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

I have 2 dogs. I would never take them shopping with me.

I have started to avoid anywhere that allows dogs into shops. I prefer to eat in areas where dogs are not next to me too. There are times and places for dogs and shops and restaurants are not suitable. Pubs with outdoor or covered seating for eating with their dogs as long as there are separate areas for people to eat where dogs are not allowed is imo the best option.

I have joined the dogs shouldn't be allowed everywhere camp and I have dogs. The stupid entitled dog owners are ruining things for people who do consider others (yet again).

I adore dogs. If there are dogs anywhere I’m all over them or at least my focus is even if I’m not physically. I’d be happy with them everywhere!!
but even I agree, it’s not fair on the wider population who isn’t as dog obsessed as me.

Might depend where you live

My experience too. Even in dog friendly shops, I've seen very few dogs.

But to listen to some on here you'd imagine you take your life in your hands every time you step into John Lewis.

Another thicko owner. The dog in that situation is clearly not under the owner’s control. The coffee shop’s door could have easily opened again within a few seconds after you’d entered, allowing the dog to run off. You’d think the numbskull would have had the sense to realise this, retrieve the dog and keep it with them.

was at an airshow at the weekend and lots of dogs including younger dogs. The noise from some displays was extremely loud so do wonder why a person would take dogs .

Same seen at firework displays- would not have seen this years ago - people just don’t consider that they are animals and the appropriate or correct way of handling or caring for them or just don’t care or think it’s different or doesn’t apply to their dog

I've just asked my partner how many dogs he sees around town or in the supermarket. I don't go shopping these days for health reasons, but he goes into town regularly. He says he has never seen a dog (other than a fully harnessed assistance dog) in any of the 4 supermarkets he visits. He does see them in Pets At Home but not in other shops.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but he is more of a dog person than I am, so he would notice if he kept falling over dogs wherever he went.

I suppose ultimately I’m not bothered by what some random stranger may or may not want. Sorry, but that’s true. I’m going to prioritise me and my dog over what some potential person may or may not want. How am I to know if I go to a dog friendly shop/cafe if there may be a person there who doesn’t like dogs. 🤷‍♀️. IME people make a fuss of my dog and seem happy to see her.

If you don’t like dogs in places take it up with the establishment and tell them. If there’s enough of you maybe they will make it no dogs allowed. In the meanwhile I’ll stick to the rules and we’ll go where we’re allowed.

Incidentally, just on the actual facts around this, I also don't think it is quite true.

Most or all supermarkets are only open to assistance dogs, as are M&S, Primark, Next, most branches of B&Q...

That's not been my experience, but if that is the case, then surely that is just the market at work.

Businesses have clearly decided that it is commercially beneficial to allow dogs. If what you're saying is correct, it suggests that the demand for shops that don't allow dogs is not large enough to make that an enticing commercial prospect.

That's just the nature of a free market economy, isn't it? Businesses don't have to accommodate all our individual preferences. The economy isn't a democracy.

The point of this whole thing is that - there are hardly any shops that don’t allow dogs.

So don't go to shops that allow dogs?

Can we stop concentrating on what a dog wants and maybe concentrate on what people want? I don't want dogs in shops, like many others on this thread, no matter whether your dog thinks it's the best thing ever or whether it's stressed out by them.

I also think we're seeing more nervous/anxious dogs because they are being dragged along to places that are inherently stressful to them, because owners take them everywhere.

And no, I don't think dogs come before humans.

Especially after COVID, following the lack of business plus lots of lock down dogs. Made sense.

My dog stays home plenty actually. Most days I'm at work, he is home by himself for a few hours at a time, with the dog walker taking him out for an hour in the middle of the day. Never had any issues.

But this is another false binary - the idea that dogs must be at home all the time, or must always be with their owner. Neither are true for most dogs or most owners.

My dog is often with me - if I decide to go to the pub for some lunch, I'll often take him because he enjoys it, and I enjoy being with him. If I decide to 'go shopping', then I won't and he'll stay at home. If I pop into the shop after I've been on a dog walk, he'll come in with me (assuming the shop allows dogs). If I'm going to the cinema, he won't.

The bit people keep ignoring is that businesses are first and foremost commercial entities. They take decisions to maximise sales and profits. They don't just stick a finger in the air and decide to change their approach for no good reason, and they don't keep their arrangements in place for no good reason. They do it because they consider it to boost their revenue and profit.

And I'll wager that many dognutters don't leave their howling, yapping mutts home alone because of complaints from long-suffering neighbours.

It wasn't great, he was quite the character and I miss him. All you can do is make sure they have a good doggie life. Good luck with the arthritis treatment, because that's rough.

A lot of these anti-dog threads are based on really blanket views of both dogs and humans in my experience.

"Your dog doesn't like it" - a good owner knows their dog and not all dogs are the same. My dog loves going to our local pub. To the point that if we're passing it on the way to the park, he will sometimes sit down and refuse to budge because he wants to go in. He doesn't particularly like going into shops, but it doesn't stress him out. Just something he'll tolerate. He does not like being in very loud, crowded spaces. So when he's not at home or on walks, most of the time he'll be at the pub, occassionally pops into a shop with me, and never goes anywhere really loud and crowded.

"Why do you need to take your dog out shopping" - as mentioned, far fewer people see shopping as some standalone activity. My dog absolutely would not be thrilled to be traipsing from shop to shop for hours. He wouldn't be stressed, just bored. But I almost never 'go shopping' as a prolonged activity so it never arises. Not sure why people would struggle to conceive of going to a shop to pick something up when you're nearby and because it is convenient - and sometimes happening to have your dog with you at the same time.

@YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt
Oh bless her ❤

This is the problem, I suppose we all judge by what is right for our own dog. Mine is at the opposite end of the size spectrum, and I wouldn't take her there because of the slippery floor. Nor will I have the option of a pushchair when she's elderly. My view is blinkered by that to some degree - having a large hairy outdoor breed that is definitely not suited to being in shops. We both have a happy dog that is loved, so that's what matters really.

I’m sorry, I dread the day.

He can no longer do that. He was pts.
Enjoy your dog. Arthritis is tough.

She’s 12yo with bad arthritis. This photo was at the end of a 5 mile walk of which she’d managed about half on her own before going in the buggy for the last half. So yeah, she had a great day. And she’s always happy to finish the day off in a coffee shop especially if I get a bacon butty because she knows I’ll share. 😁. We did actually go and sit on the patio after ordering. One day your Boxer won’t be running up and down hills anymore but I’m sure he will still enjoy what he’s able to do.

Honestly she pulls like mad to get to Fishers from the other end of town. If I took her off the lead I think she’d sprint straight for the shop and leave me behind 🤣.

If it's a rare breed then it's probably more at risk than the average pooch.
Interestingly, dog thefts declined in 2024. Don't know if that's a one off, though.

My ‘this madness has to end moment’ came after witnessing a runny poo incident in Peter Jones on Sloane Square. The owner just walked off.

It actually made me retch and I had to make a quick escape!