RANT - It's a dog, not a bomb

Oberon

Oberon

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Just been to Robinsons to spend my birthday vouchers.

Been going to Robinsons for years and have always taken my dog with me.
Even though he is enormous and looks like a wolf, lots of people stop and chat to him and have a giggle at his size. He is always well mannered and under control.

Upon arriving I was met with a sign stating No Dogs Allowed.

Apparrantly five weeks ago they decided dogs were a Health and Safety Risk?????

(Yet they are allowed in for fitting of dog coats etc).

Now how is a well mannered dog on a lead, in a store with lots of horse and dog people a risk???

Robinsons has now entered the Nanny State.

Blah.
 
Oberon, your dog is obviously well trained and obedient but unfortunately you are in the minority.

Given the amount of reports in the press about dogs turning on their families completely out of character I actually think Robinsons are being very sensible.

I'm not for wrapping everyone up in cotton wool & allowing the H & S bods to ban everyone and everything but on this instance I agree with the ruling.

For the record I have a very large GSD who is a bear of dog with a lovely disposition but I always have a muzzle with me when we are out just in case. I've never needed to use it and wouldn't ever expect to but I'd like to be prepared if the need should arise.
 
The incidents with dogs have been when children and dogs were together and unsupervised. This should never happen.

I am not aware of any incidents with dogs on leads in horsey shops.
 
oooh, i'm not sure about this one. i love dogs, i have a big bouncy boxer myself (who i'd never dare take in a shop as he'd knock the shelves down as soon as someone looked at him in a 'oh what a cute dog' kind of way). however, if i'm in a shop with my kids and there's a dog in there, i feel uneasy as i don't trust every dog. also, i have friends (some horsey) who are petrified of dogs, so they wouldn't dare go into a shop if there was a dog there.

hmmm, it's a toughy. the majority of dogs are good/well behaved/not likely to eat a child. but there are a handful of useless dog owners who let the side down.

edited to add, i've known of a two dog attacks where a dog attacked whilst on the lead. both dogs were big dogs and the handler was unable to control them. albeit neither in a horse shop (one was in a car, one was in a park and resulted in the dog almost killing it's owner)
x
 
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To be honest I'm not really surprised dogs are banned, well behaved or not. It doesn't even cross my mind to take my well behaved dog into our local tackshop.
 
Gluttonforpunishment said:
For the record I have a very large GSD who is a bear of dog with a lovely disposition but I always have a muzzle with me when we are out just in case. I've never needed to use it and wouldn't ever expect to but I'd like to be prepared if the need should arise.
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I've had GSDs my whole life and never felt the need to muzzle them, even when I was working with my dog-aggressive dog, in fact we never took them on holiday to the Republic of Ireland because we didn't think it was fair for them to have to wear one, as it is the law there.

If he has a good disposition, you're not doing much for how people think of the breed - all they will see is a GSD in a muzzle and assume he is aggressive towards humans.

Each to his own though, I think I can see your point and you are more responsible than a lot of other people x

OP - I think it is just the way things are now, dogs are welcome in less and less places and there seems to be more hysteria surrounding them, although, the real offenders get off scot-free and the people who abide by the law, will continue to abide by it and suffer :(
 
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I have no issues with dogs in horsey shops - afterall horsey people are generally outdoorsy types and often have dogs or other animals as well as horses.

Its a shame if this was something you used to do but cannot do any longer...

Bit of a silly rule IMO if they still let dogs in to try on doggy items too..,.
 
Lots more shops seem to be banning dogs these days, when I was a littl'un (not very long ago at all!) I used to take them into the corner shop, newsagents, even the butchers (always given a bone, too). Now none of the shops in my town allow dogs, really frustrating to not be able to pick up a coffee on the way back from a long walk.

She's welcome in all four pubs, though, funny how they can benefit from the extra trade but shops won't. I often only want a bottle of water and end up going in the pub for a pint or three. :rolleyes:

And yes, I know that not everybody likes dogs, and some people are even scared of them - well, I'm scared of many things that are allowed in shops but I don't for a second think that they will be banned just because I don't like them. :p
 
Not everyone likes dogs. You can't take dogs into other shops. I don't see the problem in not having them in a tack shop. I'm an outdoors, horsey person, and i hate dogs. I would prefer to go shopping without having to see a dog in the shop!
 
I was walking my two (jrts for those who don't know) and a little girl ran screaming from them to her parents. The mother just picked her up, while fair play to the father he said "Dont be silly XXXX its just a dog!".

With parents like that is there any wonder the world is freaking out over dogs?
 
The trouble is the minority tend to spoil it for the rest of us so blanket bans on dogs tend to happen. I was at a local agricultural show today, dogs were allowed but there were signs on the cheese and food tents saying "No Dogs (except for enabling dogs)" which I presume meant guide dogs etc, yet both marquees had people in there with dogs, which were sniffing at the food displays etc.
 
I always take Harley into my local tack shop with me! They love him there and he always gets spoilt rotten!

I do think some people are irrational about dogs (not pointing at anyone in this thread). The other day I was walking him down a not particularly narrown path and two girls (12 ish) came along on their bikes. I had H lay down to the side, tucked away. Mainly so that he didn't walk out in front of the bike at the wrong moment!! The girl in front stopped. I then heard her say to her friend "I don't want to go past, I'm scared"!!!! (H is a 10 month Pointer by the way. Immensly friendly and brill with children). H wasn't even looking at them but staring me straight in the eye cause he knew that once they went past he would get a treat for laying nicely where I had put him!!!! I turned and said to the girl that he wouldn't move and was totally friendly and to pass, which they then did.

Granted, maybe they have had a bad experience with a dog somewhere, but it's not the first time I've seen a ridiculous reaction from a child or a parent! Parents should be careful as they are making their children have irrational fears!! Or if their child does seem to have a fear (maybe not passed down) do their best to get them over it, not nurture it! My Brother in Law is 21 and to begin with was terrified of Harley even sniffing him! His mother said he'd never liked dogs, and I just though, well why the heck haven't you done something about it?!! You're not doing him any favours!

Anyway, rant over!
 
I grew up knowing to approach the person and ask to stroke their dog. Unless the dog was running free around my estate (which about 4/5 did) those I would rugby tackle to the ground and cuddle to death (and get licked for my efforts!)
 
For those people who hate dogs - I'd like to add that I NEVER let him approach people.

In Robinson's and Pets at Home (the only shops I ever take him to) I always look out and stay away from the other shoppers so they could go about their business unhindered. I watch people's body language and if they look worried I wait for them to move on.

He would always get small crowds of people coming over to chat to him.

Despite living with a 9 stone wolf lookalike, my husband has a debilitating phobia of dogs so I know not everyone wants to say hello.....
 
galaxy23 said:
I always take Harley into my local tack shop with me! They love him there and he always gets spoilt rotten!

I do think some people are irrational about dogs (not pointing at anyone in this thread). The other day I was walking him down a not particularly narrown path and two girls (12 ish) came along on their bikes. I had H lay down to the side, tucked away. Mainly so that he didn't walk out in front of the bike at the wrong moment!! The girl in front stopped. I then heard her say to her friend "I don't want to go past, I'm scared"!!!! (H is a 10 month Pointer by the way. Immensly friendly and brill with children). H wasn't even looking at them but staring me straight in the eye cause he knew that once they went past he would get a treat for laying nicely where I had put him!!!! I turned and said to the girl that he wouldn't move and was totally friendly and to pass, which they then did.

Granted, maybe they have had a bad experience with a dog somewhere, but it's not the first time I've seen a ridiculous reaction from a child or a parent! Parents should be careful as they are making their children have irrational fears!! Or if their child does seem to have a fear (maybe not passed down) do their best to get them over it, not nurture it! My Brother in Law is 21 and to begin with was terrified of Harley even sniffing him! His mother said he'd never liked dogs, and I just though, well why the heck haven't you done something about it?!! You're not doing him any favours!

Anyway, rant over!
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I agree. Hubby terrified of dogs. Hubby's mother is the dramatic, dithery, disinfectant type.

1+1 = 2!

Horsey mothers tend to be a tad more sensible!
 
We are in sad times. Dogs are being demonised and excluded from many public places.

On the small occasion when I have my dog in town with me, I will take her into shops but I always make a point of asking if that is ok first. I don't obviously take her into a food shop or chemist but I would take her into the PO and shoes shops or clothes shops.

Of course my dog is the nicest dog in the world, she is small and everyone loves her and tickles her tummy as she enchants them with her little belly, but I would pick her up (with a small forklift) if someone was terrified.

I think by me asking permission first showing shopkeepers my darling terrier, it rather disarms them and educates them also that not all dogs are vile. I realise there will be a day when they say "no dogs" which I will of course respect but until that time or I see a sign on the door also stating that, then I will always go in.

I mean how can you resist this?

Capture-003501.jpg
 
Out walking my previous GSD years ago and there was a lady with her two kids walking towards us - now bearing in mind, that although nervous this GSD was never aggressive and being (I think!) a considerate dog owner, I asked my dog to sit and waited at the side of the pavement for the people to pass.
The lady proceeded to walk towards us, then shove her kids out into the road away from me and my dog, causing a driver to swerve and pip his horn. I ask you, where is the mentality in this?

gluttonforpunishment - does the fact you carry a muzzle for a well behaved and non-aggressive dog not promote breed bashing?? We never carried or used one for our GSD - used to be very dog aggressive. We found with the dogs we worked with at the training club that it made people react in a different way, therefore putting the dog in an uneasy state due to their body language - this was whether the dog was wearing it OR the muzzle was being carried by the handler. I understand you want to prevent any mishaps and I applaud you for your responsibility but I have never seen any positive aspects to this.

I can understand OP's point - but I'd not take my dogs into a shop of any kind I think they'd tangle someone up/destroy some shelvings/eat any loose treats/attempt to run riot!! I took them to uni with me and once they got into halls, they trampled over everyone sat in the corridor, skidded into my room and never stopped once fidgeting, running round, jumping about like loons! :p

ETA - a man brought a Cavalier spaniel into work the other day and a little girl wouldn't walk past her - the man proceeded to pick the dog up, ask the mother if it was okay for the little girl to stroke her and spent ten minutes with her until the little girl was stroking the dog who was licking her face - just thought it was lovely!
 
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If dogs could be socialized more instead of being shut in cars or left at home there would be a lot less trouble with them.When I was younger my dog went everywhere with me now they can't go anywhere but "Socializing dog training classes",what's the point of that!No wonder no one knows how to handle dogs nowadays
 
This isn't about your dog Oberon, but a reflection of what some owners allow with their dogs.

One regular occurance with dogs in shops, showgrounds etc is the animals cocking their legs on stock. It may be only a few, but how is the shop to know which will, and how do you ban some dogs and not others?
 
Frances144 said:
Be-Anne Duvet Soufflé Princess Chantelle Shaznay
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LOL, how appropriate!

QR: what a shame that dogs are made less and less welcome. It will only lead to dogs that are worse socialised and people who are more scared. I noticed that in France dogs are everywhere, including indoors at restaurants off the lead, and I can't wait to take the pooches for some French socialising! (admittedly there is dog poo everywhere in France, but the two don't have to go hand in hand, people could just pick up after their dogs).
 
Oberon, just out of interest, which Robinson's store did you try and take your dog in? I used to work in one and know why they won't allow dogs in there.
 
hmmm am going to try and explain how I feel about dogs....

never had my own.
was well into them as a kid... used to borrow 2 of the neighbours and take them for walks (one a fab cairn terrier) couldnt wait to see aunties (as both had dogs) etc etc.

My attitude has since changed a bit with dogs I don't know... I think because I have been exposed to those with erm less than perfect behaviour (lots of work experience in vets etc) hence making me a bit more wary in the first instance if that makes sense.

one guy used to bring his blue macaw into the agri/horse shop where I worked though, that was always a talking point :)
 
Interestingly, being an old girl, the first shop I can remember banning dogs was a saddlers, I was told because the smell of the leather products tended to wind them up and they'd had a few accidents ranging from peeing inappropriately to biting the goods. This would be 40 or so years ago now. I remember being surprised at leaving our dachsie in the car.
 
Very few places here in the States where you can bring a dog. Mostly pet shops but not tack stores.

In fact, up until last year or so one of the little seaside towns here didn't allow dogs in the downtown area at all. Even on the street. Pretty pathetic and that's finally changed.

I know I was quite depressed when signs began going up at cemeteries banning dogs. I really don't want to be planted somewhere dogs aren't allowed. :(
 
Having worked in a small animal vets I can see why dogs are banned. Most of you seem to be responsible dog owners but you would be suprised how many aren't!! Many dogs come in and urinate on the floor and some even deficate; I know it's a vets but the owners don't even apologise because to them this is normal. In a vets you have stuff to clear up and disinfect quickly but in robinsons they don't so I can understand this. Many come in out of control, they jump up at other customers, scratch and we even had a child bitten. Now don't get me wrong I love my dogs but because of these people i can see why unfortunately a ban is needed.

Remember Robinsons isn't just a shop for those that own horses and dogs it's also a place for others to buy gifts and for the riding school clients, some who will unfortunately sue for any reason!
 
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