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AIBU?

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Original poster

to take dog into supermarket

212 replies

amechange · 20/09/2023 20:47

I can't get supermarket deliveries. I am autistic, I am disabled because of it, and stress/anxiety causes me to do self destructive stims and behaviours, brings on disassociation, paranoia, sleep issues, suicidal ideation etc and I have agoraphobia as well. I have only ever been a few minutes away from home up till today when I pushed myself to go to the supermarket, I didn't go in. If I couldn't take my dog, I wouldn't have left the house. She is a tiny chihuahua. She is well behaved, she understands commands, but she isn't registered as anything, but she pretty much is a service dog. Even though she wasnt specifically trained to do a specific task to calm my anxiety down, having her there with me reduces my anxiety a lot compared to if I didn't have her. And at home when I feel anxious, she comes and sits by me/lets me hold her. I'm now in a position where I have to go in there to do my weekly shopping. She has a dog pram that closes all around, it was expensive and looks like a babies pram but isn't, its the ibiyaya retro luxe pram. She wouldn't be a danger to anyone/bother anyone/contaminate anything/get in the way, no one will notice it's a dog, I wont be showing her off/taking her out to show people if I took her in.

OP posts:
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SirSamVimesCityWatch · 20/09/2023 20:49

Unfortunately I think you would be. Can you look into getting her registered as a service dog? Emotional support animal is a thing these days I think.

I'm just thinking that it would be worse in the long term for your anxiety and agoraphobia if you end up being confronted by staff or other customers for bringing in a dog.

Hufflepods · 20/09/2023 20:50

How did you get your shopping before without going to the shop?

Rexxxxxx · 20/09/2023 20:53

can you get the paper work to officially label your dog an assistance dog?

could you put a blanket over the pushchair so nobody notices you’ve a dog rather then a baby in the pram?

its unlikely you’ll be able to take a non assistance dog openly into the supermarket

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 20/09/2023 20:53

Hmm I've had a quick look and it seems you can't register your own dog as anything in the UK. Sorry OP.

Look into local charities that may be able to get your shopping for you / go with you to the shop. Work up to being able to do more by using the dog to help you increase your confidence and skills and decrease your anxiety, then start to try to do little bits without the dog. Baby steps.

Rexxxxxx · 20/09/2023 20:54

Why is it difficult to get market deliveries? I understand it’s good to build up exposure to different environments so better to shop.

Rexxxxxx · 20/09/2023 21:04

Training your own assistance dog

https://dogaid.org.uk/how-we-help

theres another company called dog aid but it’s for kids.

Dog A.I.D

https://dogaid.org.uk/how-we-help

quitefranklyabsurd · 20/09/2023 21:08

Just put a service dog vest on her and I imagine no one would bay an eyelid.

reader108 · 20/09/2023 21:11

Was going to say the same as above. My friend just brought a service dog harness over the internet takes her dog everywhere. No one comments

nicknamehelp · 20/09/2023 21:18

Please don't as some have suggested just put a service vest on her she isn't and if people start doing this people with genuine trained service dogs will have issues.
You can get a dog signed off as a service dog if you complete the relevant training/tests so you could do that or look at ways of working on being able to enter shops etc without her.

HiCandles · 20/09/2023 21:25

Surely it will make you feel more anxious with her there in case someone confronts you? Just leave her at home, knowing that nobody will tell you off about her in the shop, do your shopping and she'll be thrilled to see you when you get back.

AgnesX · 20/09/2023 21:32

reader108 · 20/09/2023 21:11

Was going to say the same as above. My friend just brought a service dog harness over the internet takes her dog everywhere. No one comments

A chihuahua in a harness🙄 In principle I wouldn't mind but then everyone and their granny's dog (!) would bring their animal and many wouldn't be well behaved.

I know it's not the answer and not ideal, but could you shop at quieter times to make it easier on yourself?

Choconuttolata · 20/09/2023 21:36

Can you get Amazon delivery in your area? Morrisons deliver via Amazon for some items, not the full range you can get in store, but most things.

Bloom15 · 20/09/2023 21:39

reader108 · 20/09/2023 21:11

Was going to say the same as above. My friend just brought a service dog harness over the internet takes her dog everywhere. No one comments

Sorry but that is awful

DisquietintheRanks · 20/09/2023 21:41

Your dog is not a service dog. It's a pet. Not that that will stop you but no, it's not OK.

Grushenka · 20/09/2023 21:42

It makes me highly anxious to see a dog in a supermarket of all places. Don’t see why your sensory needs should take priority over everyone else’s.

I would go as far as to say I feel highly panicky when I see a chihuahua as I’ve had such incredibly difficult experiences with them. So do I now have to confront your pet in every single walk of life? Feels there’s nowhere I can go to escape dogs!

There are small shops near me where the owner will hold your dog outside and you buy what you need, completing the transaction in the doorway. Find an alternative, please. Don’t for gods sake pretend it’s a service dog. Working dogs for blind people have been highly trained and socialised.

BellaAndDave · 20/09/2023 21:49

DisquietintheRanks · 20/09/2023 21:41

Your dog is not a service dog. It's a pet. Not that that will stop you but no, it's not OK.

This. However, so many people are claiming to owner train their dogs then say that they have an assistance dog it’s disgraceful.

rwalker · 20/09/2023 21:51

Grim couldn’t think of anything worse than dog in food shop
guide dog fine as they have impeccable training and are working

Dontworryrelax · 20/09/2023 21:52

No your dog shouldn’t be allowed in the supermarket.

HelterSkelter224 · 20/09/2023 21:54

quitefranklyabsurd · 20/09/2023 21:08

Just put a service dog vest on her and I imagine no one would bay an eyelid.

Please don't. People using service dogs already face enough challenges from staff who don't know the law and those are highly trained, well behaved animals. Pets who aren't trained in the same way suddenly wearing harnesses will just cause more problems for those with a genuine need to go out with their dogs and live their daily lives.

wherehastheyeargone · 20/09/2023 21:54

Hi OP, defo think taking your dog in is a bad idea. As much as I appreciate it helps you, we'd be overrun with dogs in shops if everyone took this view.

Most supermarkets have specific times to shop for people with sensory needs. The lights are dimmed, not as many pallets out, no tannoy announcements, more time at checkout etc... perhaps you could check with your local supermarket what assistance they offer?

Frickinghell · 20/09/2023 21:54

I personally wouldn’t have an issue with this. I mean if it took a big shit in aisle 1, i would but if its contained, happy and chilled, i dont see a problem 🤷🏻‍♀️

Flickersy · 20/09/2023 21:55

Ask the supermarket if you'd be allowed.

If not, can you ask someone to do your shopping for you? Why are deliveries no longer an option?

WandaWonder · 20/09/2023 21:55

No there is no need for a dog someone decides they need to go into a supermarket unless an official assistance dog, whatever the correct term is

Litmus1001 · 20/09/2023 21:55

quitefranklyabsurd · 20/09/2023 21:08

Just put a service dog vest on her and I imagine no one would bay an eyelid.

@amechange please don't do this, actual service dogs have been trained and earned the right to wear that vest. Also, most service dogs don't go around in doggy prams.

Ilefttownonsaturday · 20/09/2023 21:56

Why don't you do a click and collect service, you buy online and collect directly from the shop. It's a compromise between home delivery and actually going into a shop, most supermarkets have this service.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/zone/tesco-delivery