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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:
MidnightOnceMore · 09/09/2023 11:35

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 11:28

Like fuck would I ever leave my dog tied up alone anywhere.

Show quote history

Then stay at home?

Your dog does not belong in a public toilet for humans.

MidnightOnceMore · 09/09/2023 11:37

Clymene · 09/09/2023 11:24

@MidnightOnceMore I'm not treating him like a child. I'm treating him like the very valuable animal he is.

It's your private property, not my problem.

If you won't tie it up, you should stay at home.

Entitled dog owners are a menace.

Newpeep · 09/09/2023 11:39

MidnightOnceMore · 09/09/2023 11:14

Leave it with another person or tie it outside, like everyone used to before dogs were treated like children.

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It’s not about treating them like children. It’s about minimising the risk of something happening to them or a human.

I’ve had to intervene more than once when I’ve seen someone harassing a dog tied up. On one occasion a child was being allowed to hug a dog outside a shop. The dog was snarling. It’s really really common.

Flossflower · 09/09/2023 11:40

TenOhSeven · 08/09/2023 19:20

I can't believe what I am reading. People seriously think it's acceptable to take their dogs into public loos where there might be nervous kids, people with allergies, people who just plain don't like dogs? Leave it in the car or tie it up outside. FFS. They are dogs not your children.

I couldn’t agree more

IGotThrillsTheyreMultiplying · 09/09/2023 11:45

GrinGrin

Whenever a topic like comes up on mn I am reminded how people just like arguing. They don't actually want to change someone's else's behaviour. Insults are the least effective way of doing that.

They just enjoy the sensation of ticking someone off, I think.

MidnightOnceMore · 09/09/2023 11:45

Newpeep · 09/09/2023 11:39

It’s not about treating them like children. It’s about minimising the risk of something happening to them or a human.

I’ve had to intervene more than once when I’ve seen someone harassing a dog tied up. On one occasion a child was being allowed to hug a dog outside a shop. The dog was snarling. It’s really really common.

Show quote history

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Dogs do not belong in public toilets provided for humans.

Snarling dogs is a whole different issue.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 11:48

MidnightOnceMore · 09/09/2023 11:35

Then stay at home?

Your dog does not belong in a public toilet for humans.

Show quote history

Aye, I'll just never walk him then 😂

SunnieShine · 09/09/2023 11:51

Just take him in with you, it wouldn't bother me at all.

Balloonhearts · 09/09/2023 11:52

I used to take mine in the cubical with me. She was a labrador. Occasionally tried to get on my lap but mostly well behaved in there.

Simonjt · 09/09/2023 11:54

I just take ours in the toilet with me, the park by us has little hooks in the cubicles to pop their lead on.

mandymion · 09/09/2023 11:54

I think I would find a friendly looking person (woman preferably!) and ask them to watch the dog for a minute if they were ok with it.

Random789 · 09/09/2023 12:00

I don't see why there is so much controversy on the thread. If the loo is in a no-dogs zone, or if it says 'no dogs', then of course I would keep my dog out. But there are loads of loos in places where dogs are allowed and are numerous, such as county shows, forestry commission visitor attractions, etc, etc. In places like that it is fine to assume dogs can go in if there is no signage indicating otherwise. Not a question of being 'entitled'.

Far worse to leave a dog tied up outside where uninformed kids and adults might put themselves at risk by stressing it with unwanted contact

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/09/2023 12:05

I've never seen this although I wouldn't mind at all

Clymene · 09/09/2023 12:05

I just said I have literally never seen a soul when I've taken my dog into public loos @MidnightOnceMore

I can hardly be a menace if my taking my dog (who is 8 so I've been doing it for years) into the cubicle with me has never affected anyone ever.

If I hadn't confessed on this thread, you'd never have known Grin

TheWayofBeing · 09/09/2023 12:07

If dogs are allowed I'd just take him in. My dog is tiny and hilarious so nobody has ever minded.

TheWayofBeing · 09/09/2023 12:09

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!

Mines a 4kg Pom cross. Smaller than most 6 months old. So not an issue!

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/09/2023 12:09

Newpeep · 09/09/2023 11:39

It’s not about treating them like children. It’s about minimising the risk of something happening to them or a human.

I’ve had to intervene more than once when I’ve seen someone harassing a dog tied up. On one occasion a child was being allowed to hug a dog outside a shop. The dog was snarling. It’s really really common.

Show quote history

I've always said to my ds never stroke a dog without owners permission you have no idea what the dog is like

Poshjock · 09/09/2023 12:10

It's not like this is a regular occurrence. In 20 years of dog ownership I can count on my fingers (on one hand probably) the amount of times I've actually had to do this. The amount of times I have been out with my dog(s), alone, needing the toilet and in a place where there actually is a suitable toilet available. It's hen's teeth rare.

They are a very valuable (insured) possession so I am not leaving him out of sight or not secured. At times where it is warm I am not leaving him in the car - that's criminal. So in extremis he will have to come in. When it was two Labs there was no way they could come into the cubicle and believe me, this is my preference. I want to supervise my dog and the other people around who may interact with him. The Labs were impeccably trained and would sit exactly as I placed them, paying no heed to anyone else, until I released them. Poodle would likely fit in a cubicle, but if not, he similarly is trained to not move or react. The real problem - as always - is owners who do not or cannot train their dogs to behave appropriately.

TheWayofBeing · 09/09/2023 12:10

@MidnightOnceMore it's not 1953 you can't just tie dogs anymore. Dog thieves are rampant.

Boomboom22 · 09/09/2023 12:18

Wow no wonder toilets smell so bad. I cannot believe people take their animals in them, someone even said they let it put its nose in other peoples cubicles. Wtf? I'd be so terrified how could I ever go to the toilet again? Really very nasty and selfish, not a surprise dog owners always put their dogs above kids and scared adults.

Clymene · 09/09/2023 12:19

Poshjock · 09/09/2023 12:10

It's not like this is a regular occurrence. In 20 years of dog ownership I can count on my fingers (on one hand probably) the amount of times I've actually had to do this. The amount of times I have been out with my dog(s), alone, needing the toilet and in a place where there actually is a suitable toilet available. It's hen's teeth rare.

They are a very valuable (insured) possession so I am not leaving him out of sight or not secured. At times where it is warm I am not leaving him in the car - that's criminal. So in extremis he will have to come in. When it was two Labs there was no way they could come into the cubicle and believe me, this is my preference. I want to supervise my dog and the other people around who may interact with him. The Labs were impeccably trained and would sit exactly as I placed them, paying no heed to anyone else, until I released them. Poodle would likely fit in a cubicle, but if not, he similarly is trained to not move or react. The real problem - as always - is owners who do not or cannot train their dogs to behave appropriately.

Yes, that is also true. I usually wild wee.

Willmafrockfit · 09/09/2023 12:19

i agree, it is not a daily occurence

Spanne · 09/09/2023 12:20

Take your dog in with you. It’s the safest option. The odd person might not like it but at least they’ll get a kick out of being outraged.

Boomboom22 · 09/09/2023 12:21

Random789 · 09/09/2023 12:00

I don't see why there is so much controversy on the thread. If the loo is in a no-dogs zone, or if it says 'no dogs', then of course I would keep my dog out. But there are loads of loos in places where dogs are allowed and are numerous, such as county shows, forestry commission visitor attractions, etc, etc. In places like that it is fine to assume dogs can go in if there is no signage indicating otherwise. Not a question of being 'entitled'.

Far worse to leave a dog tied up outside where uninformed kids and adults might put themselves at risk by stressing it with unwanted contact

If your dog is that dangerous it shouldbe muzzled and maybe think very hard about whether it is ok to have a pet you cannot trust.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 12:22

Boomboom22 · 09/09/2023 12:18

Wow no wonder toilets smell so bad. I cannot believe people take their animals in them, someone even said they let it put its nose in other peoples cubicles. Wtf? I'd be so terrified how could I ever go to the toilet again? Really very nasty and selfish, not a surprise dog owners always put their dogs above kids and scared adults.

Toilets smell bad because of people - even toilets that don't allow dogs absolutely stink most of the time.