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

[BananaBum]

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

been on holiday in norway and there dogs are not allowed in shops or restaurants. neither inside on ferries.
also mandatory to keep on a lead.

it was so, so nice.
still plenty of dogs about, but all on a lead.

Oh apologies, I completely agree with you then that dogs don’t belong in shops at all. My comment was largely for the “well the shops allow it so they are welcome” brigade - that even when they are allowed it is incumbent upon owners to use common sense

Dogs cannot be tied up outside anymore, because they get stolen. Sad but true fact.
I have never however taken any of my many dogs shoe shopping, mainly because they are dogs and they wouldn’t enjoy it. And neither would I!!

I think dogs in places will start tailing off around 2030. They’re pandemic purchases in the main. They go everywhere because new owners can’t bear the restrictions on their lifestyles that dog training and ownership entails. That plus “my feelings are the only truth that matters” attitudes = why we’re seeing dogs in fucking John Lewis.

On a cross channel ferry today and it had a Pet Lounge for dogs - that’s where they had to go. It was great because there were no dogs elsewhere but all the twat dog owners got a taste of their own medicine - any time anyone opened the door to the lounge all you could hear were dogs barking and snapping at each other.

I’m especially grumpy because they took out the Quiet Lounge to put in the Pet Lounge.

I have a 3lb chihuahua. I could (and on one occasion when my car broke down, have) stick her in my hoodie pocket, carry on with my day, and no one knew or noticed.

Was at the Edinburgh festival at the start of August. Was a warm day and the royal mile was heaving. And yet people thought that was a great day out for their dogs. In the noisey crowds etc.

not exactly a great day out for the dogs

I have a 110lb Pyrenean Mountain Dog puppy. Sadly my pockets aren't big enough...😁

Our dog has separation anxiety. We’ve tried so many things to make him happier being by himself and have sought professional advice but none of it has worked. So he does come out with us to cafes and restaurants and shops if he’s allowed in because leaving him alone in the house stresses him out. There are sometimes genuine reasons people take their dogs out with them. If it’s hot, we just stay at home with him. We wouldn’t take him to a busy crowded place when it was hot.

Pyreneans are glorious 🥰

We are plagued by a dog somewhere round here, that barks constantly. It’s very difficult to keep a diary to indicate to the authorities how tedious and annoying it is. The owner does not care about, or train the dog at all.

Obviously, the countryside, the seaside and parks etc, are places where dogs will be walked and that’s fine. I mind that people ignore signs that dogs should be on leads. The signs aren’t there for fun and it annoys me that their need for their dog to run free trumps the reasons for the instruction for them to be on a lead.

I assumed it was separation anxiety for some of them, especially the lockdown dogs that never got socialised.
I worked with a woman whose dog would howl if she went behind a tree on a walk. Literally cannot bear her to be out of sight.
But then, plenty of dogs are fine not to be dragged around all the time.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/aug/31/the-rise-of-dog-friendly-cinema-screenings-tim-dowling

So, I have always liked to see dogs in shops like JL and Liberty. BUT - if your dog is not cast-iron well behaved, able to cope with the stress of a busy environment and you are in control - like, nothing else to manage except your dog - then leave it home.

I have 2 dogs. I would not take both into a busy shop with me as I dont think I could be vigilant enough with 2 to keep track of.

There would have been two answers to this for her, and if I was feeling polite I wouldn't use the option that ends in 'off' 😂

Why do you think that your dog’s “separation anxiety” should be anyone else’s problem?

@Bluevelvetsofa have been to an NT property recently where people wilfully ignored the signs for having your dog on a lead and to an air show where people gleefully walked past the “no dogs” signs on parts of the beach and settled themselves down with their dogs.

I don’t know what it is about dog owners but they seem to think that having a dog makes them above common sense and clear rules and guidelines - I guess “their dog is different”

At least it’s not cats everywhere. That would be far worse

I recently went to Disneyworld and noticed more dogs there than usual. It was baking hot and seemed unnecessarily cruel to have a dog out in that heat.

As someone who totally doesn't know anything about dogs can I ask a naive question? If I got a dog, (assuming a suitable breed for that lifestyle) could I get up, take it for a walk for an hour or so, be in the house for like 2 hours, let it out for a wee, then go out and leave it for say 5 hours, then come back and walk it again? Or be pottering round the house,walk the dog at 6pm then go out till midnight?

I mean what does "you can't leave them for long" really mean? I wouldn't want to be constrained more than about that much, I reckon.

@BananaCaramel i don’t think my dog’s separation anxiety should be anyone else’s problem at all. I don’t want to leave my dog at home alone barking and howling and annoying the neighbours. So we take him with us if we can, he’s very quiet and well behaved and we keep him on the lead in places where he has to be on the lead. Or one of us stays at home with him if he can’t come with us. He’s happy in a dog friendly cafe or restaurant and just flops under the table.

We had my dad's funeral a couple of days ago which was a beautiful service at the crematorium in a lovely room. I started sneezing but couldn't think why. We had a family 'receiving line' afterwards to greet/thank those who had come - and someone had a dog with them! (I am allergic but it didn't occur to me that there would be a dog in a funeral room!) Not a service dog, just a pet spaniel that goes everywhere with them apparently.

I don't mind dogs, grew up with one and I often used to pet sit my sisters dogs, I also often spend time with my friend- when she's walking her dogs. They love their dogs and even they don't get why the dogs are allowed everywhere.

I'm in awe at how dog friendly the world seems to be becoming It's easy, when I'm with the dogs, but on the other hand, I can't stand seeing dogs in food places and certain shops i.e. shoe shops, clothes shops. They're not service dogs- just regular dogs and I think we're creating anxiety in the dogs and their owners too. With no consideration for those with allergies or phobias or those who just don't want to eat their food- near to a dog.

I was looking at a woman in John Lewis, thinking why have you come to try jackets on and brought your dog? It's just a bit odd, really.
There was one in Starbucks sitting on one of the sofas, which I thought was a bit much. Under the table is ok.
It's a bit of a furbaby phenomenon, as pp have said.

I don't know why anyone would think that's acceptable, really.

@CancelTheTableAlan
It depends on the dog. Some can be left for a few hours but others can't. But really they need far more commitment than that. There is no point having a dog if your lifestyle is not conducive to it and you aren't going to spend much time with it.

Yes, I that's a good point. People carry on with regular human activities, not considering if it's good to always have the dog with them. They do require a commitment.