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...

I love dogs (depends on the dog) but they don't belong inside coffee shops. Leave your dog outside and get a takeaway coffee or sit outside the coffee shop. Especially wet dogs or dogs that move away from their owners. Don't want dogs sniffing at me whilst I'm trying to eat or drink.

I like dogs (have one myself!) and despise the amount of dogs in coffee shops and restaurants! I don’t take mine, unless we can sit outside. I don’t think it’s that hygienic really

Is your house unhygienic then?

All you can do is vote with your feet. I will no longer book dog friendly accommodation. This limits where I can stay (every fucking holiday let in Norfolk bar one seems to welcome dogs fi) but the inconvenience is worth it to me. I don't shop in stores that allow dogs in. If enough people feel the way you do, things will change. If not, you'll have to put up or change what you do.

I’m sorry about your dog @LouH1981🙁 That must be tough for you.

I love my dog and he goes almost everywhere with us but I don't take him to coffee shops or any where else serving food and drinks, I would find that stressful. I'd rather relax, get takeaways and find a lovely space outdoors to go for a walk or sit in the car to enjoy them, with him instead.

I was eating lunch in my local cafe the other day and a man sat down at the table next to me and his dog jumped up to sit beside him on the bench, put his paws on the table and proceeded to lap water out of a takeaway cup, splashing droplets all over the table. Imagine being the next people to sit at that table, none the wiser!

Also recently had brunch in a city centre restaurant where two ladies sat opposite us had a small dog who continually yapped and then one of the ladies took the dog to the toilet with her!

I have zero problem with well behaved dogs sat under a table quietly after a country walk, but since when did it become socially acceptable to bring dogs shopping/city centre restaurants/evening meals?

Why would I do that if my dog is welcome inside the cafe?

I don't dislike dogs but they do not belong in a lot of places where people take them. Shopping centres, restaurants, pubs, cafes, doctors etc should be dog-free. Except for guide dogs of course.

They belong everywhere they’re allowed.

The people who claim they like dogs more than they like people are people who other people don't like either, so they have to resort to being best mates with a dog. Sad, really.

Vote with your feet and don't go. Let them know or give them a review. Buy a flask and take your own coffee out with you. We don't patronise any place that allows dogs, and I'm not even sure how it fits with hygiene regs for food places. Shop and Cafe owners are losing customers, with poor staff having to clean up piss and shit and products being ruined. Bit of an own l goal really,

This is a great example of the utter bonkers entitlement of dog owners!

We have a lot of micro brewery's near me and it seems like every other person brings their dog in.
Don't understand why they can't leave their dog at home for an hour

Why can't they tie their dog up outside the shop? Or leave it at home?

It wasn't that long ago that people used to let their dogs roam the streets during the day, like cats. I'm not advocating that but it's gone far too far the other way.

I’d never tie my dog up outside a shop where he could be stolen or let go by someone with bad intentions. I just wouldn’t stop at the shop.

Mind you, he’d be returned within minutes if someone stole him 😂

You want businesses to change how they run to suit your wants, yet you think people who take their dogs places they’re allowed to go are entitled? Makes no sense.

A restaurant near us has started allowing dogs in a certain section so we have had to stop going.

I genuinely don't understand though I thought people were popping into cafes with dogs as part of a day out after a nice walk. However the location is one you would never walk to (road with no footpath) so people are putting dogs into cars going for food and driving off again.

On way back from walks?
Plenty of people drive to and from more exciting walks or if they have a naff selection walkable to them

Again if vaguely near campsites, caravan sites or holiday homes, to cater for the high percentage of holiday accommodation that doesn't allow people to leave dogs unattended.

Nope sorry I still don't get it.
This restaurant is in a built up suburb no walks nearby.

I love dogs, but I'm really not keen on them in small coffee shops, especially when the owners think their pets are entitled to do whatever they want.

I feel sorry for the dogs, though, when I hear people saying that they took their dog out to a coffee shop (ie that was the entire trip). What dog wants to go to a coffee shop? They want to go to a beach, or the forest, or a big field where they can run about, not a coffee shop! It's the same when people tell me they got their baby designer clothes, or they had a babychino in Starbucks, or got their nails done - I mean, fine, whatever, but to the baby that means nothing!

I get what you mean OP. I am guilty of taking my dog into the local cafe but I have the opposite problem! He's a very friendly dog who likes to say hello, but I'm well aware not everyone likes this especially in a coffee shop so I make him lie down quietly beside me. However, because he's a good-looking dog (though I do say it myself) people come up to me and ask if they can say hello and make a fuss of him...it's lovely, but it gets him all excited when I'd just got him to lay there quietly 😂

I’ve always banged on about the importance of shopping in person - use it or lose it - but pretty much every single shop/cafe/restaurant in the town where I live seems happy to accommodate dogs these days, so I’ve pretty much stopped walking into town at the weekend. I do most of my shopping online, which isn’t what I want to do.

You’ve just hit the nail on the head. Humans who want to visit establishments where they serve human food must call ahead their visit to ensure that it won’t be rammed to the gunnels with dogs. Of course I understand that it’s a great business opportunity for the owner, but it doesn’t take away from the point that it affects a lot of people. A couple of years ago we visited an upmarket restaurant in Richmond, in the evening and lo and behold they then sat a woman and her dog next to our table even after we had made them aware of allegories and they confirmed that dogs were not allowed.

Something needs to be done about all these dogs.