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

The Tebay website says: We have taken the decision at all Westmorland Farmshops to revert back to our original policy of allowing dogs only in our Foyer areas. Over the past couple of years, we relaxed those rules by letting dogs into our Kitchen seating areas. We know most of our four-legged visitors are well behaved during their stop. However, what we have learnt is that some dogs don’t like each other very much, which negatively impacts the experience of other customers. We received large volumes of feedback on this topic weekly.

This idea that dogs cannot be left on their own ever just means you have done a shit job of training them

I took my dog with me to cafes because it was part of our walk. She has a treat and a snooze whilst I enjoy tea and cake.
My dog was fine being left alone at home, but why get a dog if you are going to just leave it at home all the time?

My dog can’t be left alone. He was beaten, burnt and starved by his previous owners. Sorry I didn’t train his fear out of him.

As others have said, things have deteriorated since lockdown - too many people didn't think through the responsibilities entailed in having a dog.

I had to renew my back boundary fence during lockdown because of the number of dog walkers who allowed their dogs to run through the back hedge (severely pruned on the council side) and who then barged through in order to retrieve said dogs.

We've got a few nice coffee places in our town but they all welcome dogs. It means if I want a dog free environment for coffee my only option is a Wetherspoons where there is a strict no dogs policy.
Fortunately our branch is very pleasant but I know that's not the same everywhere.
I do understand the need to welcome dogs, profit wise, but it gets on my nerves that I can only support the independents if I'm prepared to share the space with dogs.

No need for that.
I am sure @Harhar takes her dog to places that allow dogs. She is doing nothing wrong.

I think that the only coffee shop allowing dogs in our town would be Starbucks. I see people bringing in their dogs to get pup cups.

I have to say that all the dogs that I've seen in there have been very well behaved.

Costa doesn't seem to allow dogs. I don't that BB does either. I prefer dog free myself, but I don't mind when dogs are well behaved - and my late husband adored dogs. However, he always advocated being careful around unknown dogs.

But the point of the thread is that they shouldn’t be allowed so many places. This poster is making it out like dogs couldn’t be possibly left at home alone because they have issues - my point is you should get a more appropriate pet

Costa do allow dogs now.

Businesses are doing what makes them money. If allowing dogs increases their customer base then can you blame them?
Feel free to open your own cafe that does not allow dogs and see how that goes.

I just fundamentally don’t believe that your dog can’t be left - I believe you are choosing not to leave them.

Cool

So what? People take their dogs because they want them there. Just because a dog is in a cafe does not mean it can't be left at home.

The poster I am responding to is inserting her dog “can’t” be left - of course it can

All dogs can be left. It is what they get up to when alone that determines if actually leaving them is a good idea.
I guess you don't believe that separation anxiety is a thing.

I think that’s what crates are for

Do crates stop howling?

If your dog howls at home and disturbs your neighbours than you shouldn’t have one. There was a thread about this recently - it is anti social to own loud dogs when you have close neighbours or live in terraced housing.

I was just about to post similar thread about people taking dogs into busy city centre pubs. My friend has a dog which he ALWAYS takes to the pub and today the dog has been sniffing peoples food. Left before I said something I regret but am now in an other busy pub with 2 big dogs with different owners taking up space at bar and each has their own bowl of water.

I shouldn’t have one? Or a howling dog shouldn’t exist? My dog doesn’t disturb neighbours because … I take him out with me.

Maybe the tide will turn and businesses see that some customers are turning away from dog friendly places.

I think you may have missed the very first thing I said, which is that I am a dog owner.

So I am very much aware that it is not all dog owners. But it is, in my experience, a hell of a lot of them.

You can choose to believe I'm making it up I you want. I'm not though.