AIBU about the dog in the shoe shop

[GreatDaneBowers]

NC because identifying.

In my town there is a kids shoe shop that also does haircuts for children. It's not a big shop, quite narrow.

Today I went in there for the 3rd or 4th time with my DD. And the owner/manager had her dog in there. A Great Dane. I'm not short and it easily stood ears level with my shoulder.

The dog blocked off the whole shop and stuck its nose in the pram, she made no attempt to call it off or ask me if it was a problem. I'm not scared of dogs but I'm not exactly confident of them either and this animal is beyond huge. I left pretty quickly (was going to browse and buy DD some shoes but didn't).

I don't know how regularly it is in there (I've not seen it in there before, but fairly regularly I'd say as it had been lying on the sofa in the hair cutting area, and had a blanket in the entrance), but AIBU to think that you don't want a dog that big just mooching around a shop that you have to take small children into? (Because haircuts and shoes require DCs to be present).

Obviously the blanket in the entrance is to signal that the dog is in there and I suppose people can vote with their feet if they don't like it (which I did). And I'm sure it's a lovely dog, but lots of children (and adults) are scared of dogs and even the most docile dogs could have an accident or snap, and this one is as big as a small horse!

*fewer intimidating dogs

Pooh, that sounds like an awesome shop.

however sticking its nose in the pram? That's really not ok.

Our local kids shoe shop also doubles up as a kids hairdressers. No dog though, I'm seriously jealous as DD would love that and maybe finally let someone cut her hair

We have a sometimes office dog. I love having around him because I can't have one myself. I would love to see a shop dog (or cat)!

YABU

Shop dogs should be mandatory.

YABU except for the pram part. It would obviously be better for the shop to have a dachshund than a Dane.

Great Danes don't live long. 5 or 6 years if that. And you love them so much that it bloody hurts for months after they die because they were so young compared to other dogs.

YABU. By steering your kids away from dogs, surely you're instilling a fear of canines in them- you're essentially confirming that there is something to be afraid of.
I'm guessing that the owners wouldn't have the dog there if it wasn't unfriendly. The dog isn't left alone unsupervised.
Meh, I'm a bit biased. I love Great Danes, beautiful dogs.

YANBU but neither are they, you're well within your rights to feel uncomfortable, I'm petrified of dogs after a childhood attack so would be out of there in a flash.

Great big enormous dogs are, generally speaking, far gentler than little terriers and things.

From a safety point of view you're far better off with a big docile bugger like a Great Dane than a little ankle biter.

if it wasn't friendly rather. This stupid phone is on borrowed time!

although GDs are ridiculously huge they're actually rather benign, aren't they? (though I can see if you're at all iffy about dogs they would be quite intimidating, especially at close quarters)

I'm not a dog fan so it would put me off too but I think dog lovers are in the majority really. Plus if it's her shop then it's entirely up to her. Only other thing I have to add now is Hercules Morse as Big as a Horse. I think I'm going to have Hairy McLary stuck in my head for the night now. Thanks a bunch OP

Disclaimer - I run a dogwalking and petcare business so fairly obviously love dogs...!

When I had my hair cut last week I had the hairdresser's dog on my lap. But I know because I'd been waiting for 30 minutes (I was early she was running late) that the utterly adorable Bichon Frisee would only ever be allowed on dog friendly laps.

It was lovely, I hate having people fussing about my person but this time petting the dog (won't give name for outing reasons) really helped.

Can we not all just work together to use companion animals to help all of us?

trotters does childrens clothes, shoes, toys and haircuts (next to a fancy fish tank). Not that unusual is it? Not sure about the dog part though.

usual - yes. The business model was very clear. Drunk women buy more shoes.

undersea that's made me really

Logically I know the dog was unlikely to pose a threat. It was the sheer size and unavoidability in a fairly confined space that threw me a bit, I don't think I'd have minded a dachshund. I'm trying to decide what size dog is my thread-starting-tipping-point...

YABU. You cant expect others to pander to people who are scared of dogs. Most people have a dog.

Mind you, my previous dachshund would have caused mayhem in a shoeshop, as soon as anyone took of their shoe he'd have been desocking them.

I met a lovely Dane this summer, who sat on my knee - at least, gently lowered her bottom onto my knees but with her legs still on the floor. Not quite a lapdog!(she was 9 or 10, still going strong bless her)

Most people have a dog

They don't, you know

YANBU. My DS is allergic to dogs and I don't mean just a bit of sneezing, he comes out in hives and his eyes swell shut on contact.

We'd have to find another shop.

Toad and monkey I agree. Most people do not have a dog.

Mega allergic here.

Yanbu. Allergies here mean we'd vote with our feet.

I think my kids would think a giant dog, shoes and haircuts under one roof would be bliss. Do they do parties?

I don't think you're being totally U but that's because I'm nervous around dogs myself. On the other hand, I feel obligated to point out at least it wasn't a lion...

"In 1969, Rendall and his friend Anthony "Ace" Bourke, came across a lion cub in Harrods, London, which then traded in exotic animals. They fell in love with him and took him home to their Chelsea flat. They named the cub Christian, inspired by a biblical sense of irony. He lived with them in a Kings Road furniture shop, SophistoCat, where he had a giant tray of cat litter and rarely ruined the store's furniture."

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/may/28/christian-the-lion-rendall-bourke