Should I have said something?

I also avoid dog-friendly cafés, but particularly in wet weather. Wet dogs really stink!

The dog owner in question sounds more than a bit odd. Letting her dog behave in that way and then "dogging up" disgruntled customers surely isn't right.

I would be contacting Environmental Health, they should at least be having a conversation with the owners of the cafe.

The ultimate relaxed parenting was described to me in a way that was designed to shock:

Baby crawls across the kitchen floor and starts to eat the dog's food from the dog's bowl. Startled guest calls out to baby's mum "the baby's eating from the dog's bowl!" " Oh bother, I'll have to put some more out for the dog"

At home is one thing. A public restaurant is another.

Germanshepherdsmum

As I have already said, I would be far more likely to catch something unpleasant from someone else’s cup, glass or cutlery than from a plate licked by a dog.

that would depend on what sort of company you keep

So all of you who disapprove of dogs in cafes or restaurants would deny the pleasure for me of going to such places with my Guide Dog.

LizVck

So all of you who disapprove of dogs in cafes or restaurants would deny the pleasure for me of going to such places with my Guide Dog.

Yours is a working dog and will be well behaved and I am sure you dont encourage him or her to eat from human plates while out?

Germanshepherdsmum

Our dog doesn’t eat from our plates, but surely all crockery, cutlery and glassware is thoroughly washed, no matter who has used it? I wouldn’t want to think that the cup or glass I was drinking from still bore traces of the last user and whatever virus they had (cold sore or covid, anyone?) Frankly a dog would be the least of my worries.

This. There are laws about how kitchens wash used utencils.

We went to a farm shop café a while ago and a man sitting nearby lifted his dog on to his lap and let him finish off the food on his plate.
He stared me down too and no, I didn't say anything but remember feeling quite uncomfortable and hoping the dishwasher was set to very hot!. Fine if someone wants to let their dog do that at home (we never have) but not out at a restaurant or café.

Dogs in certain eateries are fine as long as they are well-behaved and lie down quietly.

Germanshepherdsmum

Our dog doesn’t eat from our plates, but surely all crockery, cutlery and glassware is thoroughly washed, no matter who has used it? I wouldn’t want to think that the cup or glass I was drinking from still bore traces of the last user and whatever virus they had (cold sore or covid, anyone?) Frankly a dog would be the least of my worries.

My friend had a cup with remnants of lipstick on it at another venue recently so no, I think some of the dishwashers in eateries have a rapid 15 minute wash.
There was ne in the canteen at work like that.

No, don't say anything. It's would most definitely have turned into a massive row and spoilt your day . if she doesn't see anything wrong in. it then she is not likely to just because you said something .

Kate1949

We have no idea if plates we are eating off in cafes etc have been licked by dogs. That's fine. What you don't know can't hurt you. It's the entitlement of the woman that gets me. I love my dog, I will let it lick my plate in front of you. Deal with it.

Yes, this!!

This is totally unacceptable behaviour. I am a dog lover but if and when we take family dogs into a cafe, we bring their own bowls for water and IF treats are fed it is done by hand and usually doggy ones anyway. One cafe does actually sell dishes of tea for dogs, if they enjoy it, but they are pet dishes of course. Don’t let dogs share my crockery at home, let alone that belonging to a cafe!

You did say something though. Maybe not with your voice but I am sure your face conveyed your distain. Don't feel bad. I have seen snotty nosed kids licking plates and oil stained construction workers using plates as ashtrays when outdoors. Dogs licking plates seem small fry. Best we don't know whats gone on and put our faith in hot washes !

In a pub for Sunday lunch and a dog leapt up and took my last roast potato off my plate - the owner said sorry about that .. I was not amused !

Grammaretto

The ultimate relaxed parenting was described to me in a way that was designed to shock:

Baby crawls across the kitchen floor and starts to eat the dog's food from the dog's bowl. Startled guest calls out to baby's mum "the baby's eating from the dog's bowl!" " Oh bother, I'll have to put some more out for the dog"

At home is one thing. A public restaurant is another.

Oh, that happened when DH was left in charge of DC1 once.
She crawled very speedily! She crammed a couple of handfuls of the meat into her mouth.
No, he wasn't relaxed at all, he said he barely slept all night as he kept popping in to make sure she wasn't ill and was still breathing.

I wouldn't have said anytahaing but would have alerted staff. Had similar experience waiting in a queue in a cafe. I had picked up my choice and was moving along queue when I looked back and saw a man lift the lid, take the ladle out of a soup urn, taste the soup and return ladle to urn. Couldn't believe it. I told staff member. Urn was removed from counter. Apparently a foreign tourist was the culprit.

Could be the cafe’s responsibility to add to dogs welcome - well behaved and not to lick plates. Easy to think of something after the moment ⏰

I would have alerted staff in that situation too, 4AllWeKnow. The dog, or even a person, licking crockery that was about to be blasted in a dishwasher is a different kettle of fish (or soup) altogether as there is a cleansing/decontaminating process to follow.

Nope ! Nothing to do with you if they were not with you ! I’ll be honest, I’m a dog owner/dog lover and though sometimes, very occasionally, in our home our dogs have licked our plates )which then get rinsed in hot water and then into dishwasher on highest setting) I’d never ever allow my dogs to do this anywhere else, let alone a public restaurant/cafe !

Shame on both the dog owner and waitress !

lemsip

Germanshepherdsmum
As I have already said, I would be far more likely to catch something unpleasant from someone else’s cup, glass or cutlery than from a plate licked by a dog.
that would depend on what sort of company you keep

Hahaha how rude Lemsip and actually inaccurate ! Many people carry viruses and even bacterial infections and feel fine so wouldn’t even know they were carrying something potentially contagious !

I don't think dogs should be allowed in cafes or restaurants. There are hygiene issues. Where there are carpets, I wonder how many dogs bottoms have sat on them and how many dog hairs have been shed on it.
Even when dogs are sitting under tables some can be very smelly which I find off putting.

I find it revolting to see dogs been given plates and bowls to lick, and owners who share a biscuit using the same fingers to put it in their mouth and the dog's mouth.

I avoid DOGS WELCOME eateries. Luckily, there are still plenty of places where dogs are not allowed when food is being served.

Sounds quite disgusting. I wouldn't have confronted the dog owner but would have reported it to the staff and then manager if I was not listened to. I try to avoid any food areas where dogs are allowed and spend my money elsewhere.

Oh bluebells many dogs actually sleep in the kitchen and are certainly allowed in. They’re not going to “contaminate” food just by being in a kitchen and they live in our homes and are around good all the time. They really are no more germ ridden than humans, especially the little humans

Food not good !

LizVck

So all of you who disapprove of dogs in cafes or restaurants would deny the pleasure for me of going to such places with my Guide Dog.

No. Guide dogs or assistance dogs are different. Different rules apply everywhere. They can go into places other dogs can never go.