Shop allows dogs in and my item is ruined

Well done the owner.
Very professionally handled.

Hopefully she will rethink her policy.
I like dogs, but a shop with such a policy would put me off.
God knows what could have happened to stock you might be buying, stock whiffy etc.
Hard swerve from me.

As the owner of a sausage dog, they’re not at all tasteful and are in fact stubborn nightmares wrapped in a cute little package. If you’re going to allow one breed, don’t pick that one if you want good behaviour 😂

I had to laugh at the use of 'aspirational' - particularly when the OP mentioned which store it was. A standard high street brand name.

I don't get it, either. I'd have just asked the store to replace it, while giving the owner one of my death-ray stares.

I've had dogs for over 30 years, but because I'm not an idiot, I could always tell when they were about to pee, and would have taken them outside to piss. As usual, it's not the dog, it's the owner.

I sometimes think that people should have to pass a test of some sort before they're allowed to get a dog.

I'm a bit demused as to why you didn't then stand at the counter and ask for a new item.
"This one has got dog piss on." Because a dog inside the shop has wee'd on it is a perfectly sensible reason to want an alternative.

I'm not a confrontational person by nature, but it honestly would not have occurred to me to leave the shop with a dog-piss-soaked item I'd JUST purchased.

Ah, I have a different beef with them and so will avoid.

Disgusting. Can't believe staff in these 'dog friendly' places are happy to clean up piss and shit. I know I wouldn't do it. In this case OP I would have insisted on a replacement and would not have left without one. Also contact the manager or head office and don't forget to give a review wherever you can.

I'm so grateful for living in Australia, where dogs (except registered service ones) are not allowed in shops.

I love dogs but reading posts in MN, the UK has lost the plot with their domestic animals.

Yes, it’s horrible. 🤢

Because the shop has a policy that allows dogs to enter.

Doesn't change the fact that her item got pissed on.

Thanks. Yes I have tried telling her it will wind up the dog screaming so will do this!

How are you dealing with this behaviour? Dogs are mostly completely harmless.

And in truth, it isn't the dog owners fault really

I think it is. Surely they don't let their dogs just piss whenever they want. Do they do it in their kitchen? Bedroom? On a child's scooter? On someone's driveway?

That's poor training, surely?!

I work in a similar type shop. The past few years dogs have not just been allowed but almost encouraged with the water bowl outside and we have dog treats inside. I've lost count of the times dogs have peed and pooped in the store. Its disgusting and bloody annoying. I hate it! And often the owners pretend they didnt notice 🙄. Funnily enough the staff that fuss and coo over the dogs bringing them treats etc are conveniently never to be seen when there's dog mess to be cleared up.
And the 'tasteful sausage dogs' can be the worst for barking loudly and aggressively when they spot any other dog in the store! It can be chaos when its busy

This story doesn't sound believable at all. It sounds like you thought "what if" in your mind and then decided to post it here as if it really happened.

No, just trying to understand how it happened.

I say it's the owners fault, and they should have offered to cover the cost of a new item. However if you did request a refund at the time, and it was given, it might give the shop pause for thought that maybe their dog friendly status might cost them more refunds.
Not sure about taking it back the next day, as anything that happened outside the shop is not their concern (and if you didn't see the same person they might not accept, it happened in the shop )

I found loads of places seem to be dog friendly now but a shop local to me has a sign expressly asking people not to take dogs in.

Guide dogs are trained professionals, unlike this one. Op I once witnessed a Venetian shop owner running shouting after a woman who had allowed her dog to wee against the newspapers outside the shop.

"And in truth, it isn't the dog owners fault really. The ultimate blame is with the shop for allowing dogs of any kind beyond guide dogs into the place"

It's absolutely the dog owners fault - however welcoming the shop, you don;t take in a dog that isn't trained.

Whilst not ideal - it's a bag, you are going to have it out and about with you a lot - you may well encounter dogs in the future; but hopefully better trained ones.

I don't understand why you were embarrassed though - and I do think the shop should have exchanged it.

Gosh, what are the chances?

Close to zero I'd say.

Honestly I don't know why you just left it.
If I was still inside the shop, I would have not left until the item had been swapped.
It will wash our, my arse

Just saw you live in the same town as me @shedidwhatnan and before you hinted at the shop, I'd already guessed! Definitely take it back! Was it drool or wee? Either way, rank.

Stores should absolutely be replacing items which are ruined by dogs in this way - it's a direct consequence of their ridiculous policies to encourage owners to bring them in.

What's even more ridiculous is the deluded owners who think their animals like shopping in John Lewis or similar, or that think we want to interact with their animals when we are walking in the park or browsing in shops. Just keep them away from other people - like responsible owners do.