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

Agree- some entitled dogs owners can’t understand why I don’t like their dogs urinating up my wall, which encourages others to do the same. They say they can’t stop them.How about walking them on the other side or pulling them away when it’s clear what they’re going to do?

If there was a thread about buggies blocking access, I would be responding that it is selfish and inconsiderate. Wouldn’t cross my mind to say ‘ but but dogs are worse’. So why do dog-lovers always do this? Why do you bring up buggies when people are talking about dogs blocking the way? Is that the best argument you have?

I’m waiting for a thread where a dog owner can defend poor behaviour without having to bring up children as their only weak and desperate defence!

"I’m waiting for a thread where a dog owner can defend poor behaviour without having to bring up children as their only weak and desperate defence!"

Who on this thread do you think has defended poor behaviour?

I think you’re missing the point, sorry. I took the poster to mean that there is an attempt at a defence, but it’s by bringing children into it. ‘But children are worse’ is a sort of defence. But the poster didn’t actually say anyone had defended poor behaviour, just that they’d like to see them do it without bringing children into it.

So nobody has actually condoned or defended poor behaviour by dogs or their owners. Everyone has condemned it and some people have pointed to annoying behaviour from other sources too.

There’s not many. I asked the cafes around my work. Inner city. There was only one that said no. 90pc said yes!! That’s skewed too far imo.
Imo Some owners have become more inconsiderate. I remember being at the beach with my little dc. A dog was bounding over but I asked the owner to recall and they did. No bother. I said thanks.
Thats what should happen now.

I still think you’re missing @NeonSuit ‘s point. They’re complaining that some posters try to defend the indefensible by saying ‘but children are worse’, which shows that they haven’t got much of an argument.

I disagree, though, that everyone has condemned poor behaviour by dog owners. Those who come on and say virtually nothing other than ‘but children are worse’ are hardly roundly condemning it are they.

Who has said "virtually nothing other than 'but children are worse'?" I can't recall one poster who has done that.

I’ve already set out why I don’t really want to be on this thread anymore, although I have posted again. There’s no way though, that I’m going to start naming the ones I’m talking about and get sucked back in to that extent. I’m 100% confident that there are posters who have been nothing but dismissive. You’re free to disagree.

Can't believe the direction this thread has taken. Personally, I am not a 'dog hater'. My family have had some fantastic dogs over the years and I completely understand how much they can mean as companions. That said, my lifestyle now just wouldn’t allow me to have one, and if I’m honest, I probably wouldn’t choose to anyway.

What’s really changed for me is the behaviour of some owners rather than the dogs themselves. It feels like there’s an increasing assumption that everyone should be comfortable around dogs in all settings, which simply isn’t the case.

Here's an example from yesterday: I deliberately gave a wide berth to a woman walking a bull mastiff type breed by stepping off the pavement, just to be cautious and respectful. Rather than appreciating that, she actually berated me for avoiding her dog, "What did you do that for? There's nothing wrong with my dog.You got a problem?" That kind of reaction sums it up for me; it’s not about disliking dogs, it’s about a lack of awareness and consideration from some owners.

For me, it should just come down to mutual respect. People should be able to enjoy dog-friendly spaces if they choose to, but others should also be able to avoid dogs without being made to feel unreasonable.

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant. I was walking down the street and noticed a large Rottweiler. Upon noticing the dog, I chose to change to the other side of the road. The dog owner also changed sides and when we inevitably met, asked me if I were afraid of dogs. I said as I was pregnant I prefer to keep my distance. The man then insisted I stroke his dog, moving the dog closer towards me. I explained I didn’t want to and he raised his voice questioning if I ‘trust him’ multiple times and that he has many years as a nightclub bouncer. I felt incredibly uncomfortable not only because the dog was moving towards me but because the owner seemed to be getting incredibly defensive.

Personally, I have never liked ‘big dogs’ it’s a fear I’ve had since childhood. I have grown up with smaller dogs (sausage dogs!) on the other hand so do have time for them! It’s OK not to like them/certain breeds. My issue isn’t ever really the dog, it’s more the training it may or may not have received as well as the owner.

I wonder if it's similar to that phenomenon of people making fandoms like Disney or Harry Potter into their whole identity. Like some people just can't see beyond being a dog owner and understand that it's not for everyone.

Yes, you’ve cracked it. Well done.

When people actually take their dogs down the high street for a walk, even a shopping mall it’s inevitable they will want to stop and eat/drink (owner I mean) so it’s like going out with a person, you stop for a coffee so it’s ’normal’. It’s not. Dogs are not human, they are animals, domesticated yes but not so far as going shopping and stopping for a coffee!! Utterly ridiculous.

Your dog does not want to stop for coffee, sit/lie under a table. It wants to do doggy stuff, run after a ball/stick, sniff everything in sight THAT’S what a dog really wants to do!

Dog owners need to have their dogs best interest at heart, taking them to places they REALLY want to go to and not the one the OWNER really wants to go to.

Please don't speak for people's dogs. My dog loved having a snooze in a café after a walk, and she would also love the treats and fuss she got there too.
I would have never dragged my dog to places she did not want to go. I knew her, and knew when she was happy and when she was not.

So DFOD with your assumptions. It is getting tiresome.

That’s ridiculous. You’re just making that up. Our dog runs in fields and woods every day. She just wants to be with us and loves sniffing down the high street and sitting under the cafe table watching the world go by when we go on errands. So many of the shops and post office give her tiny treats too. Whats not to love!

It is almost as though some people think dog owners do not know their dogs.
Well, that poster does not know either of ours. At all.

Your dog would have been happy snoozing on your lounge floor indoors too, why take it to a coffee shop? Coffee shops are not for animals im afraid, as much as they are ‘welcomed’. It’s just about the revenue for the coffee shop owners.

And actually you’ve no idea what your dog thinks of the coffee shop because it can’t speak!

Oh my Lord. This thread is🤦🏻‍♀️

We can read her like a book. Sitting under a table after a walk is way more interesting than our lounge. She loves it.

I’m afraid coffee shops are for animals. Cafe owners want them, dog owners enjoy visiting and dogs love hanging out with their humans.

You’re just going to have to suck it up .

Cafes are for whoever the owner wants them to be for. My local one actively encourages dog by offering a discount on food if you have a dog with you. It is in the middle of a dog walking park.
What would be the sense in me walking my dog, taking her home, then going back to the cafe that is in the park I just walked her in. We enjoyed our time together and that includes being in a cafe together, enjoying some relaxing time after a walk.
No, dogs don't speak but any owner can tell when their dog is enjoying something.

She was PTS in January, and I am SO glad I spent that time with her.

I don’t think coffee shops ‘are for animals’ 😂

Sadly for you they clearly are, maybe read the OP.

People who take dogs to cafes that welcome dogs are doing nothing wrong.

Dogs are here to stay, unlike this batshit thread.