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.

Because a few people, sometimes including the owners come up and stroke the dog, they think that everybody adores their pet.

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

This made me chuckle. Completely lacking awareness - people prefer dogs Because lots of people lack social skills. Animals over humans any day of the week.

You just eat at your accommodation, surely. I only ever take my dog to airbnbs so we just cook there or order food! I guess it’s a bit different if you’re staying in a hotel or something but most hotels aren’t dog friendly.

I didn’t have strong feelings either way until I went for breakfast at a local cafe. The couple at the next table had a little dog with them which was sat quite happily at their feet while we ate. I have no problem with that.
What happened next horrified me. The lady put her plate down on the floor for the dog to lick. Disgusting.
I would have said something but the owner of the restaurant was clearly a friend of theirs because he came over and joined them at their table.

We had dogs when I was young. They weren't allowed in any eating places. We manages - the dogs just stayed at home.
I've no idea why this is suddenly impossible. Dogs aren't vastly different nowadays.

My dh is the same. Sometimes you don't realise it's dog friendly until you've got your food and a dog walks in and then it's too late. And he knows at that point he'll have a bad night wheezing and coughing.

You can't leave them in the holiday accommodation unattended, so are you not supposed to eat out the entire time you're away?

Most places have outside areas. Sit there.

Restaurant / Cafe / Pub : Are you dog friendly?

The answer to this question may determine your next steps.

There solved it for you.

I am sorry that for whatever reason, you have never met any decent human beings and are surrounded by poor specimens of humanity in your social circle.i wonder why that is.

Are you incapable of asking?

Surprisingly difficult to find places that are assistance dogs only now, certainly in our area anyway. It used to be difficult to find dog friendly places (see my post before about camping)l and necessity) but it's not an issue now.

You do generalise, funny!

Eta: you have proven my point though. So thank you!

This is the worst part - some dog owners think what their dog does is cute or funny. On multiple occasions, I’ve had a dog run up to my food / children’s food and lick it. It’s really funny got the dog owner who always says “oh don’t worry, he’s just being friendly”. Oh in that case, it’s fine. 🙄 unempathic, entitled, irritating.

i isn’t like cigarettes in restaurants and I don’t like dogs in restaurants. Leave your lifestyle at home!

Ate out today at an eating establishment in Center Parcs only for a dog to be seated on the table to us. Totally ruined the meal. There was outside seating available so I don't understand why the dog had to be inside where food is prepared and people are eating. When I was asked if our party has any allergies I didn't even think to say dogs as it didn't even register that a dog would be in a restaurant 🙄

I agree OP. We were in our favourite Cotswold tearoom yesterday and a woman was sitting at an adjacent table with her dog on her lap, sitting up to the table! This was a medium sized poodle type dog. Eventually she put it on the floor where it proceeded to jump up and then yap yap. This may be our favourite tearoom no longer.

I've also written before about the country pub lunch where a couple brought 2 dogs in, sat down and one dog immediately threw up all over the carpet. That improved my lunch no end. When I posted about it,I got responses along the lines of 'well it could have been a toddler' (doing that). Except it was a dog and there was no toddler present, and they are not equivalent.

Dogs are the same. It is the owners that have changed. There are a few posting on here. Selfish and ignorant.

And why is that do you think? Could it be that dog owners keep their businesses afloat?

What did people used to do, before the advent of "dogs welcome" everywhere?

I assume they either put the dog in a boarding kennels for the duration or adjusted their holiday activities to allow for having the dog with them - packed lunches rather than eating in anywhere and making choices re shops, attractions etc.

I’m a dog owner, but wouldn’t take my two anywhere other than a outdoor space in a dog friendly pub for coffee. I think, just as is the case in rentals, there should be a cap on the number of dogs per table/group. Three is a bloody imposition on everyone around them.

I don’t blame you OP.

It's a commercial decision by the owners and you can choose where to spend your money, as can dog owners.

Don't like it? Go elsewhere.

I think in this case, if you were in a restaurant and a dog was also there, when they asked you 'any allergies at all?' (as they do) you could legit say 'yes. Dogs.' I would love to see the protocol here. (I am a dog owner btw and would not take my dog into a restaurant - I do sometimes eat in a pub garden with her, but choose the most isolated table).

‘oh don’t worry, he’s just being friendly’

The hallmark battlecry of shit dog owners everywhere!

There are loads of places that don’t allow dogs - pick one of them. I have dogs so don’t mind - assuming the owners are responsible (whole other story). But if I’m with people who don’t want to be near dogs, I leave mine at home and we go somewhere else. I just don’t get the issue. Horses for courses.

It genuinely never occurred to me that a restaurant/pub with table service would have dogs in. I thought it was just cafes.
But menus are labelled with allergens so I can easily avoid my gluten intolerance, so surely the pub should have a sign up saying dogs are allowed the same way they advertise their cake has nuts in.

Totally agree, I'm a dog owner but it's getting ridiculous, dogs in shopping centres and in restaurants. Why can't people leave them at home for a couple of hours?! My dog would rather be relaxed on the sofa than sat under a table in a restaurant smelling food that he can't eat. I appreciate many people don't like dogs full stop and having to eat around them is not nice for them. I do not want dogs in restaurants either, they aren't children and don't need to be with thier owners 24/7.