Should dogs be shopping at Bunnings?

It’s a typical scene at any Bunnings Warehouse across Australia: aisles bustling with DIY enthusiasts, the scent of sizzling sausages from the beloved sausage sizzle stand, and… dogs? Yes, dogs. The presence of these four-legged shoppers has sparked a ‘disturbing trend’ according to some, leading to a heated debate about whether our canine companions should be allowed in the hardware haven.

The issue came to a head recently when Triple M Breakfast host Greg ‘Marto’ Martin, a dog owner himself, voiced his concerns after spotting 12 dogs during a single visit to his local Bunnings. Marto, who has a kelpie named Ted, loves dogs but believes that bringing them into a hardware store is ‘not necessary’ and that the trend of Australians taking their pets everywhere, from Bunnings to cafés, should be curtailed.

Bunnings has allowed dogs for years, but not everyone’s on board. Credit: Dogs of Bunnings / Facebook

Bunnings’ policy has been dog-friendly for over eight years, allowing pets in-store as long as they are on a lead and under control. The company maintains that the happiness dogs bring to most customers is worth the occasional cleanup required due to toileting mishaps. However, not all shoppers share this sentiment.

Marto pointed out that dogs, by nature, ‘don’t like stopping’ and are more inclined to enjoy continuous walking, suggesting that a trip to Bunnings might not be on their list of favourite activities. His co-host, Margaux Parker, countered by highlighting the affection dogs need, implying that accompanying their owners on shopping trips could be a form of bonding.

The debate has seen various opinions from the public. One radio show caller recounted an incident where a dog relieved itself on merchandise, and the owner failed to clean up the mess. On the flip side, another shopper described a positive scene where a woman was trying out dog beds with her pet, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Tradies, too, have weighed in, with one expressing frustration at having to navigate around dogs on top of the usual crowd, calling the practice ‘irritating and stupid.’

In response to the controversy, Bunnings has reiterated its ‘common-sense’ approach to welcoming dogs into their stores. They emphasise that most pet owners are considerate and that staff are equipped to provide poo bags and cleaning tools if needed. The company encourages customers to report any issues to staff members so they can be addressed promptly, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

So, what’s the verdict? Should dogs be allowed to accompany their owners on hardware store adventures, or is it time to tighten the leash on this policy? It seems the answer isn’t black and white, with valid points on both sides of the fence.

As we reflect on this ‘disturbing trend’, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed more dogs at your local Bunnings? Do you think pets should be welcome in hardware stores? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below. Whether you’re all for dogs or prefer a dog-free shopping experience, your input is an important part of this ongoing conversation.

Also read: Most common items swallowed by Aussie dogs

Abegail Abrugar
Abegail Abrugar
Abby is a dedicated writer with a passion for coaching, personal development, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. With a strong background in leadership, she provides practical insights designed to inspire growth and positive change in others.

49 COMMENTS

  1. The most attractive solution to this is for Australians to grow up! Go to the UK – dogs are absolutely everywhere: every cafe, most supermarkets, many restaurants; and it doesn’t appear to be a problem. America too – dogs being carried on the Metro in bags; almost unimaginable here.

      • FYI ndhallam39. According to the Food Standards Code, “a food business must not allow live animals in areas where food is handled or served.”
        The Code permits assistance animals in any area accessible to customers.
        Assistance animals are defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as guide dogs, dogs trained to assist individuals with hearing impairments, or other animals trained to help people with disabilities.
        The owner should provide adequate certification if requested.

    • My dog LOVES Bunnings, and we go at least every week because I LOVE Bunnings. Why does he love Bunnings? Because people give him loads of attention and almost everyone we pass, including the kids, smile and say hello to him. Always this constant whining from the minority. I’ve never seen any more than a few dogs on any one occasion. There’s no harm being done and Bunnings have welcomed dogs for years. That’s probably going to stop now because it doesn’t suit the minority. Leave the dogs alone.

  2. There seems to be more people bringing their dogs to Bunnings, at one stage a lady had 4 dogs in the trolley followed closely by her partner with another trolley.. That’s a trolley that someone is missing out being able to use. Also one day there was a lady with a pet backpack with a cat inside of it. When a couple of dogs noticed this they started barking at it..It was extremely annoying. Do they even consider people that have allergies to animals. Surely these pets are able to stay at home by themselves for a little while..I am an avid dog lover but wouldn’t even think of taking my dog to the shops.. A bit OTT

  3. A definite no from me.
    I have seen them in Woolworths also, once in a shopping trolley and also in the owners trolley and pet-carrier . Additionally they do no belong in cafe’s or restaurants where food is being served.
    At the moment they are not allowed in plane cabins, but I would refuse to be sitting alongside a dog or cat on a flight, whether it be a short domestic flight or a longer international flight.
    Part of the reason is they can give me hayfever type symptoms.
    Being older school and coming from the country my parents had a saying “people inside and animals outside” for health and cleanliness reasons. I don’t disagree with their philosophy.

  4. How could Bunnings deny access to a sight impaired customer?
    Ive also recently noticed an equally disturbing sign that they have CCTV and would report any issues to the police. Do they suspect that everyone who shops there could be a thief, a criminal or an udesirable? For crying out loud, bring back Masters!!!

  5. No, dogs should not be allowed in Bunnings or other places unless they are a certified assistance dog. These dogs have been trained very well not like some dogs I have seen in Bunnings. ALL dogs should be trained. By that I mean people should take their dogs when they are young to a community training school when the dog AND handler are trained together. I also believe it should be a Council requirement when registering a dog, the person must prove the dog in enrolled in a training school. My dogs competed in obedience competitions when I was a lot younger, I had German Shepards.

  6. My emotional support dog LOVES shopping as much as she loves walking!!
    Wherever we go people stop and chat, also makes people smile.
    She’s very sociable and has manners….nothing wrong with taking a dog with you to places 🤩

  7. In summer where I live in central NSW temps are often low 40s. So I am not going to leave my cattle dog in the car. Simple as that. She rides in the top basket of the trolley, is clipped in with her lead and makes no fuss. I have only ever had positive reactions. I apprecuate that not everyone loves dogs, but I don’t love everyone’s kids…

    • Here’s an option, leave your dog at home in the shade with a big bucket of water, dogs lived liked that long before humans that are way over touchy got involved… And before you say they didn’t have a bucket, I rest my case ..

  8. NO. Why do people have to push their dogs or whatever onto other people. I don’t want dogs licking my leg and drooling on my feet as they are walking past. I don’t want then brushing up against me while at check out leaving hair on my clothing. Leave your dog, your birds, your cats, your chickens home. They are YOUR pets. You deal with them. Pets are being treated ridiculously these days, dressing them, feeding them at tables with gourmet food, what is wrong with people.

  9. People should get a life .I grew up with dogs being allowed on buses and most shops and found that nearly every all dogs were left outside food shops and indoor cafes.
    .no one complained back then
    .

  10. Go overseas and you will find, in many countries, dogs in buses and trains, department stores etc etc. Our dogs are an integral part of family life and don’t need to be locked up every time we go out. My dog just loves going to Bunnings – say the word and she goes to the car, tail wagging. She makes so many people in Bunnings smile
    and chat with us, whether they have a dog or not. Small children ask if they can pat her. People need to loosen up and enjoy their surroundings. I am much more offended by people going barefoot and indecently dressed.

  11. My wife has a registered Therapy dog ,he is able to enter all places we go . Before we attend a place, we phone them and explain the situation, I do feel there is a difference between a “companion” dog, a “registered Therapy dog ” and a” Service” dog.

  12. We took our 2 well behaved dogs into Bunnings. They were unhappy with hustle and bustle. Our local store has a huge underground carpark where we can safely leave them in the car. Other owners can do the same.

  13. I have read all the comments on here. If people are going to split hairs over such trivial things, then this world is becoming a very sad place. To a lot of people their dogs are like their children, so saying that you can’t take your dogs shopping is like say to these people that you can’t take your children shopping. How would people feel to be told that their children were not allowed in at Bunnings? Some of the children I have seen misbehaving in public, I wish this rule applied. However this is not the issue. The dogs I have seen at Bunnings are well behaved, always in trolley, clean, and very friendly. Which is a lot more than what I could say about some children. I am an animal lover and I do believe that dogs should be allowed to go shopping at Bunnings, cafes, or anywhere else they would like to go. They are part of our families as well, to some people dogs are the only family they have. So all you people who are only thinking about yourselves, try and have a bit of compassion towards your fellow man. You don’t know their story or the road they are travelling. To these people, their dogs are their best friends, family.

  14. Oh my goodness, what a sad some of you are. If your life is so poor that all your concerns are about the family dog in Bunnings I really feel sorry for you. Any one can have kids, no training required, feral kids are WAY more annoying. People with puppies at Bunnings get to talk to everyone, people with kids don’t. Get a life you lot. Trump got back in, now there’s a real problem.

    • Seriously, what part of that comment don’t you understand?
      “We are so different to other animals in almost every aspect in life.” That means I totally understand that we are part of the animal kingdom. The difference is that we have evolved much more than other animals.
      Do you understand now?

    • Extremely judgemental comments Toby. You do not know me and you couldn’t be more wrong about me if you tried.
      We disagree and lets leave it at that. No need to denigrate or judge people on these forums.

      • To andrews5053, I apologise if I’ve offended you, that was not my intention. Yes we disagree, and I’m good with that, and respect your opinion. All I’m saying is that this is such a petty issue and easily resolved but just taking a wide berth as I do with feral kids running a muck. Problem solved.

        • Hi Toby, thanks for your message. It is understood and appreciated. All good. I, along with many other people dislike kids running around inside shopping centres, cafes, restaurants and stores such as Bunnings. It should be a no-no.
          Part of the issue is that I transgressed from the subject topic, which relates to dogs inside Bunnings. My comments are mostly against non-guide dogs or similar being in cafes, restaurants or supermarkets.
          As for Bunnings, I probably don’t care overly as much, as I don’t shop there like I do with supermarkets and cafes and restaurants .
          The local Mile End Bunnings has, or had a small cafe there, as well as the sausage sizzle outside.
          Saying that, I don’t recall seeing a dog inside there the few times I shopped there last year.
          I might go there in the next few days to see how the experience is.

  15. Bunnings have a policy that states dogs must be friendly and under control at all times. I don’t have a problem with this. I do have a problem that this policy does NOT apply to children as well. Someone said that dog owners and dogs should be made to take obedience classes, well ok but don’t you think parents and kids should be made to do the same. Seriously, if you don’t like dogs stay away from them, I don’t like most kids and I keep my distance. Some of you are SO pathetic.

  16. I’m all for pets and have some. But I know people who are allergic to animals fur who have said that they don’t use Bunnings for this reason.
    I gave no problems with animals at all, but what about the one’s who cannot be around them or are truly scared of them
    Look at the big picture here and think of them.

  17. People who dislike dogs should be rounded up and shot. I think that would quickly end any debate as to where dogs should and shouldn’t be allowed.

    As ridiculous as this debate is, No, you DON’T have a right to shop without being harrassed by a dog. You don’t have a right to shop at all. That’s a privilege offered to you by the shopkeeper. It’s up to the property owner whether or not they allow animals no matter how much you whinge about it.

    Nobody that allows dogs in their place of business would allow untrained or dangerous dogs, and people who are bringing untrained or dangerous dogs into public spaces shouldn’t be allowed dogs at all.

  18. Absolutely DOGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN BUNNINGS! I take my little dachshund with me every time I go to Bunnings or any hardware store or pub that allows dogs and not only does he brighten everybody’s day around him, He is my companion and basically if Bunnings stopped allowing dogs I would no longer shop there!!!! People that have a problem with other people‘s dogs that are on leads or in trolleys, Need to seriously take a good hard look at themselves in the mirror, we have much bigger problems in this world than dogs at Bunnings.

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