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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

119 replies

wildfellhall · 04/05/2025 18:50

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.

OP posts:
Mama2many73 · 04/05/2025 23:00

I'm a dog owner/lover and I also think it's ridiculous that some people take their dogs everywhere. Near to us is an outlet shopping area which is open air, partially covered walk ways and many of the shops now allow dogs into them. We have taken ours once to simply walk through as part of his socialisation/training.There's no way I'd take him to 'go shopping' with us.

We do go to our local garden centre which has a separate seating area in the cafe for people with dogs.
He has never cocked a leg indoors but someone else's dog did and they just walked off. We told a staff member who reappeared with a large box to clean it up . In my small dog bag I have wads of kitchen roll and cleaning wipes just incase he ever did do it. I most certainly would not expect someone else to clean it up!

BecFlowers · 04/05/2025 23:03

wildfellhall · 04/05/2025 18:50

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.

There are SO many places dogs can’t go - literally the majority of places do not allow dogs. Go to one of them? Don’t go to one of the few places pups are allowed and moan about dogs being present.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 04/05/2025 23:03

How dramatic

BecFlowers · 04/05/2025 23:05

wildfellhall · 04/05/2025 19:13

I am not a dog hater at all but I think it’s still an imposition on everyone else in that setting. It’s just an AIBU question - as we seem to be changing as a culture and expecting to take dogs where we once, in the past, would not have done.

Also I am recovering from an injury and am a bit nervous of being tripped up. Several times today people were distracted shopping so the dogs’ leads were round my ankles a couple of times. That’s physical contact that the owner is too distracted to manage because they’re busy shopping.
And I won’t go again on such a busy day for sure. I accept this shift; I’m just curious and surprised.

Honestly I’m sorry to post twice but you are honestly being so overdramatic with this 😂

whatsit84 · 04/05/2025 23:10

I went to a food festival yesterday. Dog lover, and despite never having had one, my kids too. My 9 year old asked ‘mummy why are there so many dogs here’ - can people not leave home without them anymore?!

OonaStubbs · 04/05/2025 23:23

Thankfully, the "day of the dog" is coming to an end.

RampantIvy · 04/05/2025 23:28

BecFlowers · 04/05/2025 23:03

There are SO many places dogs can’t go - literally the majority of places do not allow dogs. Go to one of them? Don’t go to one of the few places pups are allowed and moan about dogs being present.

Show quote history

There are SO many places that do allow dogs these days.

And there are SO many dog owners who refuse to leave their dogs at home just for the duration of a shopping trip. Why?

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/05/2025 23:29

OonaStubbs · 04/05/2025 23:23

Thankfully, the "day of the dog" is coming to an end.

Yeah when oh wise one.

whynotwhatknot · 05/05/2025 00:11

i went to ashford last year every shop exept a couple of food ones allowed dogs they were brushing up against athe clothes and furninshings thought it was a bit much and i love dogs

Screamingabdabz · 05/05/2025 01:17

I hope that it really is the answer to retail outlet decline because it puts me right off. It’s not just dogs, it’s that you just know the owners are selfish inconsiderate cunts for even thinking that it’s ok. A double whammy to make shopping completely unpleasant. YANBU.

TemporaryMeatSuit · 05/05/2025 02:15

We have finally managed to get a dog thread where the "fur babies" haven't been compared to real babies by the end of the first page!

Yanbu. Dogs are dirty animals and nothing will ever change my opinion on that. Taking them shopping is just cruel and disgusting.

whynotmereally · 05/05/2025 06:32

Our local shopping centre allows dogs outside but not in the actual shops!

Toddlerteaplease · 05/05/2025 06:41

PicklesHome · 04/05/2025 18:57

The outlet closest to me (East Mids Designer) actively encourages people to bring their dogs, they often have a dog treat van knocking about plus water bowls outside loads of the shops. Not sure on the rules for the dogs going inside the actual shops though, can’t say I saw any last time I went (in the shops I mean - within the outlet there were loads though)

At least that one is mainly out doors. So doesn’t matter quite as much if they pee everywhere!

1988abc · 05/05/2025 06:49

Only time my dog goes near our outlet (which is in walking distance and often the loop we walk him) is when we do a haribo run 😆 and my dog remains outside with my husband.
I don't mind dogs as such being in the village but they don't need to be inside the actual stores.

Girltoddler · 05/05/2025 06:50

tillyandmilly · 04/05/2025 19:45

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!

These types of comments are so stupid. You can’t leave a primary school child at home alone for hours. You can leave your dog at home whilst you’re shopping or going to a cafe. Or someone can wait outside with the dog whilst the other family member goes inside.

EleanorReally · 05/05/2025 06:53

i find it hard to believe that dogs will be weeing inappropriately
quite unusual

PuppyMonkey · 05/05/2025 06:54

I've never met a male dog who hasn't had to be stopped from cocking his leg up anything and everything

Have I got a weird dog or something? my male golden retriever would never cock his leg up on “anything and everything”. Just lampposts tbh. Confused

Mind you, I wouldn’t fancy taking him to an outlet place. He’d be wanting to stop and meet everyone and then just dribble everywhere.Grin

Fourpawsblack · 05/05/2025 07:48

worcesterpear · 04/05/2025 22:06

@SnoozingFox don't forget 'dogs are much more hygienic than children' 'it's been scientifically proven that dogs have less bacteria than humans' and of course dogs are generally much better behaved, any that aren't then it's 'the owners, not the dogs'.

@Fourpawsblack intrigued as to why a poodle had tin foil in its hair - was it having highlights?

It looked like it was going for highlights 😄

I didn’t ask as I was too busy consoling DD about the stolen sausage but I think it’s done to keep the hair nice for showing.

Arran2024 · 05/05/2025 09:54

ohtowinthelottery · 04/05/2025 22:05

I've been to an outdoor family event today. It's in a place that still forbids dogs - as it has for the last 20 years. There were plenty of people there who I know for a fact own dogs. But guess what? They managed to have a fun afternoon without their or anyone else's fur baby running around! It was a local event so I guess some of them may have 'popped' home to let their dogs out in the garden briefly. But it proves it is absolutely possible not to have to allow dogs everywhere.

Show quote history

We went to Kew Gardens yesterday - no dogs. I have two big dogs myself and I found it relaxing to be dog free for the day. If they allowed dogs I would have taken them, no question (as it was my nephew came round to sit with them as one of them has separation anxiety). I do think there's a time and a place for dogs and it's good to have non dog spaces.

RampantIvy · 05/05/2025 13:17

I do think there's a time and a place for dogs and it's good to have non dog spaces.

I agree, and all the dog owners I know are responsible dog owners and also agree. Dogs are not humans and shouldn't be treated like humans.

They don't need to be dragged around retail parks.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 05/05/2025 13:19

You mean you saw a couple of dogs in a shop today.

ToffeePennie · 05/05/2025 13:27

I avoid “dog friendly places” as not only does dander and fur sometimes set me off sneezing (I don’t think I’m properly allergic but I just have a sneezing response to particularly furry dogs) but it also ruins my shopping/eating experience as the owners are awful. Distracted, don’t pay attention to their fur balls and not actually noticing when they appear out of nowhere.
I like dogs (grew up with a few and my parents have one now) but they don’t belong everywhere.

tinyspiny · 05/05/2025 13:27

Was it Ashford designer outlet as whenever we pop in there , normally midweek , there are always loads of dogs probably about every third group / couple has one or two . I love dogs , never took mine shopping as he never wanted to buy anything .

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/05/2025 13:29

It’s nuts. I imagine a shopping centre is pretty alarming for a lot of dogs (particularly the highly strung “fur babies” that seem to be particularly prevalent in shops).

They’d be happier at home.

Objectionhearsayspeculation · 05/05/2025 13:30

Without revealing where you are if not, you aren’t in Northern Ireland by any chance? I got an email a couple of weeks ago from one of the big outlets saying they were having a bring your dog fun day in a couple of weekends which is probably around now? I think they are normally kind of dog friendly but this would be bunged