to bring dog in supermarket

[Name2change]

I have name changed as I know that most people will be inclined to think that this is ridiculous proposition as its societally unacceptable. I know the cognizant is not to bring them in because they could get out and get into things and cause damage or irritate people with allergens or for hygiene reasons etc etc but surely this applies to dogs who are on leads and being held and not ones in enclosed baby-looking prams that cant get out or get close enough to people to irritate them. I honestly don't see the issue with well behaved dogs who cant bother anyone especially when no one will even know they are there. I saw someone in the supermarket who'd done this a while ago, they bothered no one and ever since I've been thinking that this is something id like to do as I have a hidden disability that is made just that bit more comfortable with my dog just being there but I haven't done it as I'm too ashamed and would be anxious the whole time about being found out! I dont want any "YABU for getting her a pram", its a separate issue, she requires one and I'm not getting into a debate about it. AIBU to go for it or should I leave it well alone and forget about it?

Cat

I think if your dog gives you comfort @Name2change then you should be allowed to take him or her into the shop. But you will get looks and possibly comments and i dont know if that would increase your anxiety, it would mine.

There's another thread, I think it's in chat where a poster works in a shop and is mentioning the large amount of 'smelly' people she encounters each day.

Given that most dogs are cared for and often well groomed I would prefer the average dog than a smelly person in a shop!

Whilst agreeing about the hygiene of some people being worse than many dogs, I don't think animals other than guide dogs should come into a shop.

And human odor is only going to get worse in the coming months but we can't deny service based on how nice people smell. However we do currently not allow non-service dogs (and other animals) into stores for various reasons.

Where will this all end? I don’t want to see “pets” of any kind in supermarkets or restaurants, or indeed any shop,, the exception being guide dogs who have been trained, trained and even more trained.
What next, “ I can’t go shopping without my ……… “ -insert any thing here.
or let’s turn it around, I get anxious with clothes on can I go into the supermarket naked. NO OF COURSE NOT.

I rather hope he doesn’t or it will be a free for all.

All this arguing isn't going to solve anything. The only person who can answer OPs question is the shop manager.

Just leave your dog at home ffs why is there this thing now that people want to take their pets shopping?

Dogs in prams should be fine to go into any shop including supermarkets, in my opinion. Don't know what harm they are doing if they are being pushed in a pram, not as though they are touching anything or causing a mess.

I hope he loses. Cats are just disgusting climbing over everything.

I rather hope he doesn’t or it will be a free for all

No it won't. Allowing assistance dogs (as shops have for years) hasn't created a free-for-all with dogs so why should allowing an assistance cat create a free-for-all with cats?

I hope he loses. Cats are just disgusting climbing over everything

The cat is on a lead and sits on his shoulders, it's not climbing over anything.

You don’t HAVE to take your dog so don’t.

If you really cared about your dog you wouldn’t be considering putting it in a pram and taking it in a supermarket. It is cruel.

Imagine if everyone did it! Yours might be docile but the other 3 people in the line with their dogs might not be.

Just no.

I hope he doesn’t, he managed 50 years without his cat on his shoulder being taken to supermarkets.

I think it would be ok to take pets in stores until if all goes horribly wrong when someone brings their bull into a china shop.

I was in the pub the other week where people were eating, a guy came in with his Labrador, the dog was sick three times, big piles of vomit, the owner looked around at the diners and said he’s been fine all day. He didn’t even leave, just ordered his drink and sat down.
keep dogs out of pubs, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets etc.

Cats in the supermarket, dogs in the supermarket, what could possibly go wrong.

In February 2015, a Wisconsin woman was asked to leave a McDonald's in Beaver Dam when she entered the restaurant with Jimmy, her emotional support kangaroo.

I used to train guide dog pups - pups are not even legally allowed in supermarkets - we always had to ask the shop manager if we could take them in to allow us to undertake training.

I didn't ever have anyone saying no because they understood the need for the pup to become familiar with the scents/sounds that are in a shop.

In 2016, passengers on a Delta flight discovered that someone in the plane's Comfort+ section had brought an emotional support turkey on board as their therapeutic companion.

So? He managed fine previously?

If your dog needs a pram to go to the supermarket then it's a sure sign your dog shouldn't be going to the supermarket. Think of the dog? If the dog had mobility issues or breathing problems and cannot walk too far they should be pottering about at home enjoying their day, not cooped up in a pram in bloody Tesco

I would absolutely love to take my 10 year old lab shopping and I'm sure she would love it but even on a lead she would drag me to the meat isle and try to eat everything and then to the pet isle and stare at a toy until you throw it to her. It would be chaos at the checkout though 😂 If Asda advertised a take your pet hour I wouldn't hesitate.

I have severe anxiety alongside a hidden disability that affects my mobility. Because of that, I get a home delivery because the thought of traipsing round a supermarket is too much. Sorted.

Also, I HATE the idea of dogs being just everywhere - and I love dogs. They just don’t belong in certain places and I actively avoid restaurants or cafes that say “dog friendly”.

Obviously a legally recognised, properly trained guide / assistance dog is different as most people are aware. But this kind of thing makes me think of the sunflower lanyards - that every Tom, Dick and Harry will just cite “additional needs” to justify their want to take their dog/cat/snake/rabbit wherever they want with no regard for the consequences of anyone else.