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Original poster

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

513 replies

BananaBum · 31/08/2025 18:51

I’ll start things off by saying I have a dog myself and normally scoff at all the people rolling their eyes over dogs in pubs and cafes. Can even forgive younger, less well behaved dogs because they have to learn and be exposed to different situations.

HOWEVER

Today I went to get in a lift in John Lewis with my DC and a woman with a pushchair and TWO massive labradors asked if I wouldn’t mind waiting because one of her dogs were nervous about being crowded.

Why are you in John Lewis then?
Is it really necessary for the dogs to come out with you?
Did they come in the car especially or do you live in town?
how does it all work logistically?

So many questions. And also just a bit annoyed I had to wait for the next lift

OP posts:
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MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 12:55

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:28

I don’t know, shall I ask her? 🤷‍♀️

She hasn’t actually been to JL, but has been in other busy shops and is always wagging her tail and I can tell from her body language she’s happy and having a look round. Obviously on a short lead and no she’s never weed anywhere inside. Her favourite shop is Fishers in Keswick, she knows which counter has the jar of dog biscuits behind it and makes a beeline there.

So yeah she’s probably not stressed due to a combination of biscuits and people making a fuss of her. She loves people and is really quite sociable.

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If people gave me free biscuits I'd be happy, to be honest. Although I do prefer fresh air to shops, but everyone is different.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 12:54

She's having the time of her life? Strapped in a buggy in a coffee shop?
I had a wonderful Boxer dog. He had the time of his life running up and down hills and playing fetch.

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:32

Here she is being very not stressed and having the time of her life. Double whammy of being in a coffee shop and in a buggy 😁👍🏻

I’ve joined the “why are there dogs everywhere” Club
YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:28

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 12:20

Why isn't she stressed in John Lewis?

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I don’t know, shall I ask her? 🤷‍♀️

She hasn’t actually been to JL, but has been in other busy shops and is always wagging her tail and I can tell from her body language she’s happy and having a look round. Obviously on a short lead and no she’s never weed anywhere inside. Her favourite shop is Fishers in Keswick, she knows which counter has the jar of dog biscuits behind it and makes a beeline there.

So yeah she’s probably not stressed due to a combination of biscuits and people making a fuss of her. She loves people and is really quite sociable.

abracadabra1980 · 01/09/2025 12:27

If the dog is nervous about being crowded, she should be working on that issue with the dog alone, or with a behaviourist. Unfortunately you can’t control every crazy scenario in life and it sounds like this is one of them-I’d have been embarrassed but then nobody would ever get in a small space with my young Labrador- a continual work in progress 🤣

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 12:25

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:51

Seriously? Have you a valuable dog?
I see them tied up outside shops and cafes where I live. Perhaps it's a low canine crime area. I'll look up the stats.

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I have a rare breed and I would not risk it, despite being in a low crime area.

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 12:22

Velvian · 01/09/2025 12:12

Are you aware that toddlers are human beings? I can't have escaped you, but your comment suggests otherwise. 🧐

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Has it escaped your notice that I have consistently throughout this thread disagreed with dogs being in shops and cafes? I don't actually think the dog should have been there, but was just pointing out that the puking thing could happen with a child (and did once happen in my presence in a supermarket coffee shop) and it was not dog specific.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 12:20

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:18

And regardless of theft potential she just wouldn’t like it. People on here have said don’t take your dog to JL because they’d be stressed. As I’ve said I know my dog and she wouldn’t be stressed going to JL. But I also know she’d be very stressed being tied up outside a shop and left.

Why isn't she stressed in John Lewis?

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:18

And regardless of theft potential she just wouldn’t like it. People on here have said don’t take your dog to JL because they’d be stressed. As I’ve said I know my dog and she wouldn’t be stressed going to JL. But I also know she’d be very stressed being tied up outside a shop and left.

Ablondiebutagoody · 01/09/2025 12:14

Your area is responsible for 70% of the UK's stolen dogs?

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 12:14

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:51

Seriously? Have you a valuable dog?
I see them tied up outside shops and cafes where I live. Perhaps it's a low canine crime area. I'll look up the stats.

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I don’t think any dog is cheap these days. She’s not overly valuable no but I’ve heard about dogs been stolen to be used as bait dogs. Maybe it’s urban myths but the part of the country I’m in there’s quite a bit of illegal dog fighting which goes on. Previous two dogs were both sight hounds so they would have been very attractive for some of the local community for hare coursing.

Velvian · 01/09/2025 12:12

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:45

To be fair, that could easily happen with a toddler though. It's not specific to dogs.

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Are you aware that toddlers are human beings? I can't have escaped you, but your comment suggests otherwise. 🧐

Blanketenvy · 01/09/2025 12:11

ILoveWhales · 01/09/2025 10:15

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.

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Sure. Clearly not an animal lover which is fine but as said in my first post I'm fine with the situation and my life is immensely richer for having my dog, limited or not. I don't expect it to be for everyone, but also don't judge other people's choices in life either.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:55

So, approx 4 dogs per day get stolen in the UK, mostly spaniels and other specific breeds.
In my area it's 2.8 per day.

softlyfallsthesnow · 01/09/2025 11:53

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:45

To be fair, that could easily happen with a toddler though. It's not specific to dogs.

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Toddlers and dogs aren't equivalents. And I can't actually remember a toddler throwing up in the middle of a public dining room, but if one did, it would be there because it needed to be with its parent/ carer. The puking dog didn't have that need.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:52

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:51

You'd be surprised how many dogs are stolen, including mongrels/crossbreeds.

I apologise for seeming rude though.

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Apology accepted. I'm just looking at the stats for stolen dogs. Low in my area, just perusing nationally.

OrwellianTimes · 01/09/2025 11:51

I have dogs, I love dogs. But I’m baffled by this obsession of taking dogs everywhere. I don’t want dogs everywhere when I’m in shops etc. garden of country pub is fine, but I’ve had meals out ruined by dogs being a nuisance.

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:51

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:48

I am aware of the year, thank you.
How rude.
I find it hard to believe that teams of dog thieves are ready to snatch any mongrel pooch left unsupervised for 10 minutes.

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You'd be surprised how many dogs are stolen, including mongrels/crossbreeds.

I apologise for seeming rude though.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:51

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 11:45

It could well get stolen. I wouldn’t leave my dog tied up outside the village shop never mind a motorway service station.

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Seriously? Have you a valuable dog?
I see them tied up outside shops and cafes where I live. Perhaps it's a low canine crime area. I'll look up the stats.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:50

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:45

To be fair, that could easily happen with a toddler though. It's not specific to dogs.

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I won't insult your intelligence - not my style, but I'm sure you can work out the difference between a toddler and a dog, and their relative places in society.

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:48

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:46

What planet are you on? It's not 1952 ffs! Google dog theft.

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I am aware of the year, thank you.
How rude.
I find it hard to believe that teams of dog thieves are ready to snatch any mongrel pooch left unsupervised for 10 minutes.

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:46

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:44

Couldn't it be tied up outside and given a bowl of water?

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What planet are you on? It's not 1952 ffs! Google dog theft.

Aubrielle · 01/09/2025 11:45

softlyfallsthesnow · 01/09/2025 11:43

We were having a family lunch in a country pub dining room, a couple came in with 2 dogs, sat at the next table and one of the dogs promptly threw up all over the floor. They didn't seem remotely bothered about the effect on anyone else though they did clear it up.
Not the best lunchtime accompaniment.

To be fair, that could easily happen with a toddler though. It's not specific to dogs.

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 11:45

MonetsLilac · 01/09/2025 11:44

Couldn't it be tied up outside and given a bowl of water?

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It could well get stolen. I wouldn’t leave my dog tied up outside the village shop never mind a motorway service station.

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 01/09/2025 11:44

BananaBum · 01/09/2025 11:41

Great so you won’t be asking anyone to not get in the lift on your dogs behalf and we can agree that was silly. Thanks

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Yes, I’d previously agreed with you that that wasn’t on 👍

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