John Lewis is now dog friendly!

[ACJ68]

Apparently it’s a soft launch,
Well behaved dogs on leads are now allowed in all John Lewis stores.
I’m not certain if any of the cafe areas have designated areas for dogs, as there isn’t any information online.
There may also be difficulties if the store is accessed via a shopping centre that only allows guide / assistance dogs.
A brave but great move by JLP - I’m just off to visit my nearest store!

If I’ve been in there I can guarantee you there’ll be a dog hair or two somewhere. My lab is a dreadful shedder and I’ve usually got some dog hair on me somewhere.

I wouldn’t take my dog to JL but it doesn’t put me up or down that their allowed. It’s common in plenty of other countries in Europe to see people wandering about shopping centres with their dogs it’s just causing such a fuss here because we don’t do it. Even in places like Italy where it’s common it’s not like going to the park on a Sunday morning and there are loads of dogs you still only see a handful a day in the shops.

I shared this with a friend who contacted JL locally - response (immediate) this was a local decision and no plans were in place here, restrictions on size of dog will be in place .... reading between the lines, they are allowing handbag dogs in not boisterous hairy collies! She wasn't planning on taking her hairy lady in either!

Great, I can’t wait to be tripping over smelly slobbery dogs while I’m trying to shop.
And can’t wait to buy clothes covered in dog hairs.

What is the point?

John Lewis may ne dog friendly but my ddog is not John Lewis friendly!

Super! Hair and slobber on the clothes. Lovely!

Plus feeling nervous and intimidated by dogs appearing when I'm browsing.

Fabulous!

I wonder if JL have asked how many people will be actively put off its stores by this

It's very hot and stuffy in JL, not sure my JRT would tolerate it. He isn't very tolerant.

I think people are overreacting, its not like suddenly hundreds of dog owners are going to take their dogs there, and you'll be "tripping over smelly slobbery dogs". And I doubt they'll lose enough customers to care.

Yes but why does anyone need to take their dog there?

I won't be taking my dog to JL, or any other store, ever.

I appreciate a warm, dog friendly pub that does food, after a long walk. But taking my dog shopping? No thanks. Why would anyone feel the need to take a dog shopping? 🤷‍♀️

Had some frankly shockingly poor service from John Lewis this week which culminated in me cancelling my order with them. Even cancelling the order was a bloody nightmare.

Not sure I would subject my darling doggie to JL now!!!

Ugh, what a stupid idea.

Should be assistance dogs only.

You know, I have had second thoughts about my first comment.

I was in the pet shop today, which is dog friendly.

Two big signs.
One stating rabbits and guinea pigs are having heart attacks and dying due to people letting dogs lunge and bark at the glass.

And one asking people to stop letting their dogs urinate on stock.

The staff member told me customers don’t care and actually stand chatting while their dog merrily wees all over toys, food etc rendering then unsellable.

This is exactly why virtually no shops in Britain are dog friendly.

I do not understand why dog owners are so precious here, their fur babies can do no wrong it seems and it ruins it for everyone else!

I would absolutely love it if Britain was dog friendly, it would make my life so much easier to be able to bring my (walking to heel, silent, non lunging, child tolerant, non urinating) dog on all my errands with me.

But it seems people are just too disrespectful here for it work.

Why would anyone feel the need to take a dog shopping?

I suppose the idea is that if you're out, you can now pop into John Lewis without having to worry about leaving your dog outside or in the car.

The shop I work in is dog-friendly. We sell (gasp) clothes. We have a bowl of water by both doors and there are dog biscuits behind the counter. The same goes for most shops in the town, because it's a dog-friendly area. I'd say 95% of shops allow dogs (except the deli, one clothes shop and the shops that sell fragile antiques and such). All the cafes/pubs allow dogs outside and at least 50% allow them inside.

My dog loves it. He's been coming into shops since he was a puppy, mostly to get him used to being close to people and other dogs. It's handy that he can go into a shop without barking and causing havoc - so if I need to pop into work on a day off, or fancy going shopping when I'm out in town, I know he'll behave himself.

I also find that the dogs are better behaved than the children most of the time. The amount of parents who think it's okay to let their kids run around, play in the changing rooms, hide under the stands and run behind the till is ridiculous. The dogs, however, are always on lead and either sitting/standing nicely with their owners, or getting made a fuss of by the staff!

Strange decision IMO. I like being able to take my dog into certain places that I walk to to save him being left outside but how many people stroll along to their local JL?

I hate the thought of going in and buying clothes for my children and myself getting home and finding dog hair all over them where some "fur mummy" has dragged their hair beast through and not really cared.

Glad none of us have allergies.

I've been in Pets at home and seen a dog emptying it bladder all over a display of bags of dog food and watched people allow their dogs to bark at the rabbits and guinea pig.

Some dog owners just don't care.

Can't imagine what makes JL think this is a good idea.

Fortunately for me I find JL customer service so crappy I don't like to shop there any more.

I find it surprising that pps are saying that there are loads of shops where they live that allow dogs, I certainly wouldn't want to shop in a clothes shop that allowed dogs and I suspect I'm not alone.

My dog will still not be going to JL.

I find it surprising that pps are saying that there are loads of shops where they live that allow dogs

I think it depends where you live. I live in the Lake District and it really is very dog-friendly here. Ambleside, Keswick and Kendal are all very dog-friendly and allow dogs in a lot of places, yes, including clothes shops and cafes.

I imagine it also depends on how people behave with their dogs in certain areas as to whether shops allow dogs.

If the shops find that people respect the space and don't allow the dogs to pee or misbehave then they'll go on allowing dogs.

I can imagine that there are a lot of areas where this just wouldn't work because of the attitude of the dog owners.

My local John Lewis (which is actually branded as Peter Jones) has been doing this for a while and it's so lovely!! Plenty of well behaved delightful dogs. Am yet to go in there with ddog yet but nice to know that I can!

I also find that the dogs are better behaved than the children most of the time

^^ This is probably true.

Our City Centre shops are not dog friendly. I wouldn't take mine if they were. Mind you, I never took the kids or husband either - unless absolutely necessary.

Shopping is for me to enjoy, on my own. I love a dog friendly pub or beach cafe tho 😉

I work in John Lewis & all of my work colleagues are over the moon with this decision as most of us have our own dogs, I will definitely be taking my dog in just to see the girls I work with! He is very well behaved which is more than I can say for some of the naughty screaming children that we have to put up with every day!

Im wary of dogs.
It's annoying enough that I'm unable to enjoy my country walks or park walks because of loose dogs.
Let alone allowing them into shops. I know that for every responsible owner, there an irresponsible owner. I'm dreading this.
So whose insurance cover dog bites in the shop then?
Who clears up when the dog shits on the floor?
Dogs in cafes? No thank you.

This is exactly why virtually no shops in Britain are dog friendly.

I don't think that is true, certainly not true of my area.

I love dogs but there are far too many negligent dog owners about for this to be a good idea.

Last week I watched a large dog cock his leg and piss all over a display of fabric suitcases outside a shop and the owner didn't bat an eyelid. I had to go and tell the staff who were not happy.

It's bad enough trying to avoid all the dog shit on the pavement without having to do it in shops too!