To be annoyed by the number if dogs in local coffeeshops

[Hocuspoc]

I really like dogs - sounds like I am a hypocrite here, but hear me out. I do, really, however...
I go to a local coffeeshop for 20 mins early morning before work and just want to enjoy a cup of coffee. Is it the time of day - don't know, but literally every table has at least one dog sitting still or barking or trying to walk around while the owner/walker is struggling. And this is a small space. I can always smell the animal next to me and not my coffee - there is a distinctive and not a pleasant smell.
Go to another place I hear you say - I try but it is the same in the few local coffee shops with decent coffee.
Once I tried politely asking a lady who joined my table just to steer her 2 huge dogs away from me, as one was waving his tail over my pastry brushing it in process - the looks I got, and also from the neighbouring table.
These places are dog friendly yes, but they are not dog only.
I apologise if I offend anyone here, I know very well they are a part of the family for all of their owners, and dogs actually like me, often try and squeeze in and sit on my feet or just next to me (maybe part of the issue here) and if I was on a bench in the park fine, but I am eating or drinking coffee and the smell is just offensive.
I don't know how other people feel - both dog owners (are you aware that this may be inconvenience for some people) and the rest who don't own...

Dogs everywhere is so annoying so I just stop going to such places. I make my own coffee now and save a fortune. Attempting to make bread this weekend. I don't want to try to relax surrounded by dogs. Also toddlers.

The fact that dog owners try and justify cafes/eateries full of dogs whilst people who have allergies are forced to go elsewhere is ridiculous. It’s disgusting and if the food is displayed on the side without coverings it’s even worse. The sense of entitlement from people who insist on having dogs in cafes is insane. Dog owners don’t realise this but the smell is unpleasant and their houses smell too, the smell of the dogs coats, drool type breeds, everything.

I wondered how long it would be until someone equated dogs in cafes with children in cafes 🙄

There's many reasons why dogs end up in coffee shops

In many areas the people that are out walking so are the passing trade for many shops, are out walking dogs. If people are out with a dog it's unlikely they will walk past, walk back home then comeback again so lots of places rely on them as a client group that "pops in" more than others. I worked in a cafe that happened to be on a morning route for dog walkers and they were some of our most reliable trade, they tend to have a routine and cafes want to become part of that routine

Combine that in some areas with a high level of holiday lets, camping sites etc where dogs aren't allowed to be left then there's lots of places where a high percentage of your passing trade will have dogs

Well don't go then. Vote with your feet (and your wallet) and if you are right then things will change as cafe owners start to feel the pinch. As it is, I suspect you are wrong... given the fact most of their morning trade seems to be dog owners and you are in the minority

I find the dog dislikers don’t want anything from these threads other than to tell dog owners they smell and no one likes them.

There are places to take dogs and places to avoid with them, and dogs to take to places and dogs who should be left at home.

Well mannered dogs in a rural pub, or a cafe in a park or near a popular walking route, perfect.

Ill-mannered dogs wagging their tails in your tea, big nope anywhere, but especially in a cramped cafe.

We take ours to the pub sometimes, usually when it's quiet, as part of a long walk. Otherwise, I don't want to be wrangling two high energy dogs while trying to eat a slice of cake.

I never can understand why people get so worked up over normal dog smell.

i have a well behaved, older, very calm Labrador. He’s a retired service dog, so very calm in shops, doesn’t beg for food or attention.
I often tie him up outside busy shops or shops where he’s not allowed. Mostly I can’t be bothered negotiating in a busy shop with him.

People go out of their way to tell me off, come inside and shout or wait outside til I come out and tell me: he will be stolen, he’s too hot, too cold, thirsty, scared, hungry, abandoned or unwell. Some people actually feed him whatever junk food they have been eating … because he’s so hungry!

Since Covid the world has gone dog-mad. Now everyone’s an expert, or a dog trainer, advocate or animal rights expert.

Being dog advocate and dog lover has become another virtue-signal - look how good I am! Look at me - I love fur-babies, I’m such a good person caring for all the street dogs in London. Post on insta myself pouting at the poor abandoned dog outside of M&S Food. .

Just F-off please.

Honestly, if I tied a child to a lamp post I would get less complaining.

I think there should be MORE dogs in local coffee shops. They are wonderful beasts and I prefer them to miserable humans.

This has to be the most frequently asked question on MN. It's even more boring than what makes someone middle-class posts.

Or those who get a kick out of telling people they smell. They say it with such relish. As if people are going to crumble because their dogs smell like dogs.

It's also worth saying that a lot of those things would really wind me up as a dog owner who does, shock horror, on ocassion take dogs to cafes

It's so frustrating to findout somewhere you deliberately researched as dog friendly, isn't set out for it. The lack of space being a big one, sometimes I've booked tables (with a dog) to find I'm on a tiny table in the middle with no space for a dog to be tucked away.

If there are dogs barking, pacing around etc it makes it much harder to settle your own dog/ means my time is more likely to be interupted

There's a difference between dog friendly and just accepts dogs when they shouldn't. It's similar to when places advertise as kid friendly but when i turn up with a baby don't have any baby change, high chairs etc. Just say if you aren't set up for it!

There are so many dogs around these days and a lot of the "newer" dog owners haven't trained their dogs how to behave.

I like dogs and have no problem with a well behaved dog sitting or lying quietly under the table. But went to nice pub lunch for my husband's birthday and it was full of dogs. I think we were the only dog free table. A lot of the dogs were pacing about, panting or yapping. One of the bigger dogs stood next to our table with its tail in the air so its bumhole was level with our food. Yuck.

I went to John Lewis the other day - so many dogs I was almost tripping over.

I also saw a woman at the supermarket with a dog in the trolley 😷 I love dogs but agree that they’re allowed in too many places these days!!

I think shop and food venues should have a sign at the door to say only assistance dogs are allowed, then I'll know which ones to use

For the people moaning about the fact that it’s yet another dog thread- surely this points out how widespread the problem is!
For the people saying “just go elsewhere then” I live in an area thats popular for holidays and quite honestly I struggle to find a coffee shop/pub that ISNT dog friendly

I agree. I love dogs and have one myself, but I never bring him to cafes, shops or restaurants. I don't understand why people have to treat dogs like babies all of a sudden. What joy does a dog even get from sitting under a coffee shop table 🤔?

And the answer to that is visiting a coffee shop with your dog 😉

There's many reasons why dogs end up in coffee shops

In many areas the people that are out walking so are the passing trade for many shops, are out walking dogs. If people are out with a dog it's unlikely they will walk past, walk back home then comeback again so lots of places rely on them as a client group that "pops in" more than others. I worked in a cafe that happened to be on a morning route for dog walkers and they were some of our most reliable trade, they tend to have a routine and cafes want to become part of that routine

Combine that in some areas with a high level of holiday lets, camping sites etc where dogs aren't allowed to be left then there's lots of places where a high percentage of your passing trade will have dogs

People have long been advised tying up their dogs outside places due to dog theft. I also don't leave my dog in the car alone.

If we are out on a walk and I need food, a hot drink (in this weather!) or to catch up with friends etc while I'm out then mine ends up coming with me

Mine has no objection to it, has been deliberately trained to do so comfortably since a pup and while probably doesn't get a massive level of joy out of it, would find it preferable to shorter walks/ being sat at home alone

Unless I'm in a holiday situation it's very rare I'd deliberately get my dog to take it to a restaurant etc but normally that we are already out.

You don't need to go to cafes where there are dogs - just like I avoid anywhere with screaming ill mannered children - and believe me, there's plenty of them

I'd much rather go to a dog friendly place than a child friendly place especially when their parents seem incapable of of parenting them

Many dogs smell.
It's their breath and coats.

Many dogs are completely untrained- I have a dog, but a small, clean, quiet one.

YANBU.

I go to a local dog friendly cafe a lot. Being dog friendly is their USB,they are partnered with the Guide Dogs charity and have a dog breed in their name. I’ve never seen badly behaved dogs in there.

A sharply barking dog is a complete ruiner of a peaceful cafe.

Complain. Complain. Complain. If you and enough others do so, the owners/managers might have a rethink.