From puppacinos to doggy high tea - how dog friendly should we be?

As more people look to pets as companions, the pattering of paws has become a common backing track to grabbing a coffee with a friend.

From independent cafes to restaurants and shopping centres, an increasing amount of retailers are taking the leap in welcoming furry friends, including well-known brands Ikea, John Lewis, Zara, H&M and Lush.

But for those who may be allergic to dogs or live with cynophobia - the extreme fear of dogs or canines - they say the rise of dog-friendly spaces is a growing concern.

One woman with cynophobia, Abi Wilson, 20, said she felt "trapped" and now only goes out on "special occasions" due to the lack of dog-free zones.

As puppacinos become as easy to buy as cappuccinos - is the UK edging towards a society that is completely dog-friendly? If so, what does that mean for those who don't see them as man's best friend?

There are an estimated 13.5 million pet dogs across the UK, according to the World Animal Foundation, with 36% of households owning at least one.

The Kennel Club also said 72% of dog owners were more likely to visit a restaurant, pub or cafe if their dog could come.

Huw Williams, who founded Big Dog Coffee in 2020, is one of the many who set up his business to be pet friendly "without any questioning".

He opened a coffee shop in his hometown of Blackwood, south Wales, and has since opened another in Merthyr Tydfil, as well as supplying coffee to stores across Wales.

Like many, Huw got his first dog - a black Labrador named Clyde - in lockdown, and describes him as a "symbol of home" that also became the symbol of his business.

"It has never been a marketing ploy for me... but I never had any idea how much it would facilitate our business," he said.

"People want to take them everywhere, I'm looking to take Clyde on holidays with me soon. A dog is part of the family.

"People come for coffee, but end up socialising in the shop. Strangers talk to strangers, it is underpinned by the dogs."

For those who are allergic or may be fearful, Huw said the brand has always been as inclusive as possible.

"We've always stressed to any dog owners that dogs need to be kept off of the lead, off the furniture. People are very aware of other people who don't like to be around dogs."

Abi, from Evesham, Worcestershire, has had cynophobia her whole life and has "never felt more trapped and hopeless" than she does right now.

"I never go out unless I am 100% sure that a place does not allow dogs.

"With most shops and businesses now being dog friendly, I pretty much have nowhere to go."

Seeing a dog, even outside, makes her overwhelmed by fear and struggle to think, and she will put herself in harm's way to avoid being near it.

Abi said her symptoms start the second she thinks about leaving the house and include "checking around every corner, being on edge, stressed and nauseous".

"I can never go into cafes, pubs, bars, small businesses, shops, some shopping centres.

"I can't even step out the front door to go to the car without feeling sick and sweating."

She said she only goes out on special occasions and always checks ahead to see if they allow dogs.

But Abi said many of her traditional "safe places" were becoming dog friendly, but weren't changing their online policies, as well as more places starting to allow dogs in certain areas.

Pet behaviourist Vanessa Ward, 37, from Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, said training has evolved beyond the basic etiquette of sitting on command and holding well on a lead.

She said there was now a "huge expectation" on owners for their pets to be able to sit quietly in a cafe.

"There is a lot of pressure on the dogs to behave in those environments", she said, which involves a host of distractions - including food, children, chatter and other furry friends.

Vanessa admitted she takes her 10-year-old bulldog Bear everywhere she can and would feel "put out" and not welcome at places that don't allow dogs.

"I've taken Bear for a fancy high tea - he had his own one," she laughed.

"But I am surprised some of the places which allow dogs in."

As some owners even take their dogs to the office, Vanessa said she understands if you don't like dogs, or are scared of them, "it would become difficult".

As dog-friendly businesses rise, so too does the number of people seeking dog-free spaces, with several support groups offering advice for those trying to avoid them.

Abi said she started therapy for her cynophobia at eight years old, which included cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy for five years, but "they decided they couldn't help me" she said.

"Each time we applied for more therapy they immediately sent us away," she said.

Abi recently found a new doctor who she said has been brilliant, and she has been put on medication and referred for therapy, but has been waiting more than a year.

Abi believes all businesses should be required to state whether or not they allow dogs and uphold to those rules.

She also wants at least 50% of businesses to be safe for people who do not want to be around dogs and dog licenses introduced to implement proper dog training for owners.

"I want to make it very clear that I do not dislike dogs. I do not have anything against dogs, I am just terrified of them. I cannot help that, yet I suffer because of it everyday now.

"And it just keeps getting worse and worse."