Should Dogs Be Allowed in Shops?
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Should dogs be allowed in shops?
One of the UK’s biggest retailers has announced that customers can now bring their pups into 200 of their stores!
Source: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24565511.range-allowing-dogs-shops-across-north-east/
From a safety point of view no, having small dogs below the sight of a store trolley is not a good idea, nor is is the lead between the dog and owner that could pose a trip hazard instore particularly to older people. Most large stores are busy enough now without introducing dogs into them also .
Not unless they are a guide dog, just before our local Wilkinsons closed I nearly tripped over a dog lead. I don't really like them in cafes where there's food being served either.
no, some of us are terrified of dogs. I was in 'proper job' shop last year and large alsatian dog was bought into the shop with no lead or harness. I was so scared, panicked, ran out side straight into the path of an oncoming car, which jammed on its brakes. I nearly got ran over as I was just in a blind panic to get out of the shop. If Dogs come into a store, I'm leaving.
I like dogs but I don't think they should be allowed in shops. They could do a whoopsie at any time and some people are frightened of them. And there will be some irresponsible owners not having them on leads.
I don’t think they should be allowed in shops. The exception being working dogs for blind/disabled. I am frightened of larger dogs and some of them stink if not looked after properly. Then they might jump up which I hate.
No absolutely not, good grief can't people go shopping without their dogs. They are dogs not people or surrogates get a grip people!!
I don't mind them to be honest, if they are well behaved ect..why not, I can understand why some wouldn't like it though
As a dog lover, I’ve no problems with this. They let most types of people in, and arguably dogs are better behaved
I was in Lidl in Burnham on Sea and there was a dog in the next aisle, an assistance dog and was very laid back and well behaved. The owner I assume has some sort of mental illness that the dog helps with. I was quite surprised to see this in Lidl. I certainly wouldn't expect to see my brother's dog in there though as he would be eating everything as that dog is not really controllable. I don't mind dogs in shops myself as long as they are laid back and controlled. I don't want to be in a shop with a more aggressive dog of course that is always looking to protect its owner.
I absolutely adore dogs but think this is getting out of control now, guide dogs yes but beyond that no. What about people who are allergic or have a fear of dogs seems very unfair.
Depends on the shop. Working dogs yes. But non working dogs it really depends. Our garden centre allows them as there's a pet part to it. Though there's a sign saying if owners keep allowing dogs to wee they will ban them. Accidents happen but if it keeps happening it's not ok
I'm not in favour of having dogs in shops because, it's unhygenic. The only dogs that should be allowed in shops should remain at working dogs, such as blind & therapy dogs. I'm a massive dog lover, but only dogs that assisst people with there lives should be allowed in shops.
The only exception are guide dogs but other than those this is so wrong. Dogs should not be allowed in any shops, who knows how aggressive a dog can be when confronted with another dog let alone a shop full of customers and if there are children they could be screaming & running. It's an absolutely terrible decision. That doesn't even mention the fact that they are not 'toilet trained' and could do anything anywhere in the shop 
. I don't even like them in cafe's, pubs and restaurants that they seem to be creeping into. Hygiene seems to have been lost in this country.
tumblespots the scenario I can envisage is the child on a scooter whizzing down the aisles (which I saw last week) careering into the dog or it's lead. No to dogs and no to kids on scooters!
PS I am in that phase of life where I am prone to stumbling or falling, I can do without a dog crossing my path.
On a personal note as I have a dog I would love to take my dog in shops, especially when we take him on holidays,it’s not a problem when we’re home but when we’re away it’s very restrictive, only time my dogs been left in kennels it came back poorly, so I’m reluctant to put him in kennels again and I don’t see the problem with of well behaved dogs been allowed in shops
NanaP I must admit I sometimes go into a shop where a dog is tied up outside and many such dogs are fine but others are clearly very stressed about being away from their owner. Also when they are tied up by the front door of a convenience store it surely must make it awkward for people frightened of dogs to get into the store.
BonzoBanana The answer to that is easy - leave the creature at home! Dogs do not need to go shopping!
Assistance dogs yes but unless it is a specific dog friendly place then no. If they had set hours for the dogs to be brought in then perhaps but I just don't think it's a good idea. I know that people will say it's fine to have well behaved dogs in store but how do you personally know it is a well behaved dog. All well behaved dogs have the opportunity to snap and something could go wrong. My sons school doesn't allow dogs in the playground at drop off and pick up, but parents just don't listen. There have been a number of dog fights between well behaved dogs at the school.
I think it's a really bad idea. The shop is going to be busy anyway having dogs is going to make it even harder to get around especially as most owners have there dogs on really long leads now. There just going to get all tangled up. Should just be Assistance or guide dogs only as these are propley trained and on short leads.
No to dogs unless assistance dogs, NO to kids on scooters, skateboards or bikes which I have witnessed over the years!
Some people are terrified of dogs, so I feel that with the exception of guide dogs, generally they shouldn’t be
I used to think so but I now believe it’s only ok if the stock is kept out of the dogs reach. In a local Tandy shop 20+ years ago two big dogs took a dislike to each other. in the ensuing chaos an expensive Yamaha organ worth thousands of pounds was wrecked. The dog owners quickly made an exit.
Also dog’s love to mark their territory.
Of course dogs should NOT be allowed in shops.
People have allergies to dogs, people have phobias of dogs, dogs can spread various diseases. Aside from that there is now a record high 10,000 per year of A&E admissions from dog attacks. It’s just a matter of time before someone is bitten on the premises and The Range will be sued - big time.
I for one will now NOT be using The Range again.
They think bowing down to the dog lobby will increase footfall. Wrong, it will decrease it.
philipjones111 Also by some weird coincidence it is about 10,000 people a year who are killed by dogs in the whole world. Dogs range in size though some are too small to do much damage where as a larger stronger dog could easily kill a human quite quickly. I've never seen a guide dog that wasn't perfectly behaved though but have seen a assistance dog running around uncontrolled at the Costa in Crewkerne. It was uncontrolled but not dangerous, it wasn't violent or threatening in anyway just fancied strolling about on its own for a while.
I like to moan about a lot of stuff but have to say the status quo for me is right, guide and assistance dogs only. If a store offers to allow any dog inside then personally I feel the law should prevent that especially if food is involved or children maybe present.
I remember reading of a dog killed by a small child who just stuck a pencil right through its eye, the dog incredibly didn't respond violently but children can create dangerous situations with dogs. Lets not forget you are much more likely to be killed or attacked by another human than a dog and you can't ban them from shops. Lots of people are carrying knives nowadays. 1.5 million people were the victims of violent crime in the UK in 2022.
BonzoBanana Stop making excuses. Two wrongs never make a right.
Dogs attack mauling and killing children is at an all time high and is totally and utterly unacceptable. If the domesticated dog is going to be allowed to exist (and perhaps it shouldn’t) then the punishment for its actions has to be far more severe. Every attack has to result in the owner’s prosecution and the dog being put down.
I love dogs but no. They're dogs not people, they don't need to go everywhere we go
No. Apart from guide dogs etc., I think it is a bad idea. You often see people in the street who can hardly control their dogs - can you imagine the possible scenarios if these dogs (and their owners) see allowed free access to any store.
If this proceeds, it would certainly stop me from shopping at The Range!
I have two well behaved chihuahuas who love going out with us so this is great for us, but I do get it that all dogs are not well behaved and not all dog owners are good owners
LuWilldig Typical selfish comment from your usual selfish dog owner. Leave your bl**dy dogs at home for God’s sake!
I love dogs but I don't really understand why (other than service dogs) there is a need to take a dog to The Range?! I often see them in Pets at Home, but it's a pet shop so at least you expect them to be there.
Also one of my children is terrified of dogs, so if he was with me, I'd probably feel like it was unfair to take him into the shop in case he encountered a dog.
Shops are not the right place for dogs. It is not fair on them to be in confined spaces. Shops are not designed for them. As good as some owners are others are not. I would be put off from purchasing items in case the dog's had been near them.
Not everyone wants animals in area's they should not be and not everyone likes dogs.
I suffer from bad anxiety, and my dog has helped me get out of the house. To me, she is my assistance dog but she isn't registered as one. I have sneaked her into shops in a trolley before and most people have been fine with this, she is a cute cockapoo and very well behaved. I often say I wish I could take her into shops with me as I'm too anxious on my own but I tend to do most of my shopping online. I'd hate to give someone a panic attack if they saw my dog inside a shop or trip someone over. I'm kinda on the fence here. I'd love to be able to go shopping with her in my trolley without worrying about getting wrong or kicked out of the shop but I also see it from the other side that not everyone likes dogs & I wouldn't want to force her on anyone. I also know that not every dog likes other dogs and I'd hate for her to get attacked by another dog in a shop. I think there's probably more reasons not to let every dog into shops than there is to let them though I hate to admit it 
You suffer from bad anxiety do you? Or is that a convenient excuse to irresponsibly take you dog into shops where they are not allowed? Had you thought about the anxiety that dogs cause to people who have been attacked by dogs that now have a phobia of them? Have you thought about people with respiratory afflictions who have allergies to them which can cause an asthmatic attack? Have the thought about how utterly devastated the parents of a child killed by a dog feel ever time, EVERY TIME, they come into contact with a dog? Have you? Stop being so selfish and irresponsible.
Last time I went to John Lewis I noticed two dogs on leads with their owners. I suppose they are welcome but one day I’m sure a dog will relieve itself.
The precautions would be quite strict if it was contemplated. I don't want to say it's impossible because most shops nowadays are quite empty
Personally I would say no. I for one am scared of dogs and I wouldn’t feel comfortable shopping . I cross the road if one is coming forwards me
No they should not be allowed In shops unless you have a guide dog. If dogs are allowed why cant you take any other animal Inside. Shops are for humans and not animals. Simple as.
I would say No, with the exception of assistance dogs. I like dogs but each one is so different, like children, some when shopping are calm whilst others are running around screaming. The dogs could also mess or wee in the shops which why should staff have to clear up that and also it would be a slip hazard and health hazard especially for products on the bottom shelf. Not all owners would watch their dogs either and what if one did happen to bite someone because its paw was run over by a trolley or stood on, or it just felt threatened. There is a reason that there have only been guide dogs allowed in the past and with the greater number of dog owners following Covid then even more so, do not allow non assistance dogs
I think a well behaved dog is no real problem but unfortunately it’s hard to tell 
It’s on the dog owner really to take some responsibility, if their dog is well trained and will be fine in there then that’s ok.
I just came back from an RV holiday in canada, whilst we were parked up, a dog owner let their dog come into our RV and wee on the foot mat 
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