Woman Slams Man for Bringing His ‘Scared’ Daughter to Dog-Friendly Coffee Shop: ‘Girl Ran Away into a Corner’ 

A woman was not impressed after seeing a father with his “very scared” daughter at a dog-friendly coffee shop.

In a post on the parenting forum Mumsnet, she explained that she and her husband were looking after a golden retriever and a terrier cross that belong to their neighbor while the neighbor was away for a few days.

She said both dogs are “sweet-natured” and were “just minding their own business” when she took them to a dog-friendly coffee shop. She noticed a father sitting nearby with his daughter, who was “obviously very scared” of dogs.

“When we got up to leave, the little girl ran away into a corner,” the woman said. “I suppose he might have been trying to get her used to dogs, but if he was, he wasn’t doing it the right way. Having a chat with us and asking the dogs’ names, etc., might have been better.”

Having seen the child’s fear of dogs, the woman wanted to know if others agreed that the father shouldn’t have brought his daughter to the coffee shop.

“AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to think that if you know your child is that scared of dogs, a dog-friendly cafe is not the best place to take them?” she asked.

The post quickly got hundreds of comments from people arguing that it is hard to avoid dogs in public.

Some people were critical. One person wrote: “Practically every f—— cafe and shop is ‘dog friendly’ these days. Dogs ruin the experience in lots of places—barking at each other, coming up to strangers, and getting in the way. Even the ‘good’ dogs can be a trip hazard.

“There is no need for all these dogs to be everywhere. You thinking that a cafe being ‘dog friendly’ means dogs must take priority over humans who don’t like dogs is outrageous. I’m amazed at your entitled attitude, especially as they’re not even your dogs!”

Others shared similar thoughts. One comment said, “It’s very rare to find dog-free spaces these days. I went to a dog-free event at the weekend and it was LOVELY. We could sit on the floor and eat a picnic, which is almost impossible to do now. But I don’t think it will change—everyone has a dog.”

Amid the comments complaining about dogs, some defended the father.

“YABU [you are being unreasonable],” one wrote. “This child doesn’t need to be taught that she should be scared of every place labeled as dog-friendly. She might grow up thinking she should avoid parks or other places.

“Much better for the parent to act normal about the dog being there and show her it’s no big deal,” the person concluded.