spring is here at last so thought I would walk my two doggies to the village, lovely cafe with chairs outside on the pavement, only 3 other ladies outside chatting. Chose my seat in the sun. Before I even sat down I was asked to go
as I had the two (well behaved dogs) with me. What is the matter with the british public?!! All I wanted was a cappucino and a sit in the sun with my two boys, who incidentally would curl up at my feet and not move until I did. So if you want a coffee don't bother going to cafe Amici (means friends in Italian doesn't it?, obviously not doggie ones!!) I hate b***dy England! If it was France or Italy I could have taken them in all the shops too!
Anyone else feel the same? Was really angry but really upset too, felt such an idiot being asked to leave! Wouldn't have minded if I had tried to sit inside for goodness sake. Possibly happened as one of the two dogs was a German Shepherd and we all know how people feel about them don't we!
By the way the other was a toy dog so if the shep was agressive he could have eaten it for breakfast!  
Hope this post works as having trouble posting a question even though I am a member!

Caroline

Go back, go in, order your cappucino, then go get your dogs out the car and sit on the pavement outside explaining loudly to everyone who listens that you are not allowed to drink your coffee at the cafe because they don't like your dogs :)

will try that one on the next sunny day.....probably months away! Actually there is a shop for sale at the other end of the village considering opening a dog cafe!! Any takers!

Hi Caroline,

I totally agree with you.  The English are so stuck in their ways when it comes to dogs.  I was always under the impression that England was 'dog friendly'....well thats bull.  I lived in Europe for a year and a half and I was able to take my dog into restaurants.  She sat under the table the whole time and didn't bother anyone.  I really did appreciate the fact I could of taken her anywhere and no one would have minded.  I am currently living in Canada and unfortunately they are the same as the Brits.  You cannot take them into shops of restaurants which is a shame.  I remember once shopping in a designer boutique in Belgium and seeing this rich older lady with her Versace bags and a Chihuahua tucked under her arm!  The sales assistants even held him whilst she was trying things on!

not just dogs they dont like you try breastfeeding a baby in a cafe I have lost count of the times I have been asked to leave (or told to go sit in the toliets) I was covered up and no-one could see anything this country seems to be anti dog and anti child

Looking at it from another point of view.....................

Not everyone in restaurants likes dogs.
A lot of people cannot adequately control their children and helluva lot certainly cannot control their dogs!
Before you all say "but MY dog is perfectly behaved" that may well be so, but not everyone's is (as demonstrated by many posts on other subjects) and there will be those who jump up, cock their leg, dump, bark, or even have a duff up...............................

On balance I have to say that I do not get overly upset about dogs not being allowed in restaurants etc.

Last month I was lucky enough to go out for lunch twice in the same week, as I had enjoyed my meal at this particular pub the first time I suggested it again with a different friend.  I took Maverick with me both times as they accept dogs in the bar and there was a table full of pensioners behind me.  As they were leaving they commented on how well behaved she had been, laying in a patch of sunlight, and made a fuss of her.  Realising she was pregant one old Gent lay down on the floor with his head under-neath her stomach (now how many people would attempt that with an unknown Dobe?) got up and announced "Six!".  By this time he had gathered an audience including the pub staff who asked what on earth he was talking abut - so he calmly replied he had x-ray vision and that she would have *six pups

Far from being made unwelcome we were made very welcome by both the owners and the patrons of this particular pub.

Christine

*(he was wrong).

Did she have more? If so, he was right - he just didn't mention the extras! ;)

I'm going to Cornwall next week and have been doing a bit of forward planning.  There seem to be so many gardens (Heligan, Eden Project, nearly all NT properties) that don't allow dogs, even on leads.  Clearly their idea of enjoying nature stops short of having to deal with any actual animals.  I'm not prepared to leave my dog in the car, so they won't be getting my custom.

We have often been to a seaside cafe (sat outside of course) and been made welcome, it's the rule against dogs on beaches than annoys me (during summer, think it's march to sept?).

We have a pub nearby who not only allows dogs in the bar but also in the restaurant :)  Unfortunately they are few and far between.

In fairness to Eden Project, they have assigned dog owners parking with shelter, drinking facilities etc. which is some of the closest parking to gardens.  As I have cages in my car and it wasn't too hot when we went, I was quite happy to leave them in the car for a couple of hours after a good walk.

Just down the roads is Par Sands, lovely sandy beach, which I believe I'm right in saying is dog friendly all year?

M.

Hi Rosemarie,
I don't know if they've now changed their policy, or if the time of year makes a difference, but I took my two dogs (on lead) around Heligan in October, the year before last. I'm sure there was a sign saying that dogs on leads were allowed.
Unfortunately there were no poo bins anywhere, so I had to carry the poobag around for about 3 hours!
Liz

Dogs only allowed at certain times of the year at Heligan.

just going of the resturant bit for a mo but still concerning doggie haters, i spent nearly 2 hours yesterday at the police station reporting my 70 year old next door neighbour for beating my dog :( , we have just recently installed a cctv, just to check what mia is upto during the day whilst we are at work, and to also keep an eye on the neighbour who i thought was doing something nasty to my dog, well, installed the cctv on saturday and started recording from monday, got home monday 't' time and started watching the tape, i was gobsmacked, the neighbour was rattling a bin bag over our 6foot fence trying to get a reaction from the dog, he was banging the fence, then to my horror got a chair from the kitchen and a mop, stood on the chair and leant over the fence trying to hit my dog with the mop, on 3 occasions he did hit her, she at first thought it was a huge ragga toy! but then got scared and went into her kennel. i really wanted to go round there with my mop and start hitting him , but my OH wouldnt let me, i phoned the police and they said to come in the next morning with the tape, well to cut a very long story short, the police went round yesterday and told my next door neighbour that if he is caught attacking my dog or trying to aggrivate her again, the worst case would be that he will be arrested and taken to the police station, his excuse was he doesnt like dogs in my eyes that doesnt give him the right to hit and annoy my dog, she has done nothing wrong to him.

i'am now seriously considering moving :(

That's awful - if it was me I'd go round and tell what I'll do to him if he does it again. Can't the police do anything more as you already have evidence of what he's been doing? I suppose he might behave himself now he knows he's being watched.

I too would go around the neighbours house and give him more than an earful,if anyone hurts my kids or my dogs then they must be prepared to face the consequences!!

Christine

police say seen as we have only one 'isolated' incident all they can really do is caution him, if he does it again then we can take matters further if we wish, which i will do, but the best thing about it is that his wife didnt know anything about what he has been doing, on the cctv you can see him looking towards his house to make sure his wife wasnt watching, i hope she gave him a good earful, she is really nice, its just him whos the pain in the ar*e,

i really did want to go round there and loose it with him, but like my partner says he would just press charges against me, if i catch him doing it again i will go round, dont care what he does, he's attacked my baby and if the police dont do anything about it i will :)

i dont like people that dont like dogs

Heidi

well im gunna have trouble then, my neighbour doesnt like me never mind my new pup westie aged 4 months, oh by the way ive done nothing wrong to my neighbour , im just the sort of person who keeps herself to herself, she is the local gossip, i am polite to my neighbours and say good morning or hi, but rosie my pup, yaps at anything so i better watch out myself, i agree , if anyone ever hurt my dog, id do the same to them.....

What an awful situation to be in!  I would react the same as you - my first thought would be to go round and duff him up old as he is.  But before you think of moving wait and see what the police warning does.  He may have learned his lesson.  Do you know that there are harrassment laws and if a person is found guilty of harrassment on two occasions or more they can be arrested and charged - it is a custodial offence.  I would speak to your local police station again and ask them specifically about the harrassment law and if you have a case under it.  If you have, it may be effective to have him made aware of what consequences await him the mean minded ***.

This man's behaviour is appalling and not liking dogs is no excuse or reason for him to deliberately antagonise, bait and assult your dog.  Had you not known this and taken your dog out on a walk where you may have met a person carrying a broom or similar and your dog attacked, who would suffer?  No doubt your dog would be blamed for behaving aggressively.  It makes me furious when people act so selfishly and irresponsibly.

(I'll get off my  justice for dogs' soap box now!!)

Hope all quietens down for you now and your dog gets left in peace.

i have been in contract with the police this morning and they say that the next door neighbour was rather rude towards them saying that i didnt have the right to own a dog that is on the dangerous dogs act list the police officer has given him a verbal caution and if we catch him again either being aggresive towards my dog or aggrivating her he will be arrested and charged, i watched the cctv tape last night and nothing as of yet has happened, half of me wants nothing to happen but the other half wants something to happen (nothing nasty) so i can get him done for what hes been doing to my dog, his wife came round last night in tears saying how sorry she was that her husband could be so nasty, she wanted to give us 50.00 for causing so much trouble, i told her in a nice way that i didnt want her money i wanted her husband to stop bullying my dog,all the time she was at our house mia was sat next to her as good as gold, she feels very annoyed that he has been doing this and upset that he has embarrased not only himself but her aswell. i have decided that if i still dont feel comfortable in my own home by the end of summer i will sell the house and move somewhere else, i just cant stay there with a person as nasty as him next door :(

Do you feel a little more re-assured to know that you do have the support of the law behind you?  I hope so.  I know it isn't nice to have to live so near to him and see him and you will probably never be friends but unfortunately you can meet problems wherever you live and sometimes you just swap one kind for another.  Hold on in there and see how it goes.  At least your neighbours wife is firmly behind you and I'm sure she will have a lot to say to her husband behind closed doors. 

I've encountered similar and we also had to call in the police and get a solicitor to take action against a neighbour of ours.  At the time I felt awful and sometimes didn't want to face another day - even getting up and having to take my dogs for a walk was agony.  BUT, it did get better and we have had no more trouble since.  Chin up.

i do feel better knowing the police are on my side, just dont like the idea of him being next door, will get used to it, went home at lunch and the women next door popped round with a big bunch of flowers and a card saying sorry, she said that if her husband EVER did anything like that again, she would call the cops!!!, hopefully everything should be ok from now on :)

Interesting to hear all your comments...I hate people who hate dogs too!
Actually I agree with the point made about taking dogs into restaurants..but I was actually on a wide pavement outside at the 6 tables they put in the sun. I agree with the lady who says she is going to Cornwall and can't take her doggies in to the gardens, I know kids that would be much worse behaved in the same situation! What a shame we can't take our pets for a nice day out! As for the Not allowed on the beach thingy, I take my dogs every summer for a swim and I make sure they don't come out and cover everyone whilst they shake but I would not let a sign stop me, beaches do not (unless privately owned) belong to anyone inmy eyes, nor does the sea! That said, it does make me mad that some irresponsible dog owners leave their dogs mess, especially on beaches. It spoils it for the rest of us that always pick up the poo.
I am interested to hear of any venues in the south east particularly that allow dogs in and those that are doggie haters. lets name and shame and boycott them! Anyone have any nice days out that include dogs? Especially gardens?

id just like to agree that its all going mad!!!

all dogs are allowed in my shop!!! & my customers are encouraged to bring their dogs in not tie them up outside!
NO,its not a pet shop or anything, but a photographic lab/shop!!!!

Does that mean Labradors who are good at taking pictures are especailly welcome ? :p

Sorry that was bad :rolleyes:

I do agree some some respects to letting dogs in resturants as not all dogs are well behaved :) Pub bars etc are ok but not a proper sit down restuarant :)

Sitting outside though I really cannot see the problem. If it is on the pavement then they probably don't even own the land ! :)

I find it very strange to say that you don't like people who don't like dogs !!

Everyone is entitled to their likes and dislikes - I don't like cats :) BUT I don't go around beating them up etc. Just because someone doesn't like something doesn't mean that they are a bad person . Surely there is something that you don't like ? :) As for people taking kids into places - I quite agree - I don't like badly behaved kids :D

I find it quite acceptable that there are places that we can't take dogs, but then I find it acceptable that there are places where people can't smoke too :) Perhaps I'm strange :)

Daisy

I think it is a bit harsh to say 'I hate people who hate dogs', they may have had a bad experience with them and have been put off, even if they hadnt that no reason to hate someone as long as they dont harm the animal!

Also if restaurants and beaches etc didnt have 'no dogs allowed' signs then EVERYONE whould take their dogs to these places all year round whether their dog is well behaved or not, not EVERYONE love dogs, just like smoking, I am a smoker but I strongly believe that if restaurants/pubs etc allow smokers then they should have a seperate room altogether or ban it! Dogs can have their bad days whether they are the best behaved dog or not or have a bad stomach and decide that when they are in the shop they might not be able to hold on! And most beaches have areas where dogs can go all year round, sorry if your beach does not have this but it is not the end of the world!

I have also been to the Eden project and it can get very crowded and there is not alot of space to walk all over the place, you basically follow a foot path round and it really is not a good place for a dog, also with all the water and plants they might just wanna 'go' which wouldnt be right!

Believe me, I would love to take my dog EVERYWHERE but I also understand the people who dont allow dogs into there shops.

If anyone wants a dog friendly pub go to the Sussex Potter in Lancing West Sussex. You can sit in the bar and drink or sit in the garden when its nice and they even supply a drinking bowl for your dog.:) Often go in after classes on a Saturday.:)

~I have had many a drink in the Sussex Potter, next door the church hall where i used to go to guides many many years ago and down the road from the "clump" where i used to ride and opposite the rec.  Happy days :D

im with you on that one daisy    !!!!  dont "DO"  cats.

my dogs are cleaner than some humans i took one of my yorkies into the shell garage shop  once and picked him up i was told  we do not allow dogs

WHAT i really hate are kids that get hysterical at the sight of a dog, & the parents tell them "if they dont be quiet the doggy might bite them"
hello??????some people!!!

can really identify with that one being a German shep owner as we go for walks (Bolognese toy breed alongside shep) people say to their kids "oh quickly come here darling or the nasty doggie will get you", or they see you coming and frantically pull their kids the other way!! Guess those kids will grow up to be the doggie haters! I appreciate their are some who have had bad experiences but it's never the dog only the useless owner to blame! Please keep the dog friendly places coming as am compiling a list of places to go this summer! By the way I think both of us that said we hate people that hate dogs were actually joking...I have two cats and two kids so I don't discrimintae, what we meant is that there are some people who are really nasty about dogs and I have met some really cold individuals too! I am house proud and clean and am not covered in dog hair with two unruly dogs! but what is nicer at night than a roaring log fire with one dog on your lap, one curled up with two cats in front of the fire. Some people don't know what they are missing.

By the way I strongly recommend a book called pets welcome available from whsmith, I phoned a few really nice hotels and the owners were more than happy to have us stay and even recommend pubs locally where we could eat. Some of them were really lovely looking places that even did doggie breakfasts too!  

I do think that dog owners have bought a lot of it on themselves....particularly by not picking up after their dogs. They are the worse kind of owners - the ones who look around while their dog does it all over the pavement - then walk off! I have had people allow their dogs to foul on my drive until I put a notice up explaining that I was watching and I would be following the offenders home with a barrow full of Great Dane "leftovers" to deposit on their driveway! It really is the most disgusting habit - to not pick up - and I hate the way folk look at me as if its my dog that did it if we walk past a pile on the floor!

I go to Church (not the usual Church of England)
and the one man brings his dog. We are all fine
with that. Since his wife died, he was really depressed, and
got himself a right scruffy mutt, but he adores it and that adores
him. He comes sometimes and has to get up and give a prayer
or what ever and the dog follows and sits at his feet.
I think if I went in with my dogs they would probably have a fit.
But I dont mind this man with his dog one bit and nor does anyone
else.
Also someone commented about people hating breast feeding in
public. I fed both my children and was thank ful that noone ever
told me to move on. I think its a natural thing to do and it should
be promoted more. I remember with my daughter sitting on top
of a mountain feeding this three month old baby. Weimaraner running
around on the top of the mountain too. It was GREAT!!! Freedom!!!!!!!
A couple of hikers came by but it was quiet, still & in the sunshine. I
will remember that day for ever.
Nutkin

Cracker, my IG, is pretty small. so I do tend to take him everywhere! I just tuck him under my arm and he loves being carried around and looking at everything. He occassionally comes into shops with me, like Blockbuster, the Newsagents, Boots and all the staff seem to love him! Hes even allowed in the Butchers as long as im carrying him! so in that respect im quite lucky! I do push my luck abit though, but my policy is that if im told off, then i will leave! I wouldnt take him into supermarkets though or restaurants as I dont think dogs and food really mix!  Lise

Hello Tohme
When were you in Lancing then. I have been here for nearly eight years now. But my grandmother used to live here many moons ago and I used to come here for holidays then. As you say happy days.:)

It does frustrate and annoy me that dog owners are treated as second class citizens.  Many a time, I've had to sit outside a pub in the cold because I have two animals with me, whilst little people inside are running amock.  Sorry, don't mean to be anti-children.  On the subject of the Eden Project - what's the difference between fighting through the crowds with a four legged friend and fighting through the same at Crufts with a pushchair?   It's just a pity that the minority of irresponsible dog owners spoil it for the rest of us!

Sometimes i feel the minority are us and the majority of dog owners are irresponsible :rolleyes: Every day i go down to the field and on a weekend i take my daughter and we hunt for golf balls :) but the amount of dog muck she has stood in is terrible.
I've seen the owners let the dogs do it but because they think as it's undergrowth and not a pathway they don't need to pick it up!
The beach walks do annoy me, we will be banned for the summer yet the holidaymakers can come and run riot with their BBQ's and empty beer cans (dirty nappies is a favourite) and general rubbish.
I guess we will be snooping around after dark :)

Think I might try to run in the election...here are my policies
dogs shall be allowed in shops, but only ones with responsible owners that poop scoop and teach their dogs manners! Will have a dog police force to check out the idiots.
dogs shall have their own restarants - served by all the dog hating horrid people - obviously they will send their food back several times as not edible
dogs will have their own beaches - although must wear a swimsuit - no nude bathing allowed
dogs will be allowed to breatfeed in public, and so can their owners if they want
dogs will be allowed to visit nice places and broaden their horizons - how do we know that threy don't want to study horticulture. Maybe thats why they wreck your garden they are simply not educated about what are plants and what are weeds!
Dogs will be able to come to work with you, they may be crucial in that board meeting about making the deciding vote.............................THE DOGS DINNER PARTY WILL BE AWAITING YOUR VOTES (ALTHOUGH CURRENT SANITY OF PARTY LEADER NOT GURANTEED)
Thanks for all your replies, have really enjoyed reading them and would still appreciate any places to visit!

You can count on my vote Caroline.

:D Got my vote!

The last time I went to Scarborough, the doggie bit of the beach was miles cleaner than the dog-free bit.  Apparently it's fine to drop your litter everywhere when there's a bin 20 meters away.  My impression was that there's just as many anti-social people with kids (maybe more) as with dogs.

Late 60s very early 70s!  Used to go to Boundstone Comprehensive :D  My mum still lives there, in Lancing not the School :D

I recently needed a hotel that accepted pets and give a huge thumbs up to the Holiday Inn on Haydock Racecourse.

Not only did they find me a ground floor king size room to take 3 large labradors & 3 humans (when they normally take 1 small pet) but also a can opener to open their pilchards to go with their tea.  And the lady that took the call from central bookings insisted on meeting the boys before we left.

I too went to a lovely place in Wales that excepted my four bc's. The food was great and the bar was lovely.:) There are places out there, you just have to ask and I am sure others will let you know where to go, in the nicest possible way:)

i think your totaly wrong with this statement . sorry most people i know love dogs . there are people that dont like dogs but , really i dont know how you can say the uk is a nation of doggie haters . hygien is why dogs arent allowed in , outside i dont know why . mabe incase they scare of customers who are scared of dogs ?

I second that on the Holiday Inn's !

We stayed at one in Southhampton the week before Christmas and took the then two girls with us.

We sat in the bar with them having a lovely time watching the office parties going on and people making fools of themselves as people do at Christmas parties ! :D

Anyway the manager came over and commented on what lovely dogs they were and how well behaved they were compared to alot of his two legged customers ! He said he thought they looked a bit peckish so went to the kitchens and brought back two icecream containers full of turkey, vegs and gravy for them ! :D :D

No that is what I call a dog friendly hotel ;)