General Chat

Sorry Island, I’ve been occupied for much of the day so I am late in responding.

I’m afraid I have never heard of assistance dogs being called service dogs, hence my take on the word ‘service’.

It crossed my mind that you may have meant police dogs but I dismissed it, thinking you would have actually written police dogs.

Our Village cafe at a garden centre has a 'dog area' in a corner down the side, plus an adjoining outdoor area. Water bowls and a big water dispenser are provided plus two big jars of free doggie treats. They also have a 'dog menu'. :-D We used to choose to sit there (no dog) if it wasn't busy as it was cooler. I don't mind any dogs that do the dog thing of 'flop and snooze' when the activity of their owners ceases. I don't like being where longhaired dogs that need a bath are when I'm eating though.

Uncontrolled children running riot are a big no no and dangerous though. A couple of families at one place we used to eat, would fence off a corner including empty tables so their children they described as 'feral' could play. Did they stay in the area ...NO. I bet all hell would break loose if they tripped up a waiter carrying hot food and they got burnt though! I hate the way children are allowed to ferret through the cutlery and condiments. Even if they were made to wash their hands when they came in (which I doubt) they will have been scratching bottoms and picking noses and crawling on the floor! Who wants that on their knives and forks?

She was rather shaken Island. The pub was right opposite the cottage we were staying in and a couple of years previously we had been there for most of our meals. It had changes hands since our previous visit.. We found somewhere else to eat for the rest of the holiday, which necessitated a short drive, and a glass or two of wine when we got back to the cottage

just don't break into a guffaw nameslessone ...... ah no, that's the bloke laugh.

Subdued giggling.

Kentishmaid, surely a pub dog is a guard dog or is certainly on it's own territory and ought to be restrained during opening hours. Your poor little pooch must have had a shock or did she give as good as she got?

digressing..... something I can't abide while eating or drinking out is loud women, especially the ones who laugh as if they're about to lay a very large egg.

Take a guinea pig out for a meal - surely the guinea pig IS the meal.

:-S

My dog had a nasty experience in a so called dog friendly pub, maybe I should have done a trust pilot review. We went to the bar to order and the pub owners dog attacked her!! We nearly walked out but the guy said he would shut her out of the bar. When we left we wished we had walked out as he had tied his dog up outside!!!!. Ours is a fairly small and normally fine with other dogs. But why would a pub advertise as dog friendly when their own dog is unreliable ?

Sorry Caroline I have only just read your reply, I had never heard the term 'upscale restaurant' before but assumed that it was like a posh or silver service place. I don't see why they can't admit dogs as well but I don't frequent them so I don't know..

Island I would say that the answer to your question is 'some people just don't own or like dogs that much which is fine. I am not a lover of cats but adore guinea pigs. Although I have never been tempted to take one out for a meal. :-D :-D
I think Ann may be correct in that people accept service dogs are allowed because of the law but may not like them being there.

On Wednesday the old gang met up for coffee in the pub garden and one had bought her little dog. I forgot about it until suddenly there was something furry around my legs.

Well, panic set in and I thought the rats were back ( long story). The owner was so apologetic and I was laughing. Latter the same dog had a snarling match at a bigger dog.

I’ve never had dogs but have known some beautifully behaved dogs. But I don’t want strange dogs or badly behaved children wandering around when I am eating.

Joy...... are you having a laugh? Trained dogs aren't just for the visually impaired hence 'service dogs'. I can't believe you thought I meant '.... the same service for humans'

I think I'm flogging a dead horse here tbh. Nobody wants to say why they have an aversion to (non service) dogs in restaurants.

The understanding is usually 'well behaved dogs welcome' - how often do we see 'well behaved children welcome'?
If a dog misbehaved in a dining establishment I'm sure either the owner would take them out or they would be asked to leave. How often are parents asked to to do likewise with their unruly children?

That does get away from my unanswered question re 'why not all dogs'? though.

Ann, we never experienced a barkathon or such like when we took ours into a cafe, pub or dog cafe. I just don't think owners of badly behaved dogs take them to such places.

Now I get your point, Island. I thought your ‘Why just service dogs’ meant service as in service to all - as in dogs get food, why not the same service for humans?

I think why people say 'except service dogs' may be because I think to deny service dogs and therefore their owners might be contravening disability laws. But also it could be that we know service dogs are well trained and less likely to re-act badly to a loud noise or other distraction, whereas some dogs are not trained properly as was the one I mentioned in my previous post. I do think it would be wise to limit the number of dogs at a time though as some dogs are aggressive to other dogs.

Joy, noisy children who don't stay at table can 'startle' humans too.
That wasn't my point though.

Vera, good point re service dogs but they are still dogs. I'm wondering why some say 'I don't agree with dogs in restaurants except guide dogs' and I did ask nicely :-)

I think I'm just used to living in a dog friendly town :-D

Perhaps part of the answer to "Why only service dogs" is that if a service dog can't enter an establishment then neither can the owner. I think this is particularly true of guide dogs for the blind but is true of all service dogs that alert the owner to danger. If you have a "ordinary" dog and they are not allowed in a particular establishment, then you have the choice of going in without your dog. Someone who is dependent on their service dog doesn't have that choice.

One of our local garden centres has the same, Island and I agree as I think children can startle animals without realising.

I believe the doggie diner here now does food for humans too but I don't think it did at the beginning.

Why just service dogs Joy? Nobody seems to give a reason on this - obviously I know why guide dogs etc are (generally but not always) allowed in restaurants but they are still dogs.
We tend not to use restaurants these day but probably wouldn't have taken our dog to one as I don't think he would have liked the experience. He did like cafes though.

Our local garden centre has a dog friendly room apart from the main café and it is brilliant! Dogs are well catered for with mats and bowls with water on tap. It is also quieter having a lower ceiling than the café so no echoes, clanking of cutlery, loud voices and bratty children - it's very well thought out, I must say I prefer it for myself :-D

I don't agree with dogs in restaurants unless they are guide dogs but I am not a dog owner.

Near us, however, us we have a doggy diner! My younger grandson and his dad took their dog for a treat a couple of years ago. Dog ate food, they had coffee and cold drink.

There must be other doggy diners around England?

Grand daughter's Carpathian Sheepdog gave me a cuddle and kiss.
I had no say in the matter.
It resulted in a dead leg and my make up removed in one lick!! :-S :-D :-D