Dogs now allowed in John Lewis stores

And what about badly behaved dog owners

Dogs (other than assistance ones) should not be allowed in shops.

An "Oh No!" alert at this point, so please be prepared.

I once witnessed a dog "cock its leg" (and perform) against an artificial ornamental small tree outside a fancy goods shop.

The dog owner noticed too late and just walked away with said dog. Someone would buy that expensive item at some point and wonder why there was a nasty smell in their house when they got it home! Disgusting.

When I used to do Car Boot Sales, I always kept a weather-eye open for similar happenings because people were often too preoccupied to know, or care, what their dog was doing!

Not keen on idea of dogs in stores but at least they have to be off the floor. My most bizarre experience with animals in public places was on a plane in Indonesia 20 years ago. Passengers had chickens, little pigs and piglets in baskets and these were all carried on like hand luggage. Just the done thing when going from island to island. Must say the passengers made more noise than the animals.

Poor dogs being dragged around shops. There are some places where it makes sense to the business to allow dogs, cafes on well used dog walking routes, but on the whole I don't like to see dogs in cafes, pubs,etc. Not fair on the dog, not fair on other people. The one thing that really irritates me are extendable leads. How does the walker have any control over the dog on one of those things? They're ideal in a park to let your dog have more freedom if your concerned about them returning to you if you let them off lead, but for general road work I think they're a nightmare. Combine that with being in a shop....disaster dahling!

We go to a dog friendly cafe when we are on holiday. Fine if they're sitting quietly on the floor out of the way...but they're often getting in everyone's way.

Not sure I'd take my dogs shopping except to Pets at Home! When we lived in Spain I had to stop taking them around the local outdoor market as to my horror they had a tendency to pee up the goods that were on the ground on display if I didn't pay attention! Where I live a great many cafes, hotels etc are dog friendly which I think is great. Dogs are generally better behaved than many children who parents smile indulgently while their little darlings run riot around everyone (and yes, I have 4 grandchildren!). My local nursery has a cafeteria with a dog friendly area in one corner (there is a board which clearly states the area is designated as dog friendly) with a hard floor, bowl of water etc. I had my Lhasa/poodle cross puppy with me. In the corner were seated a small girl with who I assumed her grandparents. I went over and asked them if the little girl would like to see the puppy to which they replied, no thanks, she was frightened of dogs! I was somewhat puzzled then as to why they were seated in the dog area?! On a personal note, I do think its sad when children are so frightened of dogs. I appreciate not everyone is a dog lover but its hard to avoid dogs and must make life difficult.

Here you quite often did see people with dogs on a lead in department stores, it is not so common now, as most people nip into shops on the way to or from work, not when they are walking the dog.

Here in Denmark, dogs and other pets are not allowed in any shop that sells food, or in cafés or restaurants that serve food, nor in a chemist's.

I agree most dogs don't enjoy being taken into crowded places, which should rule most shops out. Unfortunately the usual solutions of shops having pegs outside that you could tether a dog lead to has fallen into disuse as dogs have been stolen from them!

I personally wouldn't take a dog into a store, but I don't mind if others do, as long as the dog is well-trained.

Obviously this is a problem for those who are afraid of dogs, and as fears are irrational, I don't think the onus is entirely on the person who doesn't care for dogs to avoid them. As a pet owner I feel obliged to consider other people when out with my pet.

I wasn't particularly bothered about the idea of well- behaved dogs being in a café/ restaurant, until the waiter pulled out the chairs for us with great panache and we made to sit down. As I placed my first foot under the long white cloth, my foot slid forward on a fresh dog turd... How else could I describe it.?
Apologies from the staff but there was no way we could stay there

I have two puppies and they are fabulous but I would not take them shopping. we did take them on holiday to France with us and when we walked into town along an old railway line (green route) we took them and sat outside at cafe when we bought a coffee and they sat under table with bowl of water before walking back. My only concern is that some dogs bark and growl at other dogs and won't sit nicely under table. If my dogs misbehaved at all, I would not have stopped for coffee but instead took a bottle of water to drink and walked back with them. I agree with watermelon badly behaved dogs should not be taken into areas with unfamiliar people and other dogs as they bark.

when we turned back the sheets it was obvious that a large dog had been in the bed. The owners couldn’t see why we weren’t happy but they did change the sheets.

I'm not sure I'm following this correctly. Do you mean to say that the sheets hadn't been changed from the previous occupants of the room?

Eazybee There’s actually no hygiene or by-laws etc in force to prevent dogs going into establishments that serve food (obviously not in food prep/kitchen areas) and we’ve found it really useful, not only on UK holidays but just daily life as my daughters dog suffers separation anxiety if left more than an hour or so so we take him with us and he often stays in the car if we nip in somewhere but obviously not when it’s warm (even in winter) and we combine the day with a walk somewhere. But we’d never dream of taking him into the city for a shopping day and into department stores as that sort of thing isn’t very dog oriented/friendly anyway. Sheer madness imo

I'll just pop my Labrador into a wheelie bag then !

I was coming home yesterday following a childminding stay at my daughter's house. Walking across the busy station concourse, I saw a small dog trotting behind a well dressed woman. Apart from the fact that it wasn't on a lead, I did a double take because it was pink. Really it was, no alcohol involved.

Dogs don't belong in shops, cafe's or restaurants unless they are a guide dog or a hearing dog for the deaf. Must be absolute misery for them being trodden on and draggged through crowds of feet.

Must tell my DD,she has a Pyrenean x Bernese------that should clear the shop. The most beautiful animal you've ever seen------soft as a brush with all the children.

Perhaps a portmanteau would suffice ?

Its a no from me too . A department store or food shop isn't the place for an animal. I'm very fond of both cats and dogs but not in shops.

Irene16 pleased you can do links as I am unfortunately unable to do so.
However the link you posted is what I would have directed you to.

Several other high end stores allow dogs as long as they are carried.

My dog would have hated going shopping! She was very unhappy the twice ( in 18 years!) I left her outside a shop while I dashed in to pick something up.
She did quite like going to the pub when we were in holiday though. She sat very quietly under the table & was never a problem. To be fair it was in areas where walkers often went so they were used to dogs & provided dog bowls etc.
I have to say though that she was the perfect dog- never ever behaved badly. I miss her every day.

Back many years ago my grandfather's dog was sent to a corner shop with a shopping bag and purse in it's mouth. It used to return with whatever was on the list usually 5boys chocolate for me and cigarettes for grandad lol

Wow late search result showed this new decision. Amazed and can't say I'm pleased to see this.
www.whtimes.co.uk/news/dogs-allowed-in-to-welwyn-garden-city-john-lewis-1-5765088

Where did you see this information for John Lewis stores CherryTree59? I am very surprised if this is the case as it would be a complete turnabout. The only store in their group that allowed dogs was Peter Jones in Sloane Square. All the other branches have a guide dog only policy.

There are kids that often can’t help their ‘bad behaviour’. Some kids with autism, for example. It’s very often not the the child’s fault, nor is it the fault of their loving, exhausted parents.

Back in the days before dogs were banned from shops, my MIL’s dog cocked his leg and did a giant wee over the crisps display. She beat a hasty retreat. I dreamt to see anything other than assistance dogs in shops.

I always check before I book whether dogs are allowed so I can avoid the place if they are. We once booked a B & B and when we turned back the sheets it was obvious that a large dog had been in the bed. The owners couldn’t see why we weren’t happy but they did change the sheets. I had a horrible night keeping the blankets away from my face. I understand why people love their dogs but why do they think we all have to love them.

Apart from assistance dogs, I really cannot think of one valid reason to allow dogs into shops, cafes or restaurants.

if the dogs need to alleviate themselves

Did you mean relieve themselves?