To think those that take their dogs shopping are selfish?

[Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure]

I’m fully prepared to be flamed for this, especially by the ‘I take my dog everywhere’ patrol...
I’m noticing more and more people taking thier dogs shopping, leaving them tied up outside. Not only is it not fair to those scared of dogs but it is absolutely not fair on the dogs. I have a dog, in fact I’d rather socialise with dogs more than humans however I don’t feel the need to take my dog absolutely everywhere.
Just the other day when I was leaving asda, there was a dog tied up right by the doors, he was terrified and kept blocking the doorway. One woman who you could see was clearly terrified of it actually turned around, got back in her car because she was too scared to go past it.
I wish people would understand that not everyone likes dogs... it’s selfish in my book to believe otherwise.

Personally I don’t mind if dogs come bounding up to me, I love them but I can see the point from someone who scared of them.
I can’t be the only one that thinks this?

Can I just add I know in some cases like with assistance dogs, you need to take them everywhere... I’m basically just talking about those that don’t have assistance dogs..

Most people stop to the shop on their way home from a walk, so it makes sense.

Of a dog is on a shortish lead, surely you know you can walk by safely, unless the dog is right in the middle of the door.

Obviously I’m not a fan of people who leave their dogs tied up for hours, or if they’re frightened or aggressive or getting in the way of accessing a building, but I suppose the majority of people are just going about their daily lives with their dog as opposed to leaving them at home? If there’s no one else who can have the dog, or you need to pop to a shop whilst walking the dog, what’s the alternative?

I’m not currently a dog owner but used to have yellow labs and I would never have left them tied up anywhere because they got mobbed by people wanting to stroke them, which I preferred to supervise. I’d also be very worried about theft.

Surely the risk of it being stolen just isn't worth it?

It's also very unsafe for the dog. Anyone could walk out, pick up the lead and walk off. Most dogs would just set off walking.

I remember a particularly awful case of this near my house. Old dog tied up outside a shop. Two teenagers came out and took it, they made it run, dragging it along for like a mile and threw it into a canal. I'd never leave my dog outside unattended, like I wouldn't leave my kid.

I wouldn't do it, I'd worry he'd get stolen for one thing (not that he'd be any use to anyone bless him) but I do get why people do do it. If they're going to have to walk the dog and go to the shop it saves two trips.

Not everyone has to like dogs no - but that’s not the same as having a dog phobia. Someone who doesn’t like dogs can still walk past one outside the shop. I don’t think it’s anyone’s responsibility to manage someone else’s phobia. If the dog was genuinely growling and fletching it’s teeth at people, posing a genuine risk, then the shop should call the police.

Sometimes I tie my dog outside the corner shop, it's just easier to pick up a pint of milk or whatever when I'm out on a walk. Can't imagine doing it with Asda, I can generally always see him in my little local shop. Selfishly, it's never occured to me that some people are scared of dogs and he might be a concern to some. He looks a bit like a teddy bear so I guess it just didn't cross my mind he could actually be scary!

People can be frightened of dogs and they can have allergies so there should be some dog free areas.

And I like 🐕.

I agree OP. I'm also not mad on people taking their dogs into pubs. It's nice in theory and of course you do get some impeccably behaved ones who will sit quietly under the table but we had lunch out at the weekend and the amount of dogs in there was ridiculous. All barking at eachother, whining for food, pulling to get to people. I understand people want to combine a walk with a pub lunch but it's just stressful for everyone. We walk our boys, drop him back home where he can have a nice snooze, undisturbed in his bed while we head of for a relaxed lunch. Less convenient for us but far less stress.

It's quite a leap from 'one person left a scared dog in a stupid place when I went to Asda' to 'everyone who takes their dog out with them is selfish'.

Most people who leave their dog outside a shop have dogs that are absolutely fine with that. Most people who leave their dog outside a shop leave it on a short lead and out of the way of other customers. Those people are not selfish.

Your argument is akin to saying 'AIBU to think that teenagers are thieves?' because you saw one get pulled up for shoplifting.

It's a silly thing to do. Most dogs are not happy to be tied up to wait and there is always the danger of being stolen.

I think if you've popped in for the paper in the local shop it's different to taking it to the big Tesco for the weekly shop, or the high street outside boots.

I wouldn't anyway because I'm terrified of them getting stolen!

My bugbear this week is dogs on the school run. It was fine when the kids all lined up on the grass, I even took mine some days, but since the rain it's a narrow path through a bog. People trying to pass each other with kids and buggies and whatnot. Not a suitable environment for your barking unruly puppy that is larger than my child.

I'd never leave mine tied up in case someone took them but I don't really think there's much to be done about people being scared. My nan is scared of groups of teenagers but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to go out with their friends.

If they're tied up, they can't hurt you so just walk past them.

Absolutely.....and don't get me started on big families all shopping together....

I also never leave mine due to the risk of theft.

I would have no problem if people tied them up away from the door. Tie them to something well away from where people need to walk.

I'm not scared of dogs but the other day I came out of a local shop (right opposite an infant school) and there was a medium sized dog tied up directly in front of the door. He looked friendly, tail wagging. I held out my hand as if to pet him, and he snapped at me, very nearly bit my hand. It only made me jump but a child or someone who was nervous of dogs would have been really scared. I realize not all dogs will tolerate being petted by a stranger but if they are liable to snap I don't think you should tie them up right in front of a door where there are likely to be people including young children coming out.

I quiet like seeing dogs patiently waiting for their owners outside the local small coop newsagent. They usually wag their tails as you go by. I recognise a few.

I wouldn't think leaving a dog outside a large supermarket with big traffic footfall and the chance of a huge long wait is fair on the dog

However dog owners should tie dog up on a short lead, not so immediately in-front of the door so that dog accosts people going in and out or blocks wheelchairs/ prams from using entrance.

I've not seen anyone leave a barky anxious dog outside a shop yet... although have seen that at school pick up with new puppies ...

Hopefully it was poor planning by that dog owner OP and that they'll learn from it and not make it a habit as it doesn't sound that particular dog was enjoying waiting outside for their owner

I'd be terrified that my dog would get stolen. Occasionally I'll pop into the corner shop for some milk or bread, but that's somewhere everyone knows my dog so she gets attention while I shop.

The worst I've seen is someone getting fish and chips and their dog was so close to the door they were practically inside.

@CheshireChat

People can be frightened of dogs and they can have allergies so there should be some dog free areas.

And I like 🐕.

I agree, dogs should stay outside, at home, or in the car (it's not the summer and it's not hot). Or do online shopping or use doggy daycare if you are going to be out for a long time.

I am not sure it's "selfish" to take your dog shopping, just unnecessary.

But it is down to retailers to say it's not appropriate. Dogs certainly should not be in clothes shops. Pet shops are clearly another matter!

I was in my town centre yesterday evening (some shops still open) and someone walked past me with two dogs. One was muzzled and it did go for me. I was glad it was muzzled and the pavement was quite wide! But that owner was silly for taking it to a reasonably busy area - no vets or pet shops in the direction she came from. Unless she'd taken them to a dog behaviourist...

I wouldn’t purely because I wouldn’t want my dogs stolen.

I saw a fantastic thing once. An enclosed kennel type thing that is air conditioned/heated and you can lock your dogs inside it.

I think that’s a brilliant idea and should be put in place

link

@ReeseWitherfork

Sometimes I tie my dog outside the corner shop, it's just easier to pick up a pint of milk or whatever when I'm out on a walk. Can't imagine doing it with Asda, I can generally always see him in my little local shop. Selfishly, it's never occured to me that some people are scared of dogs and he might be a concern to some. He looks a bit like a teddy bear so I guess it just didn't cross my mind he could actually be scary!

Don't you worry that a child might grab his face or hurt him and he'd bite them?