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

YANBU Op.

I hate dogs. They are unhygienic and I am allergic - they make me feel extremely unwell. It’s infuriating that they are everywhere nowadays and you absolutely CAN ask the owner to keep it away from you and your DC - why wouldn’t you?

Or just leave them at home! There is really no need for them to be with you at all

" I’ve never seen dogs off leads randomly roaming cafes"

Unfortunately others have - see comments on this thread.

This is such a wild take to make on a parenting forum!

If you bother to ask, actually a lot of people DO mind but they don’t say anything because they don’t want the confrontation. The sort of person who thinks their dog should be everywhere is usually bullish and unafraid of said confrontation. Thus the dog owner gets their way and everyone else just has to tolerate it.

The ones with the well-behaved dogs sitting under the table of course do not attract the same attention

I agree. I don't think dogs should be allowed in cafes/restaurants, but the other day we were in a cafe for about half an hour when the woman on the next table got up and left with a small type labrador at heel. I had no idea the dog was there as I don't have an allergy.

Trouble is, this is a rarity. So many untrained dogs around now.

My local Sainsbury's always has people walking or carrying their dogs - and I'm not talking about assistance dogs.

It's one of the main reasons I always wash my fruit/veg as I'm fed up of seeing dogs sniff the items.

Yes, I take mine out all the time too.

And yes, they do have a smell even if you think they don’t

So true. Not one of my dog owning friends realise how bad their dog smells.

Oh I forgot to add I saw somebody try to bring two dogs into the butchers the other day - the butchers! People are usually so startled by the complete inappropriateness of the behaviour that no one says anything so then the dog owner thinks it is okay. A bit like people confidently walking into Sainsburys with a dog as though it is allowed to be there (like guide dogs) when it is in fact nothing or the sort. But by the time anyone has processed what is happening, it is too late

The butchers in a village near us has a window he opens so that people passing by on their horses can stop to collect their meat order. You often see a horse with its head at the window. A lovely part of country life.

And dog attacks are increasing beyond that which can be explained by the increase in dogs post pandemic!

That’s entirely different though

Real assistance dogs though for real disabilities. None of this emotional support animal nonsense please

Mega rant tw [if you are a fur mum]😡...
For the best part dogs and their fucking over indulgent 'it's my baby' owners can fuck off to the other side of fuck then fuck off some more to the distant universe of fuckdom.
Dogs are okay but it's the stupid owners who don't train or clear up after their animals. I don't want your dog sniffing, touching or licking me. It's not cute, it might be friendly but I'm not if this happens and I have a dog 'forced' onto me.
I will tell you to fuck off, don't be offended, don't care if you are, but I'm telling you what a lot of people think. Yes, I'm a nasty person, don't care, I love animals just dislike twee idiotic dog people.
That feels good..and breathe...😁

They do, i won't use a cafe that allows dogs and many others on this thread alone have said they won't use them either. There are fewer dog owners than there are non dog owners.

My town is a touristy sort of place by the sea. There are a LOT of dogs. It's dog owners who stop for a coffee or lunch day in day out when walking their dog who keep the cafes and pubs near me open in the shoulder months and winter.

We also have a Butlins and a Spoons so visitors who don't like dogs can stay/drink/eat away from dogs.

A balance is possible.

I will tell you to fuck off, don't be offended, don't care if you are, but I'm telling you what a lot of people think. Yes, I'm a nasty person, don't care, I love animals just dislike twee idiotic dog people

Was walking in our local park last week with my one year old gc in a buggy. An
off lead Spaniel type dog came bounding over and attempted to sniff in the pram. I got between the dog and my gc and called to the owner "Can you call your dog please?" "He just wants to say hello" she replies.

So I said "Well we don't want to say hello could you get it away"
She: "I hate people like you"
She had to physically come and remove the dog by its collar.
I said nothing. For some absurd reason, as she walked away she then said "There's no need to be so aggressive"!

Me: "Well you're the one who's shouting"
I mean, was she so hurt that I rejected the friendship of her dog!!??

Exactly.

The point most posters are missing is that businesses are not allowing dogs out of the goodness of their hearts or to piss off dog haters. They are doing it for the simple reason that it generates them a profit and allows their business to stay afloat during quieter months.

Someone mentioned humans spend money and dogs don't, therefore humna children (who also don't spend money) shoul have priority, but completely missed the point that humans spend money on their dogs while visiting these places, hence why most of them have a dog menu or dog treats behind the bar and why Starbucks sells drinks for dogs and every ice cream shop in the Lakes sells doggy ice cream.

I wouldn't visit a cafe that doesn't allow my dog, not because I can't bear to leave him at home, but because I don't visit cafes in general unless it's cold or wet and I'm out with the dogs. The cafe in our local park is always full of dog owners sipping hot drinks on wet, cold days.

Those complaining about dogs would be complaining just as loudly if their locals started closing down and large swathes of their local population were suddenly unemployed, not to mention the impact it would have on places like Whitby, the Lakes, etc., where the dog owners are literally a lifeline to local businesses during the winter.

The problem for me isn’t the animals, it’s the owners who don’t have control of them.

But more dog owners using cafes because they’re out several times every day walking dogs hence cafe owners wanting them. They’re not putting doggy friendly signs, water bows and treats out just because. It’s to lure dog owners away from competition as they know they bring good custom.

Real disabilities do need emotional support dogs.

Can we tell loud, sticky fingered, mess trailing space invading kids to f*k off too or should we all just be a little more polite and tolerant?

I really hate the whole ‘dogs are better than kids’ brigade. Parents can’t leave babies and children at home when they go shopping/cafe/out in general. It’s literally neglect and punishable by law. Dogs owners don’t have to take their dogs with them.

Okay so let’s assume you need an emotional support dog for your “anxiety”. Why should your emotional needs trump the emotional needs of someone who is frightened of dogs, or has trauma from a dog attack. It’s a sop in my opinion, an excuse to bring an animal everywhere under the guise of “mental health”. You can just buy a vest on Amazon and pretend - there is no license, no checking or procedures in place so I am forced to assume they are all fake

Yes I'm not sure where the fear comes from really as he hasn't had a bad experience. He just gets frightened that they're going to bark or jump up at him. I even did doggy walking volunteering and brought him with me to get used to it a bit. Not much has helped, although I do like to take him to dog free areas so he doesn't have to feel on edge all the time.