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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think dogs shouldn’t be allowed in shops

245 replies

RedCandyApple · 09/02/2022 13:09

Has anyone else seen that wilkos are now allowing dogs in their stores? I’m not keen on dogs as it is and wouldn’t really want other shops to start allowing dogs in. What about people that are scared of them? Seriously why do you need to take your dog shopping? I hope no other shops start doing this.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 09/02/2022 16:07

So no shop ever then?

If you're comment is about assistance dogs, I am fine with that. They are usually well trained, not to mention few and far between. But a clothes shop, letting any old dog in...no thanks

Comedycook · 09/02/2022 16:07

*Your

ziggiestardust · 09/02/2022 16:08

Why would you want to take your dog into a shop anyway? Sounds boring for them. Mine wants to be off lead, free running in a big park and chasing after a ball. If I stop in the street to chat to someone, after a few minutes she starts doing the nose whine thing because she wants to get going again. Besides, how inconvenient to be weighed down with a load of bags and then the dog takes a dump and you've got to awkwardly put everything down and clear it up and then find a bin...

Teaforme123 · 09/02/2022 16:10

Sometimes as well, especially in my local Wilko, there is only just enough room to squeeze through the aisles as it is. When the pushchair is in tow it can be quite difficult to manoeuvre it around the displays etc. I don't need people's dogs adding to that!

Jeyesfluid · 09/02/2022 16:12

My mates guide dog used to lift chocolate bars off the bottom shelf in shops and quietly carry them out in his mouth. Obviously his owner didn't discover the theft until after the event. As he couldn't see.

misses the point

caranations · 09/02/2022 16:13

Wilkos went right downhill ages ago, I never go in there any more. This has just given me another reason to not shop there.

shrodingersvaccine · 09/02/2022 16:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 16:18

@Comedycook

So no shop ever then?

If you're comment is about assistance dogs, I am fine with that. They are usually well trained, not to mention few and far between. But a clothes shop, letting any old dog in...no thanks

It is. My dog is well trained. I don't really understand the reasoning for not buying from a shop which allow dogs that aren't assistance dogs?
BuddhaForMary · 09/02/2022 16:19

@shrodingersvaccine

These conversations always go the same way.

The ones who don’t like dogs say they’ll piss and shit everywhere, or go around leaping on and biting other shoppers. A dog lover comes on and says kids are worse behaved, people take offence at their children being compared to dogs. There’s the ‘except guide dogs’ disclaimer interspersed throughout, along with the stories of the people/children so dog phobic they’re reduced to hysteria at the mere thought of a dog and it’s a wonder they ever leave the house. Oh and the violently allergic who think that means they should never be exposed to their allergen, but that only applies to dog allergies. Not any other allergy - no one can stop them walking through a shop eating, for example, anyone else’s severe allergens.

In the real world, dogs already go into loads of shops and no one notices. They’re toilet trained, so they don’t toilet on the goods and don’t chew everything they set eyes on, because that would be a weird behaviour from a dog anyway tbh. They don’t bite or leap on anyone, and owners move away from people who are visibly afraid, because they’re not wankers who revel in strangers fear of their dog. Dogs are perfectly happy because they’re with their owner, and that’s where they want to be regardless of what they’re doing. And anyones nightmare hound who does fulfil the horror stories is asked to leave, as they would be for any other antisocial behaviour.

It’s a sensible business choice. If you’ve money to spend on a dog, you’ve money to spend on other things, it makes sense.

At last someone who gets it. Great post @shrodingersvaccine
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 16:19

@ziggiestardust

Why would you want to take your dog into a shop anyway? Sounds boring for them. Mine wants to be off lead, free running in a big park and chasing after a ball. If I stop in the street to chat to someone, after a few minutes she starts doing the nose whine thing because she wants to get going again. Besides, how inconvenient to be weighed down with a load of bags and then the dog takes a dump and you've got to awkwardly put everything down and clear it up and then find a bin...
Walking through town and I need something so pop in on the way past, 2 birds one stone. He likes to get a biscuit off the woman in the vintage clothes shop.
Elphame · 09/02/2022 16:19

What do you do with your dog when you need to go into a shop that doesn’t allow dogs?

Simple - walk past and spend my money in a shop that does. Having said that I rarely take my dogs shopping. Neither they nor I enjoy it much but sometimes it's unavoidable.

Shops are free to decide their policies and It's a business decision for the shop owners whether or not they allow dogs inside. I always stick my head around the door and ask if I'm not sure.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 16:21

@BitOutOfPractice

People with phobias can't expect the world to revolve around them.

Or, dog owners can't expect the world to revolve around them?

I don't. I just take my dog in places that allow him. I don't ask for other places to allow him.
Grida · 09/02/2022 16:23

Our local John Lewis allows them. There are quite a few who take their dogs in with those extending leads and the dogs wander off around the clothes racks tripping people up. I saw one woman with two dogs in there the other day. She got in a bit of a tangle with them going in two different directions and one of the dogs knocked some glass things of a shelf. Staff swept up the broken glass, dogs seemed unharmed, owner looked embarrassed. I think you have to have a very calm, well behaved dog to pull it off.

PineappleIceCream · 09/02/2022 16:23

I’d prefer dogs weren’t in shops, I’m allergic t o them and as much as I don’t mind some, others can be quite aggressive and get in your personal space.

No issue with guide dogs at all, obviously the number of guide dogs is a lot lower than dogs in general so it’s a non issue.

Our local garden centre, as many do, allows dogs and last few times I’ve been there, they have had signs up telling people to clear up dog mess! Imagine if dogs were allowed all over, unfortunately a lot of owners are completely and utterly irresponsible.

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/02/2022 16:24

I wouldn't take my dogs to the shop, they don't have money nor do I.

Maharajah20 · 09/02/2022 16:24

@Buildingthefuture

YABU. Dogs unfortunately do need to be allowed in shops. Dog theft is rife. Dogs are being stolen all over the country, not just from outside shops or in cars, but also from their own homes (more than 50% of dog theft occurs from the home/garden). Until dog theft is treated as an actual crime with appropriate punishment, people are wary of leaving dogs alone at all and many would rather take them to the shops etc. It's a sad world we live in!!!
Do you actually take your dog everywhere you go? Work? Restaurant? Hairdressers? Doctors? Friends homes? Cinema? Day trips?
BuddhaForMary · 09/02/2022 16:25

I’d prefer dogs weren’t in shops, I’m allergic t o them

No issue with guide dogs at all,

Which is it? Are you selectively allergic?

PineappleIceCream · 09/02/2022 16:26

@BuddhaForMary I’m allergic, I’d rather not be around them but where it’s obviously aiding a blind person then that’s not a huge problem. No doubt I’d be fine around dogs for a short period of time anyway but do get a bit sneezy sometimes so it’s just a preference.

Maharajah20 · 09/02/2022 16:30

@Buildingthefuture sorry that was a genuine question. Can’t quite get my head around never being able to be without your dog.

MissMaple82 · 09/02/2022 16:33

I personally find it more odd that demesne ne scared of a dog!

PainterMummy · 09/02/2022 16:35

John Lewis has been allowing dogs in their shops (at least on Sundays) for a while. I think as king as your dog is well behaved (so not aggressive, house trained so it won’t poo/pee in the shop), why not?

hangrylady · 09/02/2022 16:36

@Lockheart

I’m not referring to guide dogs, it’s open to all dogs now. Guide dogs are completely different.

Do you think guide dogs magically don't shed fur, have muddy paws, shake, produce saliva, induce allergies, or are some sort of strange breed that people aren't scared of?

Guide dogs are still dogs.

Surely you can appreciate the difference between a highly trained working dog which assists a disabled person with their independence and a regular dog. Hmm
shrodingersvaccine · 09/02/2022 16:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

DockOTheBay · 09/02/2022 16:38

@Lockheart

Dogs are allowed in all shops. Guide dogs can go anywhere.
Obviously that's not the same. Aside from the obvious aid to disabled people, guide dogs also tend to be very calm and are very well trained. They're not going to jump up at me, bite my kids or rub their arses all over the produce.
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/02/2022 16:38

@hangrylady completely missing the point there aren't we Hmm