Dogs everywhere

foxie48

Wow, just wow! Where do some of you people live? It sounds like an absolute nightmare of a place. Come to where I live. Dogs are walked politely, the shops aren't full of hairy beasts and the pubs welcome dogs but have areas where you definitely won't meet a dog although you might meet a hairy local.

Actually, no, don't come here. We're a rural community, pretty tolerant of unruly kids but very intolerant of unruly dogs because we understand quite a bit about animals and how they behave. When I, a city girl, arrived here over 25 years ago, I bought our first border terrier from a local farmer who was the local hunt terrier man. (sorry to all you folks who disapprove of hunting) he let me have one of his pups on condition that he helped me train it. He certainly knew his dogs, he'd been a judge at Crufts and what he didn't know about training dogs, tbh wasn't worth knowing. He was also an experienced horseman but that's another story. There's absolutely no need for anyone to have to deal with dogs jumping on their laps, trying to eat from the table in a restaurant, tripping people up because they are on extender leads. They just have the misfortune to be owned by people who don't understand how to train them, just like when i spend an hour in a railway carriage with children creating mayhem, or in a restaurant listening to children screaming or running around, I put the blame where it belongs, with the responsible adult!

What makes you so sure that the place you live is full of totally responsible owners and perfect dogs? There’s certain to be some problems with dogs/ owners because they are everywhere.
Very few dogs seem to be trained and far too many are allowed off lead.I haven’t been hurt by a dog as yet but many times have been angry when an enthusiastic dog jumps up at me with muddy paws.The owners invariably laugh it off.

Wow, just wow! Where do some of you people live? It sounds like an absolute nightmare of a place. Come to where I live.

😂

Come to where I live too!
I'm on the coast. OK our dogs frolic on the beach and get a bit salty-smelling from the sea water, but once in the town they are kept under control and don't jump on laps, lick plates in cafés, or tie people up in extendable leads. If you walk by the river then you have to accept they might come and shake next to you, but they don't bark loudly in pubs and chase around under tables.

The Sunday Times calls my town "genteel". Seeing as more than an average number of people have a dog which they take out with them, I can only assume that our four legged friends here are better behaved than those in other parts of the country, or maybe their owners are!

I adore dogs . I've always had them. They bring great joy. I love to see them anywhere and everywhere. Always stop to have a chat.

Humans are nowhere near as much fun. And children can be hugely annoying. And I've got 4 of my own and 4 grandchildren so I'm not a childless dog lady

Well said, foxie48! At the end of the day, it's not the dogs who are the problem, it's thoughtless, selfish and ignorant owners. And as I've been at pains to point out, we're not all like that. Most of us are actually very responsible and do take others into consideration.

Wow, just wow! Where do some of you people live? It sounds like an absolute nightmare of a place. Come to where I live. Dogs are walked politely, the shops aren't full of hairy beasts and the pubs welcome dogs but have areas where you definitely won't meet a dog although you might meet a hairy local.

Actually, no, don't come here. We're a rural community, pretty tolerant of unruly kids but very intolerant of unruly dogs because we understand quite a bit about animals and how they behave. When I, a city girl, arrived here over 25 years ago, I bought our first border terrier from a local farmer who was the local hunt terrier man. (sorry to all you folks who disapprove of hunting) he let me have one of his pups on condition that he helped me train it. He certainly knew his dogs, he'd been a judge at Crufts and what he didn't know about training dogs, tbh wasn't worth knowing. He was also an experienced horseman but that's another story. There's absolutely no need for anyone to have to deal with dogs jumping on their laps, trying to eat from the table in a restaurant, tripping people up because they are on extender leads. They just have the misfortune to be owned by people who don't understand how to train them, just like when i spend an hour in a railway carriage with children creating mayhem, or in a restaurant listening to children screaming or running around, I put the blame where it belongs, with the responsible adult!

I once asked a dog loving but bat hating friend how she would feel if she came to visit me and when I opened the front door bats flew all over her body discharging dubious bodily fluids and getting caught in her hair and then I said -

"oh, don't worry, they're just trying to be friendly, once they get to know you they'll probably leave you alone".

She got it then.

My daughter and I have both been attacked by dogs - a boxer dog jumped into my pram when I was 13 months old and I still have the facial scar. My daughter was innocently walking to the station to go to work when a woman opened a car door and a rotweiller jumped out and viciously attacked her. She was hospitalised and remains traumatised 20 years on.

We both avoid dogs like the plague, but we do understand that other people do like them.

Just please don't expect us to like them. Allowing them to jump at me and slobber all over me because they apparently want to be friends with me is unacceptable and selfish.

I think you are being a bit intolerent..they are great company..just because you dont like them..I dont like cats..they crap in my garden..but I respect that people like them..

I can't bear it! Smelly wet dogs in cafes nudging my arm to get a bit of cake. Dog hairs everywhere. Not to mention visiting anyone with a dog...jumping up at you with sharp claws, not great as I take blood thinners so can bleed quickly if skin is broken. Constantly trying to jump on your lap and practically knocking the cup of tea out of your hand. Not to mention the great long leads that you can't always see and can trip over. I note the dogs never try to sit on the owners lap always the visitors. I feel like I've been on an assault course visiting anyone with a dog. They even ask can I bring the dog if I come to you. Luckily I live in a flat so use that as an excuse. Naff off! Are they taking the piss?

275men

Totally, utterly, wholeheartedly, one million percent agree. Dogs in eateries is a no! Dogs off leads is a no! Dogs worrying sheep is a no!

I take issue, dogs in eateries is debatable but it's reasonable to think "no". Dogs worrying sheep has always been a "no".
A blanket "No" to any dogs off leads in this country? What about sniffer dogs, sheepdogs, police dogs, and retired of those the same? We've always had dogs off leads in this country.
Yes I agree there may be an issue with some owners not training their dogs properly but you cannot demonize every dog owner who walks their dog off-lead in appropriate spaces with the neccessary knowledge and command of their dog. You're lucky you don't live here where I have been taking note & at least 75% of dogs are off lead in the park fields & woods adjacent to our home & don't cause problems (the occasional reactive dog is on lead, as they should be).

Riversidegirl. I can assure you there is a purpose to filming the dogs. Popularity. We had a film crew filming my son and I went to bring one of the dogs in as he is a rather lively character. Oh no was the reply dogs are very popular and quite a time was spent filming him Ok I might be biased but he is loved by all who meet him and he can be funny

My dog is my best friend. I don’t take him to shops. If I could afford a holiday I’d look for a dog friendly hotel or airbnb. Not all are. We eat out at a local dog friendly eatery. There are plenty that don’t allow dogs. I’d trust my dog over most strangers these days.

I do agree, not happy with dogs in restaurants. Also lack of consideration for other members of the public, dog owners with long leads not being aware that their dog is wandering everywhere and in danger of tripping up other pedestrians. Chatting to other dog owners blocking the pavement for pedestrians & pushchairs. My son was attacked whilst running at Christmas, dog gouging his hands and legs was off the lead, owner said it was 'being friendly'

Nice to have a thread to express our feelings about dogs being in pubs, coffee shops and restaurants in particular. In our local coffee shop there are often a few dogs barking loudly at each other and straining to get at each other. This in a confined space where people are trying to carry trays etc. It would be lovely to have places where dogs are not allowed.

Susieq62

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 !!

Yes, great compromise.

Emmeline19

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 .

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Frogoet
Not all owners are as responsible as you.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.