I’ve joined the “why are there dogs everywhere” Club

YABU dogs have been allowed in John Lewis for a long time so this is nothing new.

And you have extrapolated seeing dogs in a lift, once, to dogs being " everywhere"?

It’s getting ridiculous and I say that as a long term dog owner. Saying that, I only like my dogs! There is no need to take a dog to a department store, extremely unfair of an owner to take their dog somewhere it’s going to be unhappy.

It is my opinion that it is totally inappropriate (and I have a dog). There are many more people that share my opinion, even if you don't. I know the reverse applies, but it doesn't make it right.

It is the explosion of non dog people owning dogs; having no clue how to train dogs and no experience of living with dogs.

Going into a commercial space in line with the rules of that space is not inappropriate.

It's not at all similar to the inconvenience of needing bread and milk but not being able to leave sleeping children alone to go get it. It may be comparable to being on the school run and needing to pop in to John Lewis to buy a new top for a work thing the next day, even though the kids will be bored by the 10 minutes we have to spend in there.

But fundamentally these are commercial decisions.

If I need to shop for something, I usually do it on my commute rather than when I'm out on a dog walk. But not always (e.g. I've popped into Waterstones while out with my dog a few times).

And most times, it is not a choice between going into John Lewis with my dog, or dropping them home and going back out to John Lewis without my dog. It is a choice between popping in to John Lewis with my dog, or just not popping in at all. Shops are commercial entities first and foremost, and have clearly taken the decision that they get more sales by allowing customers the convenience of being able to bring their dogs in.

In that scenario I totally agree, no need to bring your dog to John Lewis but I am happy that they are now allowed in our local shopping precinct, which is one of those 60s outdoors but quite enclosed if you know what I mean.

My dog loves coming with us wherever we go but for his sake and ours, some places are just not great to bring a dog.

When I was a child, a lot of women didn't work outside the home, so there was always someone to keep the dog company.

I think people expect them to sleep all day, but they don't. If you want a pet that can be left alone, sleeping, all day, get a cat. They are self-service animals. Dogs require constant interaction.

Sadly people steal dogs, use them as bait dogs, etc so no I don’t think people would do this.

I’m in this club too- and also a dog owner. There is really no need to take dogs into shops like this. It’s surely not much fun for the dog who would rather be lounging on their bed at home or out in open air having a lovely walk. And even more so if it’s a nervous dog or a dog who doesn’t like to be ‘crowded’. How ridiculous.

When I’m going somewhere, I make the same assessment with my dog as I would with a toddler- is it going to be fun for them and can I guarantee they won’t misbehave or do something embarrassing? If the answer is no then I’m not taking them. I went through a long phase of not taking my pre-schoolers to cafes or shops because they had too much energy/wouldn’t sit still or walk nicely/would be noisy and would therefore annoy other people so I just didn’t take them. Same with my dog.

(I do realise single parents have to take small children into shops sometimes but also online shopping exists).

I have lost respect for John Lewis for this policy.

Can't they tie their dog up outside a shop? That's what used to happen.

there are a couple of routes I can only run when it rains. for some reason the idiot owners with out of control dogs don't seem to go walkies when it rains.

Why do you assume that’s it’s totally inappropriate to take a dog? Round us many people holiday with their dog. Most shops are dog friendly because people have to take their dog with them.

I also have a dog with Separation Anxiety. If I leave her alone, she howls/whines. I would feel awful if my neighbours were able to hear it, so I don't leave her alone. This does mean she comes out and about a lot!
The talk of putting a healthy dog to sleep is...grim. If I took my dog to the vet and said hey can you please administer a lethal injection because even though these shops have a dog friendly policy, I would rather kill my dog than risk inconveniencing John Lewis shoppers...they would, rightly, be absolutely horrified.

I think there is a mid position that most dog owners hold between your “pragmatic” view of dogs and “fur babies, I personallly can’t understand anyone being involved with dogs not seeing them as part of the family dogs are social animals and thrive as part of a family But everyone is different.

It is appropriate if the shop allows it and your dog isn’t stressed out by going in a shop, That’s life.

It's not appropriate to stop off at a department store with your dog when you've been out somewhere. There are plenty of times when you can't do something you need to do in that moment due to the specific circumstances, such as, realising you need bread or milk for the morning, but your DC are asleep. That's life.

Those people have probably been somewhere else that it's totally inappropriate to take a dog (despite it being allowed) in the first place.

I mean what I said, I don’t know how to word it more simply 🤔

Make sure you get them to sing Soda Pop as well- nice little ear worm that ;)

Um I don’t !!!

But I do love to see a beautiful well behaviours dog anywhere. It’s not the most appropriate place for dogs or much fun for a dog either.

When I was at school in the late 1970's a couple of the teachers used to sometimes bring their dogs in. It's definitely not a new thing, but I don't remember anyone having an issue with it though. Our art teacher had two Chow Chows and all the girls adored them. My cousin went to a school where the headmistress had an Irish Wolfhound and I was slightly envious of that!

(And fwiw, before I'm told I don't understand allergies, I do. I live with it. I'm asthmatic and allergic to dogs, cats and horses)

Yep, this. Plus the term “fur baby” makes me gag 🤢

Although I’ll add, I’m not a dog lover at all and despise the things being anywhere near me.

But you cant leave her for an hour as she is too anxious and needs a behaviourist.

You're restricting your life for a dumb animal.

Your post highlights what's wrong - your dog is having the best life. Never mind the humans then.