Page 20 | I’ve joined the “why are there dogs everywhere” Club

BananaBum · 2025-08-31T17:51:12+00:00

I’ll start things off by saying I have a dog myself and normally scoff at all the people rolling their eyes over dogs in pubs and cafes. Can even forgive younger, less well behaved dogs because they have to learn and be exposed to different situations. HOWEVER Today I went to get in a lift in John Lewis with my DC and a woman with a pushchair and TWO massive labradors asked if I wouldn’t mind waiting because one of her dogs were nervous about being crowded. Why are you in John Lewis then? Is it really necessary for the dogs to come out with you? Did they come in the car especially or do you live in town? how does it all work logistically? So many questions. And also just a bit annoyed I had to wait for the next lift

Newstartplease24 · 02/09/2025 19:54

I find it very irritating that when a badly trained dog bounds up to me and licks me or puts its paws on me and I remain neutral, I sometimes get abuse as if I have gone out of my way to insult a human. I don’t want the dog to touch me and I often put my hands out of reach and stay still, not offering encouraging body language to try to limit the encounter. When I do this people sometimes behave very angrily. They should be grateful it’s neutral rather than unfriendly: their dogs should be better trained. Imagine if a woman were out with her husband and he ran up to you and licked you and pawed you. If you didn’t pat him on the head she wouldn’t be going “for fucks sake he’s only being friendly you mardy bitch”.

Daygloboo · 02/09/2025 19:56

Newstartplease24 · 02/09/2025 19:54

I find it very irritating that when a badly trained dog bounds up to me and licks me or puts its paws on me and I remain neutral, I sometimes get abuse as if I have gone out of my way to insult a human. I don’t want the dog to touch me and I often put my hands out of reach and stay still, not offering encouraging body language to try to limit the encounter. When I do this people sometimes behave very angrily. They should be grateful it’s neutral rather than unfriendly: their dogs should be better trained. Imagine if a woman were out with her husband and he ran up to you and licked you and pawed you. If you didn’t pat him on the head she wouldn’t be going “for fucks sake he’s only being friendly you mardy bitch”.

Ooo err

YeOldeGreyhound · 02/09/2025 19:56

Newstartplease24 · 02/09/2025 19:54

I find it very irritating that when a badly trained dog bounds up to me and licks me or puts its paws on me and I remain neutral, I sometimes get abuse as if I have gone out of my way to insult a human. I don’t want the dog to touch me and I often put my hands out of reach and stay still, not offering encouraging body language to try to limit the encounter. When I do this people sometimes behave very angrily. They should be grateful it’s neutral rather than unfriendly: their dogs should be better trained. Imagine if a woman were out with her husband and he ran up to you and licked you and pawed you. If you didn’t pat him on the head she wouldn’t be going “for fucks sake he’s only being friendly you mardy bitch”.

I have had this happen to me, but it has always been with puppies. They are still learning, so I give them some leeway on that.

thebabayaga · 02/09/2025 23:37

Newstartplease24 · 02/09/2025 19:54

I find it very irritating that when a badly trained dog bounds up to me and licks me or puts its paws on me and I remain neutral, I sometimes get abuse as if I have gone out of my way to insult a human. I don’t want the dog to touch me and I often put my hands out of reach and stay still, not offering encouraging body language to try to limit the encounter. When I do this people sometimes behave very angrily. They should be grateful it’s neutral rather than unfriendly: their dogs should be better trained. Imagine if a woman were out with her husband and he ran up to you and licked you and pawed you. If you didn’t pat him on the head she wouldn’t be going “for fucks sake he’s only being friendly you mardy bitch”.

Unrelated, these days I carry deep heat spray around with me. I have a bad back.

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 01:47

OonaStubbs · 02/09/2025 19:33

I don't think banning dogs from being out in public is likely to happen, but banning them from eateries and shops has a lot of public support.

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Not enough to make it an attractive commercial choice for many businesses though.

thebabayaga · 03/09/2025 02:24

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 01:47

Not enough to make it an attractive commercial choice for many businesses though.

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Based on "someone said this to me" 😅

Let's just go back to the way things have been forever and a day and see how that works out. Or we can keep pretending people tolerating dogs in shops is actually improving sales with zero stats and no proof at all 😅

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 03:52

thebabayaga · 03/09/2025 02:24

Based on "someone said this to me" 😅

Let's just go back to the way things have been forever and a day and see how that works out. Or we can keep pretending people tolerating dogs in shops is actually improving sales with zero stats and no proof at all 😅

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That’s the great thing about a market economy - we don’t need to pretend anything. Businesses can decide for themselves whether they allow dogs.

If you’re correct those that do will perform worse and will quickly change course, since the objective of any business is to make money.

But more likely, however, businesses that allow dogs recognise that it gains them more sales than it loses them which is why they made the decision in the first place,

thebabayaga · 03/09/2025 04:05

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 03:52

That’s the great thing about a market economy - we don’t need to pretend anything. Businesses can decide for themselves whether they allow dogs.

If you’re correct those that do will perform worse and will quickly change course, since the objective of any business is to make money.

But more likely, however, businesses that allow dogs recognise that it gains them more sales than it loses them which is why they made the decision in the first place,

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Nope, I was responding to your silly, fact free assertion based on "that guy down the pub told me" that being welcoming to humans and not dogs is not enough to make it commercially attractive to businesses though.

As you are aware, businesses will pander to what appears to be the latest fad in order to remain uncontroversial, and at the moment the barking mad seem to be in control - they're definitely not in the majority however and soon enough things will swing back to the absolutely normal way it always was - no dogs allowed in most places. It's already being seen regularly all over - people are sick of the dog mad silliness that was most probably engendered by lockdown.

When the pawsitively loony have to leave their dogs home again they'll get used to it again easily enough.

And in fact, many thousands of businesses have remained dog free, and, as can be seen by their continued success, that's no issue at all:)

Silly fads like this never last, the pushback has already started and it won't affect commercial businesses at all. We're already seeing the return to normality - which is great :)

CoffeePlse · 03/09/2025 04:37

Yep, recent convert here. The thing that did it for me was a visit to Cotswold Wildlife Park (an actual zoo) where dogs were barking at the animals, each other, and a large bully type young dog lunging at things near little children. Absolutely disgusting that this is allowed.

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 08:00

thebabayaga · 03/09/2025 04:05

Nope, I was responding to your silly, fact free assertion based on "that guy down the pub told me" that being welcoming to humans and not dogs is not enough to make it commercially attractive to businesses though.

As you are aware, businesses will pander to what appears to be the latest fad in order to remain uncontroversial, and at the moment the barking mad seem to be in control - they're definitely not in the majority however and soon enough things will swing back to the absolutely normal way it always was - no dogs allowed in most places. It's already being seen regularly all over - people are sick of the dog mad silliness that was most probably engendered by lockdown.

When the pawsitively loony have to leave their dogs home again they'll get used to it again easily enough.

And in fact, many thousands of businesses have remained dog free, and, as can be seen by their continued success, that's no issue at all:)

Silly fads like this never last, the pushback has already started and it won't affect commercial businesses at all. We're already seeing the return to normality - which is great :)

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Nobody told me anything. It is self evident that most businesses will do what gets them the most revenue and profit.

Those that allow dogs have concluded that that means allowing dogs. I suspect because the way we shop has changed - fewer day or hours long shopping trips and more popping in to pick something up or try something on when it’s convenient.

So there’s nothing in this that is hearsay - it is a simple fact that if a business allows dogs it will be because they conclude that it is good for their bottom line to do so.

As you say plenty of businesses have taken the opposite decision so those who don’t like it can just go to those shops/bars/cafes. That’s how the market is supposed to work.

lemonraspberry · 03/09/2025 23:07

Newstartplease24 · 02/09/2025 19:54

I find it very irritating that when a badly trained dog bounds up to me and licks me or puts its paws on me and I remain neutral, I sometimes get abuse as if I have gone out of my way to insult a human. I don’t want the dog to touch me and I often put my hands out of reach and stay still, not offering encouraging body language to try to limit the encounter. When I do this people sometimes behave very angrily. They should be grateful it’s neutral rather than unfriendly: their dogs should be better trained. Imagine if a woman were out with her husband and he ran up to you and licked you and pawed you. If you didn’t pat him on the head she wouldn’t be going “for fucks sake he’s only being friendly you mardy bitch”.

I have had the same when a dog bounds up and jumps all over you. The owner thinks it funny. I have got to the point I just yell no (sometimes just a fuck off) very firmly a few times at the dog and a well time lift of the knee stops it actually jumping up and landing on you. Dogs usually gets the message and backs off.

A dogs manners are usually an accurate reflection of the owners, who I don't both talking as they are usually just a bit clueless.

thebabayaga · 04/09/2025 00:42

PlanetJanette · 03/09/2025 08:00

Nobody told me anything. It is self evident that most businesses will do what gets them the most revenue and profit.

Those that allow dogs have concluded that that means allowing dogs. I suspect because the way we shop has changed - fewer day or hours long shopping trips and more popping in to pick something up or try something on when it’s convenient.

So there’s nothing in this that is hearsay - it is a simple fact that if a business allows dogs it will be because they conclude that it is good for their bottom line to do so.

As you say plenty of businesses have taken the opposite decision so those who don’t like it can just go to those shops/bars/cafes. That’s how the market is supposed to work.

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So anyway, yep, things are returning to normal, businesses who joined in the fad are realising it's not a necessity or even wanted by most, and of course loads of businesses were always free of dogs and no downturn will be seen since the vast majority don't want people's dogs in every place humans are.

It's great we are already returning to normal and dogs are now being put back in their doggy place while the barking mad owners (a mouthy minority) are reigned in :) Hip hip hooray :)👏👏👏

YeOldeGreyhound · 04/09/2025 00:44

thebabayaga · 04/09/2025 00:42

So anyway, yep, things are returning to normal, businesses who joined in the fad are realising it's not a necessity or even wanted by most, and of course loads of businesses were always free of dogs and no downturn will be seen since the vast majority don't want people's dogs in every place humans are.

It's great we are already returning to normal and dogs are now being put back in their doggy place while the barking mad owners (a mouthy minority) are reigned in :) Hip hip hooray :)👏👏👏

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What are you on about? All I have seen is more shops etc allowing dogs. The trend is not reversing at all.

CoffeeCantata · 04/09/2025 07:14

There’s nothing wrong with a well-trained, well-supervised dog in the right place (usually outdoors). But oh, the ones off leads which I’ve seen run up to people and jump, or actually trip them (saw this with a jogger who crashed on to his knees when a Bichon Frisee ran at him - he was rightly furious with the owner, who couldn’t understand his anger because her dog was ‘just being friendly). I’ve had a big do run at me on a walk, jump, knock me over and leave mud all over my clothes. The owner laughed and tried to make out I was weird to be put out!

The key to happiness all round is for dog owners to keep them under close control around other people and to grasp the fact that not everyone is a dog-lover. This would solve 80% of the issues.

PlanetJanette · 04/09/2025 08:01

thebabayaga · 04/09/2025 00:42

So anyway, yep, things are returning to normal, businesses who joined in the fad are realising it's not a necessity or even wanted by most, and of course loads of businesses were always free of dogs and no downturn will be seen since the vast majority don't want people's dogs in every place humans are.

It's great we are already returning to normal and dogs are now being put back in their doggy place while the barking mad owners (a mouthy minority) are reigned in :) Hip hip hooray :)👏👏👏

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And yet we have hundreds of posts complaining about too many places becoming dog friendly. But whatever brings you comfort.

PlanetJanette · 04/09/2025 08:04

CoffeeCantata · 04/09/2025 07:14

There’s nothing wrong with a well-trained, well-supervised dog in the right place (usually outdoors). But oh, the ones off leads which I’ve seen run up to people and jump, or actually trip them (saw this with a jogger who crashed on to his knees when a Bichon Frisee ran at him - he was rightly furious with the owner, who couldn’t understand his anger because her dog was ‘just being friendly). I’ve had a big do run at me on a walk, jump, knock me over and leave mud all over my clothes. The owner laughed and tried to make out I was weird to be put out!

The key to happiness all round is for dog owners to keep them under close control around other people and to grasp the fact that not everyone is a dog-lover. This would solve 80% of the issues.

I’m not so sure. There are still the ones who think a dog should never be off lead (even in a park and even if under control and well trained), that dogs should never be in pubs or cafes or shops etc.

For many it is nothing to do with behaviour or training.

Maybe it’s where I live but I just don’t recognise all these tales of people being accosted by dogs. It’s never happened to me and I’ve never seen it happen to others. Not saying it doesn’t happen - there are of course dogs with poor behaviour and owners unable to control them. I just don’t see it as being nearly as common as is made out here.

CoffeeCantata · 04/09/2025 08:22

PlanetJanette · 04/09/2025 08:04

I’m not so sure. There are still the ones who think a dog should never be off lead (even in a park and even if under control and well trained), that dogs should never be in pubs or cafes or shops etc.

For many it is nothing to do with behaviour or training.

Maybe it’s where I live but I just don’t recognise all these tales of people being accosted by dogs. It’s never happened to me and I’ve never seen it happen to others. Not saying it doesn’t happen - there are of course dogs with poor behaviour and owners unable to control them. I just don’t see it as being nearly as common as is made out here.

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I do live next to a very well-used water park and I see (minor) issues several times a week. But it depends on your perspective. I love waterfowl and you get off-lead dogs chasing and scaring them - which I think is awful, especially when they have young. But from the amused reactions I’ve seen from owners, this is OK! I once saw an altercation between a man with 3 off-lead terriers and an elderly gentleman who was standing near a swan (which was also quietly standing on the shore minding its own business. The dogs went way ahead of the owner, tried to attack the swan, nearly knocked the old chap over and all the owner had to say when he caught up was “Why are you encouraging dangerous birds?” He then accused this man of feeding the swan (which I knew he hadn’t) and telling him feeding wasn’t allowed (it is).

I saw this in detail and I got involved in defence of the elderly man, who was clearly frightened both by the dogs and the owner! I challenged his assertions and later found that a) there was no restriction on feeding waterfowl and b) all dogs should be on a lead.

i know - it’s the owners, not the dogs, but I guess this incident wouldn’t even register on some people’s radar for annoyingness.

bloodredfeaturewall · 04/09/2025 08:49

the poll results says it all.
just keep you dog at home sometimes

I’ve joined the “why are there dogs everywhere” Club

Aubrielle · 04/09/2025 09:19

bloodredfeaturewall · 04/09/2025 08:49

the poll results says it all.
just keep you dog at home sometimes

Unsurprising result to any of us who have lived with (and loved) dogs for a long time.

WilmaFlintstone38 · 04/09/2025 14:10

I just walked past a Costa Coffee with tables outside. I was shopping in two or three of the shops opposite and I could hear barking from more than one dog and just what sounded like very unpleasant canine interaction. When I went out, there was a couple at a table with a large shaggy black dog. No idea what breed sorry. It was going berserk at every single other dog that passed. I can't believe it's just decided to act like that today. These are the owners who really should leave the dog at home.

pixiedust79 · 04/09/2025 14:31

A man in a cafe once asked if he could take the empty chair from our table if we weren’t using it. I politely took all our coats off it and handed it to him only for him to offer it to his dog! In what world is it appropriate for a dog to be sat up on a chair in a cafe 🤯

Onleemoi · 04/09/2025 15:13

I don’t think your coats need their own chair either tbh.

pestowithwalnuts · 04/09/2025 15:29

Try visiting the Lake District..
There are dogs and dog shit everywhere

pixiedust79 · 04/09/2025 16:21

Onleemoi · 04/09/2025 15:13

I don’t think your coats need their own chair either tbh.

Did I suggest they did? 🙄

WhereIsMyJumper · 04/09/2025 16:35

Another dog owner and lover who thinks this is ridiculous. Any sensible person knows where dogs fit in and where they don’t - quiet country pub after a long walk? Yes - especially if outside. Quaint little cafe in the middle of a national park? Yes. John Fucking Lewis? No!!
It makes no sense and I really hope the owners don’t count that as their walk for the day.