to think it’s time to ban dogs from shops and cafes?

[timetoban]

I’ve just read a BBC article about the increase in dog attacks in the UK.

Dogs seem to be everywhere now. Cafes, shops, even places where food is being served. I’m not anti-dog at all, but I don’t really want to be eating or shopping surrounded by them.

It’s not just about preference either. Some people are allergic, some are genuinely scared, and others just don’t want to deal with barking, smells or dogs getting under their feet. The BBC piece even mentioned people feeling like they have to avoid going out because dogs are everywhere now.

I also don’t really get how it’s hygienic in places serving food. I know people say “well-behaved dogs are fine” but not all dogs are well-behaved, and staff aren’t exactly going to challenge every owner.

Before anyone says it, yes obviously assistance dogs are different and should be allowed. That’s not what I mean.

I just feel like we’ve swung too far the other way where dog owners expect to take them absolutely everywhere, and everyone else just has to put up with it.

Surely it’s not unreasonable to have more dog-free indoor spaces again?

I thank you for your concern but won't be responding any further.

You are whining about dogs, ergo it is a whiney post….. can’t help you any more with reading comprehension as need to go for a lovely walk with my dog 🐶

again you are missing the point that clearly business owners think it’s n the interests of their businesses, so they are going to do it. If you feel so strongly set up your own place

I wouldn’t keep any animal as a plaything; I find that such a bizarre thing to do.

I don’t think many people are going to be looking to you for what’s right and wrong to be fair.

@MandingoAteMyBaby can't understand dogs or humans.

Which is strange really, when you think how many dog free cafes, pubs and restaurants there are in Britain.

Just looked it up. Over 800 Wetherspoon pubs, over 800 Premier Inn cafes, about 1,400 McDonalds, 300 M&S cafes, 160 plus JLP and Waitrose cafes, multiple Bella Pastas, Pizza Express, Betty's, over 2,000 museum and gallery cafes.

None of these allow dogs.

Then there are lots of others with dog free areas within the building.

Honestly, you wonder what people want really.

I suspect it’s the same poster, the name change for the thread gives it away. Not brave enough to post with their usual name even though there’s obviously nothing identifying about the topic.

Yes, a lot of the dog haters have name changed but I recognise them because their views have not changed.

I don't mind, I would never get a dog but always enjoy other people's (with permission) when out and about and at settings you mentioned.
As long as they are not a risk, I really don't see the issue

I hope that includes those who let their children do ‘wild wees’

Yes. And men who piss in the street.

I agree. Plenty of dog free places for the dog haters to go.

I know it varies across the country but in my nearest town not even a third of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants allow dogs.

They all should be dog free, we should not have to plan our day around where we might encounter an often badly behaved dog at the next table.

Doesn't the fact that many do ban dogs give you some indication of how anti social many find our lovely dogs in cafes and shops?

Should people take their cats and rabbits with them everywhere if not why not? Can you not see that family pets are just that, for the enjoyment of their owners at home.

Agreed. I am sure the current pet owners will agree with us once AI starts keeping us as pets!

Interesting to see the list of dog-free cafes etc above. But it's not accurate - eg John Lewis allows dogs. And rules change - my local garden centre banned dogs for a bit but has now allowed them again - but on the other side of the coin a garden centre near my mum which did allow them has stopped letting them come in. It seems a question of who shouts loudest at any one time.

Ultimately if owners trained their pets properly nobody would have a problem with the dogs. It must be really annoying for the owners who do train their dogs!

If Samba the capybara turns up I am taking her to my local cafe :)

But why should they all be dog free? Because you say so?

If so many people want cafes, coffee shops etc to be dog free why is that so often the ones that are dog free are empty while the dog friendly ones are packed? Why is that the dog free ones close down due to lack of business and the dog friendly ones keep going? Why have 2 cafes in my local town changed from not allowing dogs to allowing them?

I wish your last statement was true.
I took my dog to cafes that she was welcome in, and she would lay on her mat and not bark or bother anyone. But that was "wrong" too.

The most vocal people on these threads think dogs should never leave their home or not even exist at all.

John Lewis cafes definitely don’t allow dogs @igelkott2026 , but, if this thread is anything to go by, you’ll have to fight your way through the peeing, pooing, slobbering, yapping hordes of canines marauding around the haberdashery before you’re able to order your cake!

I wonder if dog cafes would be popular. I mean like cat cafes not take your own but get to go play with some. Maybe harder than cats tho.

My friend just said she got a dog to spend time with it not dump it with a dog sitter.

i grew up with dogs but we lived in a rural area with some land so they mainly lived outside in kennels and roamed around. If it was cold in the winter they slept in the kitchen but that was as far into the house as they really came.

Thing is I like being outdoors and country walks etc but not to the exclusion of everything else.

Our other friends stayed with their dog and brought this massive crate that was tricky to fit in the kitchen, then the dog cried and wouldn’t settle in it so they put the dog on the bed to sleep with them. Then we could only go out to places that the dog would go because they didn’t want to leave it in our house in case it got anxious and chewed things or weed everywhere. It was just hard work.

Hang on a minute.
I thought the discussion was because dogs are everywhere.
Now 'many do ban dogs'.
Just go to the many that do ban dogs and bob's your uncle. A bit of research beforehand or, walk on to the next place (dog, cat and rabbit free) you do like the look of like the rest of us do and you can enjoy your day out and about like a normal person.

Well done though on getting the 'should people take their rabbits with them everywhere'. It's taken longer than normal to get to that bingo favourite.

On reflection, I've never seen a cafe that bans cats and rabbits so people could do that at will. Imagine the moaning on here!

I’ll bring my goats too. They do poo everywhere so that will really give the dog haters something to whinge about. 🐐🐐🐐🐐

@Gloriia but how do you know that the dogs you see in cafés go everywhere though? Do you ask the owners to find out?

Places I have been this week with my dog:

• café this morning which was on our dog walk route (new find, very nice 10/10)

Places I have been without my dog this week:

• coffee with a friend
• farmers market (you get better potatoes honestly)
• bakery
• Taking my injured friend to her physiotherapy session where i waited in...another café...
• out for dinner last night
• pet store for more food

I could have taken her to all those places yet she came to only one.

If you saw me in the café this morning with my dog, woukd you have drawn your lazy conclusion that I must take my dog everywhere?

I ask you again - how can you possibly know the schedules of complete strangers?

The next time I see goats' cheese on the menu I will wonder if it's from goats or for goats and will think of you.