b&q

[Roughquest]

I know you are not allowed to take dogs into shops that sell/produce food, but last sunday I took my dog into B&Q with me, didnt want to tie him up outside as I thought it would be ok, he was on his lead and i could see no notices saying dogs were not allowed. Half way around the store an assistant asked me to leave telling me dogs were not allowed in the store ! I did mention that i could not see any such sign, but just left anyhow in disgrace. Is this right ?

[paraffin]

Doesn't sound right to me that you should be asked to leave. I would have asked why, and then, if still unconvinced, would have requested to speak to the manager.
I'd write to their headquarters and complain.

[jules77]

I havnt seen a dog, other than an assistance dog, in any shop for years.

[lankeela]

There is no law in this country that say dogs cant go into any shops cafes, restaurants etc - the only regulation is that you cannot have animals in an area where food is prepared, such as the kitchen of a hotel. I would write to the Head Office saying they have lost a regular and valued customer due to their policy, and if it is not their policy, perhaps they should inform their store manager/staff. The worst example of this is the PDSA charity shops which do not allow pets in!

[wildwood]

You are on the store's property and if they do not want dogs in there then that is their decision. To expect a sign disallowing dogs is a weak excuse to complain, there is no sign that drunks are not allowed either but would you find that acceptable?
Many people are not comfortable walking closeby past a dog, it is immaterial how well behaved you know your animal to be.
I've always taught my kids to not take a dog's behaviour for granted and if they want to pat or cuddle a strange dog this should always be done with the owner's permission, even guide dogs.
In the close confinement of a store, a few dogs will be become overprotective or nervous and be unpredictable.
To demand that you are permitted to take your dog into any store that doesn't have a sign is selfish and you are doing goodwill to dog owners in general a dis-service.

[bessieboo5]

It is the stores decision whether or not to allow dogs in. Please do not tie your dog up outside. I made this mistake 7 years ago when I tied my dog up for 5 mins outside a shop and someone took him. Never seen him again. Shops are not the place for dogs.

[Roughquest]

That's a bit harsh wildwood, they should display a sign at least to let people know in the now PC world we live in, what utter rubbish 'doing a dis-service to dog owners; what is that all about?? At what point did i say i was 'demanding' ?? Nonsense. I am merely stating there should be a sign to say, some people love to take their pets with them everywhere and why not if they are part of your family, you wouldnt leave your kids outside ? and IMHO most dogs are better behaved that most snivelly, attention seeking, bawling, bored kids that we see everyday being dragged around the supermarket and around town. Oh, and I do agree with the fact you would not let your kids pet strange dogs as their behaviour can be unpredictable, i for one dont like it when people just come up and pet my dog, it can get annoying when you are trying to train your dog as people keep interrupting ! I think you are going a bit OTT in your reply here....however.

[lankeela]

bessieboo, I think your answer is a bit off track, the usual reason for thinking that dogs should not be allowed in shops is because people think it is unhygienic, not because they think they dogs might be traumatised into biting everyone.
In France they are regularly taken into shops and restaurants, even supermarkets. If more people took their dogs out and about with them there would be far less unsocialised dogs about. My dogs enjoy going out with me and are very well behaved when I take them anywhere, but that is because they are used to accompanying me from a very young age.

[lankeela]

so sorry bessieboo, it was wildwood's answer I was replying to.

[jakep]

Wildwood-Your children should be taught never to approach a working guide dog.

[barb1314]

Hi,I totally agree with Lankeela.My dog goes everywhere with me and has done since she was 12 wks.Every day I walk her up to the newsagents so she can be aware of all types of people,kids,babies etc.As a result she is very well socialised.The best place is Pets at Home where we go so I can weigh her.I understand why people would not like dogs in a shop due to hygiene reasons.However I have never thought about going in somewhere like B and Q.I do think there should be a sign though.
I work in a food store and recently 2 ladies came in with a small dog in kind of a pram thing.I had to ask her to take the dog outside but I felt really bad about it as the dog was nowhere near anything,was very elderly and apparently could not walk.But we sell food and that is the only reason I told her.
Roughquest,I would never dare to tie my dog up outside a shop either...too worried someone would take her.If I had to do that I would leave her at home.

[Schutzengel]

Francheska. Please stop messing up other peoples threads.

[tamborine]

treat your dog with respect and confine it to places its happy in like fields or parks. What if the dog craps in the shop ..... will you sterilise the floor of the shop.

You can't compare a dog with a child.

[leelapops]

tamborine...of course you can't compare a dog and a child. Dogs win every time...!

Rq, I do know what you mean. I would love to be able to take Jack everywhere with me, and if dogs were allowed in more shops etc., I know he would be by my side most of the day. However, not everyone loves dogs like we do... :(

[katerich48]

Liberty's department store in London allows you to take your dog in to their store and they sell antiques and expensive clothes and perfume and china..But B&Q & Homebase that sell paint, garden items and plants, pots and wood and ladders tools etc., do not! How weird is that...

[The_RiViT]

Posted to social media.
 

Not right and NOT FAIR. (DOGS AND B&Q)

You can walk into any Spanish hardware store with your dogs and no one at all will raise an eyebrow. (I lived in Spain for 5 years, so much a far better culture and far more understanding)

-- They even give treats to your dogs as you tour the store... (Yes, it's a marketing ploy, but boy does it work!!!)

No signs in B&Q Old Kent Road, only an obnoxious jobsworth of a security guard screaming at me that dogs are not allowed.

Well... Mr Jobsworth security guard, as I said in the shop, "B&Q don't stock food stuffs etc, so this is sheer bloody mindedness stopping dogs being bought into the shop when they are on a lead.
- Oh, btw., don’t try and tell my that your “landlord” doesn’t allow dogs on leads in this store. Pets at home have the same landlord as you, 2 doors down!

So, guess what...

NO: I am not going to leave a pedigree dog worth at least £4,000 (I kid you not!) outside for someone to nick.

You have just lost B&Q a rather large sale (and whichever sales person attended me, the commission associated with it), as I was coming in with the intention of pricing up a full bathroom refit and a partial refresh to my kitchen... (approximately £5Kish in total of expenditure.)"  

WELL DONE B&Q, GOOD JOB. Way to intimidate your customers.

I'll take my business and my dogs elsewhere!

Perhaps Victoria Plumb or even Wickes will take my business, where to quote their Twitter (X) account: WICKES on X: Yes, they are dog friendly, as long as the dog is on a lead :-)

-I will enjoy take my time browsing (with my dogs at my side) as I compile my bathroom and kitchen list...  I may even spend more for such an accommodating company.

See you soon Wickes :-) you just probably got yourself at least a £5K sale with no doubt follow-up purchases for bits and pieces that I forgot.

B&Q: AFTER THE TREATMENT I HAVE RECIEVED, I WILL NEVER EVER SHOP IN YOUR STORES AGAIN AND WILL HAPPILY INFORM ALL THE INFLUENCERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT I AM IN CONTACT WITH TO SPREAD THIS TALE OF WOE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN SPEED YOUR DEMISE.

I WILL ALSO GLADLY PAY AN AMOUNT EXTRA IN DELIVERY CHARGE ETC. - JUST TO ENSURE THAT I GET THE GOODS THAT I NEED FROM ANYWHERE ELSE AND NOT FROM YOUR COMPANY!!!!

I strongly suggest that B&Q is boycotted until they change their ridiculous policy.

[barry1010]

B&Q can be a hectic, busy store with fork lift trucks moving, people with big, heavy, awkward trolleys not always stacked safely.  It is not the ideal place for dogs.  

I would not dream of taking a dog in to any shop unless there was a 'dogs welcome' sign, or without asking first.

I wouldn't expect a sign saying 'no dogs', there would be a hundred signs if the obvious had to be stated.