'What's the deal?': Ruffled tradie questions hardware store’s pet policy

Stores and shopping centres have been more welcoming to our furry pals by introducing a pets-allowed policy.

Hardware giant Bunnings is no exception, as their pet-friendly rule has existed for over seven years.

However, some shoppers have a bone to pick on the paw-licy.


Recently, a 'grumpy' tradie took to social media to voice his frustration, sparking a flurry of responses from fellow Aussies.

'What's the deal with all the people taking their dogs to Bunnings?' the tradie wrote in a post.

'I get that it's allowed, but I don't understand the logic behind anyone wanting to bring their dog to a hardware store. The person went on to say that they find dogs in the hardware store "irritating and stupid".'


compressed-dog-at-bunnings.jpeg
Bunnings' pet policy has been in effect for seven years, allowing shoppers to take their pets along while shopping for home essentials. Image Credit: Facebook/Dogs of Bunnings


'It's bad enough with the amount of people who wander slowly and aimlessly, with seemingly no awareness that they're blocking the aisle. Now I find myself navigating around dogs,' he continued.

'I'm a cabinetmaker whose goal is to get in, get my s***, and get out. Am I so out of touch, or are the kids wrong here?'
The sentiment was echoed by others who shared their own experiences.

'It just seems like more trouble than it's worth allowing access,' one commenter wrote.

'They carry on, try to piss on everything, eat fertiliser, chew on random s***. It puts my anxiety through the roof. There's a time and place for dogs and shops are not it, unless it's a service animal,' another agreed with the tradie's sentiment.


On the flip side, some defend the policy.

'If my dog stays within the trolley and doesn't do any of the above, is that okay?' one wrote. 'I'd rather have him with me than leave him in the car.'

'The only reason to take a dog to Bunnings is if it's already in the car, and you're popping in to grab something quickly,' someone responded.

'The alternative is leaving the dog in the car, which is often unforgivable. Bunnings is not a social outing with or without a dog.'
Despite the social media buzz, Bunnings stood by its policy.

'We've been welcoming pets into our stores, and love the feedback from customers about how much they enjoy bringing them along when they're shopping with us,' Managing Director Mike Schneider shared.


The positive feedback led to the launch of Bunnings' Pets section—the shop's most significant category expansion in over two decades.

'The strong customer take-up of this offer has exceeded our expectations, underscoring the category's popularity and its resonance with pet owners,' Schneider added.

'Like many other retailers, we take a commonsense approach when welcoming pets into our stores. The feedback we receive shows that the vast majority of owners are respectful of other customers and our team when they're in the store.

Schneider also assured customers that Bunnings staff are always available to help if customers have any concerns about their shopping experience.


Bunnings’ pet-friendly policy could be a boon for pet owners, allowing them to combine a trip to the hardware store with a walk with their four-legged companion.

However, if you're not keen on navigating around pets while shopping, this policy might be a nuisance.

Respect and consideration for others are essential and should be kept in mind when planning to bring our furry pals along.
Key Takeaways

  • A tradie ignited a social media debate over Bunnings' pets-allowed policy, expressing frustration with navigating around them during shopping trips.
  • Some Australians agreed with the tradie, questioning the practicality of bringing pets to a busy store. In contrast, others defended the practice under certain conditions.
  • Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider stated that they're satisfied with how pets and their owners behave in stores and have no plans to change their pet-friendly policy.
  • Bunnings' pet-friendly policy has been in place for about seven years, and has also helped the launch of the store's Pets section.
What are your thoughts on the Bunnings dog policy? Have you had any experiences with pets in the store? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
 
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I can't understand the reasoning behind people who take their dog everywhere, attached by an invisible umbilical cord. Do these "essential" furry friends attend a hospital while the owner undergoes surgery?

I suppose my pet African Elephant won't be going to a Bunnings any time in the future. He's too big to fit in a trolley!
 
A dog is your pet to enjoy and care for but the idea that every body else likes your pet and wants them to be by them is wrong ; over the years I have realized many dog lovers to not understand many people do not like dogs or cats. and would not choose to go near them. Customers should be able to go shopping without the stress of being near a dog. Bunnings only allow it because they make more profits from selling pet food and also assume all staff like dogs. Love your dogs care for your dogs but not in shops .
Has anybody seen the trolley being disinfected after a dog has been in one.
 
Has anybody seen the trolley being disinfected after a dog has been in one. So it wouldn't worry me.
Except for the sausage sizzle, Bunnings do not sell food for human consumption. So it wouldn't worry me if the trolley has been disinfected or not.

For all we know, the dog, cat, ferret, hamster or whatever may be more hygienic than you or me.
 
If having to walk past a dog in Bunnings is so tragic that a tradie has to spend his precious time complaining about it, what sort of a tradie is he? I'm sure he would face bigger problems at his workplace, like crawling around under a building in the mud, or around a hot roof space, or handling sewerage covered items, or dealing with obnoxious customers, etc.
I think he's just getting old and grumpy, where he sees problems everywhere. Maybe he should get a dog to complain to, because dogs are better at consoling, than people are.
I think this response is so one-side towards dog lovers. There are many who do not like dogs for various reasons. The dog is not there to shop, the owner is, and doing that shopping with consideration for other people is paramount. You live your dog, peo0le, then show your dog that live in your own home.
 
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{Tradie}says it all,so he is not a carpenter,plumber,bricklayer,concreter,mechanic or panelbeater he has no job description he is a nobody.
He says he’s a cabinetmaker .
{Tradie}says it all,so he is not a carpenter,plumber,bricklayer,concreter,mechanic or panelbeater he has no job description he is a nobody.
 
Don't get me wrong, l love dogs, but Bunnings is also a work area and with that comes the health and safety factors and I believe that the having your beloved pooch restrained or not isn't really the right place for them. Most retail outlets provide water and hopefully shade as well whilst Fido awaits patiently for his beloved owner
 
Except for the sausage sizzle, Bunnings do not sell food for human consumption. So it wouldn't worry me if the trolley has been disinfected or not.

For all we know, the dog, cat, ferret, hamster or whatever may be more hygienic than you or me.
I tried one of those sausages? and with the sawdust and dogshit they had all the ingredients?
 
Being able to take your dog to Bunnings is fantastic. When we were travelling Australia it was great being able to take our dog in and he was in the trolley not walking around and everyone seemed fine with it including staff. Maybe we should ban the tradies that push past you like they own the place and stink worse than any Ive seen in Bunnings.
When I’ve gone to Bunnings without my dog I think is great others have their dog with them and I’ve never seen a dog cause a problem only the rude people and sometimes the rude unhelpful staff.
Leave the dogs alone it hurts no one.
 
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They have a worse policy. Staff are not allowed to challenge customers, if they suspect theft. How many people steal, and walk away. Every honest customer, is paying the price. Bunnings has millions of dollars in theft annually. Do you think this is fair?
Absolutely it's fair, if I was a staff member I wouldn't want to challenge a thief, and I don't expect anyone anywhere to do so. Get yourself stabbed, in the US you get shot.
 
Being able to take your dog to Bunnings is fantastic. When we were travelling Australia it was great being able to take our dog in and he was in the trolley not walking around and everyone seemed fine with it including staff. Maybe we should ban the tradies that push past you like they own the place and stink worse than any Ive seen in Bunnings.
When I’ve gone to Bunnings without my dog I think is great others have their dog with them and I’ve never seen a dog cause a problem only the rude people and sometimes the rude unhelpful staff.
Leave the dogs alone it hurts no one.
Good on you. Some people just have no tolerance at all, like some on this page.
 
I am an absolute animal lover, l have a beautiful little rescue dog. I believe there is a time and place for pets. Sorry l might get a slap down, but l don't believe there is a need to take dogs to Bunnings unless it is a service dog. There are children and like the tradie said some people need to get in and get out. As in a tradesperson, time is very important to them. No matter how great your dog is, what if it came across another dog it took a dislike to bang it's on. A child could approach a dog and the dog could snap, even though the dog has always been well behaved. Dogs can get scared feel cornered overwhelmed and bang a snap. Our pets mean the world to us but we have to be sensible and respectful of others. Not everyone likes animals, which l truly don't understand but l respect that.
Another place l am not keen for dogs is at markets, again people walk slowly looking at stalls not watching who or what is coming towards them. Little children can be at eye height of dogs and dogs don't like being stared at that can cause a nasty reaction. No one wants a disaster on a shopping experience. Kind regards to all Vicki
Responsible adults and pet owners should know their dogs social abilities and if they are reactive to others do not take them into the store. No different to taking them to say a dog park.
 
I think the guy is just grumpy if dogs are in the trolley they cannot be in your way or eating things & doing what he says. I love that people do not have to leave them in the car. They are doing no harm.
Sorry, but dogs in shops are and can be a nuisance - we have nearly tripped a number of times over dogs - I certainly believe that their are health issues with animals being in shops, but, Bunnings could not give a stuff, as long as they are making money. Where possible we will give Bunnings a wide berth.
 
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I guess it's not as bad as people who go shopping smelling like they've been swimming in pig shit and haven't showered of 6 months, assuming they don't take their dog in the same condition.
 
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Have only seen a few at my local Bunnings but can fully understand the frustration of the tradies wanting to get in and out and not have to navigate around dogs. Personally it does not bother me one way or the other.
So ban them near the trade desk. Fine everywhere else, by me.
 
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