Newsflash! Your dog doesn't have to go EVERYWHERE with you!

[SAHDad]

I used to be bothered by this. I have decided not to let it bother me (or my allergies, or my children's allergies, etc), and am going to stop at a pet store tomorrow and get a good dog whistle. That way, if I see an dog which is almost certainly not a helper animal (no, I am not going to buy that your teacup Chihuahua is "helping" guide you around the store), I can simply pull out the dog whistle and see if I can whistle a jaunty little tune on it.

 

[FireDancer]

I used to be bothered by this. I have decided not to let it bother me (or my allergies, or my children's allergies, etc), and am going to stop at a pet store tomorrow and get a good dog whistle. That way, if I see an dog which is almost certainly not a helper animal (no, I am not going to buy that your teacup Chihuahua is "helping" guide you around the store), I can simply pull out the dog whistle and see if I can whistle a jaunty little tune on it.

It is always better to be proactive then reactive, good call.

 

[binny]

This cracked me up! Does he carry brandy in a keg tied around his neck?

Now THAT is an emotional support animal!


FTR, I absolutly love dogs. I have had them all my life. I still dont understand why, aside from service animals, people thinkthey need to bring their dogs everywhere. Its almost as if those hollywood bimbos made it aceptable for everyone. It wasnt ok for them and it isnt ok for the rest of us!

Now if dogs are welcome, Lowes comes to mind, then Im all for it!

 

[C.Ann]

It's common for dogs to go into stores in my neighborhood, no one cares. My 115 lb lab/rottie mix went to Bloomingdale's and Barnes and Nobles all the time with me and dh before she died in July, she never had an accident even once. Oh well, you can't please everyone.

In all sincerety, I'm curious as to "why"? Did you somehow feel it was necessary? Was it convenience? Was this how your dog got her exercise?

I'm truly interested in hearing your reasoning behind outings that included stores..

 

[KPeveler]

I used to be bothered by this. I have decided not to let it bother me (or my allergies, or my children's allergies, etc), and am going to stop at a pet store tomorrow and get a good dog whistle. That way, if I see an dog which is almost certainly not a helper animal (no, I am not going to buy that your teacup Chihuahua is "helping" guide you around the store), I can simply pull out the dog whistle and see if I can whistle a jaunty little tune on it.

Yes, Chihuahuas can be service dogs. only a fraction of dogs are "guide dogs." most of them are general assistance dogs (retrieving objects, etc).

Small dogs are often seizure alert dogs, or hearing dogs. A small dog is actually better for that, as they take up less room and are easier to care for. They also live longer.

If I see you with a dog whistle in stores upsetting animals because YOU have decided they do not need to be there, I will call the police and management. I do NOT want you upsetting dogs in confined spaces. What if the dog is aggressive? (service dogs are not aggressive, but your messing with them can end up hurting their handler)

If you see something you do not like, call management.

 

[Sparx]

I used to be bothered by this. I have decided not to let it bother me (or my allergies, or my children's allergies, etc), and am going to stop at a pet store tomorrow and get a good dog whistle. That way, if I see an dog which is almost certainly not a helper animal (no, I am not going to buy that your teacup Chihuahua is "helping" guide you around the store), I can simply pull out the dog whistle and see if I can whistle a jaunty little tune on it.

Because engaging and provoking stranger dogs is always an awesome idea!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We would take her to Central Park on the weekends and would sometimes stop off at a store on the way home. Sometimes we would go out for brunch and sit outside (the dogs are allowed at most local restaurants in the outdoor seating areas) and then go for a stroll afterwards which may or may not have included a stop at some stores afterwards. Sometimes one of us went into a store to use the bathroom.

She didn't jump on people or bark, she was a happy dog and just liked to go around with us. Since the store and restaurant management was fine with it, we brought her. There is only one store that didn't allow her in around here, that was CVS. Not a problem, we would just go to Walgreens or Duane Reade instead if she was with us.

 

[SAHDad]

Because engaging and provoking stranger dogs is always an awesome idea!

I've always been rather fond of breathing, but hey, I guess I can learn to live without.

I don't mind dogs (or other animals) - but I can be rather allergic to them. And since Benadryl (and other allergy meds) has the same effect on me as a tic tac (or worse - some OTC antihistamines make it almost impossible to breathe), I'm not that fond of them in enclosed public spaces.

Sure, it doesn't bother you to bring your dog into B&N, or some other store and wander around. But it can sure as heck can bother me when I sit down in that chair hours later. And, since I then probably have dog hair on my clothes, it will also get into my car, etc.

Lots of people take the "But my little puppy is just like a member of the family. I can leave little Rex in the car, or, heaven forbid, at home, while I do my shopping." If it isn't a helper animal, or someplace where animals are expected (like PetCo), please don't bring them into the stores!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Yes, it's true my dog could have been left home but since the store management allowed it we brought her sometimes. If the store did not allow it, we wouldn't have done it obviously.

My dog did not usually sit on a chair in a store, so that shouldn't have caused any trouble for someone else later on.

I could ask people not to do lots of things that bother me, but I don't make the rules for everyone else so I make the best of things.

 

[Sparx]

I've always been rather fond of breathing, but hey, I guess I can learn to live without.

I don't mind dogs (or other animals) - but I can be rather allergic to them. And since Benadryl (and other allergy meds) has the same effect on me as a tic tac (or worse - some OTC antihistamines make it almost impossible to breathe), I'm not that fond of them in enclosed public spaces.

Sure, it doesn't bother you to bring your dog into B&N, or some other store and wander around. But it can sure as heck can bother me when I sit down in that chair hours later. And, since I then probably have dog hair on my clothes, it will also get into my car, etc.

Lots of people take the "But my little puppy is just like a member of the family. I can leave little Rex in the car, or, heaven forbid, at home, while I do my shopping." If it isn't a helper animal, or someplace where animals are expected (like PetCo), please don't bring them into the stores!

If your allergies are so bad that you cannot breathe you should be on a prescription medication. Don't presume what allergies I do or don't have. I don't even own a dog, so I don't want your self righteous rant about your allergies flaring up because I bring my pets everywhere. Because I don't. But If I were in a store, and bitten by a dog that YOU provoked, i'd take you to court over it so fast your nose would run.

 

[C.Ann]

We would take her to Central Park on the weekends and would sometimes stop off at a store on the way home. Sometimes we would go out for brunch and sit outside (the dogs are allowed at most local restaurants in the outdoor seating areas) and then go for a stroll afterwards which may or may not have included a stop at some stores afterwards. Sometimes one of us went into a store to use the bathroom.

She didn't jump on people or bark, she was a happy dog and just liked to go around with us. Since the store and restaurant management was fine with it, we brought her. There is only one store that didn't allow her in around here, that was CVS. Not a problem, we would just go to Walgreens or Duane Reade instead if she was with us.

Thanks for the reply..

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Thanks for the reply..

Happy to oblige.

 

[SAHDad]

If your allergies are so bad that you cannot breathe you should be on a prescription medication. Don't presume what allergies I do or don't have. I don't even own a dog, so I don't want your self righteous rant about your allergies flaring up because I bring my pets everywhere. Because I don't. But If I were in a store, and bitten by a dog that YOU provoked, i'd take you to court over it so fast your nose would run.

OKay, one - you must have missed the "" on my first post. I wouldn't (well, almost certainly) do it, but I have thought about it.

Two, I could take a prescription medication. I build tolerances insanely fast for that kind of thing (which is one reason why Benadryl does not work. Same goes for aspirin, ibuprofin, acetamenophine, and so on. I can take them - but a single effective dose of benadryl is more than the daily maximum, so it's kind of a bad idea unless it is an emergency).

Three - most dogs merely give me watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, and, if I come into contact with pet dander, I itch. (And, no, I cannot take a topical for the itch. See above.) Being in the same house as a dog for more than a few minutes (or less, depending on the breed) merely makes me miserable for a few hours after I have showered and changed my clothes. (Again, some breeds are worse than others - some I can almost tolerate, others make my eyes water as soon as I get within a few feet of them outdoors.)

I just don't see the need for people to bring their dogs everywhere.

 

[KatieA]

I have noticed this a lot lately too. It seems like I have seen more service dogs in the last month than I saw all last year.

 

[DVC-Don]

An employee of our nearest Lowes got bit not long ago by a beagle that jumped out of a cart in the store. Course it was "the first time it had ever done that".

 

[Silent1CB]

I used to work in an office that customer would visit. We've had dogs of all sizes and ferrets. Yes, ferrets.

 

[RitaZ.]

Yep, its a big problem over here too. A dog is the new accessory.

DH and I went to Panera for breakfast and we were charged by a woman's Shih-tzu as we walked in. She thought it was funny and kept talking to the dog in "motherese". She had no control of the dog.

Humans mess up their dogs when they assign them human traits that they will never possess.

You can't compare these untrained creatures to service dogs. It's impressive to watch service dogs. I'm always in awe of their abilities.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I was at the grocery store today and saw one of the most disgusting things I have seen there. A couple (who weren't terribly clean themselves) had 2 small dogs (mixed breeds I believe, pug sized) IN THE SHOPPING CART- there was a blanket in the cart that was so nasty I wouldn't even let my dog sit on it. Now I have seen folks bring in little dogs before- one lady in particular who comes to the store in her power chair has her little dog on her lap and I've seen others with them on leashes..... but these were riding in the cart where you put groceries. Only service dogs are allowed in the store, but nobody has to prove their dog is a service dog or what kind of service it provides (it's actually illegal to ask). It seems to be common now that people with smaller dogs think their dogs should be allowed everywhere- I just don't get it.

Oye. Yuck. I'm itching just thinking about the nasty blanket probably covered in pounds of fur and drool. It's called a washing machine, people!

I'm allergic to the fur and saliva... and to think about this in the cart where I'm going to touch... and my FOOD touching.. ugh!!

I love dogs, but there are lots of reasons they shouldn't be in the grocery store. Especially with their dog butts in the grocery cart!

Oh. EW. Not a fan of dog butts.

My emotional support Saint Bernard goes with me everywhere. Without him I may have panic attacks and need to call 911. I'm sorry if this bothers you.

That's another story altogether. Support dogs are necessary, like a walker, cane, wheelchair, or medication. Support dogs always seem like the best cared for, happiest, and most pleasant dogs I've ever seen. No qualms here about that.

---------

On a separate note... could you imagine the poop storm that would occur if I brought a cat with me?? OMG my head would be rolling down the street.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well I take my anxiety cow with me everywhere. He does get annoyed at me when we go to the butcher but I make him cover his eyes. He moos constantly to calm me. It is like meditating except I listen to his mooing to stay relaxed. For whatever crazy reason when we go to the movies people are always telling him to shush but I think they are just being crabby. Oh- and stepping in cow poop is good luck! Don't people realize this?

 

[disneycruising]

I have a small yorkie that I take with me...any where he is allowed. But, I would not take him into a grocery store. I find this totally gross.

I did carry him into Costco once... but I did not go near the food.