Dogs everywhere

Everywhere I go I see dogs, dogs and more dogs.

As a nation we have gone completely bonkers over dogs.
And I’m sick to death of it.
Especially when people baby their dogs and dress them in silly clothes.
And feed them unsuitable food. Doggy ice cream anyone?
Also, one dog doesn’t seem to be enough mostly.
We must get another one to keep the other one company.
God forbid he should get bored or lonely.
Okay rant over. Sorry all you dog lovers.

Well at least they are allowed some freedom. Have you seen a cat cafe? I haven't and I don't want to.

www.rspca.org.uk/w/rspca-and-cats-protection-call-for-phase-out-of-cat-cafes

@foxie48 checking is all very well, as long as there’s some dog free places for us to select. There are 38 cafes within a few miles where I like to walk and meet up with friends. Only one does not allow dogs. Unfortunately it also has the least appealing cake selection and the coffee is undrinkable.

Now then! I was with partner in Costa last weekend and I’ve never ever seen such behaviour from dogs, owners and staff. There was a total of 5 dogs and 2 were a nuisance and should have been taken out. One was a small poodle who insisted on sitting at the table on owner’s lap yapping at anybody who dared go near and she rewarded it with kissing; the other was with owner stood in the middle of floor near counter and never stopped whining loudly. Now then, from behind counter came a member of staff, who went over to whining dog cuddled and kissed it and did same to owner - went back behind counter and repeated this behaviour many times. I’ve never seen such antics. The noise from these two dogs was unacceptable. We are dog lovers - well behaved ones!
The other side of the coin: we visited a cafe recently. What a difference. As you went in there greeted you was a blackboard which was headed “Doggy Do’s and Don’ts”. It said amongst other things - ‘dogs to be kept on floor’ and ‘3 barks please take your dog out’. That is how it should be. We always had two dogs - well-behaved and treated like dogs, not humans.
There, I’ve said my piece.

Unfortunately it also has the least appealing cake selection and the coffee is undrinkable.
Ah, so that's why my friends all put up with my dogs when they come and stay with me! It's for the excellent food and drink I serve up!

There should be give and take with dogs. We have three holiday cottages which are clearly stated are dog friendly. Each cottage has its own yard and has access to plenty of grass Generally we have no problems except when the occasional person turns up and tries to inform us they are scared of dogs and ours and other guests dogs are to be kept away during their stay. If someone wants to avoid dogs they should not stay with us on a dog friendly site
Having said that the majority are very considerate to other guests.
Incidentally the majority of dog owners leave their accommodation much cleaner and tidier than those with kids

sodapop

Wow, not much it seems evokes more response on GN than someone complaining about dogs.
Daisycuddles that's a bit harsh, there are varied reasons why people may not want dogs around them. They are as entitled to dog free spaces as we are to take our dogs to suitable areas.

Just this. I can’t believe some of the comments on here which amount to putting dogs before people! I’m a dog lover and, until recently, have always had one but I would no more have taken a dog where there was food that fly in the sky with it!

As someone said upthread, one of the worst things is those damned extending leads. Horrible things that enable an owner to say they are complying with the dogs on lead rules while having no control over it whatsoever.
In my opinion if dog is on a lead it should be at heel on a loose lead. If off lead the recall should be cast iron.

No I dont mind as a big dog lover and have always had them so we look for places that are dog friendly. Our dogs have always been very well behaved and sit quietly under rhe table, so never an issue.
Surely, you have the choice of staying in a dog friendly hotel or not?

I have two children and a dog . Have to say I’ve had worse experiences with other people’s children than I’ve ever had with dogs in cafes and restaurants. Since 36% of households in the UK own at least one dog , looks like we are still a nation of dog lovers . A lot of business to lose if you exclude dogs from cafes etc . Never had a problem myself .

rafichagran

No, I don't want to eat in restaurants with dogs either. I would just feel uncomfortable.

There is someone locally who brings a dog in to sit in a chair at the table. I hate this, and really don't want to sit on unknowingly where a dog has been sitting or drooling on the table.

There is a cat cafe in Bold Street, Liverpool.

Well behaved dogs children are fine by me! It is the owners/parents who I complain about!
In a cafe/ restaurant manners are vital , no dogs on chairs or tables ! Children should have good manners , ours did!
People need to pick up after their dogs as well and not hang bags of dog poo from trees !
All cafes and restaurants should have dog free zones ! Problem solved !!

I’m always shocked how judgemental grananet is.
My dog has been my companion for 5 yrs after my husband became disabled and not inclined to venture out. When I moved to a new place while he was in Care I felt more at ease because I can take my dog.
Only once did I go somewhere alone to eat where he couldn’t come.
Since my husband died he continues to be my companion and often accompanies me to cafes and pub meals.
Yes I go out with friends but if he can come U don’t have to ration my time so he’s not alone too long.
If I go for days out alone of course he has to come with me or I have to pay.
And yes he does enjoy shopping because he’s very sociable.
Yes he sniffs some horrible things but he doesn’t eat from plates and only smells doggy for a short time when wet.
There are always places that won’t have dogs and usually sections where no dogs go- particularly in hotels.
I am always mindful not everyone likes him and keep him on a short lead in indoor spaces.
Live and let live! There are many children and rude adults who’ve annoyed me while out.

And all those dogs on Antiques Roadshow! The camera keeps focussing on them for no reason. I couldn't even get a ticket to the 2 events nearest to me. Perhaps I should have told them I had a dog.

It would be interesting to know the average age of those posting, particularly those who think dogs should not be allowed anywhere other than on a walk and kept in their own home and garden.
I would hazard a guess and say, 70+? only because this was always the ‘old school’ way of thinking. Dogs should know their place and certainly never be allowed on the furniture either. I was the same with my first dog. She stayed on the floor. Then it changed and a cuddle on the sofa was lovely (on a blanket) and I realised what I’d been missing. There after each subsequent dog was allowed on the sofa and comes with us to most places. They too enjoy going out and about and a change of scenery.

Riversidegirl

And all those dogs on Antiques Roadshow! The camera keeps focussing on them for no reason. I couldn't even get a ticket to the 2 events nearest to me. Perhaps I should have told them I had a dog.

On hot days too! I understand that sometimes you have to queue for hours.

Yes I have a friend like that with 2 large Labradors that get in everybody’s way. I don’t take my dog to cafes or shops and never have with previous ones. A man came into my local cafe yesterday with a huge dog that he really couldn’t control. Another regular has the most aggressive chihuahua and I am just waiting for it to bite the waitress or a child. He is so totally unaware about how nervous that dog makes people feel. Snappy, noisy little pest.

As lots of you have said it isn't the dogs it's the owners. They are the ones who don't behave responsibly and look after the animal that they have chosen to have and this definitely includes not allowing their dog to annoy other people.

Yes, I completely agree with OP. I also object to dog owners labelling people dog haters when they don't like dogs being everywhere. I like dogs and will happily greet a well-behaved one but they should not be allowed around food.

Robin202

It would be interesting to know the average age of those posting, particularly those who think dogs should not be allowed anywhere other than on a walk and kept in their own home and garden.
I would hazard a guess and say, 70+? only because this was always the ‘old school’ way of thinking. Dogs should know their place and certainly never be allowed on the furniture either. I was the same with my first dog. She stayed on the floor. Then it changed and a cuddle on the sofa was lovely (on a blanket) and I realised what I’d been missing. There after each subsequent dog was allowed on the sofa and comes with us to most places. They too enjoy going out and about and a change of scenery.

😂😂😂

It's nothing to do with age. That is an ageist post on a forum aimed at older people.

It would be interesting to know the average age of those posting, particularly those who think dogs should not be allowed anywhere other than on a walk and kept in their own home and garden.
No-one said they should be kept in their own home and garden so that's a figment of imagination.

We had a rescue dog years ago who'd belonged to an elderly lady. He thought he should be allowed on the furniture, on beds etc but soon learnt that would not be the case in our house. We were in our 40s then with a family. He was very intelligent and soon learnt.

the ‘old school’ way of thinking. Dogs should know their place and certainly never be allowed on the furniture either.
I know younger people who believe this too.

GrannyGravy13

ViceVersa

If you - or someone you know - has an allergy to dogs, what do you do if you happen to go out and encounter someone with an assistance dog, given that there is a legal requirement for those dogs to be allowed access to almost every facility from hospitals and business to shops and cafes?

I carry strong antihistamines always, which I take immediately.

I then explain my allergies and ask to be moved if in a medical setting.

In a cafe or restaurant I ask to be moved or leave explaining why.

Very seldom do I use public transport. I always take antihistamines before going on mainline trains, do not use the underground or buses.

I'm not a dog lover but usually manage the avoid the worst of them in restaurants.
It isn't so easy to avoid the out of control children - in fact the only time I've ever asked to move tables was when the floor under our table was repeatedly invaded by the children of adjacent entitled parents who clearly thought we'd be enchanted by their company.

justanovice

As lots of you have said it isn't the dogs it's the owners. They are the ones who don't behave responsibly and look after the animal that they have chosen to have and this definitely includes not allowing their dog to annoy other people.

As Robin202 points out, the new way of thinking, apparently, is for dogs to take over and do whatever they want so it must be difficult for dogs and such owners to believe not everyone is happy with this, whatever their age.

It's not the dogs' fault.
How often do we hear of tragic events with huge, vicious dogs which have attacked someone? They have been living in tiny houses or even flats, with stupid, irresponsible owners?

Frogoet

I’m always shocked how judgemental grananet is.
My dog has been my companion for 5 yrs after my husband became disabled and not inclined to venture out. When I moved to a new place while he was in Care I felt more at ease because I can take my dog.
Only once did I go somewhere alone to eat where he couldn’t come.
Since my husband died he continues to be my companion and often accompanies me to cafes and pub meals.
Yes I go out with friends but if he can come U don’t have to ration my time so he’s not alone too long.
If I go for days out alone of course he has to come with me or I have to pay.
And yes he does enjoy shopping because he’s very sociable.
Yes he sniffs some horrible things but he doesn’t eat from plates and only smells doggy for a short time when wet.
There are always places that won’t have dogs and usually sections where no dogs go- particularly in hotels.
I am always mindful not everyone likes him and keep him on a short lead in indoor spaces.
Live and let live! There are many children and rude adults who’ve annoyed me while out.

I wish you and your kind companiable dog a long and happy life.
One should not underestimate the companionship that all pets , including dogs, provide for people.
That's why we voluntarily acquire them and keep them.

Frogoet
Not all owners are as responsible as you.