Campaign To Allow Dogs In More Public Places

[MonElite]

I think people mistake my intention with what is already in place and people not obeying the rules.

I'm talking about allowing dog on public transport, lets say, on leash and muzzled not about some idiot owner with off leash dog that is at a beach at the wrong time.

Two have not much to do with each other.

Most of the issues people present here as the "against" is what already exists and that is not going to change unless rules are enforced.

What I'm talking about is an ability to be able to sit in an outdoor cafe with my dog, Right now hardly any one allows that.

Im talking about ability to sit at an outside table in front of a take away shop (you know how they have couple of tables on the footpath) - I have been asked to leave those countless number of times

I went once to a small park in the city, where there was no signs that dogs are not allowed. There was a cultural festival there and security came to me and asked me to leave!

I have argues with them, the wouldn't leave me alone, they were saying that my dog is a danger to the society (a dobermann)

My dog was on leash, has not bothered anyone, just walked on leash next to me.

These people pestered me time and time again, saying no dogs allowed in that park, but when I asked to show me a sign they couldn't point me to one.

I told them that unless they leave me alone I will be calling the cops saying that they are harassing me.

However day was wrecked as I got angry and eventually left early as they just kept following me.

I also must be a lucky person as I dont see that many dogs that are pulling on leash flipping themselves, barking and carrying on.

Its not that I havent, I just dont see those often.

As to the question how many dogs - Id be happy with one dog per handler, I see no issues with that.

Do you guys think that perhaps I should change this to a campaign to allow dogs on public transport? As a first?

Perhaps this has been done, and failed already - does anyone know?

[MonElite]

Also - I believe that more places that would allow dogs is NOT going to equal more problems, more issues and masses of people with dogs everywhere.

its not that all of a sudden there will be 10 dogs on a train during peak hours.

People that dont take dogs anywhere now will not all of a sudden start taking them everywhere.

Those that have them off leash at the beach will have them off leash at the beach

Those that do the right thing will continue doing the right thing. and those would be the ones that would go more places.

[Lhok]

I do believe that in some states dogs are allowed to travel on public trains.

I think trying to get them allowed on public transport would be a good start.

--Lhok

[Alibi]

Also - I believe that more places that would allow dogs is NOT going to equal more problems, more issues and masses of people with dogs everywhere.

its not that all of a sudden there will be 10 dogs on a train during peak hours.

People that dont take dogs anywhere now will not all of a sudden start taking them everywhere.

Those that have them off leash at the beach will have them off leash at the beach

Those that do the right thing will continue doing the right thing. and those would be the ones that would go more places.

Its funny you say that as I am yet to see a dog inside my local two Bunningsk store since they have been allowed.

[moosmum]

MonElites experience at the cultural festival is I think a good example of how this attitude of keeping dogs out of public awareness can encourage yet more fear and ignorance. Inapproporiate human behavior can also add to the risks and I think that increases when people are unfamiliar with dogs as part of our society. Creates a catch 22 where it becomes more likely for incidents to occur, and LESS access granted because of that.

Maybe if there was an easily accessible, council run test/trial people could enroll themselves and their dogs in for a 'ticket' of canine and owner good citizenship that would ease people minds and encourage more responsible behavior all 'round? Businesses/rail etc could ask for that to be shown?

[*kirty*]

Also - I believe that more places that would allow dogs is NOT going to equal more problems, more issues and masses of people with dogs everywhere.

its not that all of a sudden there will be 10 dogs on a train during peak hours.

People that dont take dogs anywhere now will not all of a sudden start taking them everywhere.

Those that have them off leash at the beach will have them off leash at the beach

Those that do the right thing will continue doing the right thing. and those would be the ones that would go more places.

Its funny you say that as I am yet to see a dog inside my local two Bunningsk store since they have been allowed.

That's because they are not allowed in unless carried or muzzled. Shortly after the dogs were allowed into stores, a child was bitten. So they changed the rule.

[MonElite]

its very sad but true that most people that do the right thing get penalised because few idiots that do the wrong thing.

BTW - If I didnt have a bad back Id so carry my dobe in to Bunnings LOL

[JulesP]

Weird you can't do any of those things MonElite. I've got 2 cafes within walking distance were I can take the dogs and sit outside. Most cafes that have outside seating seem cool about it, not that I have tried in the city. Any Melbourne folks go into the city or inner burbs with their dogs?

Some of the places I've gone to with the dogs I've been a bit surprised that I could take them. I've been ticking off all the local places near me that allow dogs. The dogs have had to pose for a lot of photographs for tourists :laugh:

[MonElite]

Im not saying I cant do those things at all, there are some cafes that allow a dog to come in.

But there are heaps of places that wouldn't let me in or asked me to leave.

maybe its because of the type of dogs I have.

[Camel]

I have driven my dogs from Melbourne, through Sydney, to Brisbane twice so have been able to experience 'dog friendliness' in these cities firsthand.

Melbourne is great, I take my dogs everywhere and as long as it's outdoors, people are usually very accommodating and even bring containers of water out for us. Cafes at the city/inner city are fine but you just have to wait longer for a seat outside sometimes, which is why I love winter. Nobody wants to site outside when it's cold! I love that you can take them on trains, also buses or trams would be even better. I have to say though, one of my dogs (while muzzled) was attacked a train by an unmuzzled dog whose owner had fallen asleep and let go of the lead, so you have to be careful of situations like that.

I found Sydney pretty bad and if we didn't have our car, we wouldn't have been able to go anywhere. We did take one of the dogs around the Opera house but when we went to eat nearby, we got asked to leave. We then had to go around asking every cafe if they would allow us to eat there with a dog. There are a few dog friendly pubs in Sydney where you can actually take your dog inside, so that was pretty cool. And there's Centennial Park which is beautiful and massive. But that was it, if I lived there I would find it difficult to take my dogs out as there are too many places that wouldn't allow it.

Brisbane definitely rates as the worst. There aren't really any unfenced dog offleash parks which means dogs are crowded in a small enclosed area and fights constantly break out. You have little chance of bringing your dog to any cafe even in an outdoor setting. I know there are a select few that allow for them but sometimes your don't want to drive 40 mins to get there. Definitely the most undogfriendly out of the three!

[dee lee]

I'd love to be able to take my dog on public transport. Or into my office block at work.

But aside from that, I'm lucky, I live in a very dog friendly area. Lots of offlead/onlead parks & no problem taking her in shops, sitting outside cafes/pubs etc. Many of the pubs around here now even allow dogs inside!

I don't understand why it can't be like that everywhere in Australia.

I do agree though, with getting dogs exposed early to those kind of environments. I'm in the inner city and I'd guess that the reason most dogs are relaxed & well behaved when in public, is because they are used to it. (Not that there aren't exceptions!!) As a result they are welcome in shops, cafes etc.

[PossumCorner]

.... maybe its because of the type of dogs I have.

Well duh. MonElite I agree in principle with what you are saying, but in practice it doesn't work out. I like rights as a dog owner, but people have a higher right not to feel intimidated even where none is intended and the dog owner would be mortified at the thought of it.

I've owned German Shepherds, Dobermanns, and a Rottweiler. I like them. I trust them in social settings. But I do not trust the owners if I do not know them. How do I know they aren't some yobbo with a big-dog complex, with not much control, and not much concentration on what their dog is doing or about to do, and maybe not much training or socialising behind them. So yes I am one of those pathetic people who walk a little aside, wide berth: not interested in making a point of feeling good about an unknown big dog on a loose lead in an unconventional (for dogs) environment.

Re the hardware store: I think they really tried to do the right thing as a welcoming and non-judgemental gesture or initiative. I can promise there have been quite a few more incidents in the stores than have been publicised - because people have said oh that's okay I shouldn't have patted it, or staff looking up at shelving to get something for a customer and not seeing a lead and tripping. That's little dogs - not medium or large in cases I know of.

My local town is the most dog-friendly I have ever come across. Many cafes, lots of dogs (local and tourist), and in five years the only incident I've seen was a tourist with a Dane-cross that was clearly well beyond their ability to manage, excited and aggressive (not just excited playful, it was ready to have a go at any dog it saw).

Piper our Rottie was an on-her-toes intimidating looker, even though she was safe and obedient. So I didn't take her to cafes or closer contact places even where allowed or welcome. I do think that the public who are a bit nervous of dogs also have a right to be relaxed in their social settings. Of course small dogs can bite and intimidate as well, but the difference is, well, huge.

Dogs on trains in Victoria is great, I could take the three dogs on the train and often did an off-peak ride as part of their walk. So could hop on the train down at Belgrave, off at Upwey, walk them in a new area which they loved, catch the next train home. But as I said off-peak hours when we would have pretty much an empty carriage. Would not have done it in 'workers hours', not with a dog that would make people feel edgy.

I do weekend markets and farmers markets selling cards and eggs, so do often stand all day watching the passing parade of people out for a stroll with family and/or dogs. Most of them are just lovely to see, but there are always a few that have never heard of good manners training, or even maybe just keeping a shorter lead in close company.