Should I have said something?

Dogs in general are probably cleaner than humans. Their saliva kills lots of things ours doesn’t. I’d rather see a dog eating from a plate than have some dribbly old man or even snotty toddler guzzling nearby and sneezing over everything Having said this, the way the woman behaved was unacceptable and the incident distasteful. Our dogs never eat off human plates and they stay under the table in restaurants ( most people seem to love them though and that in itself can be a problem as they disturb them by petting them). Definitely it was the job of the staff to object to that behaviour cakehunter not you! You were entitled to a peaceful cuppa so don’t feel guilty. But please let’s get away from the idea that dogs are dirty - they are not, intrinsically, and people who live with dogs are less prone to infection. If you don’t like dogs fair enough - I would never want to inflict my dogs on anyone who dislikes them and that’s a personal choice. But it has little to do with possible health hazards IMO - people are more risky!

4allweknow

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.

Oh my goodness, I’ve never seen anything like that. Wow! Just wow! I’m shocked.
Surely if you wanted to taste it first, you’d ask for a tiny amount to try .

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!

Dogs licking plates etc is not to be encouraged but not a danger to future users. Most cafes and restaurants use a dishwasher which should ensure the removal of all contamination. I'm much more concerned that food handlers are properly trained in food hygiene and that they aren't working if unwell.

This is awful, also annoys me a lot, I like being able take my dog places, these people that do disgusting things like this ruin it for sensible and good dog owners. What a disgusting thing to do, not sure how I would have reacted…

Don't all such places have dushwashers that run at high temperatures? Not keen on dogs licking plates outside their home but certainly wouldn't avoid going to that café again because of it.

There should also be designated places for walking dogs. They are everywhere now! Even if poo is lifted we walk on those places where it has been and carry the germs into our homes on our footwear. I can admire a lovely dog but don’t want to walk on where it has pooed.

Dogs in general are probably cleaner than humans. Their saliva kills lots of things ours doesn’t. I’d rather see a dog eating from a plate than have some dribbly old man or even snotty toddler guzzling nearby and sneezing over everything

Undines let’s not bother with dishwashers then let’s put the plates out for the local dogs to lick

It not just about the eating off plates although that’s bad enough Dogs often smell very doggy, some dribble great lumps of saliva hanging down from their jowles they shake themselves and hairs can go everywhere
They should not be in eating places By all means have a special doggy eating restaurant/ cafe then I and others like me can keep away
And I ll say again loudly I DO NOT DISLIKE DOGS

Really surprised at the general level of dainty squeamishness in this discussion!

Pretty disgusting but people also wipe their mouths and noses on the table napkins and leave them on the table, possibly in cups, on plates etc. Hopefully the cafe dishwashers are set high enough to destroy all those potential infections both human and dog. I wouldn't worry too much.

What disgusting behaviour from the dog owner. You’re quite right that it wasn’t up to you to say anything to someone who obviously has no shame and looked ready to have a confrontation. As others have said, maybe the waitress meant you should have said something to her so that she could deal with it.

I love dogs and other animals but can’t stand this humanisation (is that a word?) of pets.

It all goes in the commercial dishwasher and will be cleaned and sterilised probably.
It’s not ideal but think of the filthy people who have also drank from those cups also 🤢

Chances are its not been up their bum

BlueBelle this did make me laugh!!!

And the comment about someone trying the soup yuk!!!

Whats the matter with people????

Just a point about doggy pushchairs. There are usually ridden in by dogs who are maybe recovering from an operation, or who have mobility problems or arthritis, or or other reasons why they can't walk far, or occasionally for pups who haven't yet had their jabs,who need to keep off the ground. It's not babying a dog any more than it's babying a human who needs to use a wheelchair

Spot on, tickingbird. The weird 'humanisation of pets' is what this is really about. In hygiene terms what the dog did was not really a problem as several people have pointed out. The dog owner's behaviour in letting/encouraging the dog (to) lick out her coffee cup is what's weird.

The wicked part of me kind of hopes she might have done it just to raise people's hackles because the out and out disgust expressed on this thread is actually quite amusing.

I am a cat person, but some of my AC have dogs- and i love their dogs, but we all would not let them lick plates, cups etc wether in our homes or out in cafes etc...in fact, unless they are guide or hearing help dogs why would places even let them into where they serve food?? It's a ludicrous idea.where food is served/eaten should be dog free for hygene reasons. What's betting that that woman does not let them lick her plates/cups at home though🤔🤨

Soup sampling? OMG, is that what EU visitors here think the ladle is for?Eew!🤮

I dont think ill be having soup or custard or gravy from a 'communal' tureen again.ever....

Germanshepherdsmum

Very true Caravansera. I am far more likely to catch something unpleasant from another person than from my dog. After reading about the bacteria in a bowl of nuts in a bar, due to people not washing their hands after using the loo, I wouldn’t touch them with a bargepole.

Humans don't lick their bits then lick plates and dishes, then humans unknowingly clear them away It's a well known known thing re bar snacks, would never touch them either.

Oh and yes I would have said something. Why do dog lovers think every one should love them too. Never ceases to amaze me.

it is disgusting but I don't think it is your place to say anything, so stop worrying about it

Slightly off topic here but still about dogs being in unusual places.
We returned from a city break in Amsterdam only yesterday. Moving along on a travelator at Schiphol airport we spotted a small dog accompanying their owner. My friend remarked how unusual it was and we mused on the fact that pets are allowed to travel freely within Europe, even on flights. Our short discussion continued with wondering how owners manage their pets toileting needs ..........., which was answered almost straight away by the little dog relieving its bowels all over the end of the travelator. The person immediately behind had to quickly negotiate getting off the travelator with a pushchair whilst avoiding the scattered mess.
My friend and I had to jump over the mess whilst it continued to be mangled and spread by the end of the travelator mechanism. Too much information, I know!
The owner seemed satisfyingly mortified and tried to clean it up. Nothing was said, or needed to be said.
I just hope she thinks of her little dog's welfare (and her fellow passengers) the next time she decides to travel with it.

If I’d got up to go before the woman with the dog I’d have said that seeing dogs licking plates is not a pretty sight for other eaters and against all standards of public hygiene. And scarpered out of earshot of any reply.

It’s the minority that spoil everything. It could end up that the garden centre cafe ban dogs from the cafe because of her allowing her dog to lick the plate. Not all dog owners are that disgusting.

Some places still wash glasses and flatware in a sink, you know. I think it is logical for the staff to take an occasional look at tables where there are dogs, to avoid this hassle. It is not for the clients to speak up.

Problem is if you avoid dogs welcome, children welcome, bikers welcome there aren’t many left