Dogs in restaurants - I am done!

[Doseofreality]

The hill that I will die on. Dogs should not be allowed in eating establishments.

Just had another lunch spoilt as a family came in with 3, yes 3, large dogs and sat down at the table beside us. It’s gross, unhygienic and anti social. If I wanted to eat surrounded by animals I’d grab a takeaway and go and sit in a vet’s waiting room.

Close to £100 wasted on a lunch where I had a dog licking it’s bumhole in my line of vision.

As a dog lover and dog owner, I agree entirely. It’s ridiculous. Barking, yapping, sniffing, licking. It’s also really not fair to the dog. We went to a high end restaurant late at night last week, a couple had bought an elderly dog with them who caused no trouble at all - but the poor thing clearly didn’t want to be there. Dogs are not accessories.

It’s not just restaurants; it’s parks, playgrounds, shops, everywhere. Drives me mad!

Anyway, I have decided to do something constructive and have left reviews for a couple of places thanks to this thread. How the dogs ruined the eating experience and how disgusting I find it that they let dogs sit on the sofas and chairs. It’s the only way to effect change really, as well as voting with our feet.

I think if there were lots of dogs in all of these businesses, life would be quite hard for a sector of people. The odd dog in a shop is clearly one thing (and obviously guide dogs, therapy dogs in another thing), but dogs in restaurants is too much.

when I was a child, I had a bad dog phobia. Now it’s ‘ok’ but dogs barking trigger really bad adrenaline. I would hate to have a dog I a restaurant. It would mean it just wasn’t particularly relaxing for me.

That depends on the dog. I have four dogs and one demonic entity shaped like a dog.

Big Dog loves busy places, people, fireworks, and general hustle and bustle because he is nosy and overly friendly.

Shy dog is scared of everything and everyone except his mum, DD2, and me. He would prefer to be hiding in my bed with me 24/7, having food magically appear, but that's not practical, so we have to decide for him what he would find less frightening, which, as above, is usually the food, closely followed by being with me.

Tiny dog and OG dog give zero shits. OG dog just gives zero shits in general; it's her life motto to give zero shits. Tiny dog has an equally tiny brain and lacks the intelligence needed to experience fear.

The demonic entity is happiest when he is causing pain and fear. If we take him out anywhere where we might stop for food, we take the pram and a breathable cover to protect the public from him; otherwise, we have a steady stream of dissapointed children being told that no, they cannot pet the fluffy one because the fluffy one's only goal in life is to cause fear and misery.

Why did you watch her then? This makes no sense.
The glass will be cleaned before anyone else uses it anyway. The lady also drank from it.

@Norwaygirl- yes exactly. I live somewhere very touristy- full of cafes and pubs - and there's literally ONE cafe that says no dogs ( and it's always packed) .
Most cafes allow dogs ( obvs a business decision)so basically if you're not a fan tough t*ts!!

I just looked at a review I left for a bakery a few months ago and have just seen a nice response! They thanked me for flagging it and said they take hygiene seriously, and what I saw was unacceptable. They then asked me to get in touch to discuss further. That’s good I guess!

Because it is becoming more and more difficult to do so, and that is why there are so many threads on the same subject. Surely it can't be difficult to work that out?

I like dogs, but I prefer to eat food in a dog free space.

I don't know why places where there is enough space don't divide eating areas into dogs allowed and dog free zones.

A farm cafe near me two cafes - one for dog owners with their dogs and a dog free cafe. That way everybody is happy.

I didnt watch her. I was facing her in a small bar. And I know the glass will be cleaned and I wouldnt know but my point is it’s an additional hygiene risk that people shouldn’t have to contend with. I cant believe you would think its okay.

The glasses get cleaned. I don't see the problem.

Not everywhere is for dogs. I find it upsetting when I see poor dogs dragged round the shops or at theme parks - I saw an assistance dog in Disneyworld in 95 degree heat - dreadful. The heat of the tarmac on paws :(

Most restaurants are not dog friendly - quite right. But pubs? A country pub should be full of dogs!

Some dog-lovers have low standards and questionable hygiene. They are the often the type that think their dog doesn’t smell etc.

@YeOldeGreyhoundthe fact that you're asking that means it obviously doesn't make you sick to the stomach. It would make many of us feel physically sick! See also letting dogs lick your face
I guess you either find it repulsive or you don't.

You dont see a problem with her drinking straight from the glass the dog just drunk from either then?

I agree, and I think dog owners really can be nose blind to how bad dogs can smell too

I think this is the only way forward. Or get the staff over to request refund of food with a customer’s dog hair in etc, as a previous poster said. I think the majority still don’t want dogs in restaurants.

I'm glad you asked 😂. It's not something I'd do, but, honestly, what does it have to do with anyone else? There are some really controlling and interfering people out there.

I don't see how it's a problem for you. Nobody was asking you to share a glass with her dog. Why are you preoccupied with what's happening at her table? Seriously?

Im not controlling or interfering? But Ive voted with my feet and that lovely little local bar has lost my custom.

Oh my life no. Id be heaving. The smell and the hairs. I don't want dogs anywhere near my food and if I saw dog hairs on the floor I'd have to get up and leave, never mind on the soft furnishings. Imagine the stench of wet dogs as well. I'm also allergic to dogs. O wonder if you can ask to have dogs near you in these restaurants if your allergic. Children I've got no problem with.

If you read my post I said it was a problem because it made me feel physically sick. I cant control that -it’s an involuntary response to seeing something disgusting. Anyway, you dont need to be incredulous about it. I know how I felt , Im not going in again, and thats all that matters.

@bafta16 - my apologies - I did not make it clear that I was answering posts that said children do not lick their bottoms. That is all.

fur babies are just as important (if not more so!) than humans! They should be welcomed into establishments, allowed to sit on the sofas and chairs and eat/drink from the cutlery and glasses like anyone else - anything less is discrimination

“Many on this board lack social skills and prefer dogs to people”

you could flip that and say it’s precisely because some people lack social skills that many prefer dogs …

I don’t have a problem with well-behaved dogs in restaurants, you’re more likely to catch something unpleasant from poor kitchen hygiene, or customers not washing their hands properly in the loo. And a well behaved dog isn’t going to be running around annoying other customers or playing on a tablet at full volume.

I have 3 dogs and one is an arsehole he barks and he is reactive he is 13 !
I rescued him when he was 18 months old I don't take him out to places where I take the other 2 and I never let him off the lead and I also keep him away from other people's dogs and children because I know my dog . And I'll hold.my hands up.to it and as a responsible dog owner I do what I do so no one is affected by his behaviour I don't make excuses for him ♥️