Dogs now allowed in John Lewis stores - good idea or not?

My daughter is allergic to dogs too. Her eyes swell up and she can't breathe. If they start letting them into shops, she'll have to switch to online shopping.

I have a severe dog allergy, have been admitted to hospital numerous times as a result of coming into contact unexpectedly with dogs.

So it's a no from me!!

OT sorry, but the people who live in the smallest places near us, have the biggest dogs!
One neighbour has 2 or maybe 3 enormous husky type dogs which are surely not meant for our climate
I've never seen them in a shop but he takes them to work with him. He manages a leisure centre. .

absthame
I think that many people might 'fear' agreeing with you as the pro dog movement is so vociferous in it's defence of animals kept for human's pleasure.
I've met many beautifully behaved, well looked after dogs and dogs which nearly knock you over trying to greet you. I don't want one but I certainly don't dislike them.
Making them obey our rules seems a bit like servitude.

absthame I tend to agree with you, from our experience. Though there are some breeds of dogs which don't seem to have a desire for work.
Our neighbour has a small 'blue' english bulldog, who does nothing but lie on his side fast asleep in the backyard.

I'm very much in a minority, believing that keeping any non-working animal purely for our own gratification is demeaning to that species. I'll now duck

Dogs haven't been going to department stores for thousands of years though - or being dressed up in outfits, or taken to cafes, or any number of things owners now do with their furbabies. Thousands of years ago dogs hunted, they rounded up sheep, they did useful things - now, they are part of the family (which I do get) and many owners seem to think that elevates them to human status, and everyone who doesn't want to see a dog drooling at a cafe table or barking loudly and fighting with other dogs in an enclosed area is miserable/over reacting/not friendly/insert your choice of word here.

I can't see any reason why not. I have never seen a dog make a mess in a store or cafe. However I would not take my dog to JL, the garden centre or pet shop is much more her thing! We take our dog to loads, of places, hotels, pubs etc. She never bothers anyone, in fact the reverse is true but she is quite happy to accept attention. Dogs have lived with man for thousands of years so I can't see an issue.

Of course they should be allowed, why not!

My dogs like my OH do not like shopping, I leave both at home.

What on earth is going on, why would anyone want to take their dog into a store, why has this suddenly come about? Dogs arent suitable in ether cafes or shops, they surely wont like being in either,the world has gone mad.
Befor I am shouted down, I like dogs in their right place.

Spot on craftycat

Guide dogs, hearing dogs, carer dogs etc. absolutely yes. They are amazing animals & very well trained.
Other than that - no! My lovely dogs would have hated going into shops.
Leave them safe at home & enjoy your shopping. Then take them for a lovely long walk when you get home.

Brixham was the same Lemon as was Lyme Regis last year. We went to Padstow a few years ago and it was unbelievable. A lady said to me 'I love dogs but this is ridiculous'. The British are not dog phobic. Far from it.

The dogs don’t enjoy being dragged round stores or the town centre.

I like all animals, probably better than I like people, but taking them into what should be 'people only areas' like shops and cafes is ridiculous. I rarely shop at JL but will definitely avoid them now, on principle, for making such a stupid decision.

My dogs are very picky. They would never shop in John Lewis ! They prefer Pets at Home every time.

It’s unkind to take dogs into busy city shopping centres.
Having said that, I doubt you will see hundreds of them in JL now in any case.
Katyk in Boscastle the other week we were amazed to see how many dogs there were, just about every other person had a dog on a lead ( and it was very busy, so lots of people there) something I have not seen before.Perhaps dog ownership is on the rise?

you your

dinks13
I assume that you're a mature female and I read you comment about never having shopped in JL.
Was that purely because you couldn't take your dog and, if so, have you never shopped at other stores where dogs are not allowed?
I'm minded to the view that it's an act of childish proportions if JL has never attracted your interest in your lifetime.
Placard waving comes to mind.

d'oh the k ??

I say no . People have allergies to dogs . Also if you buy something with another dogs scent on it . The first thing your own dog will do is Mark there own scent on it . No thanks .

Rocknroll5me
bring back some respect for our animal companions ?
What a silly statement.
I think that most people who are not dog owners or lovers, would interfere if they saw one being mistreated.
We've read of strangers jumping into the sea to save dogs from drowning and many idiotic owners have left animals locked in vehicles during heatwaves.
Can you imagine what it must be like for a dog who, in a shop, sees only feet, knees and shopping bags not to mention having to negotiate buggies and mobility scooters.
They can be great companions, I agree, but you likening them to slaves...well, who d'oh the k domesticated them in the first place?
Who buys them toys? Who gets their tails docked and decks them out in items of clothing, paints their claws, dyes their fur and interbreeds them into caricatures of their original heritage?
Are these dog lovers?
Is allowing them into stores giving them freedom and respect?
If that's respecting animals then you need to think again.
It isn't.

I would have thought that it would cause a dog far to much stress walking around a shop that is maybe busy and getting knocked into and dragged about, shops can also be hot places even if it’s not outside.
A garden centre near us had a large area that dog owners can use, I miss having a dog so whenever my daughter takes me for a coffee we sit in that part, dogs also don’t stare at me the way children do

This is beginning to sound like the results of the Brexit referendum! Two viewpoints which are poles apart, in general, and no real common ground (except perhaps dog creches)