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!

[EatSleepTeachRepeat]

In our local pet shop they have a MASSIVE great Dane, he's beautiful! He looks just like Scooby Doo.

When they first opened they were over whelmed with customers who bought him treats with their usual stuff. They had to put a sign up to ask people to stop because he was getting too many! Now they have a little basket at the front with biscuits in - if you get there early enough there are some left to give him!

He brings customers in constantly and is probably the reason the shop hasn't gone out of business like a lot of the other shops in the area.

[CozyAutumn]

I know you get inconsiderate people everywhere. Not just in situations involving children and dogs either.

The shop owner I agree can have the dog in her shop if she wants to, but that also may mean people don't want to go in to her shop just as much as it may draw people in. For me it would definitely put me off.

[GreatDaneBowers]

Not that I remember navy - but I'm not normally so nervous around dogs. Maybe just huge ones schnozing (good word!) my DD!

But then I'm nervous around spiders too and they've never hurt me either.

I'm basically a wimp.

[AllThePrettySeahorses]

Wouldn't the shoes smell of dog? And the amount if dribble it must leave!

[shinynewusername]

The poshest wedding dress shop near us has a Great Dane, which intrigues me. Surely a good shake from a muddy GD could wipe out half their stock?

[yearofthehorse]

This made me remember. My first school had an Irish Wolfhound wandering around the place. Didn't think anything of it at the time. It was bigger than most of the kids.

[Ylvamoon]

I take my dog to work... he has contact with our clients and various delivery drivers and they all love him!
I get "told off" if I leave my dog at home, and there is defiantly a different atmosphere when the dog is about... more relaxed!

YABU, I am for dogs in shops and other work places!

[5FeetOfWater]

I'm against dogs free-roaming in shops and public places especially when children are around. People seem to forget dogs are animals and no animal is 100% trustworthy. A big dog like a GD can do a lot of damage if it snaps and the owner wouldn't necessarily be able to pull it off. Dog attacks are on the increase. Owners always think theirs is 'soft' until it bites someone

[Booboostwo]

Some people will avoid the shop because of the dog and some people will seek it out, should all even out in the end.

My farrier, vet and riding instructor all turn up with their dogs and that's fine by me as I have dogs and other animals. I do expect the dogs they bring to be dog friendly and well adjusted so that we're all safe around them but that's it.

[angeldiver]

We go to a shoe shop, that doesn't do haircuts, that is quite out of the way to see their dog.
We have seen her grow from a puppy to an old lady (for a dog). We will miss seeing her when she passes.
YABU.

[Twodogsandahooch]

YABU the owners of our local 'wavy line' used to have a dog. It leapt up on every customer and smelled them in the crotch. Now that was off putting.

[RebelandaStunner]

Yabu.
What a clever idea to entice customers
I would be buying shoes weekly.

[GreatDaneBowers]

navy - I'd hope not to, I did just casually stroll off. But a healthy respect for animals bigger than you, domesticated or otherwise, is probably sensible, no?

Those of you who have colleagues and clients begging for you to bring your dog along, I wonder what the people who say nothing think?

I grew up in central London so I suppose i didn't have as much exposure to dogs (especially large breeds) as DD will now we live by the sea.

[Pluto30]

Yep, YABU.

The owner of the shop can do as she likes.

My husband takes our dogs to work with him. He owns a retirement village. The dogs are loved by everyone there, and, well, if they're not, too bad, it's his business.

[JosephineMaynard]

OT, but what's a 'wavy line'?

[AllThePrettySeahorses]

FrancisCrawford If the dog is there all the time, its odour will permeate everything. A very short-term nappy smell isn't comparable, is it?

[Bubble2bubble]

Sounds like the best shop in the world :)
If we lived anywhere near there my DC would want their hair cut every week and have a ridiculously large shoe collection

[merrymouse]

But a healthy respect for animals bigger than you, domesticated or otherwise, is probably sensible, no?

Yes!!

I have a dog. I live in a place where it is common for people to have dogs. I often work with people who bring their dogs to work. I love their dogs, including the loud and barky ones.

However, they bring their dogs to work so that their dogs aren't home alone, not as some kind of attraction and certainly not to be petted by random children.

Again, this dog may be perfectly fine (although allowing your dog to put its face near a baby is not good practice), but being taught how to handle dogs means being taught to respect them and give them space.

[Themoreitsnowstiddlypom]

I take my dog to the garage I have, it's a border terrier, it remains behind the counter though as he is young and loves attention a but to much I don't like impose him on others until maybe he's older and calmer and less likely to cause to much fuss of people who just may not want it. If he always stays as he is he will stay behind the counter.
Dog lovers who come in can still get close to him if they wish and make a fuss if they choose though and he loves it, the kids can still see him and enjoy him with out him bouncing all over.
I think your not unreasonable op, some people live them some don't for those who don't, you could loose their business and personally that's my income so I am mindful not to put off those who aren't keen so I can attract in as many customers as possible.

[HyacinthFuckit]

Please tell me they sell Hush Puppies.....

I was wondering how long it was going to take someone to come up with that one!

Anyway, seems a touch irresponsible, we all know animals and children previously unknown to each other are never guaranteed to be a positive mix. Not just because of fear, although too many MNers are completely unsympathetic on that score, but plenty of kids would be the exact opposite and you'd have to drag them away from an animal kicking and screaming (literally, in the case of one of mine). And shoe shopping is enough of a pain in the tits without having to remove your child from their new best pooch pal, surely? Personally I wouldn't go near the place.

But ultimately, you both vote with your feet don't you? You choose a shop where the owner has a slightly less unusual choice of in-store pet. She accepts any commercial implications stemming from her choice, which might include a sales uptake as people come from miles around to enjoy children's shoe shopping and haircutting in the presence of a large dog, considering how many posters seem to think it's a wonderful idea. Everyone gets to make the commercial and consumer choices they want. Sorted.