To take up a bigger table than needed in a cafe?

[Egit]

To try to use a bigger table in a cafe?

I know it’s not always possible, such as during busy times, and I would never ‘hog’ a larger table for myself.

But during quiet times… such as right now! I’m in a cafe on my own with 2 dogs and I’ve sat myself at a 4 seater table.

I actually hate 2 seater ones. They are just too small and I get claustrophobic with all the clutter of cutlery, condiments, sides of veg etc.

I like to spread out!

Wait till they hear about cani cross on a bike/ bikejor!

It’s mountain biking, not road biking. Lots of stopping, looking at the view, drinking from streams etc…. Just to pacify the on lead only bridge… We had the whole forest to ourselves, didn’t see a single soul. It was bliss!

Only lurcher owners will understand how insanely fast a lurcher can be and their stamina, although I don’t go super fast, I pace it to them.

My dogs are 3 & 4 now, they’ve been mountain biking since they were fully grown. My dog before them did the same, and the one before him!

They also do a lot of walking in the mountains and are walked at least 3hrs every day.

My dogs have a fantastic life.

The OPs question was about under occupying a table and not about the legitimacy of taking dogs into a café??? The café owner makes that decision based on the cut of the market they want/are willing to accept...end of.

The OP is responsible and goes where her dogs are allowed and other potential café clients also have freedom of choice as to where they go. What's the issue!

I know!…. People are so sheltered!

My family are big in to canicross. My sis is a canicross coach. Most dogs love it!

My dogs not so much… i run with my dogs but usually off lead. They don’t understand the whole pulling and rubbing in front thing.

We tried it with them once but they just kept jumping up at us, thinking it was a game.

I agree, keep it up, sounds like a dream for that type of dog, its not like you are dragging a little Frenchie through the mud on a lead because it can't/doesn't want to keep up. The direction this discussion is taking is weird!

There’s no point even trying. People have told me I’m selfish, irresponsible and grim for doing something that is allowed and accepted. MN is a strange place!

It’s very strange!

my dogs are super fit. I’ve yet to see a non sighthound keep up

I think it says more about other peoples perception of dog ownership than your lifestyle.

It says more about our experiences of dog owners, not perceptions.

Being bitten by a dog, having dogs put dirty paws on me, watching a dog shake drool over a waiter, and having a random dog sit on my knee are all personal experiences I don't want to experience again.

I don't hate dogs, or care that the op bikes with her dogs (whatever suits them), but i do care when they make other people's experiences unpleasant.

My Doberman’s best mate is a lurcher, my Doberman moves fast….. but she never beats her mate!

This makes my Doberman cross! Please tell your lurcher if they meet, to slow down to make it a fair game 🤣.

Other users don't want our dogs sat in a cafe so show some consideration for others. Show some dog awareness and be responsible, they don't want to be sat under tables in crowded places and we don't want their bums on chairs.

Walk your dog then leave it tucked up at home whilst popping to cafes. Common sense and responsibility should prevail. What next, take it to the hairdressers, the cinema?!

Also it shouldn't have to be said but if you visit people, leave it at home.

Curzon have dog cinema days!

How many dogs have you interviewed to know that none of them enjoy a cafe after a walk?

You do realise that you don’t speak for everyone? Some people love dogs and are happy to be around them. Others don’t. It’s up to the individual cafe to decide what works for them. You are not the arbiter of what should and shouldn’t be allowed. If a cafe allows dogs then people are allowed to take them in whether you like it or not. Go elsewhere if you don’t like it.

And people are not always near home. If you’re on holiday with your dog or on a long day out you’re hardly going to travel dozens or hundreds of miles to drop the dog off back home, and they usually can’t be left in holiday accommodation, just to satisfy someone insufferable busybody who thinks that she and not the owners should get to dictate the terms of business.

Dozens I’m sure. It’s funny how many dog haters seem to know what dogs like better than their owners do and it’s terribly convenient that said dogs’ preferences always happen to align with the dog hater’s.

Anyway off to Costa now with my small dog.

Enjoy!

Fair enough.

No but it's good for dogs to go to a range of environments

That may be so, but I don't want to be part of their socialisation. Take them anywhere else, but I don't see why it must be cafes especially when so many people don't want them there. I find them off-putting, often intrusive and quite a nuisance sometimes. Often they smell unpleasant.

I realise I have no choice and that's annoying because the owners do.
There are no cafes in my area that don't allow dogs. I know that because I live here and I've tried them all. I just have to suck it up, as dog owners on here helpfully tell us.

That’s fair. But it’s a shame that decent dog owners have to bear the resentment too.

Surely it’s a case by case basis…. I’ve met some horrible men and some unruly children. I don’t write them all off

😂 my slightly bigger lurcher does slow for the smaller one… he’s such a tease!

My dog would like that 😆

Of course whippets, greyhounds and many other dogs move fast. However there is a massive difference between how fast they can run and if they enjoy it for 15km.

I don't agree with greyhound racing for example, even though yes they too move fast!

Dogs should sniff, pootle and play on walks not run for15km.

Anyway, i guess the type of person who takes their dogs into a cafe is the sort to sit at a table for 4, alone. Crack on op, we know you're going to anyway I'll carry on with my ban dogs from eateries mission .

I disagree, my Doberman needs a mix of both, she gets a good run in the morning, with other dogs.

Then in the evening, she has an on lead walk with sniffs and stroll.

Of course, another nasty jibe at people who take their dogs into dog friendly cafes, as I said to previous PP @Gloriia it just weakens your “argument” , only it’s not an argument because it’s an agreement between dog owners and cafe owners.

'it just weakens your “argument” , only it’s not an argument because it’s an agreement between dog owners and cafe owners'

Sorry you've lost me, is it an argument or not?

Cafe owners will only continue to allow this until more people complain.

Please tell me you don't take your doberman with you for a latte and cake?

Yes! That petition to parliament with 450 signatures is a sign of things to come …..😆

God no!

I can’t stand latte!

Cappuccino all the way for me, and I’m more a bacon butty type of person, which our Doberman prefers!