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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Using public toilets when out alone with dog?!

179 replies

Moirarosesgarden · 08/09/2023 13:14

I’m going on a daytrip next week on my own but taking my dog with me. The weather will be much cooler by then so one option is to leave him in car in shade while I nip to the loo, but not ideal. Do you take your dogs in to public toilets?! Or dog-friendly pub toilets?! He can be reactive to a few other dogs so I’d rather not leave him with a member of staff for example. I’ll be out all day mostly in small villages so not motoway services type facilities. I don’t fancy a she-wee either! 🤣

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 08/09/2023 13:15

Surely he'll be fine a car long enough for you to go to the loo?

ShirleyPhallus · 08/09/2023 13:17

You can leave him in the car for the 3 mins it takes to use the loo

or go in the bushes

Iheartmysmart · 08/09/2023 13:17

I have to confess that I take my dog in the loos with me. He’s a funny old bugger who would create merry hell if I tried to leave him outside. And to be honest I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving him out of sight anyway. Nobody has ever questioned me.

Moodycoo · 08/09/2023 13:19

I've taken mine into public toilets before - usually ones at the beach.

WetBandits · 08/09/2023 13:20

I left my dog right outside a public toilet at the beach once. He could see my feet and I could see his, yet he HOWLED like he was being murdered so I had the speediest wee ever and called out to him like a madwoman the whole time. After his whole two-minute ordeal, he leapt at me like he hadn’t seen me in weeks Hmm

If I have to wee when we’re on a rural walk, I may or may not go in the bushes while he keeps a lookout Grin

Original poster
Moirarosesgarden · 08/09/2023 13:22

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/09/2023 13:15

Surely he'll be fine a car long enough for you to go to the loo?

yes if the loos just happened to be where the car is parked, but probably unlikely seeing as I’ll be in villages rather than a garage/service station for example, so I could be gone for ten mins or so while I walk to/from the loo.

OP posts:
MontezumasPuma · 08/09/2023 13:23

Mine always comes in with me. I’ve never had a problem or funny looks.

ihavespoken · 08/09/2023 13:29

I've just taken mine in with me in that situation. I think that's reasonable

Newpeep · 08/09/2023 13:31

I have always taken mine in. No issues other than they try to nosey at what is going on in the next cubicle which can cause a fright to the occupant 😀

fearfuloffluff · 08/09/2023 13:33

Leave him in the car. I wouldn't want to use a public toilet with a dog in it. You probably don't want your dig licking/sniffing/eating the various awful things you find in public loos.

drinkuptheezider · 08/09/2023 13:33

I take mine in with me, although I did get funny looks and sniggers from adjoining cubicles at 'get your nose out of there!! And 'move your backside, you great lump!' 🤣

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 08/09/2023 13:34

Surely you have time to train ddog to shut his eyes while you wee??

ilovemydogmore · 08/09/2023 13:34

Just take him! Be quick enough that you can get in and out before someone says anything.

boomtickhouse · 08/09/2023 13:37

Just tie him up outside for 2 mins

Original poster
Moirarosesgarden · 08/09/2023 13:38

boomtickhouse · 08/09/2023 13:37

Just tie him up outside for 2 mins

Not a chance in hell I would do this!

OP posts:
FoodFann · 08/09/2023 13:38

I’ve done all of the above. I’ve left her with staff who know us very well, I’ve taken her into the loos with me (she’s terrified of the hand dryer!) and I’ve left her in the car for 2 mins. What I would never even contemplate, is leaving her alone in public, where she would be vulnerable to being attacked, stolen, or wrongfully accused of biting, or indeed she may well bite if she felt threatened by someone. Today a very small child launched himself at her to stroke her! Parent didn’t bat an eyelid. The mind boggles. She’s never bitten anyone, but her tail was between her legs and she leapt away from him.

Stratocumulus · 08/09/2023 13:42

Take doggy in with you.
Don’t ever leave dog in car esp in this hot weather, Just don’t, not even for a few mins.
I’ve always taken my dog in with me. Never had an issue.
Have a lovely time.

Alstroemeria123 · 08/09/2023 13:45

Newpeep · 08/09/2023 13:31

I have always taken mine in. No issues other than they try to nosey at what is going on in the next cubicle which can cause a fright to the occupant 😀

Please train your dog not to do that / keep them under control.

I get it’s not advisable to leave dogs outside but it’s not fair to let them disturb other people like that.

Newpeep · 08/09/2023 13:50

Alstroemeria123 · 08/09/2023 13:45

Please train your dog not to do that / keep them under control.

I get it’s not advisable to leave dogs outside but it’s not fair to let them disturb other people like that.

Show quote history

It was a lighthearted comment. Last dog was hooked on handle and sat patiently. Current pup does a lovely wait…until being a puppy one day she broke it, stuck her head under the side of the cubicle and grinned at the person in there (who when I apologised and retrieved her immediately told me hers used to do the same just as she thought they’d learnt to behave themselves 😉)

Girlwithapple · 08/09/2023 13:57

Those of you who are taking them in with you, how big are your dogs? Mine are 40 kg and I can't think how I would squeeze even one if them in there with me!

Janiie · 08/09/2023 14:11

You park near the toilets and leave them for 5mins in the car with the window down. Failing that you take it into the cubicle with you. I can't see what other options there are tbh.

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/09/2023 14:18

We sometimes dog-sit a greyhound, I can't image fitting her in the average loo cubical!

Newpeep · 08/09/2023 14:24

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/09/2023 14:18

We sometimes dog-sit a greyhound, I can't image fitting her in the average loo cubical!

You'd be surprised the size of dog I have seen coming out of a portaloo at an agility show...

WildFeathers · 08/09/2023 14:31

Our neighbours had their dog stolen doing this outside a village shop. I would never do this.

Usually I leave in car but I also wouldn’t risk dog in car if it’s too hot, I would take them with you.

sezzer87 · 08/09/2023 16:38

I take mine in with me all the time. They're toilets which are naturally dirty anyway I don't see why anyone would have an issue with it. Obviously if the toilets were crammed, I'd wait until it was less busy or empty but if anyone seriously has a problem with it (unless they have a severe allergy of course) then they really need to get a life.