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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs in shops

76 replies

eejitgothurt · 12/11/2021 11:45

Today I went into a pet shop to buy something for dd's hamster. Id never been in this pet shop before but had seen the item in the window and decided to buy it. I opened the door and two dogs ran over to me barking. There was a woman in the shop and I don't know if she was the shop owner or owner of the dogs but I just backed out quickly and closed the door. I'm quite scared of dogs I don't know, more so since being bitten earlier this year and requiring surgery. One dog would have been bad enough but two was scary.
Are dogs permitted in shops like this? I always thought not but I might be wrong as I'm not familiar with rules around dogs.

OP posts:
Mamamia7962 · 12/11/2021 11:48

It's up to the shop owner whether they allow dogs in their shop or not. I know my local Pets at Home does but that's because they have a vets at the back of the shop.

TheDeckchairGardener · 12/11/2021 11:48

It’s because it was a pet shop, most pet shops I’ve been to allow dogs in.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 12/11/2021 11:49

Yes of course dogs are allowed in shops if the owner permits. I'm sorry you don't like it though.

We have taken our dog to pets at home for example when we needed to buy him a coat.

HarrietsChariot · 12/11/2021 11:49

Usually it's up to the shop owner or manager. They are obliged to let in assistance dogs but it's their call as to whether they allow pets in, the same as a shop could refuse entrance to children.

I guess in a pet shop it's more likely they'd allow pet dogs in because it would seem strange if not. The woman should not have been letting them run around though..

xxxGirlCrushxxx · 12/11/2021 11:49

Yes they are permitted

Our pets at home has a groomers as well as vet. Back of store so how else do I get our dog in? We walk through

Suzi888 · 12/11/2021 11:51

Yes- permitted.
Our local shop has a therapy dog.

Billybagpuss · 12/11/2021 11:51

Our local pet store actively encourage them and run puppy socialising sessions. However, I would never dream of going in with dog off lead.

MadeOfStarStuff · 12/11/2021 11:52

I would expect dogs to be allowed in pet shops but they shouldn’t be running round bothering other people.

XelaM · 12/11/2021 11:54

Of course dogs are permitted in PET shops Hmm Dog-hating on MN has gone a bit bonkers. Don't go into pet shops if you don't want to see pets. You can get stuff for your hamster online.

Mercurial123 · 12/11/2021 11:56

Every other person seems to hate dogs or cats on MN. YABVU.

KittenCatcher · 12/11/2021 11:59

If they are allowed in then wouldnt it make sense to have them under control and not be able to run up to the door barking at people.

Returnoftheowl · 12/11/2021 11:59

I'd be very surprised at a pet shop you couldn't take a dog to...

twinkletoedelephant · 12/11/2021 12:00

Pet shop near me requires you to carry your dog...he got fed up of dogs pissing all over the stock... I don't blame him at all...

Ddog is now 30kg so I only go in without him now. Ddog much prefers the other petshop where he gets free sprats from the checkout people ( he has learnt if he does tricks he gets more) and gets to choose his own toy

Happycamper78 · 12/11/2021 12:00

I am surprised they would be allowed off lead though...this is not safe for customers or the dogs who may get out as someone comes in. If they had been on a short lead would you have been ok?

Rosesareyellow · 12/11/2021 12:04

Why wouldn’t they be allowed in shops? Do you really think there would be some law banning dogs from shops Confused
No one is forcing you to go in. I’m sorry you’re scared of them, they might make you uncomfortable but they won’t actually do you any harm so there is no reason for them to not be there. Some people are scared of spiders - spiders don’t care, they are still everywhere… try telling them they’re not allowed Grin

girlmom21 · 12/11/2021 12:04

Yes dogs are allowed in pet shops. I'm currently sat in Costa while my dogs in pets at home having a groom.

He's normally very shy but today he ran up to a toddler (think he thought she was my daughter) to say hello while I was dealing with the baby. I apologised to the mom and daughter who he'd ran up to and they were very understanding - and the little girl was thrilled.
He's very small and cute though so probably not intimidating like the dogs in your situation were. He was also on a lead and not barking - being off lead seems dangerous for everyone.

ErrolTheDragon · 12/11/2021 12:04

Perfectly reasonable for dogs to be in a shop.
Not reasonable for them to be out of control and bothering customers.

ANameChangeAgain · 12/11/2021 12:10

Perfectly reasonable for dogs to be in a shop.
Not reasonable for them to be out of control and bothering customers.
Agreed. My dogs are loose in my office and often greet customers in the customer areas, but they are under control.
Many shops now in touristy places allow browser's dogs. Clothes shops, art shops etc. A lady who owned a posh t-shirt shop told me that no one would be happy to tie up a £1-£3k beloved dog outside their shop to look at her £50 t-shirts.

Carboncheque · 12/11/2021 12:17

I’m sorry you were bitten. It sounds like it was quite serious too. I completely understand that you’re very wary of dogs now.

Dogs are allowed in many shops, particularly pet shops. Pet shops actively encourage people to bring their dogs in. Given the way you feel about dogs it’s probably better to avoid pet shops.

Helicopterlife · 12/11/2021 12:18

Yes of course dogs are allowed in pet shops. We had to take our dog to the pet shop

  1. to be fitted with a harness
  2. to be fitted with a coat
  3. to sniff the food and see which he likes best (recommended by behaviourist as he’s so fussy)
  4. To be groomed in the groomers there.
JojoLapin · 12/11/2021 12:19

Well behaved dogs in shops are not unusual anymore and that’s brilliant. Selfridges, Liberty, etc are dog friendly. It would be mad of pets stores not to be.

CounsellorTroi · 12/11/2021 12:19

There’s a vineyard near where I live. They used to have a dog that showed people around.

Original poster
eejitgothurt · 12/11/2021 12:24

It makes sense that they are allowed but I don't think they should be running around the shop. I don't hate dogs at all, I'm just very wary of them.

OP posts:
EvenRosesHaveThorns · 12/11/2021 12:30

I would always expect dogs in a pet shop. People take them in to try on harnesses and things.

magicstar1 · 12/11/2021 12:35

I bring mine into the pet shops all the time. They have bowls of water at the entrance, and usually a scales which is handy for checking her weight. She loves walking around sniffing everything (always on a lead)
For her birthday my parents gave some money to get her a treat so I took her in and she picked out a toy and carried it to the checkout Grin