Dog Friendly? - Enough Already

My wife and I love taking our dog with us when the venue allows. That being said, I'll agree that people need to stop giving their dogs free range.

 

I'm fed up with people wearing flip flops to bars.

 

Much like with the Screeching Spawn of Satan (kids), the blame lies with the "parents". Personally, I love dogs, and more than happy if a pooch comes over for a visit. But, people should be keeping their dogs next to them. Just like their children, rein 'em in.

 

As someone who works all day, leaves their dog at home and enjoys beer... I can't say I share your sentiment. I chose to adopt a dog with my wife to enhance our lives and help make my dog's life as interesting/enjoyable/adventurous as possible which means that we will have her with us any place that allows. One perspective I can semi-agree with is unruly dogs that are left unattended and/or inconvenience others... We have trained our Kelpie to stay by our side at beer releases, bars, patios unless someone comes to us to pet her with or without their own dog to start conversation.

I plan on moving to NC with my wife and very much look forward to being one of the dog owners that takes their dogs to breweries/ pubs as well as hikes on one of the many trails within the state.

 

I was gonna let OP slide on that, but yeah, why would you want to? Have you ever seen a bar floor? Asheville and my town are of similar size, and, by most reports, are populated by similar people. And we've got plenty of folks who will kick off their sandals while in the bar. Makes me wish a dog would walk up and pee on their foot.

 

Agreed! I'm a fan of a pet friendly patio, but when I gotta watch my step in between tight tables already, gets annoying!

 

I live in Brooklyn (Park Slope) and have to go to a laundromat to do my wash because apartments here are tiny and unless you are a millionaire, you probably don't have a washer and dryer in your apartment. Anyway, I went to do my laundry the other day and there were two people that had their dogs with them INSIDE the laundromat! So I can clean my clothes and get a side of dog hair. In NYC the mayor recently approved dogs at restaurants that have sidewalk tables.
My point to all of this is it doesn't surprise me to see dogs at a brewery. I think dog owners often assume everyone will love their dog. My wife on the other hand is deathly afraid of dogs. I like dogs but I'd rather see them in the park or someones yard or house.

 

I'll make sure to stay off your lawn too

 

Just get a cat and bring it to the same bars. Let it hop up on the bar and run back and forth while people are drinking, knocking their knick knacks on the floor and rubbing all over people while they try to mind their own business. When they tell you to control your cat you can get all indignant about how the bar isn't cat friendly. If you're really frisky you can sprinkle some catnip in the peanut bowl and watch it go nuts.

 

Not sure if you are being jocular or not, but if serious, I can agree completely. For me though, I take a much harder line and say that dudes shouldn't wear sandals / flip flops, etc., and Crocs are forever assigned as an indicator of intellect thanks to "Idiocracy". Yes, these are completely my biases, and there's no logic to my prejudice, but just ask yourself - would Clint Eastwood wear flip flops? I think not.*

To the OP's point, I think I would have to be in Asheville a bit more and see the dogs gone wild setting. While I agree with that too many dogs spoil the pot, on the occasions I have seen dogs, it hasn't been too far over the top. I have been to Burial though and yes, all it would take is a decent crowd plus about 5 medium sized dogs to make moving around just that much more difficult.

*I can almost hear people furiously pounding keyboards looking for Clint Eastwood in flip flop pictures.....but my comparison stands. Dirty Harry would not have worn flip flops....

 

...but first go see a doc, say you are horribly depressed and need to take your cat everywhere so you can get a companion animal permit then threaten to sue the bar for letting the dogs in that scared it.... lol

 

I'm a little surprised so many people disagree with OP. I don't think a bar is a place for a pet either. You can be bringing fleas or bed bugs to a pub. When OP accidentally stepped on a dog's tail it could have easily gotten mad and bitten him.

I don't see the sense in bringing a dog to essentially a restaurant.

 

Gotta say...I'm with @Mantooth on this one.

I think Las Vegas serves as a pretty good example. During the '60's & '70's, the place was for adults, and was 100% adult only. Over the course of 30 years, Las Vegas gradually shifted toward 'family friendly'. There were, quite literally, toddlers running around on casino floors and strollers blocking aisles...the situation wasn't pretty, the casinos watched their business begin to slide.

Fast-forward to the present and many of the casinos which cater to the adult-only crowd are showing the best balance sheets as well.

I don't mind dogs for the most part, but I don't see why they need to be underfoot or at tables in breweries and restaurants.

 

I'm a bit neutral about this. I particularly don't care, but I also have a dog and a cat.
But I see where people would be against this.

I have seen worst offenders though. I've seen people bring them to an outside restaurant and jump up on the seat and lick the rest of their plates off.

 

Dogs in bars? WTF America!?

Down here in Australia we have roo bars, bring in your favourite marsupial, much more sensible.

 

I will totally agree that the way of the world is to try not to offend anyone and in doing so many more people get offended in the aftermath then are scorned for complaining at all about any of it

 

My Shepherd unfortunately passed away from bone cancer at 6 and a half this past Saturday and we're still picking up the pieces and getting on with life. So, you'd think I'd disagree with you, right?

I don't. I've never experienced this dogs in the bar phenomenon, but, why would you bring a dog? Like the OP said, there are a million things you can do with your dog, that would be fun for both of you. If you're that desperate to have a beer while doing one of those million things, bring a can or two. Make a compromise, because if you have an active dog, I'll assure you, that dog does not want to be there. Maybe if your dog is older, and is content with laying down and staying by you and/or family, that's another thing...

I could never bring my girl to a place like that, haha, she'd go nuts and everyone would probably be scared shitless (even though she was such a mush and just wanted to play). But...what I wouldn't give to throw a stick and play fetch with her just once more. To take her on just one more hike in the woods. To just walk her around my neighborhood just once more. To throw a frisbee to her just once more. She would have been miserable at a "dog friendly" bar or restaurant. And, for the record, I often had a beverage while we were doing these fun things with her.

 

I just don't understand why establishments take on this liability. Lets face it not all dogs are like Yellow Dog from the movie Funny Farm. My wife is pretty much terrified of pit bull type dogs and many other breeds. If dogs are welcome we would never frequent the place. Nothing against dogs, just not our cup o' tea.

 

I also let many things bother me. People's footwear? Dogs near me? FUCK THAT.