Wagtail Dog Training Ipswich

Dog-friendly shopping on the UK high street
If you’ve ever tried to pop into a shop with your dog in tow, you’ll know the UK high street can feel surprisingly off-limits. Unfortunately, most of the UK still has a long way to go if your bestie has four paws.

Being more inclusive of dog owners and making larger chain retailers more dog-friendly is something that requires a shift in attitude. Many European countries are forward-thinking in their approach to integrating their pets into their daily lives, and it’s something we believe should be adopted in the UK – especially when up to 41% of households own a dog.

So, you’ve decided to step out for the day, do some shopping and exercise your dog at the same time. Here are our top picks for the best dog-friendly day out in your average British high street.

5 Dog friendly high street shops
1. The Range
Everyone loves a mooch around The Range - we know we can spend hours upon end in there! With everything from homewares and crafts to garden furniture and decorating, this shop is a good place to start! There’s even a dedicated pet section that your pup will love - dog beds, dog toys, treats - the lot!

2. Mountain Warehouse
Looking for some new shoes to go on your woodland walks? A jacket to keep you warm through the chilly season? Mountain Warehouse is your one-stop shop for all things outdoors. They sell a large pet range too, so you can pick something up for Fido. From pet strollers to beds, crates, leads, poo bags and more, your dog will be sure to appreciate the enrichment a new place provides.

3. John Lewis
The mothership of department stores, we all know their tear-jerking Christmas ads, but did you know they’re a dog-friendly chain? John Lewis is known for their excellent customer service and has been proudly dog-friendly since 2019! All they ask is that dogs are kept away from their food halls (understandably, that would be such a big temptation!) and that dogs are carried on escalators.


4. Hobbycraft
Crafters will be pleased that they can now bring their dogs along to mooch around the endless aisles of arts & crafts heaven. Hobbycraft stores across the UK are now dog-friendly, adopting a modern approach to inclusivity for pet owners. If it's a rainy day, you can exercise your dog in the large store and provide enrichment through sights and smells, whilst picking up a craft or two! Why not knit your dog a new jumper or paint their very own treat box?

5. Costa Coffee
Finish your big day out with a relaxing brew and a pup cup. All Costa Coffee chains are dog-friendly in the UK since 2024, so you and your dog can both take a break and do a bit of people-watching. With water bowls available at all sites and both indoor and outdoor seating options available, it's the perfect place to settle in for a couple of hours. All the sights, sounds and smells will be a new experience that your dog will love!

We hope that many more UK retailers will be open to becoming dog-friendly, but in the meantime, there are countless independent pubs, cafes and garden centres that fly the flag for being pet-inclusive. As well as these, you can also head into some Lush stores, B&Q stores, Wren Kitchen showrooms, Waterstones and Apple stores.

What to know before you go:
In order for us dog lovers to encourage more retailers to convert, we must respect the rules.

Always check each individual shop’s guidance, as well as politely ask a manager or owner.
Always keep your dog on a short, non-retractable lead.
Ensure they’re well-mannered with good training.
Carry your dog on escalators or use stairs or lifts where possible.
Be mindful of other shoppers - some are scared of dogs.
Go during quieter periods, you don’t want to stress out your pooch.
Bring treats for positive reinforcement and training.
Always carry poo bags.
Tell staff if your dog has had an accident.

There's tons of free advice available online! You can easily find tips on playing guitar, wiring plugs, horseback riding, and even dog training. However, nothing beats learning from a qualified expert who's got plenty of experience. Having someone show you the ropes in person can make all the difference!

Here we have Mutley showing how to concentrate on the "Cavaletti Clock" This develops good posture and focus to improve loose lead walking in busy environments.