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Of course there is, if Fido’s owner doesn’t understand the constant discipline, leadership and structure that dog needs all its life (including not eating from a plate/table/titbits) then how do they know that dog shit shouldn’t be swinging from trees?
Utter rubbish. Giving ones dog the odd piece from your meal is a choice and a perfectly valid one. Just because it doesn't align with your opinion on what is acceptable does not make it incorrect.
Whereas I think everyone here can agree that hanging a dog turd in a bag from a tree and leaving it is NOT acceptable. People who choose to do that are either very forgetful or extremely lazy.
Allow me to repeat what I said.
"Oh, I forget, this is STW and being judgemental and drawing stupid conclusions is expected"
Interesting observation: every STW dog owner who takes their pooch to a pub or restaurant believes THEIR dog is impeccably behaved. (I don't think we would say the same for our children - we've all had a moment where our kids have misbehaved in public even if usually they are better than average). So, are STW-doggies just better than ordinary doggies? or are STW dog owners just blinkered to believe that everyone loves their mutt and those smiles and laughs are positive rather than a front for what they are really thinking?
Interesting observation: every STW dog owner who takes their pooch to a pub or restaurant believes THEIR dog is impeccably behaved.
I'm in pubs a LOT more often than I should be but I can't recall the last time I encountered a badly-behaved dog. Maybe the only pubs I choose are actually full of STW readers?
I can't see why an eating establishment shouldn't have an area for well behaved dogs and a separate dog free area. That should keep all but the fundamentalists happy. I do think that dogs should be on a lead and under close control in all outside spaces other than dog exercise areas. There are far to many badly controlled dogs which cause problems for other people.
Can’t speak for anyone else, but my dog is impeccably behaved in a pub, but only if there isn’t another dog around. If there is I wouldnt go in. I have had dogs in past that I’d not take to a pub as they would annoy people. So yeah I think I am a decent judge of what defines good doggie behavior
I suspect most others are the same, and thus choose to take the dog rather than leave them at home for that reason. Plenty of badly behaved dogs don’t get to go to the pub I’m sure! It’s not like a kid where if you know they are going to misbehave you can’t just leave them at home.
I'll try and derail the thread!...
[b]Smelly, wet, muddy cyclists inside eating establishments[/b]
Nowt worse than when you're in a nice cafe and a massive group of cyclists rolls up, dump their wet cloths all over chairs and the floor, squeeze a dozen of them round a table for 6. And just reek!
Interesting observation: every STW dog owner who takes their pooch to a pub or restaurant believes THEIR dog is impeccably behaved. (I don’t think we would say the same for our children – we’ve all had a moment where our kids have misbehaved in public even if usually they are better than average).
I don't have children, and our old dog was well behaved, but I will happily say there were times when that wasn't the case. And on those times we acted appropriately because, as someone said, we're not arseholes.
Rule 1 applies; letting your dog on the furniture - dick move. Feeding it from the table - dick move. Having it in your lap - dick move. Going into a place with a muddy/wet/smelly dog - dick move. Going into a place with a dog you know won't settle/be quiet - dick move. In general, dogs causing an issue in a place is not about the dog, it's about the owners being dicks.
"I’m in pubs a LOT more often than I should be but I can’t recall the last time I encountered a badly-behaved dog. Maybe the only pubs I choose are actually full of STW readers?"
Up until a couple of years ago. I'd have agreed with you. But recently I've seen several instances (mainly dogs attacking other dogs).
As for certain people who call a dislike or fear of dogs irrational - well there were 9,000 people admitted to hospital in 20/21 in the UK for dog bites. Think about that, these are people actually admitted to hospital. 3000 of those needed reconstructive surgery. How many people went to A&E and were simply treated and sent home. How many didn't even report it and treated themselves?
I don't think dogs should be banned from public places but some areas should be (and are) out of bounds and the penalty for a dog attacking someone (or another dog) should increase exponentially if the attack takes place in such a place. Dog owners should also have mandatory public liability insurance.
My dog is certainly not the most well behaved dog in the world. Shes not bad, but doesn't really like being stuck under a table in a pub/restaurant. she doesn't like it when one of us goes to the toilet or to the bar, and sometimes she'll whine a bit. If we take her into a pub we keep her away from people and make sure she has enough of her own treats/food to keep her busy. If she started to get to whiney or fidgety we take her outside for a bit. If the weather is good we'd stay outside anyway.
Its our responsibility to make sure we don't piss others off, as it's their place as well. We're learning all the time and trying to do it right. Does help that she's well cute!
Most people see that we're trying to be good dog owners, and appreciate it. In the same way most people see parents of young kids trying to do the right thing if their babies are crying/kids are playing up and appreciate that its not easy sometimes. But there will always be bad dog owners and bad parents and also people that just don't like other people so find a reason to moan about them.
Rule number 1 is for everyone.
As long as its clear then I don't mind if dogs are allowed or not, If the hound is with me i'll find somewhere they are welcome.
It’s great that so many places allow dogs. Excellent for business too. If you don’t like one that allows dogs then there are those that don’t, off you pop.
Northumberland is very dog friendly so best keep away.
This is Oscar causing a nuisance yesterday, we went to a new bar in town a few weeks ago. The owners knew he was as they’ve seen him on social media 😃
I'll bet the posters with very strong anti-dog views are just being controlled by their cat overlords
Dogs in proper restaurants = No
Dogs in pubs that do a bit of food = Yes
On our recent break in Norfolk, we were on a long walk along the beach and found a place called 'The Old Town Beach Cafe' in Old Hunstanton. I went in ahead of my family to check they were okay with dogs – they said they were. We sat down and noticed that we were surrounded by Polaroid pictures of dogs, all with the dogs names (previous 'guests'). So yes - they were very, very dog-friendly.
Ohh, and as for 'eating from the table' – this place sold various dog treats so doubtless many of the doggie guests (ours included) got fed from the table. Obviously she wasn't actually stood up eating on the table, but we got her bits to give to her to nibble whilst she was sat below us.
Interesting observation: every STW dog owner who takes their pooch to a pub or restaurant believes THEIR dog is impeccably behaved. (I don’t think we would say the same for our children – we’ve all had a moment where our kids have misbehaved in public even if usually they are better than average).
We've usually either got:
Trainee guide dogs - impeccable manners, but seriously struggle with people trying to pet them. Just don't, and teach your kids not to as well.
The Boxxer we dog-sit - would love a chip thankyouverymuch, otherwise will happily snooze under my feet unless you request a face full of dribble in which case she will happily oblige.
We spent a few days in the cotswolds last week, lots of Pubs/tea Rooms seem to have 'Dog Friendly' signs and blurb to bait in doggy lovers on their pavement blocking chalk boards.
Obviously the Cotswolds like many "rural tourism" hotspots are now overun with the middle-classes many of whom have suddenly discovered it's not that easy to fly to Spain with their Pandemic pooch. So the alternative for half-term is to book an Air B'n'B in whichever Rural bit of the UK they fancy that week, rock up with Barbour jackets and Doggo in the Range Rover to play at countryside for a bit...
I’d ban children from restaurants long before dogs.
Whatever. As annoying as miniature Humans can be, their parents tend to end up paying for more food and drink, and they barely ever piss in the beer garden.
Dogs don't really add much to the income for any hospitality business that I can see, and maybe even deter a few people who perhaps aren't so keen on the slobbering, four legged dickheads snuffling about while they try to eat a burger and wrangle an unruly toddler.
If you don’t like one that allows dogs then there are those that don’t, off you pop.
Why on earth do you think your dog is more important than any human being? Why shouldn't people be allowed to go to a place they like without being bothered by people's dirty pets?
@ElShalimo - cats also spread loads of Cl. Perfringens about. Hundreds of thousands of spores per turd, then they lick their anus then they come and lick your hands. I genuinely don't know why anyone would want such a filthy thing in their house.
As for irrational fear @scruff9252 , how is it irrational? Dogs have big sharp point teeth, don't understand human language, act irrationally and will run faster than you. I've had several orders of magnitude more experiences with aggressive dogs than people.
As above a dog is no less clean than a human
I'm really not sure that's true. I know a number of friends with dogs that eat all sorts of random poo and imdont know any humans that lack and sniff but holes - outside of the bedroom...
I'm not anti dog I just prefer not to have other people's pets imposed on me a certain situations, eating out being one of them.
Oh, and as for the hygiene issue - meh. Unless the dogs are actually pissing/pooing on the floor in the place, it's a non-issue (or at least no more of an issue that the general hygiene standards that you'd expect in a food place can handle).
I think most pubs and also suitable cafes such as those in county parks etc is ok for having well behaved dogs inside. Any hygiene issues are a load of rubbish as long as normal hygiene rules are followed.
I've many a fond memory of great social interactions that have arisen from taking our lab down the pub as they are a great conversation starter but I do think restaurants should be animal and very small child free.
I went for a birthday lunch at my favourite modern Indian restaurant in Brighton last year and there was a whiney, yapping dog and a small child playing cartoons with the sound on on a tablet. Really not the ambience I expected for an expensive special meal occasion meal.
Brighton is really dog friendly and dog ownership is very high which is fine but I think there should be some limits.
Wetherspoons don’t allow dogs, so that should provide a nice environment to have a nice quiet meal. Oh wait….
So that's Wetherspoons and McDonalds offered as dog free eating establishments so far, I think I'll be eating with the dogs 😀
There's a couple of local country pubs we use fairly regularly, both have dog/no dog areas but they're fairly large so have plenty of room. One of the m has three log burners on the go, firm favourite for Barney when we visit over winter.
As others have said, it's rule #1, barney lies at our feet and has a snooze or people watches, we wouldn't take him in if he's filthy and he isn't allowed on the furniture at home so certainly wouldn't be on the seats when we're out and about.
From my own experiences other peoples kids are far more irritating than other peoples dogs, off to the back room with them away from decent folk trying to enjoy their meals.
and always ask people at the tables around if they are ok with her being there.
Interested to know what you would say if someone like the OP actually replied with yes, i dont want to sit and eat whilst you have your dog with you @funkydunk.
Would you be willing to go elsewhere and allow a person to eat their meal without your dog present?
Why on earth do you think your dog is more important than any human being? Why shouldn’t people be allowed to go to a place they like without being bothered by people’s dirty pets?
I don’t. But there are those don’t allow dogs, which I have no issue with. Those that allow dogs some have dog areas and non dog areas, others dogs allowed where ever. You can choose to go in those or not.
I prefer cats in my eating establishments. It's usually the humans that spoil my experience.
https://youtube.com/shorts/nhKh1i9vGdM?si=Htc78kXuBxgcrR17
If your dog is noisy, jumps up and/or leaves a trail of mess behind then leave them at home.
But they don't. Owners come out with nonsense like "its only playing" or "its just being friendly" or whatever other tosh excuse they come up with because all dog owners think their dogs behave properly just like parents think their kids do
Having said that I would rather be in the pub with my MiL's dog than my SiL's kids
how is it irrational?
I think there's an element of context needed. Possibly ropey analogy warning:
If I saw a tiger on the telly, I wouldn't be afraid. To be so would be irrational, as I am in no danger
If I saw a tiger in an enclosure in safari park, ditto.
If I was in the enclosure with the tiger, with a trained keeper who had a gun, I would be a bit afraid, as I would be in some danger, but I would have some protection.
If I was in the enclosure on my own, I would be very afraid.
Being afraid whilst sitting in a cafe because there are dogs, but they do not put me in any danger as they are on leads/tied to tables etc, is an irrational fear.
Why on earth do you think your dog is more important than any human being? Why shouldn’t people be allowed to go to a place they like without being bothered by people’s dirty pets?
eat a burger
But what about the vegan who just want's to eat their salad in peace without having to worry about you eating half a pound of mangled and burnt flesh dripping in the same species congealed mammry secretions in your oversized sandwich whilst it's liquefied rendered fat drips on the tablecloths?
Live and let live FFS. Unless they're actually behaving badly in which case complain just like you would if they were kids of football fans.
Dogs (well behaved ones) country pub gardens and country pub bars. Restaurants, I'd rather not have a dog there.
I have a 'sometimes' well behaved dog, she's definitely not always, for example ask the hooded yoot who added a buff to cover his face as he approached her the other day - he got the think twice message from her in no uncertain terms.
But they don’t. Owners come out with nonsense like “its only playing” or “its just being friendly” or whatever other tosh excuse they come up with because all dog owners think their dogs behave properly just like parents think their kids do
Because, and this may come as a shock to you, some people are just dicks
all dog owners think their dogs behave properly just like parents think their kids do
Utter bullshit!
Bless.
I was at Blyth services a few weeks back, washing my hands this bloke comes out if one of the stools across to the sinks, and proceeds to not wash his hands but lick them in order to 'style' his hair. Really confused why he didn't use tap water.
On that, another vote for restaurant staff not shaking customers hands.
8/10 with the potential to go higher. Put some more generalisations in, touch more hyperbole, perhaps go in on the cat owners a bit harder?
Question: if dogs/cats are so unhygenic then why isn't it clearly established that dog/cat owners suffer worse health?
(Answer: cos it's bollocks, that's why.)
8/10 with the potential to go higher. Put some more generalisations in, touch more hyperbole, perhaps go in on the cat owners a bit harder?
I blame the parents>teachers>police, in that order.
And all Cats are total *****
We have two fave cafes we use for lunch when feeling lazy. One is strictly no dogs (they claim their open kitchen and hygiene rules are the reason). They are also no laptops.
The other has a 'dog customer' gallery on the wall, dogs get made a fuss of, they get their own small bowl of scraps, and they have an open kitchen too 🤷🏻♂️
Don't have an issue with either approach, they've decided what customers they want to attract, and we go to both.
I blame the parents>teachers>police, in that order.
You missed Thatcher.
Question: if dogs/cats are so unhygenic then why isn’t it clearly established that dog/cat owners suffer worse health?
(Answer: cos it’s bollocks, that’s why.)
again, speaking as a parent, and a cat owner, my cats have never made me sick (maybe a few flees once). The kids on the other hand…
let’s just ban humans. Much better idea.
Oscar causing even more chaos in the dog friendly area in a bar on Newcastle Quayside. He didn’t get thrown out but a gobby human did he thought the whole bar needed to hear his over inflated opinions.
scruff9252
Full Member
Hygiene issues aside, if you are scared of dogs, why do you expect the dog owners to do anything to accommodate your irrational fear?
No thanks for that statement.
This subject was brought up by two of my neighbours. They've both decided as have I that they won't be going into anymore of the small cafes we have in our small town that allow dogs. But, we agree that dogs outside, in pubs (where most of them are asleep) are fine.
I walked out of the cafe where the two dog owners thought it was fine to let their sopping wet dogs shake themselves off all over the customers, and unless you've been living on another planet, it's rained a lot lately.
Oh and Drac yes I didn't for one moment expect you to understand and yes I will 'pop' off somewhere else thanks.
It didn't help that a few weeks ago hubby and I were sharing a carrot cake with dog hairs in the cake and topping.
Oh and Drac yes I didn’t for one moment expect you to understand and yes I will ‘pop’ off somewhere else thanks.
I do understand thanks but there are options for those who don’t want to be with dogs. Thanks for your judgement though.
there are options for those who don’t want to be with dogs
Sometimes there aren't. Brighton vs Balachullish 🙂