To think The Range has made a stupid decision

36% of households own a dog, so 64% don’t.

I would not choose to go into a store with soft furnishings or kitchen equipment or clothing, that dogs could have rubbed against. I don’t imagine I’m alone, so those stores might well lose the custom of the majority, whilst catering to the minority.

This - 100%.

My friend has a tiny dog she insists on taking anywhere. I've been making excuses not to go out with her recently. On our last outing he pissed up a display in a clothes shop while she was oblivious and I was mortified.

My cousin buys her dogs treats whenever she buys her children sweets or toys when the kids get toys because it’s only fair to treat them the same. So you could be on to something - people raise their dogs the same way they raise their children. If they think something is good for a child why not a dog kind of thing.

Love my dog to bits but not sure shopping in the Range would be an enriching experience for him.
Will give that one a miss.

I don't think many dog owners are letting them loose on the cushions in shops, do you? They are walking past them, usually at a much lower level, and little dogs are often being carried, or in doggy strollers. People aren't settling their dogs down for a long nap on a pile of brand new soft furnishings on the shelves, let's be real.

I agree it's not really necessary to take your dog shopping 99% of the time, but let's not exaggerate about what the effects of them doing this might be. You don't need to immediately wash stuff on the odd chance that a dog walked within four feet of it.

I don't know if it's something anyone else has noticed, but pet care( particularly dog) seems to follow child rearing.
When I was a kid, kids didn't go everywhere with parents, left home while doing the food shop.. went to school on their own, and walked home on their own. Prams left outside shops. Childcare was not the norm for most, 'Aunty or Mrs Smith'' next door kept an eye out, and latchkey kids were normal.
I was only aware of one childminder. The parents who used her were professionals, doctors/ solicitors) Certainly not Tesco employees. There was no educational element, just looking after children. Toys, etc.
SEN unless severe was left as 'quirky or naughty' kids in schools

Now we have 'wrap around childcare, nursery, early learning goals, assessments, kids unable to arrive or leave school without an adult until 10 or 11. SEN is is far more diagnosed, even if support is dire.

Dogs are following..as a kid we saw dogs let out to roam all day, returning home for food. Training was 'Barbara Woodhouse' novelty , but generally, most dogs got no training at all. Fed scraps, my DGM was agog at us buying specific dog food even 35 yrs ago.
Now it's doggy daycare, walkers, secure fields for hire ( brilliant for my dog!). All sorts of speciality food. Dog Trainers abound ( unregulated though as yet!) and behaviourists to help with doggy sen.

Improved care?

That's absolutely ridiculous! Why do dogs have to be absolutely bloody everywhere at these days?! I am a dog owner, and can not fathom why would you want to make an already irritating experience (shopping) even worse for everyone involved including yourself?!

I don't know 'The Range' but gather it is a home and garden store.

The Range is very silly to allow anyone to bring their dog into their stores.

Service dogs are OK, they are always well behaved and are necessary.

I like dogs, in fact most animals, but dogs can be boisterous, get into fights with other dogs, be over-friendly with people, bark and leave hair everywhere.

Don't worry too much though, I doubt the new dog policy will last long, it will cause too many problems.

I'm now off to investigate The Range online :-).

Or many adults tbf

Do people use epipens for dog allergies though? I thought it was mostly skin reactions like hives if you come into physical contact with the dog, or close proximity to a dog or contact with dog hairs on a sofa for example, could set off your asthma if you have it, but not anaphylaxis? I'm not sure just walking past a dog would do much that required an epipen?

To be fair I did actually consider taking ddog to my Mums.
He is a breed she had for years and it was an interest we shared, plus he would have been a great support for both me and DD.
However, I soon realised it probably wasn't appropriate

If I died before my dog did, I can imagine DH would bring her to my funeral....

I think it's appropriate or not depending on whose funeral it was.

I love dogs, especially mine but there is no way I would take him shopping.
We would both hate it and it might inconvenience other people, there is absolutely no need for this at all

I cannot get my head around the thought process that it's appropriate to take a fucking animal to a funeral.

I absolutely hate hate hate this. I don’t understand why. Especially out of town stores that your dog had had to go in the car in, it’s not just popped on a walk!

i don’t want to have to wash things like cushions when I’ve bought them new to use them

@notafanofmarmite it's ridiculous isn't it. Really wish we were more like the us in this respect

that's probably because there is a vet in there and the dog is stressed? It will happen in vets practices as well, I imagine. It's not the same as other shops.

I've never seen a poo or a wee in any shop, including PAH.

My dog if she could understand it would think this is brilliant news.... new smells, furniture to curl up on, new people to meet, lots of shelves to investigate... and maybe even some new dog toys to run about with. I have a feeling she'd also like Ikea...

I on the other hand would be a nervous wreck. She's got as much chance of going to the Range under my supervision as she has the moon

I saw someone with a dog in Next recently... what was that about!!

I do take her to pubs and pet shops but only the ones that actively encourage dogs and believe me some of them do but for the most part she's happier romping in the park or the woods or having a swim in the river followed by a bone and a long sleep.... she's a dog FFS retail therapy isn't her thing that said she does seem to show an insane urge to go into the butchers every time we pass it!!

It's perfectly normal to see dogs in all sorts of shops and department stores these days. I don't really see the need myself, apart from service dogs, but people do seem to like the option to do it. It doesn't offend me, but I don't see why you'd chose to do it if you didn't absolutely have to.

I guess the shops take a view on the risk that a dog will wee or foul inside the shop, or knock things over. They obviously feel it's a risk worth taking to bring extra trade in.

Personally I'd never take my dog around a big shop, she'd be a bundle of nerves. She's only familiar with our house, my car, or fields and parks! The odd occasion we've taken her into a pub or café she's not been entirely comfortable and has found it hard to lie down or relax, so a busy shop would be a nightmare. We needed to go into Oxford city centre once, when we were on holiday in the Cotswolds and we couldn't leave her for hours in the accommodation. She hated it, was completely over-stimulated, nervous of all the buses and the noise and crowds and it was stressful for all of us.

I've seen plenty of people with very relaxed dogs who seem to take it all in their stride though.

I saw plenty of dogs in supermarkets when in the US which was an equal culture shock.

I despair at the 'bring your dog everywhere' culture.

I have a family member with ASD who is terrified of dogs. She used to be able to go about her life and avoid/manage flashpoints quite easily. Now almost all local cafes and increasingly more shops are dog friendly it's an absolute nightmare.

I HATE dogs in shops and eateries. Dirty hairy smelly animals - leave them outside or in your own (stinky) house.

I doubt the range will be over run with dogs

She said two feet from her front gate, after talking about the vast expanse of pavement. I read that as on the pavement but near the gate.

I don’t enjoy shopping with my dogs and generally leave them at home if I plan a trip.

It is however handy if I’m out and about to be able to pop in somewhere to pick up a few bits and pieces. I’ve actually stopped using our nearest PO as they’ve moved into the local co op which means I can’t combine dripping off a parcel with the morning walk anymore.