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Original poster

Shop allows dogs in and my item is ruined

430 replies

shedidwhatnan · 16/01/2025 22:00

Argh. Still annoyed even typing this

Visited a store of a well known aspirational brand today.

They let dogs in and have water bowls outside, encouraging dogs to 'take a sip' and then goes on to say all dogs on leads or dogs in arms are welcome inside

I had just spent good money on something and stopped to have a look at something on the display table near the exit.

The owner seemed to have been having a browse next to me and her dog proceeded to go right next to me! My paper bag from the shop got wet Sad

The store assistant noticed, giggled and went to get some stuff to clean up. No mention of my bag or compensating me when I said 'Oh dear, it's on my bag now'. She just said 'ha, what are they like!' Then ignored me and started chatting to the owner who whilst the cleaning stuff was fetched, kept apologising to me over and over

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.

I asked for a clean bag. Discovered my item also got wet. Shop assistant said 'oh, hopefully it'll just wash out!' And that was that

I was so embarrassed and upset that I left

AIBU to think dogs shouldn't be in shops? I can sort of see the appeal to have a tasteful sausage dog allowed in but not medium+ size breeds!

OP posts:
Rowgtfc72 · 17/01/2025 04:23

I own a tasteful sausage dog. I would take him in a pub that didn't serve food, but not a cafe or a shop.
We went to the local garden centre dog friendly cafe and pet shop. To get there we had to walk through the main shoo. Way too many things to pee on, lick, sniff. My tasteful sausage dog becomes 10kg of thrashing barky fur flying mess in my arms.
He's stressed, I'm stressed
We're both much happier if he does dog things at home while I shop.

Hufflemuff · 17/01/2025 04:16

I'm with you! I love dogs, but leave them at home when you are shopping!

I also avoid dogs friendly hotels... I mean yuck! Some dogs are just filthy!

BruFord · 17/01/2025 03:49

*Dogs have evolved, dog ownership has evolved and the way dogs are involved in their owners lives has changed and there is no going back.
I have a well trained dog who goes everywhere with me. *

@DBD1975 I agree that the way dogs are involved in their owner’s lives has changed. I try to consider what’s best for my dog when I’m going somewhere. Will he prefer to be at home or out at the shops, for example? He doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety so for him, being at home is preferable. He doesn’t want to be under bright lights in unfamiliar surroundings.

A good walk through the woods is different, he’d love that!

Pigsinblankets13 · 17/01/2025 03:09

Plawp · 16/01/2025 23:20

People who take their dogs shopping clearly allow their life to revolve around their dogs, which is deeply embarrasing

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Haha yes second this...!!!

RatInADollhouse · 17/01/2025 03:06

Yellowbananasarebetterthangreen · 16/01/2025 22:07

Why didnt you stand at the till and insist on an exchange for an alternative? I would have.

Exactly. Why were you embarassed? Why is MN full of total doormats?

GreenTeaLikesMe · 17/01/2025 02:35

PiggyPigalle · 17/01/2025 01:14

You've ruined your argument in the first sentence.

Ok is it that humans have been picking their nose. Defecated without washing their hands. Carrying infectious diseases. Have you ever seen the swabs taken from a public hand rail? I assure you that dog hair would be the least of your worries, and I'm against dogs in shops.

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I'm thinking more about doggy smells on things like clothes rather than germs, actually.

NattyTurtle59 · 17/01/2025 02:25

I love dogs, but all I can say is thank goodness I live in a place where dogs aren't allowed in shops (except for guide and companion dogs obviously).

TwentySecondsLeft · 17/01/2025 02:15

@IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls

Hmm. Generally humans don’t shit on the pavement, sniff each others arses in public and piss over consumables - although I agree it’s a close call.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 17/01/2025 02:09

Thegoatliesdownonbroadway · 16/01/2025 22:10

John Lewis lets dogs in now. Its just revolting.

😂
a lot of dogs are infinitely less revolting than humans.

BettyBardMacDonald · 17/01/2025 02:08

Yellowbananasarebetterthangreen · 16/01/2025 22:07

Why didnt you stand at the till and insist on an exchange for an alternative? I would have.

This.

TwentySecondsLeft · 17/01/2025 02:05

Just want to add - licking and sniffing the veg with the same nose that had just been sniffing some other dogs arse…
It’s just completely vomit inducing.

TwentySecondsLeft · 17/01/2025 01:57

@shedidwhatnan

I really want to like dogs, but the amount of shit, chasing my kids into the road, licking my kids water bottles, off lead when they should be on a lead, taking up the whole pavement and forcing me into the road etc makes me really, really detest them - or rather dog owners.

We have a lovely deli along the High Street with fruit and veg displayed beautifully outside. Every time I walk past, there is a dog licking the veg and an oblivious dog owner having a chat. Gross. Haven’t witnessed a dog pissing over the veg yet, but I bet it happens.

I’d have demanded a refund saying your store policy means a dog has pissed all over my purchase.

Verbena17 · 17/01/2025 01:55

shedidwhatnan · 16/01/2025 22:00

Argh. Still annoyed even typing this

Visited a store of a well known aspirational brand today.

They let dogs in and have water bowls outside, encouraging dogs to 'take a sip' and then goes on to say all dogs on leads or dogs in arms are welcome inside

I had just spent good money on something and stopped to have a look at something on the display table near the exit.

The owner seemed to have been having a browse next to me and her dog proceeded to go right next to me! My paper bag from the shop got wet Sad

The store assistant noticed, giggled and went to get some stuff to clean up. No mention of my bag or compensating me when I said 'Oh dear, it's on my bag now'. She just said 'ha, what are they like!' Then ignored me and started chatting to the owner who whilst the cleaning stuff was fetched, kept apologising to me over and over

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.

I asked for a clean bag. Discovered my item also got wet. Shop assistant said 'oh, hopefully it'll just wash out!' And that was that

I was so embarrassed and upset that I left

AIBU to think dogs shouldn't be in shops? I can sort of see the appeal to have a tasteful sausage dog allowed in but not medium+ size breeds!

You were still on the premises - you should have either asked the assistant to replace your wet item or said you want to return it.

The assistant should also have automatically done that for you.
’Hopefully it will wash out’ was your cue to say ‘I’m not going to risk it and I’d like a replacement’.

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:49

bridgetreilly · 17/01/2025 01:38

Dogs have not. They shouldn’t be taken shopping, whether to go inside or be left outside.

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Dogs can and should be taken wherever their owners deem it suitable to take them as long as they are well trained.

Dogs have evolved, dog ownership has evolved and the way dogs are involved in their owners lives has changed and there is no going back.
I have a well trained dog who goes everywhere with me
We frequent and spend money in the shops and cafes which are dog friendly and we obviously don't frequent or spend money in the ones which are not, it really is that simple.

BlueRobins · 17/01/2025 01:46

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:41

There is a huge trade in dogs being stolen, no responsible dog owner would leave their dog tied up outside anywhere.

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that i agree with

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:41

Begsthequestion · 17/01/2025 01:29

Child labour is in no way equivalent to a dog sitting on a pavement for five minutes.

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There is a huge trade in dogs being stolen, no responsible dog owner would leave their dog tied up outside anywhere.

BlueRobins · 17/01/2025 01:38

one puzzlement i have with dog owners, there's a park with both a cycle track and a walking track parelle to each other, the parks rules are all dogs on leads, so your there cycling and nearly have an accident with the dog because they are off the lead and the owner tries to call the dog back to them but then the dog runs across the cycle track in some cases, i love the dogs but owners why when you know they should be on the lead in a park is omg behaviour,

bridgetreilly · 17/01/2025 01:38

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:22

Once upon a time we sent kids up chimneys but thankfully we have evolved.

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Dogs have not. They shouldn’t be taken shopping, whether to go inside or be left outside.

bridgetreilly · 17/01/2025 01:36

Of course it is the shop’s problem. If they welcome dogs into stores, they have to take responsibility for the consequences. I mean, it’s also the dog owner’s problem, but there’s plenty of blame to share around here.

Begsthequestion · 17/01/2025 01:29

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:22

Once upon a time we sent kids up chimneys but thankfully we have evolved.

Show quote history

Child labour is in no way equivalent to a dog sitting on a pavement for five minutes.

Frostynoman · 17/01/2025 01:29

Couldn’t find a direct comparator however this is interesting as regards liability

law.stackexchange.com/questions/94062/purchased-merchandise-stolen-from-customer-before-taken-off-retailer-s-premises

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:22

Throwingpots · 17/01/2025 00:06

Had a freshly bought croissant snaffled out of my bag whilst I was paying for my shopping awhile ago. Id put my carrier bag down whilst I was paying for something and before I knew it, this large dog on extendable lead had its bloody head in there. So cross, once upon a time dogs were left outside shops.

Once upon a time we sent kids up chimneys but thankfully we have evolved.

Begsthequestion · 17/01/2025 01:22

PiggyPigalle · 17/01/2025 01:14

You've ruined your argument in the first sentence.

Ok is it that humans have been picking their nose. Defecated without washing their hands. Carrying infectious diseases. Have you ever seen the swabs taken from a public hand rail? I assure you that dog hair would be the least of your worries, and I'm against dogs in shops.

Show quote history

If you really think dog hands is on par with snot and human shit, why would you object to someone expressing their disgust about it?

DBD1975 · 17/01/2025 01:21

blubberyboo · 16/01/2025 23:35

What an utterly silly and ignorant comment
Two thirds of households don't own dogs and that means a hell of lot don't care for dogs around them

You banging on about "your little cockerpoo" is exactly what I mean! You've grown an expectation that everyone will love her and want to cuddle her. Thats because you surround yourself with those kind of people. Well a whole fucking lot of us don't want her anywhere near us when we are eating! Thats the "we"...the people that are staying away from cafes while you clog the place up with non paying dogs. It obviously hasn't occurred to you that other people are staying away from those establishments because she's there. The dog doesn't have to be disruptive to be a problem...it's just the presence that puts other paying customers off.

Edited
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Stay away then, trust me you won't be missed.

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