Taking a child scared of dogs into a dog friendly coffee shop

[KimberleyClark]

DH and went to a local dog friendly coffee shop this afternoon with our neighbour’s two dogs, a golden retriever and a terrier cross who are staying with us for a few days while their owner is away. At a nearby table there was a father with his little girl of five or six who was obviously very scared of the dogs, who are both sweet natured and were just minding their own business and not wandering about or anything. When we got up to leave the little girl ran away into a corner. I suppose he might have been trying to acclimatise her, but if he was he wasn’t going the right way about it, having a chat with us, asking the dogs’ names etc might have been better. AIBU to think that if you know your child is that scared of dogs,a dog friendly cafe is not the best place to take them?

I don’t like dogs and don’t want them in a cafe or restaurant. Unfortunately I live in a very outdoorsy area where everywhere is dog and boot friendly. The local pub actually have their own dogs wandering around in the restaurant.

OP said both dogs were just minding their own business and not wandering about. So sat/laid down. How is that a problem?
Or are you so simple you don't realise that a pet can be well behaved too?

The vitriolic responses to the original post reminded me why I left this toxic forum in the first place. Why do you have to be so rude? Like all “social media” it’s an outlet for bad manners, not a discussion at all.
I got something similar when I first posted a few months ago and unsubscribed.
I’m off again. Have fun out there in cyberland.

I'm on your side. I don't have a dog but dogs make me happy so I love it when I see them out and about. Dogs are much nicer than most people.

Very dog friendly (and very well-behaved dog aware) cafe near me has a notice that says well behaved dogs are welcomed. Then has a list of accepted behaviours - dogs under the table, no dogs on chair, no eating off human crockery. Then an important line about excitability towards other dogs and people - basically 2 barks and you're out!

I think that is perfect. It sets really clear parameters that yappy, reactive dogs need to go somewhere without other dogs and kids.

Thst's really good - I've never seen that before.

That sounds reasonable. My best friend has two dogs, and one is a yappy monster. Yaps at everything. We met up in a dog friendly pub and her dog was yapping at the horse racing on the TV. I love my friend to bits but all she does is tell her dog to shut up, which obviously does not help at all.

Come to Sussex - very, very difficult to find somewhere that isn’t dog-friendly here.

I don’t actually mind dogs, but there is a lot of bad dog behaviour / entitled dog owner behaviour here as well. Not complaining about people taking dogs into the dog-friendly places, but letting them bark, putting them on furniture when the coffee shop explicitly says not to, taking them into the “no dog” section of the garden centre cafe because the dog doesn’t like other dogs…

Having said that, even if it’s dog-friendly I do not understand why people choose to take dogs into a busy shopping centre. That can’t be enjoyable for the dog.

As for the father in the OP, I think he was being unreasonable if there was an alternative cafe available. But in my local town centre, the choice would be dog-friendly cafe or no cafe at all.

Not your child. None of your business.

Why?
I had a beautiful goldie, he was so well behaved and gentle. Why on earth would it be taking the piss?
he is dead now, but I’m genuinely perplexed as to why you would think golden retrievers are difficult

Not just children. I’m terrified of dogs after one just walked up to me on the street and bit me. My daughter is too as she was with me. If the dog had bitten her instead it would have gotten her face.

I agree too many dog owners are irresponsible. Not all but enough not to trust them. On a beach recently a dog started chasing me, I’m running away terrified. Owner does nothing. I’m on a cycle path, cyclist in front cycles past a dog that jumps up at them and nearly knocks them off their bike. I wait back, the owner says come on it’s fine. I say the dog nearly knocked that cyclist off. I’m not moving until you get it under control. Eventually the owner held its collar. Further up the path a responsible owner had stood off the path and had her dog well under control so I thanked her profusely. I should add this path had signs that dogs should be on a lead.

From those incidents I’ve learned not to trust dogs or owners. I wouldn’t go into a cafe that allowed anything other than Guide dogs, which are well trained.

Same. A golden laying on the floor next to their owner vs a yappy terrier. Who is more well behaved?

It’s up to him what he does, not what I’d do, I can’t stand the smell of animal saliva.

That is an oddly specific hate. Animal saliva? I can't say I go out and can smell bird saliva, or fox saliva, or rat saliva.
I don't even smell my own dog's saliva unless I had it directly under my nose.
Humans are animals too.
What weird pastime do you have that has you huffing on all and every animal gob?

😂

Yup, A dog does not usually understand the phrase 'shut up'

Yeah, they think you are joining in, so bark even more.

I want to find a human friendly coffee shop.

That would be one that doesn't let animals in and spoil it for everyone else.

Though I suppose I could adjust and learn to jump up people, bark and rub my shitty arse on the seats.

Some kids are vile and do all the things you hate too.

In answer to the comment that dogs outside are fine : Usually that is true but I recently went to an outdoor concert where several barking dogs ruined my enjoyment of the music.Despite the dog owners receiving dirty looks from people nearby they were oblivious. How did they possibly think their dog would enjoy listening to amplified music with their sensitive ears?

Went on holiday to the Lake District recently - dogs EVERYWHERE ! All shops and cafes! Even the Thai and Indian restaurant. Where are you meant to to eat out if you have a child scared of dogs? Or maybe we just shouldn’t holiday in the Lake District (where DH family live).

UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT 🚨 - children are more important than your dog.

YABVU the Lakes are a very popular holiday destination for dog walkers. My best friend goes there 4 times each year as her soul dog's ashes are scattered there. It bring great meaning to her.
The canine £ means more than your dog hating rants.

And no, your child is not more important than my dog - to me.

YABVU the Lakes are a very popular holiday destination for dog walkers.

yes, I’m aware

My best friend goes there 4 times each year as her soul dog's ashes are scattered there. It bring great meaning to her.

soul dog?! I mean if it’s dead and scattered it’s not causing issues in cafes is it.

The canine £ means more than your dog hating rants.

I don’t hate dogs! I like them actually. I also wasnt ranting. You okay?

And no, your child is not more important than my dog - to me.

Human children are more important than animals in general. Soz. (And I’m saying this as a vegan).

soul dog?!
Look it up. I don't have the time or crayons to explain it to you.

Human children are more important than animals in general. Soz. (And I’m saying this as a vegan)

And look how well that is doing for mankind and the planet. When I am out with my dog, I don't care about your kids. Parent them yourself.

@YeOldeGreyhound you sound a bit unhinged to be honest. I don’t remember asking you (or your dog) to parent my children at any point!

And look how well that is doing for mankind and the planet.

What are you talking about?