Really don't like dogs being in virtually every cafe now

[Wishididntseemsogrumpy]

I know another one, and yes this is quite trivial really.

Last week we went to a gorgeous new cafe, sat down, and within a minute I realised a large dog had appeared and was licking dds outstretched hand (she was delighted of course) then we had to get up and go and wash before eating, only to see the dog licking her hands again. Argh. Then it turned around and was wagging it's tail into me (I'm unfortunately allergic to fur and would rather not have to have fur on my clothes) - we werent even that close to the other table. It's just so annoying and I know I can ask it's owners to keep it away from us but seems a bit cruel to the dog and I jolly well shouldn't have to, they should be keeping an eye themselves without me having to have an awkward chat. Manners are meant to make everyone feel comfortable and not force people into seeming unreasonable because they don't want to get involved with the animal.

Then this afternoon, different cafe, on my own this time and got the fright of my life when all of a sudden a dog snarled and snapped at a child a few tables away, who of course screamed and was very distressed, someone could have had a heart attack!

I am going to have to be more mindful of places which don't have dogs in future I think.

And I imagine I am probably going to be told I am being unreasonable. I just want a coffee in peace without slobbering or snarling dogs

Yes, they even serve drinks for dogs now. Not sure how credible that list was 🙃

Agree OP. I love dogs but not in cafes and shopping centres.
I don't mind them in old pubs. There is something nice about seeing an old man and his border collie having a drink in a country pub.
But otherwise, no.

One of my biggest pet peeves.
Dog lover, have 4 working dogs, but can't bear them around food and drink.
Mine are not sofa/bed/eat from the table/any other gross unhygienic habit dogs, so having other people's dogs barking/being fed scraps/sat on the furniture/being allowed to wander over/sprawled all over the floor in the way while I'm trying to carry a baby and highchair to my table etc just isn't for me.

Another good owner. That’s what I get from these threads. That decent and respectful owners exist.

I don't understand why dog owners have to bring their dogs everywhere with them. I love dogs and had the best girl growing up but I honestly don't remember ever bringing her into a cafe wirh us. She would have hated it and my parents wouldnt have wanted to disturb someones meal with a slobbering, smelly wet dog. We loved her but others wouldnt! We lived by the coast and she spent her time on the beach, in the woods, long coastal path walks. Whenever a new eaterie opens near me now the first questions I always see are 'are dogs welcome?'

The line for me was John Lewis.

Seriously, no dog wants to go to John Lewis. Why take the bloody thing?

Completely agree about cafes and restaurants. It’s all just too much now.

And I actually quite like dogs. I just think they have their place.

Ahh! Just this week sitting having a coffee in the pub grub place up the road, only there for 2.5 hours.
Dog 1 as I walked in barking at me, owner telling it to stop, pulling it away.
Dog 2 (different owner) allowing it to pull from its lead and come up while I was ordering my coffee at the bar.
Dog 3, owner letting it wander around the tables with the lead getting longer and longer and longer. It eventually was under our table sniffing around the floor with the owners oblivious.
Dog 4, in the actual exit doorway while the owner fed it treats, smiling and nodding at us as we tried to exit but couldn’t because the owner & dog were blocking the way. (HUGE massive fluffy dog, no idea of what it was)
Ive been to this place before and not seen dogs there so unpleasantly surprised by so many and so many encounters in such a short amount of time.
wont be going again.

Not on the west coast. I went to a Home Sense last time I was in Surrey, and I kid you not, there were more dogs than people there. And what about the free pupochinos Starbucks have for dogs (they even make them lactose free if your pooch is adverse to milk). Dogs are better catered for than people.

It’s a business decision. Don’t go if you don’t like dog friendly places. @Browningpersi get it but it’s a business decision by them that probably pays off .

Definitely not BU. I HATE it, and I can't wait for this trend to reverse. If I had oodles of cash I'd open cafes and restaurants everywhere and would explicitly ban dogs.

I’m a dog owner but don’t expect to take them into every place. Even if I went to a dog friendly space, I would prefer to be outside, nicer for them and less disruptive. I don’t want to be disturbed and am usually vigilant that we don’t disturb others. But then I am like that with kids too. I don’t want to be disturbed by screaming, bad behaviour etc but then I don’t let my kids misbehave or disturb others either.

”excuse me, can you move your dog?” That normally works.
i fucking hate dogs.

Love this! Absolutely cafés and restaurants are not charities; they rely on customers who keep the lights on, pay the bills, and support their staff and families. I really like how your local café explains it so kindly in that note, it’s transparent, thoughtful, and sets clear expectations.

Is there a single shred of evidence to show (1) the people who take their dogs to John Lewis wouldn’t have just gone to John Lewis without their dog if they weren’t allowed to bring it with them, and (2) that John Lewis’ in-store turnover has increased by permitting dogs?

It's in a large country park, right next to an adventure playground. I've seen a few FB posts slamming them for "allowing dogs in a children's cafe," which I assume is what triggered the need for the note.

I rarely go in during summer, mostly because I don't really enjoy cafes all that much, but a steaming cup of coffee after traipsing through mud and knee-deep puddles in the middle of storm whatever-his-name-is is always welcome. There is never anyone but dog walkers in there during winter. I doubt their business would survive without us.

Blue lighted = critical emergency, passenger in a very dangerous, time sensitive state

Ambulance without blue light = passenger quite unwell, but not necessarily in a critical or time sensitive state.

The attack was therefore extremely serious and potentially life limiting. Hence blue lighted.

I wouldn't want to see a dog in an enclosed place I'd specifically paid to relax in after such an frightening experience either.

Quite. I actively avoid John Lewis and any establishment that welcomes dogs, as much as I possibly can. I tell them this too.

I doubt anyone has the time or resources to collect scientific data on this, surely we have better things to do and bigger priorities. My view isn’t based on my own social circle, but on trends: dog and pet focused content on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and TV; the rise of dog-friendly cafés and restaurants; and the booming pet industry. The numbers may not be exact, but the direction is pretty clear.

Are they allowed in Sainsbury’s?

Why do you think they made the decision?

Just no. A cat does not belong in a restaurant, pub or cafe.

Well said.

John Lewis? Because their turnover is higher when allowing dogs in.

It was the point. They did their research like other businesses cafes do their analysis. Dog owners = revenue

Last week I was in Morrisons when I saw a man at the end of the aisle wearing a baby carrier. As he turned around, I could see that there was a dog in it. He was in the fridge areas and bending over into the fridges, that dog would’ve been practically hanging over the food. I tolerate dogs in the cafes, but I thought this was gross.
My town is very dog friendly, they are everywhere. I’ve seen them pee over the metal frames that Iceland wheel out in front of their shop containing briquettes and wood for fires. Always select from the back!