Dogs in cafes

I hate dogs in cafes, I would have left

I think it's unacceptable to have dogs in restaurants and cafes. On the last two holidays we had, Lyme Regis and The Lakes, there were signs on most cafes to say dogs welcome. The places were full of them. We found a gastro type pub, a bit posh. There were dogs in there, one of which came and sat by our table watching us eat. It was very off-putting. The owners said nothing.

I love dogs and have 3 but wouldn’t dream of allowing this behaviour. I agree with a dog area like they do in our local garden centre or sit outside. Mind you I feel the same about unruly children.

I was in this situation yesterday and had to move, which clearly caused hurt. I had to explain to the staff that I was allergic to dogs. The staff were helpful and kind but it occurred to me that a “dog” area and a “no dogs” area might help in the way that there used to be smoking/no smoking areas. The issue really gets to me when waiting staff stroke the dog and then go on serving. I want to ask them to go and wash their hands - and I don’t go back.

I think generally, dog owners always think people will love their dogs as much as they do! Well I don’t! And I certainly don’t want them loitering around whilst I’m eating

Oldbatl cross post - mine in more ways than one!

If you can't take dogs into a supermarket, why should you be able to take them into a café? Surely it goes against food hygiene regulations. A dog area (preferably outside!!) is a good idea.
But then there are all the cat cafés that are springing up. Cats are a bit more stand-offish and less likely to crowd you but there's still the hygiene issue. I like cats and at least if you choose to go into a cat café you know what you're letting yourself in for.

Must admit I hate dogs in cafes or anywhere where I'm going to eat - I think it's unhygienic. More bearable if there's a lot of space between tables but I'm not keen. Obv no problem with guide dogs,etc.
I went to an out of town outlet recently and some people had dogs there - again, I feel totally inappropriate: it was crowded, I felt sorry for the dogs and frankly they were in the way.

The pub I mentioned above kept what they call 'fresh dog food' behind the bar which they were giving to the dogs. Yes I sincerely hope they wash their hands.

I've posted about my experience in the past....

We were having lunch in a very nice riverside restaurant when a young couple came and sat at the next table. They had a pug with them. Because a pug has a very short snout, they snuffle and wheeze constantly, as did this one. Their meals arrived and the man proceeded to pick bits off his plate and feed it to the snuffling cur under the table which then snuffled and drooled even louder as it ate it. When the dog felt that too long had elapsed between morsels to eat, it started to yap for more. The noise emanating from that dog, whilst people were trying to eat, was revolting and completely put us off our lunch. When our meal was over, we stood up and saw that the floor around their table was covered in dog drool and bits of half eaten food. When we went to pay, the waitress apologised but said that the owner didn't want to ban dogs because it would lose him custom. He lost at least 2 that day. Detest dogs in cafes and restaurants.

Last time I was in Holmfirth, My mum and I went in a cafe that had a sign saying that well behaved dogs were welcome.
Although we didn't have a dog, we still chose to go in.

While we were there, several dogs came and went with their owners, and they weren't a problem

What I was less happy with was seeing the cafe owner go and give a dog some kind of treat, patting it at the same time. As far as I could see, she didn't wash her hands when returning behind the counter to continue preparing and handling food for the human customers. Now that has put me off going there again!

I have dogs, I love my dogs but have never expected anyone else to tolerate them let alone love them. The only time my dogs go anywhere with me is a 2 hour romp over the woods every day and a trip to the vet when needed. Apart from that they stay home. I think people that take them shopping and to cafe's probably don't take them out where they can be dogs and run about like nutters having fun. Poor dogs.

We never stay in hotels, which state dogs are welcome, nor even in self catering accommodation, just puts me off!

I love dogs but not in cafes and restaurants, obviously with the exception of any type of guide dog.

Luckily where I live in London I never see this - is it more of a problem in a "seaside resort"?

We get unruly screaming children running around with mother usually attached to her mobile or just seemingly unconcerned. I go for a coffee and expect peace and quiet.

My local pub now has a sign outside saying 'well behaved dogs welcome'. I think that, with so many pubs closing down they're having to rethink who they're targeting.

Possibly Labaik, but the would definitely be losing my custom

I agree Flexiblefriend we do the same with our dogs even though France is much more relaxed about them. I wouldn't expect other diners to be comfortable with my dogs around the table. I don't want to stay in accommodation which allows dogs either. I am very definitely a dog lover but they need to know their place. Assistance dogs excepted of course.

You sound like my kind of dog owner Sodapop, I don’t dislike dogs particularly, mainly just their often selfish owners, lovely to take a dog on a lovely country ramble, but pubs and cafes, definitely not!

I am extremely allergic to dogs. I can tolerate them outside as long as I do not come into contact with them. Guide/Assistance dogs should be allowed anywhere, they are well trained and behaved.

Our experience is that there are very few cafés that allow dogs inside. In the small Market Town where we have our holiday apartment, there is only a couple of cafés, and a couple of restaurants- where we can take the dog. A couple of pubs too as long as we go to a separate room. So it is very easy for people who don't like dogs, or are allergic - to avoid these places.

In France or Switzerland, we can go practically anywhere with a dog. The key is about being well-behaved. We take her bed with us and she settles straightaway and you wouldn't know she is there.

We don't have dogs any more, but I'd pick a dog-friendly cafe or pub over a no-dogs one any day. I always enjoy meeting other people's dogs.

There are nearly always more no-dogs places than the other - why not just pick one of those?

Fair point Witzend, but you don’t always realise till you’ve ordered your meal, and then a big wet smelly dog comes in! I shall endeavour to check first in future!

Dogs and children in restaurants and cafes are fine - provided they are quiet and well-behaved.

Dogs can’t be left alone in B&Bs or caravans or tents or cars especially if the weather is warm. So eating out can be a problem.

Around here dogs are generally allowed in pub bars and their owners have bar meals which are generally very good and often better value than in the restaurant bit.

Only one of our dogs has ever been in an hotel. That was when we moved here 10 years ago. We stopped in Switzerland for the night ( we had checked with the hotel previously as she is a large dog) and took her bed to the room and then sat in a quiet corner of the restaurant for our dinner. She was as good as gold the whole time and slept under the table. I hasten to add that it was a one off and has never been repeated with any of our dogs! When we go out they stay home and when we go on holiday they go to Kennels run by a friend!