AIBU to have reservations about so many dogs at the outlet today?

[wildfellhall]

Was it bring your dog day today?
There were literally hundreds of dogs and I feel as if I’ve hardly ever seen a dog at a big outlet before. Is this a new thing?
I was in clothes shops with dogs all running around me as I was shopping. Dogs’ leads all around while trying on shoes. What’s going on with the shopping with dogs?
I mean I don’t mind dogs at all, service dogs I adore; but who wants dogs in clothes shops? It seems really odd to me.

I’ve got an allergy to dogs (and cats). When I buy something, I don’t expect a dog to have been anywhere near it.

”Fur babies” CANNOT be left at home, as they are “anxious”, and “part of the family” so need to go on every excursion.. regardless of suitability.

The great big dog I saw drooling all over a low table and Costa, and onto the floor was a treat.

I was at a outlet yesterday. It was absolutely packed and a few dogs. I don't know if the dogs enjoy packed shops. I had to stand outside a few times as the shops was too busy for me.

I couldn't cope looking for clothes or anything really, while holding a dog on a lead, making sure he was behaving. Can't stand shopping with anyone else either though.

🤷🏽‍♀️ if you don't like the dogs being around, vote with your feet!
Dogs are here to stay, and all the dog bashing threads on MN aren't gonna change that.

No, it’s a very large outlet village and there were loads of dogs; this is why I’ve posted this thread.

I’m not indulging in “fake news” about dogs.

Unfortunately dogs are everywhere now and to hell with people who are terrified of dogs, allergic to dogs, autistic and can't cope with dogs etc

I went shopping today and there were so many kids around! Wish they would leave at them home! Constantly running around grabbing clothes with their juice and chocolate hands!

As I said, this will definitely put me off in future. I won’t go on a busy weekend again.

I grew up with a wonderful dog who was extremely well trained and was never taken shopping. This take your dog everywhere is evidently a new social norm
IMO.

An outside bench or in a shop?

I don’t mind kids at all in shops, it is 100% appropriate to bring your kids shopping - it always has been and always will be.

Camillamacauley
a bench outside but within the village precincts

Expect the dog-obsessed to be along shortly to explain that:

their dog is just as much a member of their family as your child is of yours
they prefer their dogs to all people anyway
their dog gets sad or whines when left because they haven't trained it
you're exaggerating anyway
the shops encourage them in
they've never seen any badly behaved "doggos".

Totally agree. Dogs want to be chasing balls in the park and sniffing each other's arses, not being dragged round Cheshire Oaks or Bicester Village.

If all of the "dog bashers" did vote with their feet and simply stopped patronising any shops, restaurants, cafés and anywhere else where dogs are permitted, maybe things actually would change and some sensible restrictions would be introduced. We live in hope.

I think dogs in our society have definitely become kind of proto children. People feel entitled to bring them almost everywhere and don’t care about the impact on the non dog people.

People are clearly offended if you don’t accept them.
I think pets are great but should not be in shops.

I don't see the issue. Most I see are well behaved, and assuming these were if people are willing to take them. I wouldn't take mine because she isn't good in crowds

Surely dogs must get really bored trudging in and out of shops. Dogs like the park, not shops. They're very much like 5 year old children in that way.

John lewis allows dogs these days. I saw one in Waterstones. Imo it's crazy. And I have 2 big dogs but no way are they going anywhere near those shops. They would lift their legs, no question. And not everyone likes dogs.

Not exactly “running around” then. Big exaggeration…

And as for tripping you up - perhaps you should watch where you are walking. It’s not down to everyone else to be careful around you just because you are recovering from an injury. Perhaps you should carry a sign “beware, recovering from an injury, don’t trip me up”.

Dogs are bloody everywhere these days. Absolute PITA

Bellavita,
with respect the issue is

1. The attention of the owners
2. The dogs being on leads

In the first case the owners are shopping therefore, by definition, not really focusing on managing their dogs in a place designed for people.

In the second case dogs move fast and are not entertained by shops so threading through legs to snuff things is species-appropriate; I just wasn’t expecting to have to manage that many dogs in an outlet environment.

At the very least I think a family member should hold the dogs outside. A busy shop is not ideal.

But I won’t go again on a busy day. I think the dog owners’ needs are evidently paramount now. Which is the question I am effectively putting to this community.

I haven’t returned to John Lewis since last time I went it was heaving with dogs. I’ll just shop elsewhere online where the clothes I buy come new in sealed plastic bags and not covered in dog hair. Yuck.

Was it Bicester

Not Bicester

“Leads all around” Oh come on OP, you’re using inflammatory language for dramatic effect.

Let me guess, whenever you refer to someone posting something on their Facebook profile etc, you declare it to be “All over Facebook!”

Three in John Lewis yesterday. I love dogs but it’s ridiculous.