Dogs in grocery stores?

[Talking Hands]

Only service animals are permitted in grocery stores in my area. My husband is always teasing my friend because her service dog goes everywhere with her.

 

[Talking Hands]

I understand the need for and the law concerning service dogs in grocery stores. However, I was recently in a grocery store and came upon a man with his service dog and cringed! The dog was *extremely* well mannered and sweet but he smelled and even looked dirty. Is the cleanliness of the service dog solely at the discretion of the dog's owner? If so, this man needed some help maintaining his dog.

Most service dogs are cleaned frequently. My friend washes hers weekly and take her for a grooming monthly. The dog's owner or care giver if the owner is not capible of it, are responisible of maintaining the dog in a clean and healthy condition.

 

[KAMLEM]

I don't think that dogs should be in any public place. I have a friend whose kids are terrified of dogs regardless of how big they are. I think they should be able to go out without worrying that they may run into a dog.

 

[ilovepcot]

Most service dogs are cleaned frequently. My friend washes hers weekly and take her for a grooming monthly. The dog's owner or care giver if the owner is not capible of it, are responisible of maintaining the dog in a clean and healthy condition.

Thanks. The man didn't appear as though he could handle bathing the dog and there may not be anyone to help him. Sad! They were both so pleasant and friendly. If I encounter them again, I may go out on a limb (DH always warns me about this!) and see if I can arrange some help with the grooming.

 

[ilovepcot]

I don't think that dogs should be in any public place. I have a friend whose kids are terrified of dogs regardless of how big they are. I think they should be able to go out without worrying that they may run into a dog.

Has your friend ever considered trying to intervene and work with the children concerning this fear? Reason I ask....a nurse I worked with years ago had a daughter that was deathly (literally) afraid of dogs. She'd do anything to avoid one. She panicked when one in her neighborhood got loose and began to chase her. In her panic, she ran out in front of a car and was killed! Not a day goes by that her mom doesn't blame herself for not intervening and getting that terrible fear under control. It's *hard* in this world to avoid encountering a dog. They can be nearly anywhere.

 

[KAMLEM]

Has your friend ever considered trying to intervene and work with the children concerning this fear? Reason I ask....a nurse I worked with years ago had a daughter that was deathly (literally) afraid of dogs. She'd do anything to avoid one. She panicked when one in her neighborhood got loose and began to chase her. In her panic, she ran out in front of a car and was killed! Not a day goes by that her mom doesn't blame herself for not intervening and getting that terrible fear under control. It's *hard* in this world to avoid encountering a dog. They can be nearly anywhere.

I guess she's more of a neighbor than a close friend so I'm not sure what she has done. I just know that those kids freak out anytime they see a dog, even if it's walking down the street on a leash.