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

You don't do it, so all of my experiences are rubbish?

Ok then

Yes! I have many friends with dogs. Why would people trying to get on with a walk or a cup of tea want to stop and be fawned over by people they don’t know? It’s annoying.

That said I have noticed parents of young babies and toddlers who very much behave like they’re royalty and expecting a room full of love and adoration for their very irritating and noisy children. Don’t get me started on the loud parenting and iPads that seem to travel everywhere now too.

I just don’t understand it. Un/fortunately I live in a seaside town and it’s bunged with every type of dog imaginable. Their owners take them everywhere into cafes and pubs often for hours at a time the dogs can’t get anything out of this surely? Wouldn’t they rather be in a park or other green space? Luckily during the spring and summer dogs are not allowed onto the beaches.

Why should your emotional needs trump the emotional needs of someone who is frightened of dogs, or has trauma from a dog attack

Or has an allergy.

It's interesting to see the comparison. In my experience, it’s actually quite the opposite. Since Covid especially, many parents are very cautious. For example, you often see 'please don't touch' signs on prams to protect babies from germs.
On the flip side, many dog owners/the ones hoping for interaction will actively ask if you'd like to stroke their dog. I’ve rarely, if ever, had a parent ask me to come over and pet their baby! It’s a funny double standard in how we view public interactions.

Surely you realise that a seaside town attracts tourists, so a lot of those dog owners will be on holiday. They can't leave their dog alone in holiday accommodation.
They bring a lot of money to the cafes that allow dogs. They are also doing nothing wrong by being in a place that allows dogs.

Its down to the owners. Their cafe their choice and most would close without dog owners.

This is 100% true.

I've been going to a particular 'area' in Norfolk on holiday since about 2012? Maybe even before. Same area every year, several times a year. When I first started going, only one pub and one coffee shop/cafe allowed dogs (and that was outside) in the main town I go to. Now they all do. North Norfolk is very dog friendly, so if they don't allow dogs in they're doing themselves out of business. Only the ones that tried to stay 'no-dog' have shut-down.

But it's the same in my local town. The coffee shops/pubs/cafes doing the best trade are the ones that allow dogs - last year we had two that didn't allow dogs, now there's one as the other has closed down. Comparatively, there are about five that allow dogs and all are thriving and always have a queue whenever I'm in town.

Can we please get back to the actual topic of dog etiquette now? Does anyone have examples of cafes that get the balance right? Perhaps with designated dog-free zones or clear rules that work for everyone

I went into a cafe at a local tourist spot. There was a side room, off the main area, where dogs were allowed. The cafe was heaving with people, the only free table I could find was in the doggy room. We got sitting down with our coffee and a woman came in with her dog, looked around, spotted us and said "This is the area where people with dogs sit" and looked at us expectantly.

I mean, I won't relate the whole conversation, but she thought we ought to move and let her sit down with her dog, because we didn't have one.
I explained that I thought it was for any customer, but customers who had dogs were welcome to sit there as not allowed in main area.

If there'd been a free table in the other room I wouldn't be sitting there in the first place. I think I was pretty much being reasonable__

So what else have I got to check for that I don't know about? Monkeys, tigers, snakes?

Can't believe it! I've just been in Greggs and dogs were in there as well now! When did this happen?

Cafes are actively trying to attract customers with children - all the cafes around here have put in books and toys and some have even created dedicated corners/rooms just for children

I've also seen a couple of cafes advertising them as a venue for childrens' parties.

We had a buggy for our terrier when he was elderly for the same reasons. We sold it and had to buy another one when we had the puppies to socialise them.

We use it now for days out/holidays when it is hot. They're chihuahuas, so they're built for the heat, but it is nice to have a shaded pram with a cool mat ready for them when they look too hot, rather than having to leave them at home or wander around looking for a shady spot away from too many people.

Greggs is probably the ultimate test for any dog’s training! I’m with you there, I woupd find it a bit of a shock to see them in there while staring at the peach melbas (which imho have gone downhill now 😡) And to be fair, those sausage rolls are a bit of a culinary mystery these days anyway. Maybe the dog was just as confused by the smell as the rest of us! It’s certainly a world away from how high streets used to be.

There used to be man in our nearest park who would "walk" his snakes there. The children loved it. He always had a crowd around him wanting to interact with his snakes. Sadly, it was banned after some miserable git forgot they didn't have to walk near him if they didn't want to and put in a complaint about him. There were two paths that both led the same way. They complained just because they wanted to much like the dog complainers who could easily find a dog-free place but choose the dog-friendly ones instead.

So if a cafe is not 'dog friendly' what is the correct terminology.

Sorry pups, human only
people only friendly

😂

Another dog owner here who is fed up with it. It's not the dogs it's the owners.

are you really not able to debate the pros and cons about dogs without comparing to children?

There is a “big dog” and a “little dog” park, both adjacent to each other, close to where my sister lives. Lots of bins for dog poo to be picked up and deposited in. The dogs seem happy socialising with their other dog friends. Pet owners happy hanging out with, and chatting with, other kindred spirits who share a love for their furry, canine friends. Just a little further down is a dog-free play park for children. It’s a win-win situation for all. This only works, however, in places where you have lots of space. In the U.K, where everybody is already packed in like a can of sardines, and space is at a premium, this isn’t feasible. And what isn’t right is dogs in places where food is served or other public indoor places. Dogs don’t need to be hanging around gawping at home furnishings at Home Sense. They’re not going to buy them. Just leave them home.

Actually the point is that we can’t . They are allowed so many places now and often brought in even when they aren’t. And no, a Wetherspoons isn’t a like for like alternative.

Yes of course we can 100% agree with that. I'm polite and tolerant to a point but I will not put up with idiots and entitled people, they can always fuck off regardless 🙂
By the way you can say fuck on here, if it offends you that much why use the word in any shape or form?

Being elderly doesn't mean that it's in distress - just a bit on the slow side.

Now I'm getting really worried about the 'assisted death' bill being discussed in the Scottish parliament. I'm going to have to try to get my speed up...

Was in the (very good) Tebay services recently and they have a line painted on the floor in the foyer with "no dogs beyond this point".

There was also a sign saying it was a recent change in policy - clearly some/many owners cannot keep their precious animals under control around food and other people. Well done Tebay.

I have also noticed an increase in large (and new) No Dogs signs which I assume are a response to dog owners trying to bring them in to places where they aren’t welcome, or dogs being a PITA

There was also a sign saying it was a recent change in policy - clearly some/many owners cannot keep their precious animals under control around food and other people. Well done Tebay

Gloucester Services - same. No dogs past foyer.

I think it's the same people who own both Gloucester and Tebay. Both of which are always rammed because they are better than the average service station. If you want sit outside with a takeaway coffee and sandwich you can still do that. You just cannot take Fido into the eating area.

Wish more places were like that. It does very much seem in the past 10-20 years to have morphed from only ever seeing the old boy with his collie in a country pub, to every cafe having at least one labracockadoodledoo or wee yappy thing. This idea that dogs cannot be left on their own ever just means you have done a shit job of training them.