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?

Well not quite the case that no dog free pubs then is it, just no dog free pubs you want to visit. So it’s not just your dog issues reducing your choice

What do the owners of these private businesses say when you ask them about zoning?

If course it's up to the business owner but the 'I'm alright Jack' attitude is not very decent as far as I'm concerned as demonstrated on this thread, your wheezing is your problem etc. Like people don't know their asthma is their problem. I think I'm just more of the inclusive mindset than exclusive.

so you are suggesting that despite dogs being welcomed, owners shouldn’t take them. Sure. Totally sane.

im alright jack doesn’t apply
hete at all. That would be if someone was explicitly told not to take their dog as you have asthma and they said “I don’t care I haven’t got asthma”

Well believe me, you wouldn't want to go to thus particular weatherspoons. The type of pubs I visit were pretty much all dog free five years ago, they are only for dogs and dog owners now.

Presumably because it makes the owners more money, at a time when hospitality is struggling.

I don't really understand how you are not getting this. Suggesting that people who are allergic to dogs if they are close to them or fear them have to just resign themselves to their fate as the business owners have decided to open up the whole pub/restaurant to dogs and really your allergies are your problem is very much an "I'm alright Jack" attitude. I don't expect people to not take their dog to a dog welcome pub but being dismissive of people with allergies or fears of dogs is really quite a shitty way to think when you are a member of society.

I haven't asked, I was told by a staff member of one of my locals that this is something they are thinking of as this pub is family friendly as well and sometimes it is a problem if a child is scared of a dog right next to them. He only commented as I asked if anyone had reserved a table away from the one I was sitting at with my husband as I needed to move from the dog that he come in. The table was reserved so we had to leave that's when he brought it up but he wasn't the manager so who knows.

'businesses allow dogs, but dog owners shouldn’t take their dogs in case someone doesn’t want them there? That’s nuts.'

Businesses allow lots of things but just because it is 'allowed' does not mean we should do it. What happend to social etiquette, good manners and consideration for others? We could, for example, all sit talking loudly on our mobiles, play loud games, be generally annoying, it is 'allowed' afterall. We don't though <well most don't> out of consideration for others. Likewise we could all belch loudy after eating in public or fart but we don't. It is 'allowed', but we consider other users feelings. It is called having social skills.

The sheer number of these threads show us that many, many people view dogs in coffee shops and restaurants as unpleasant and inappropriate. So whether it is 'allowed' or not should not matter. The fact that so many people don't like them there should. Social skills people, try it.

Change the 'it is allowed! I'm therefore entitled'' to 'it is very unpleasant for other users so I won't'.

You can ridicule my statement all you like by making it sound farcical, but the fact is, whether it’s comfortable for you or not, this is my experience. I am a walker, I walk a lot, and on every single walk, a dog is allowed to run up to me off lead, or let sniff around me or jump up me. None of this is invited and the response is always a cheery ‘don’t worry he’s friendly!’ as if that cancels out my dislike and then the owner won’t apologise, clearly offended that I don’t like their precious animal.

It’s not actually dogs I dislike. It’s the attitude of outrage of the owners that I hate, as demonstrated so beautifully on this thread.

Lay off the wine tonight eh? School tomorrow.

“I haven’t asked” 🫠

Id rather just complain loudly that people who don’t about and can’t change my problem online rather than approach the relevant parties. 👍

Don’t put words in my mouth. And just because it’s not YOUR experience, doesn’t mean mine is untrue.

Yea, some parents are shit at parenting. And some dog owners are shit at controlling their dogs. And some treat them like everyone should be delighted to be in their company. And some don’t.

Over the moon that you’re perfect in every way. Clapping for you!

I'll answer this. Yes, the crux of this thread is basically about the people who don't have their dogs under control.
And SPOILER; not everyone who posts on these threads hates dogs.
I'm a huge dog lover and I'm sure that most people posting here ARE responsible dog owners, there are, unfortunately, dog owners who have no consideration for other people and it's these dog owners in cafes / pubs/ etc, etc that people are becoming pissed off about.

If there was some magical way of determining the good owners from the bad before allowing them in then that would be fantastic. BUT, unfortunately, there is not.

People have all sorts of fears and allergies, we can’t ban everything.

People are loud and raucous in pubs 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve had beer spilled on me, have to listen to swearing etc. We are all free to chose where we frequent.

It’s very unpleasant for other users goes back to not ordering a raclette or fish in case other people don’t like the smell. Just becuase the restaurant serves it, doesn’t mean you have to order it.

I am sorry but I cannot believe that on EVERY single walk you have a dog run up to you. On some walks maybe but not every single one. I walk a lot because of my dog and by far the majority of dogs are on a lead. Sometimes there is one that's not and I dislike it running up to my dog but it's not that often

Challenge my points fine, disagree fine. I wouldn't be so rude as to say anything you say is 'ridiculous' so please try to do the same. As I said earlier try social skills and a bit of social etiquette.

Sorry but I think it is ridiculous to say that although dogs are allowed in a coffee shop dog owners should not be taking them in there because some (few) people don't like it.

I think far more rude and unsociable is people smoking in the street and in pub gardens but they are allowed to so I have to put up with it.

Where do we stop with the "it's allowed but anyone with any manners or social etiquette would not do it"? Children are allowed in supermarkets but a lot of the time they are a total pain the arse. Couples don't have to drag their children to a supermarket do they? One could go and the other stay at home cosy with the child or children. They could shop when the child or children are at school or nursery. Pretty sure the children don't enjoy being dragged to and round a supermarket

'Plenty of places I go with my quiet dog has people talking and laughing very very loudly'

This is normal social interaction. Your comments about smoking not sure apply as these are in outdoor areas only. I don't object to dogs outdoors, obviously.

Many, many people object to dogs in coffee shops and restaurants. Please try and be a considerate dog owner. I manage it fine.

I really couldn’t give a shiny shit what you believe. My experience is that where I live rurally, I run into dog walkers with off lead dogs in a field. Daily.

Many of them with zero recall too. Shall I take some pics for you next time?

Why so extreme in your response. I think your reply suggests a moral blindness and actually a form of intolerance that fails to empathise with the lives of others.

There’s a difference between meeting off lead dogs daily and every day a dog running up and jumping all over you.
Dogs should be under control in public though.