As a training-led high street retailer of animal-friendly pet accessories, here’s why Healthy Pet Store now avoids running Santa Paws’ grottos.
We did it only once in 2022, and no matter how much we tried to organise the space, control the variables, and ensure everyone met ‘Santa Paws’, most dogs showed behaviours associated with stress and that meant we didn’t do right by them nor their caregivers – our customers.
For the resilient or the specifically-socialised, it was a good experience, but not enough for us to want to do it again.
For us, it’s about everyone’s wellbeing – not about creating an attraction that may not be in the best interest of our customers. One of our core values is ‘doing the right thing.’
It comes as no surprise to read Nick Hopkins’ account in The Guardian of his dogs’ visit to John Lewis’ pet grotto in 2023.
Nick recounts:
‘Though the elves had made a fuss of them, our dogs remained wary as we dragged them into the grotto.’ ‘Fair to say, Dexter and Rocky initially took a dim view of the bearded man in the red and white suit sitting in front of them.’ he continues. ‘First attempts to get them to sit on his lap were unsuccessful. A degree of brute force and promises of treats finally persuaded them to play along.’ says Nick.
Louise Black, John Lewis, presumably from their PR department, says customers want to enjoy festive traditions with all the family. She adds, “Well behaved dogs are welcome all year round in John Lewis shops and now they have a chance to tell Santa just how good they’ve been.”
Whilst of course, we recognise the tongue-in-cheek nature of it all, dogs can’t speak words about how they’re feeling, never mind tell Santa paws how good they’ve been. And with social pressures to meet the big man, and queues forming, it was an event we didn’t want to re-create.
So with dogs’ comfort and their humans’ stress levels in mind, this year we’re focusing again on the simple gestures to thank our fantastic customers and offer a little something special to their lovely dogs. We welcome you to Healthy Pet Store for mulled wine, a slice of stollen or a mince pie, and a special Christmas cookie for your canine friend.
ALL dogs are welcome.