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

Sorry @ticktickticktickBOOM but if I wait politely with my large dog for someone to pass with children or pram then yes, I do expect a thank you. We have just as much right to be there as they (or you) do. So I think you were rude not to say thanks.

Completely agree OP. The situation in John Lewis is beyond a joke. A dog licked DD there other week - absolutely vile. I’m mystified why anyone would want to drag a dog round a department store or why the department store thinks permitting non-assistance dogs is a good idea.

I’m far from a dog hater too - we don’t have one but I grew up with and loved family dogs.

Why can't people tie their dogs up outside shops anymore? It used to be commonplace.

I was very glad when I noticed that Tebay services (that middle class staple!) had many signs up the other day indicating the areas where dogs could and couldn't be. I actually saw staff members actually telling people they couldn't come into the food hall with dogs!

A likely controversial view of mine, but dogs seemed much, much happier to me in general when they weren't allowed anywhere and everywhere and it was expected that they'd stay at home and snooze for a few hours...

Same. Had a brochure through from Wren a couple of months back.
Says in it that dogs are allowed in the showrooms now.
Christ knows why you would need to take your dog with you to pick a new kitchen 🙈

When I first went to live in Australia, I was amazed to see how many dogs there are where I live and how they are catered for: a bowl of water outside many shops and all cafes. Common to see dogs with owners on outside seating at cafes. One even provides dog beds!

However, only one shop allows dogs in and that's Bunnings (Hammer Barn to all the Bluey fans) and then only if the dog can be carried in the trolley.

And that's it. As a dog owner I'm very glad indeed.

Dogs in the beautiful M&S Autograph shop in Battersea Power Station, what if one curled one out on the white porcelain tiles? 🤔

And my view on dogs in John Lewis was solidified when I saw one taking a pee right on the lowest shelf of knitting wool. Wrote them an email about that one!

Not to brag 😆 but my dog is a angel and probably would walk
round John Lewis with me however she’d think I was a right twat for making her do it.
Poor dogs ! All the noise, smells, people etc. stresses me out.
The walks are for her to have a nice time not help me choose a new kettle. Humans are strange

Went to a National Trust recently and there were massive dog turds all around the exquisite tudor knot garden. Some kind of pack meet had descended on the place, I cannot be bothered to detail the specifics but quite honestly they were an absolute spectacle. Hideous watching such a glorious place desecrated by such inane types and their creatures. These pack meets seem to be everywhere now, abominations the lot of them.

I'm not by any means a dog person but it's sad that dog owners don't consider the needs of their dogs. That sounds awful. Reminds me of how my anxiety gets triggered seeing very very young babies in certain environments.

@Sladuf1
You're spot on. I've had dogs for 48 years, never taken any of them to shops or cafes. It's a very modern trend that has worsened since Covid. The lockdown puppies with first time dog owners are having a very different upbringing than previous generations of dogs did. Only time will tell if all these changes are long term or not. If the number of posts on MN from people who regret getting a dog because it's too tying/not housetrained/reactive is anything to go by, then I think @jonthebatiste is probably correct and for many there won't be a second dog after lockdown pup dies.

Edinburgh festival the other week, 24 degrees no shade in George Square gardens yet the whole world had brought their dog with them. If you've ever been to the gardens in the festival you'll know how busy it is. Those dogs did not look happy, it was so hot crowded and noisy, plus it made it harder to move around the area as you were trying not to step on the dogs.

It's mainly because of theft. Dogs are seen as far more of a commodity these days. There are also more dog hating weirdoes around now that would create a fuss if your dog even looked at them.

People do still tie their dogs up outside our local Post Office but there is no way I would ever do it with mine.

Oh its everywhere here, every green space is a dog toilet by default, todays children don't get to play like we did. It's all about the dogs. I used to roam off the path in our local woods as a child but these days the hoardes of 'stick and flick' scummers have put paid to that and I have to keep my children on the path.

It was a small dog, and I didn't have a child or a pram. There was plenty of room.

I was at a show at George Square Gardens at 9pm one night and someone brought a dog in with them! A loud, musical show with loud, laughing crowds. To be fair to the dog, I was proven wrong and I didn’t hear a peep out of it, but why in earth was it there in the first place. Bizarre decision.

Slight side show but I have seen cats this summer on leads. One camping in Somerset, owners even took it to the toilet block and another on the beach at Weymouth. This cat wa sin the dog area of the beach! The owner was walking it it round the very confused dogs ans the put it in its cat carrier for the afternoon. The dogs were so confused. I was so worried it would be savaged when it was being walked as it was in the area where dogs are off the lead!

I've experienced more than my fair share of people getting offended and upset when I ask them nicely to move their dog away from my table because it's trying to get my food. It makes me want to send my 12 year old DD to their tables to info dump about Kpop demon hunters

I sat next to an older couple in our local gastropub who were having a meal and very obviously on a first date. He looked quite surprised that she’d brought her dog along. She told him that she couldn’t leave the dog at home because he was autistic. He queried whether autism existed in dogs but she was adamant that she understands autism as she was a primary school teacher and she is certain that her dog meets the criteria.

She also had the dog on her lap and when her food came she let it stand with its front paws on the table and eat off her plate. He left as soon as they’d finished eating. It was batshit behaviour. I doubt she got a second date.

I’m a huge dog lover, and I love my own dog to bits. However, I don’t need to see dogs out and about at every turn.

Tbf you can send her to my table anytime. K-pop demon hunters is EPIC

It’s very weird. I don’t think dogs enjoy going to any stores or museums or bars but it feels like some bonkers owners are making some sort of point.
We were at outdoor NT type place on Saturday and of course there were lots of dogs it was natural but city shops….

Worst experience with dogs being everywhere is when we went for a coffee and a cake at the cafe between the park and Donaldson’s Dairy. Never again. I’d rather a tiger came to tea.

I wish they'd write some more of those books where they create chaos at John Lewis or the cinema.

Not a fan of this trend. I think a lot of people get dogs because they struggle with human relationships, the problem is that some of them then expect the dog to act like a human companion and go shopping with them. I think it's cruel to get a dog and expect this of them, I'll never be convinced that noisy and crowded indoor places are suitable for dogs.