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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Was asked to leave a shop today because of 'hygiene'

150 replies

ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 13:07

Took my dog for a walk this morning and went via the local town as had to get a few things. Went into one shop with dog - big welcome and fuss made of .

Went into local small branch of well know chemist (no no dogs sign and nowhere to tie her up outside) wandering up aisle to get one thing when shop assistant told me that I could not have dog in there , I asked why and she said 'hygiene' .

I wish shop owners / retailers would get their facts right about dogs in shops - funny how my dog is allowed in pubs and some cafes round here.

I know it is at their discretion but spouting 'Hygiene' reasons is really annoying when with well behaved and trained dog.

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 08/02/2013 14:10

you think being asked whether you are British is insulting?!?!

Wow.

ZZZenAgain · 08/02/2013 14:11

maybe she asked because in Paris for instance you do see little dogs carried about all over the place, also into bakeries. If you had been from another country where something like that is quite commonplace it would explain why you'd assume that most shops are ok with people bringing in their dogs. I don't she meant anything else by it.

ZZZenAgain · 08/02/2013 14:11

never eat when you are on MN!

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:13

I have been a dog owner for three years thank you .

I get fed up with excuses abut 'hygiene' when dogs are allowed around here in pubs, cafes and some local shops.

My dog in her time has been in the local dry cleaners , local cafe , pub, clothes store - either Fat Face or White Stuff - one of them allows, Game Store , florist , fancy dress shop - my god am I the only dog owner on here that has taken her dog into a shop Shock

OP posts:
Moominsarehippos · 08/02/2013 14:15

I assumed you couldnt take dogs into shops (unless its Metro Bank where they positively encourage pets). Don't think its an allergy thing (or you would be banned for eating peanuts in the street).

SweetSeraphim · 08/02/2013 14:16

I just think it's rude. If it was common practice, the shops would be full of dogs, surely? I'm just surprised that as a seasoned dog owner, you're not aware of this Confused

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:17

She's also been on the train to London - quite well socialised and behaved.

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 08/02/2013 14:18

It's not the dog that needs to learn some social skills by the sound of it!

Your dog is an animal, not a person. Other people do not want your dog in shops or while they are eating. Do not tie your dog up and leave it unsupervised. Simples.

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:19

Some shops allow dogs - some shops don't.

I am really surprised that some of you have never seen a dog , besides an assistance dog, in a shop or cafe.

OP posts:
TheSecondComing · 08/02/2013 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thesecretmusicteacher · 08/02/2013 14:24

When someone has admitted they were wrong, the joke switches to those who persist with "What! you thought it was ok!?" remarks

OP, I think appreciate it's annoying when someone comes up with an "off-pat" reason, but I expect that the shop assistant didn't have time to think of anything else and felt pressurised to reply. A better answer to your question would have been "honestly, I'm not sure, but we get into trouble if we allow dogs in" in order to keep it uncritical IYSWIM.

Moominsarehippos · 08/02/2013 14:28

I never see dogs in shops. I am racking my brain and can't remember ever seeing one!

Now kids on scooters in shops... that's something I would gleefully ban!

flowery · 08/02/2013 14:28

You say you are fed up with excuses, but why would shop owners need an excuse? If they use an excuse it's to be more polite, they don't have to give you a good reason. Although hygiene is a perfectly good reason anyway.

Wouldn't occur to me to take my dog shopping.

Greensleeves · 08/02/2013 14:30

thesecret, that only works if the OP isn't still protesting! Saying "OK I am wrong today :)" but continuing to argue isn't accepting that one is wrong.

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:31

I am fed up with the 'hygiene' excuse - which is not an excuse as places that sell food i.e pubs will often allow dogs.

OP posts:
LoveDogs · 08/02/2013 14:32

I've seen dogs in many different shops before! We currently have a big dog and a small dog at the moment (we've always had big dogs) and I've noticed such a difference with the acceptance of a small dog (shes not a handbag dog shes to heavy to carry!) in shops, when we go to small towns we take our small dog, one of us stays outside a shop with the dog while the other goes in the shop, we very often get invited into the shop with our dog.

I also find when we go on holiday to Cornwall they have pet friendly cafes, were they separate the cafe into 2, so dogs and their owners are in one part of the cafe and other people are in the other half, which I think is a really good idea.

SweetSeraphim · 08/02/2013 14:33

What you're not seeming to understand is that they don't actually need an excuse. If, like you say, some shops allow dogs and some don't, then it's discretionary. Therefore they don't have to give you a reason.

I would have thought it was obvious that there would be hygiene implications in a pharmacy. I'm not squeamish about anything really, but I would raise a judgy eyebrow if there was a dog in the pharmacy.

Greensleeves · 08/02/2013 14:35

Why on earth do you think you are entitled to an explanation? Leave your bloody dog at home. It's a dog. Other people don't want your dog in shops.

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:35

But I have said I was in the wrong but people still come back at me. Am I not able to put across my previous experiences with dogs and shops ?

It is obviously totally unacceptable - even though I have done it before - to think about taking a dog into a shop - so therefore I am wrong and will not do it again Smile

OP posts:
SilverBellsandCockleShells · 08/02/2013 14:36

Pubs don't let dogs into the kitchen. The food is brought out on a plate at above dog level and placed on a table. The dogs cannot, like they could do in a supermarket, sniff around and deposit hairs and germs on potentially unpackaged produce. Hence 'hygiene' is a valid argument in shops but not pubs.

Even where 'hygiene' is not the issue, who wants to buy a brand new dress and find dog hair on it?

SweetSeraphim · 08/02/2013 14:37

Erm... isn't this you carrying on the thread? Never mind the PA smiley.

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:38

I didn't take my dog into a supermarket and never have .

OP posts:
Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/02/2013 14:38

I'm not sure why,I really don't fancy the idea of dogs in shops nd can't remember the last time I saw a dog in a shopConfused

The idea of dogs in clothes shops like White Stuff is just weird, I mean they sniff everything don't they....bleurgh.

My mum has a dog, a real pampered one, but even she has to wait outside the local shop!

duffybeatmetoit · 08/02/2013 14:38

Having seen (in France) a dog cock its leg in a supermarket over the fresh produce I can readily see where the shopkeeper was coming from.

Original poster
ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 08/02/2013 14:39

I have said I was wrong some time ago but people still keep on and on and on....

OP posts: