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

[wowsmom]

True story....

Yesterday, I stopped at a restaurant to pick up some lunch and there was a lady with a BIRD on her shoulder. Ummmm....really? I kept watching to see if it let loose on her but no such luck.....

I wonder if it was a "service bird"?

 

[FireDancer]

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?

 

[aprilgail2]

I got so fed up with dogs in the food store in shopping carts that I wrote a letter to the company and from then on they started stopping people from coming in with them- its against board of health rules!
The place that drives me nuts is when people take the dogs to local arts and craft fairs- it is wall to wall people and strollers and the dogs get stepped on, rammed into with strollers and I can't see how the dog owners would actually think the dog is happy there! What really concerned me is that when the kids are in strollers they are face level with the dogs- very easily bit right in the face.
We were at the movies recently and a woman was upset because they would not let the dog into the theater- I guess maybe the dog wanted to see How to Train Your Dragon in 3D Imax! Its a DOG people- leave it HOME!

 

[olena]

I never got used to it, but when I spent a summer in France, the dogs were everywhere. They even sat in chairs at restaurants and put their paws up on the table to beg for a bite.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I can't figure out why people even want to bring their dogs everywhere. Max is such a nuisance, even in the house. Always under my feet, drooling, shredding and barking at who knows what. (Don't even get me started on his sniffing habits!)

I need that when I'm out of that house? Like it's not bad enough to live with in the house?

 

[goofyernmost]

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?

And if you think that your "cow" is a he...well that's just a lot of bull. Perhaps, a support dog might be necessary.

 

[ksumn1]

I don't have a problem with dogs at Petsmart, the park or even a festival if the dog is well behaved and kept restrained. But the grocery store, pharmacy, and restaurants...I don't understand.

I know for many people, dogs are family but even the best of parents leave their kids at home occasionally, especially if you're going somewhere that's inappropriate for them.


I admit I'm not really a dog person, and don't want dog booty on the grocery store cart, or hair in the basket I have to carry around at the pharmacy, or get sniffed by your dog while you look on thinking it's cute. That's jsut little dogs. I was bit by a Doberman at age 4 and needed over 200 stitches, so please don't try to convince me that your 100 pound Rottweiler is "really a sweetheart" because I'll never agree with you.
And service dogs are a totally different story. They are the same to me as a walker, can or wheelchair. Something needed for a person to function in their everyday lfe.

Oh, and I worked in a fast food restaurant. It is NOT funny to let your dog lean in the window, or bark and growl at me from the back of the truck where he is riding unrestrained. And no, I can't unwrap and throw the burger to the dog for you.

 

[4greatboys]

It's a big pet peeve of mine as well. I don't see the need to take Lassie to pick up little Timmy from school or into Hobby Lobby....etc.
We have a dog. We love our dog. She loves us. She stays at home when we go out. I would take her to Petsmart or a dog park but that's it. She isn't going shopping with me or places like that.

 

[hereyago]

In German especially, people do take their dogs everywhere. I remember going there and was like" what is the dog doing here".

I have a 94lb GS and a 6 lb kitten, dog only goes to vet and places like Pet smart. Kitten just to the vet.

I can't imagine going shopping with my pup.

Service dog, yes. but non service dogs, isn't going to help me shop.

 

[Planogirl]

I once saw a cat riding on a guy's shoulder at a festival. I haven't seen cats out any other time though.

Dogs should not be in restaurants or grocery stores! That just seems icky.

 

[dallastxcpa]

We once had a client bring their pet monkey into the office..... in a stroller.

 

[Cornhusk]

I think it is cool to have your dog come with you but the thing is, what if in teh store there is someone with a highly allergic reaction to someone's dog then what happens?

 

[phorsenuf]

I think it is cool to have your dog come with you but the thing is, what if in teh store there is someone with a highly allergic reaction to someone's dog then what happens?

Nothing.

 

[mkel34]

As a dog owner I completely agree with you. Please don't bring your dog to my house while I am having a party/bbq/etc., I won't be bringing mine to yours.

 

[jrmasm]

If the establishment allows it or the dog is outside, I have no problem with people bringing their dogs with them. That is assuming that the dog is well mannered and the owners pick up after it.

But I have to say, I have a hard time imagining that dogs are allowed in grocery stores.

 

[KPeveler]

I know there have been a few jokes about it, but I just wanted to clear something up.

Emotional Support animals are real. they are not, however, considered service dogs, and are not allowed in stores.

Service dogs can be every shape and size. But they will ALWAYS be well behaved. It generally takes 2 years to train a service dog.

 

[HelenePA]

I think it is cool to have your dog come with you but the thing is, what if in teh store there is someone with a highly allergic reaction to someone's dog then what happens?

Now come on.. we can not leave little fido alone at home. We might hurt his feelings. Fido is wayyyy more important than people to some... Yes pets are a part of my family but they are a different part of our family than say our children in my house.. I love my pets dont get me wrong.. I just dont think they would enjoy shopping at the mall.

 

[lillygator]

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.

what a waste of police time that would be.

 

[RadioNate]

Ugh, I don't like it either op. There is no way anyone would confuse me with a 'dog person' so the last thing I want is your dog anywhere near me.

Dog park, fine. Petsmart, ok. I'll actually even tolerate Lowes because it is a giant home improvement warehouse. But the mall? A restaurant? The grocery store? No way.

The fact is, if more dogs were actually well behaved I might feel differently. I know there are no DISers with unruly dogs. I don't want your dog jumping on me, licking me, sniffing me or acknowledging my presence in any way. I'll ignore your dog and it should ignore me. I don't want your dog to "just say hi" to me or get up in my child's face because they "just love kids."

Yes, I'm "mean." No I don't like dogs. So if you are going to drag your dog all over creation with you at least have the decency to keep it away from strangers.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

That will be fun in a store where dogs are banned, but dog whistles are not.

Folks seem to think the public fell of the idiot truck yesterday--sure there are service animals....but there is no way that ALL of these dogs are service animals. Especially when a dog owner has two of them.

I get your point--but mgmt won't do anything even if the animal is a violation (note the dog poop post).

So when the police arrive, the person can point to the sign.