Dogs everywhere

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.

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.

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 !!

There is a cat cafe in Bold Street, Liverpool.

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.

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 .

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?

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

@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.

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

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.

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.

Tell you what, I'm sick of people complaining about dogs. I love my dog. If I can take her with me, I will. I ask if I can take her into shops. Don't take her into food shops and wouldn't dream of asking. If you don't like dogs...stay at home.

I'll take my dog anywhere that dog's are allowed. She's well behaved, doesn't jump at people. Won't take her into clothes shops. I do prefer her to many people and yes, I do have children.

Wow what a miserable lot

Agree with Romilo that I prefer to be around a well behaved dog than feral children ! I don’t agree the objection to dogs in cafes regarding hygiene - I have seen many parents plonk their babies wearing dirty nappies and dirty shoes on the table to be at the same height while they entertain them ! I prefer to sit outside with my dog if the weather is nice enough but appreciate a dog friendly area in a cafe in the rain or cold. I live near a national park which is a very popular spot for tourists and hikers so those establishments that do not allow dogs are potentially excluding a lot of customers.

Is there any evidence to suggest that dogs are unhygienic and cause disease? I believe statistics show that children who grow up with dogs are healthier. Places that allow dogs seem to me to be more relaxed and friendly. No-one should allow their dog to jump up and bother anyone who is eating - that's just inconsiderate and very bad manners. But there are worse things to contend with!

"So gransnetters, the next time time you're in a place where there's a dog, try asking the owner if you can stroke it."
Re children and dogs and my last late dog, I wish I had a tenner for everytime a child or group of children asked me if they could stroke my dog!!! Of course I instructed how they should aproach him " no sudden movements, let him sniff you first and then and only then if he's OK with it, then stroke him and give him this treat ". Never refused? Never had a problem. Lovely kind animal that he was. Once a teenager in the park who , frankly , was old enough to know better, simply with no warning at all walked up and got hold of his erect curly tail(why I'll never know). By the time I, so surprised , had time to register, she had let go and walked off. Lovely kind animal just gave me an old-fashioned look.
One of these days she'll get hold of the wrong dog's tail and be nipped and it will all be the dog's fault......

Sorry to go on, but one of my pet hates, as a dog-fearing cat lover, is when a nine-stone person is getting dragged along for a walkies by two twelve-stone dogs. What chance does said nine-stone person have if the dogs take off in pursuit of a cat/cyclist/postie? Just saying…

I would rather go to a pub or cafe with well behaved dogs than not well beahaved children being allowed to run around like little hooligans. My parents would never have allowed it. We took our dog to the new forest and all the cafes luckily allowed them in so we didn't have to leave her in a hor though shaded caravan.

I don’t like dogs. I am scared of them. I’d never be unkind to a dog (or any other animal); in fact I feel sorry for them and I hate to hear of animal cruelty in any way, shape or form. I’d help a dog in distress. But I don’t like them. There. I’ve said it. I think to say anything against dogs evokes a really horrified reaction from most people. I like cats and I have two. People seem quite happy to tell me how they hate cats, and I don’t get uppity about it. Each to their own. I don’t like kids much, either. Or people of any age, sometimes. My cats don’t come to restaurants with me. They don’t bark. They don’t poo wherever they feel like. They don’t need walking. They keep vermin away.