It was announced on the radio this morning that Wilco are allowing well behaved dogs, into their shops in this area, dogs in food shops does not appeal to me at all, John Lewis allow dogs too.
Then there was a phone in and someone mentioned that ‘up North’ it is more readily acceptable, everyone who phoned in and in favour of this were dog owners.
I’ve never owned a dog so I’d be phoning in saying I’m not in favour. Not that I don’t like dogs but I am scared of a lot of them. I don’t think dogs should be allowed in food shops!
I was in John Lewis last week and saw a couple of people with dogs, I presumed they were service dogs in training. I have to be honest, I wouldn't take my dog into a store (he is too badly behaved) but having seen how many people leave their dogs in hot cars during the Summer, maybe it's safer for them to be able to go into the shop rather than be left to boil in a tin box!
My two dogs are well behaved, but why would I assume that other people doing their shopping would want my dogs around them, because I know some people don’t like dogs or are uncomfortable with them.
The presenter was extremely biased, he has a very well behaved dog, I wish I had been able to ask him ‘if you were a Wilko employee and your manager told you to help a dog owner to clear up a dog accident’ then would you still like this idea so much ? One of the rules is to ask a member of staff to help if there is a whoopsy situation.
There is a place for everything, but I do feel that dogs in shops is not one of them. My dogs have never been brought up in towns and would be totally disorientated by the experience.
I barely took my children into shops when they were little, never mind taking my dogs. Although I don't like to see dogs hooked outside whilst waiting for their owners..
I don't like seeing dogs tied up outside a store, they always look so worried and stressed and whimper a lot, and they stand the chance of being stolen.
I don't have a problem with dogs being in stores, as long as the owner takes responsibility e.g, if you know your dog is, not good with other dogs/people, don't take it in. If your dog pees everywhere, don't take it in, if your dog loves a scooby snack of the bottom shelf, don't take it in.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
I'm not a dog-person but I have nothing at all against people who are. It's just that some people can't seem to control them. Quite a few times I've been out for a walk on my local common and arrived home covered in muddy paw-prints from dogs who's owners think it's amusing when they jump up at you. I always think 'you wouldn't let your child do it so why is it OK when your dog does it?' Sorry if I offend some people but out of control dogs are becoming quite a problem in my neighbourhood, although I'm also sure most owners are considerate and careful.
I am a dog lover but our local shopping centre has started allowing people to take their dogs .... there is NO WAY I'd take mine, he'd definitely pee or poo all over everything.
I have never noticed a dog in any of our supermarkets. We have just one cafe that is dog friendly. It's ok in outside areas in others. Service dogs are an exception.
Trisha
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C. S. Lewis
I think they're still banned from food shops, but our nearest John Lewis definitely allows them in ..... mine could ruin some very expensive stuff if I took him there!
I have no problem with dogs themselves - it's just some (not all) dog-owners that annoy me a little. They seem to think that everyone else is a dog-lover so if their dog bothers me they just laugh and expect me to do the same. They would never let their child run up to me and slobber over my food while I'm eating my lunch but when their dog does it apparently it's funny and I'm a 'miserable cow' if I don't find it so. I also raise my eyebrows when I see news reports on TV about violent or aggressive dogs and the owner says "I know he would never hurt anyone". Has the dog told you that? Has the dog signed a disclaimer to that effect? Of course not - it's a dog and none of us really know what is going in that dog's mind.
I'm sorry. As you can probably tell I have had some bad experiences with dogs. I have to say that most dog-owners are kind and considerate so I'm sure that goes for all the users of this site. Unfortunately as usual a small minority ruin things for everyone. It just seems that most of that minority seem to use my local common on a Sunday morning. :-)
I agree with you Emmalouise, in that a lot of dog owners think everyone likes dogs, I am very aware that not everyone likes them and if anyone comes here I always ask if they are ok with our two, who are very gentle, but we can never be 100% sure and should always be cautious. The thing with dogs going into shops is just ridiculous to me, the problem being is that a lot of people think it’s ok to fuss your dogs, not all dogs like strangers touching them, and if anyone goes to fuss mine I always say, tickle under the chin please.
I have only had rescue dogs, who I love dearly, but I honestly would never trust them not to react badly to things - they've never been around young kids so I especially wouldn't let them near. It makes me worry when I see people posting photos of their new born baby with their dog sitting next to it!