to go to the pub with that eejit!

I think it depends on the pub and the circumstances. It has been very common for dogs to be allowed into pubs during my lifetime. I would take my dog to a country pub on a general day after a walk, but probably not when it is heaving on New Year's Eve.

As a dog owner, I do agree that it seems to have become a thing to take dogs everywhere, which i don't necessarily agree with. There is a time and a place for them. I wouldn't dream of taking mine to M&S.