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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs in shops

227 replies

ginforall · 10/04/2023 14:23

I have been to an out of town designer outlet place today where it would appear they are dog friendly and dogs are allowed in the clothes and shoe shops. Surely a trip to the shops is not a place to take your dog? We were in a small clothes shop which is already a bit on the tight side, the three dogs in there did not make it any easier to get around. AIBU to think clothes shops should be dog free zones?

OP posts:
kitsuneghost · 10/04/2023 14:45

I don't particularly want to buy clothes that have been in contact with a dog.

Inthebathagain · 10/04/2023 14:45

I'm not the biggest fan of Tim Martin, but I truly admire his stand of not permitting non working dogs inside any of his premises, including outside tables.

Dog friendly is very unfriendly to a lot of the population. It's ok in a few places, but should not be mainstream.

Are dogs permitted in changing rooms? Can you imagine?!

LlynTegid · 10/04/2023 14:45

I wonder if some shops have chosen to accept dogs because they fear losing business if they don't, or being challenged by entitled dog owners (not all dog owners are) who will argue that their dog is well behaved etc.

I'd also expect many dog owners would not wish to leave their dog tied up outside the door for fear of it being stolen.

Tulipvase · 10/04/2023 14:47

I have a dog and don’t expect to take into shops but it can be handy sometimes.

With regard to accessibility issues, I know in my town lots of the shops are old and listed so can’t easily be made accessible. I’m sure that’s not always the issue though.

JavaQ · 10/04/2023 14:48

GreenWheat · 10/04/2023 14:43

Lockdown has spawned a new type of inappropriate and entitled dog owner, who treat them like children and think everyone else should too, or just have no concept of where it's appropriate to bring dogs. It was never like this pre-pandemic.

They existed before but now there are more of them. The really toxic ones own cavapoo type dogs and live in Sydney harbourside suburbs

Throwncrumbs · 10/04/2023 14:48

Sat in a small cafe yesterday, two dogs came in, not at the same time, then had one dog whining for the rest of our meal because it wanted to get to the other dog. Then a man roughly in his 50s in Lycra that didn’t fit, so bulging stomach hanging out, came in with his bike,that he rested up against an empty table, to order food….. won’t be going back there!

SerendipityJane · 10/04/2023 14:48

I wonder if some shops have chosen to accept dogs because they fear losing business if they don't, or being challenged by entitled dog owners (not all dog owners are) who will argue that their dog is well behaved etc.

You mean put their non statutory duty to dog owners ahead of their statutory duty to less able customers ? Bad enough having to wheel through dog shit, only to get to a shop with no access.

MyDogTails · 10/04/2023 14:49

I tend to go shopping less now I have a dog. I’d rather be out walking him.. I can see why shops have done this as people don’t want to leave the dogs at home especially if a trip is combined with a walk. I haven’t done it myself.

A dog in a supermarket is shocking, let alone a dog in a shopping trolley in a supermarket.

SmileyHappyDoggos · 10/04/2023 14:49

Inthebathagain · 10/04/2023 14:45

I'm not the biggest fan of Tim Martin, but I truly admire his stand of not permitting non working dogs inside any of his premises, including outside tables.

Dog friendly is very unfriendly to a lot of the population. It's ok in a few places, but should not be mainstream.

Are dogs permitted in changing rooms? Can you imagine?!

I’d rather a dog in my changing room than a bloke....and that seems to be ok now so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Throwncrumbs · 10/04/2023 14:50

JavaQ · 10/04/2023 14:48

They existed before but now there are more of them. The really toxic ones own cavapoo type dogs and live in Sydney harbourside suburbs

Show quote history

Cockapoo…a dog being bred for stupid people to buy because it’s the in thing to have, not a breed, no papers as it’s a mongrel!

Original poster
ginforall · 10/04/2023 14:50

I can completely understand why you wouldn't want to leave a dog tied up outside. They are allowed in Wilko now, which is in our town centre, where you might be passing on your dog walk and just want to pop in.

I can't understand why you would drive your dog to an out of town outlet to walk around the shops with them though. Or why if the whole family is shopping together one you wouldn't wait outside the shop with the dog?

OP posts:
Spidey66 · 10/04/2023 14:51

I'm a dog owner and lover. I enjoy taking her to dog friendly pubs (and she loves being made a fuss of!). I would take her into 'appropriate' shops eg pet shops, or animal charity shops, I wouldn't take her in other shops.

I was in Boots recently and there was an argument between a customer and employee because the customer had his dog with him. He thought it was OK because it was small and he was carrying it. Its a chemist ffs. Of course you don't take them in. Leave it at home, tie it up outside or take someone with you to wait outside with the dog.

strawberryicecreamice · 10/04/2023 14:51

I wouldn't like that. Def wouldn't shop in those places. I don't understand why you'd want to take your dog clothes shopping? Unless it's a pet shop.

kitsuneghost · 10/04/2023 14:51

SmileyHappyDoggos · 10/04/2023 14:49

I’d rather a dog in my changing room than a bloke....and that seems to be ok now so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

Sorry I am the opposite. But the I wouldn't make it as far as a changing room if I saw a dog.

TrickorTreacle · 10/04/2023 14:51

@ginforall - I voted YANBU, but there does seem to be some unwritten rule of late that everywhere suddenly now allows dogs. I think it's a hangover from 2020 / early 2021 when everyone (and their dog) was queuing to buy lockdown puppies.

I prefer gin for all :-)

Flowerly · 10/04/2023 14:53

I live in a county where dogs are welcome everywhere and I love it. Each to their own.

Spidey66 · 10/04/2023 14:54

I'd also expect many dog owners would not wish to leave their dog tied up outside the door for fear of it being stolen.

Don't take it shopping then, or bring someone with you to wait outside. And this is coming from a dog owner.

gogohmm · 10/04/2023 14:54

With out of town malls they encourage people to go for the day, dogs can't often be left that long (mine is fine at home and would hate shopping but he's a loner) I can't get worked up about it despite thinking it's a bit pathetic, especially the dogs in prams and front carriers!

GreenWheat · 10/04/2023 14:55

People just aren't socially minded enough to leave their dogs at home when going shopping. As far as I'm concerned there are two choices when you have a dog and you want to go shopping - leave dog at home or tie it up outside. If you don't want to risk leaving it outside the shop, then don't bring it in the first place.

NotAnotherPylon · 10/04/2023 14:59

Yes. It tells me the crazy dog haters assemble on mumsnet.

Yeah, crazy for not wanting a dog sniffing round your bum hole while you decide whether you fancy a muffin or a slice of carrot cake. Nothing to do with hating dogs and more to do with being a bit sick of seeing them EVERYWHERE.

Inthebathagain · 10/04/2023 15:02

SmileyHappyDoggos · 10/04/2023 14:49

I’d rather a dog in my changing room than a bloke....and that seems to be ok now so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

A bloke is very unlikely to come barging into the cubicle, pulling the curtain back with his tail and exposing you to all and sundry

Or schooch under the dividing panel between cubicles and jump up you because he wants your attention.

Or maybe you know a different sort of man to me?

Whammyyammy · 10/04/2023 15:04

I'd rather see dogs in shops than unruly children 🤷‍♂️

SpanishSpeakingDog · 10/04/2023 15:07

Taking the dogs shopping means they can just try on clothes in the changing rooms. Saves having to buy more than one size and returning. As we all know, a 6 in one shop is a 12 in another. It’s a nightmare. So much easier to just take them with you.

bigbluebus · 10/04/2023 15:08

I don't see any need for people to take dogs shopping. I can't imagine the dogs actually benefit from it. It certainly wasn't allowed when I was growing up and pet owners managed just fine.
I love well behaved dogs and well behaved owners but I'm quite frankly getting sick to death of inconsiderate dog owners.
We went into a dog friendly cafe recently. A couple with 2 dogs left shortly after we arrived. One of the dogs cocked it's leg and pissed up the wall and specials blackboard on the way out. The owners didn't stop. We had to tell the waitress who then had to clean it up before serving our food.

ActDottie · 10/04/2023 15:12

It’s up to the shop owner really to decide. Personally I love it when places are dog friendly.