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

[Tasha+Scott]

It never ceases to amaze me how entitled people are these days. Just because YOU love your animal and think they should be allowed everywhere does not mean everyone feels that way. My son is nervous around dogs. I don't know why. He has not had a bad experience with animals (yet) and he didn't learn that from the rest of his family. It still doesn't change the fact that he is still somewhat afraid of dogs. He loves our little dog but he has been raised with her so he's used to her and she is only 8 lbs. Other dogs make him really nervous. He loves seeing them from a distance but does not like them to actually come up to him. I am hoping he will outgrow this but, for now, it is what it is.

So, no, I don't think your dog is cute or sweet when it comes up to my child in a place it shouldn't even be and "wants to be friends" with my kid. When my son is clearly agitated that should be your sign that maybe the dog needs to get away from him and, yes, I will let you know that in a heartbeat. And who is to say that when my son is showing his agitation that he won't scare your "well behaved, never bites anyone" dog and that dog won't bite my child? Just because you are sure that won't happen doesn't mean it couldn't. And how would I possibly know that some strange dog I've never had any interaction with won't bite my kid just because a stranger tells me so? A little consideration for other people goes a long way. And man, do I feel sorry for the person that brings a dog into a dog-free place and then that dog bites my child. They will not want to deal with me then.

Don't get me started on people with pet allergies and how bringing pets everywhere is inconsiderate to them. I think that has been well covered in this thread and thankfully I do not have allergies to animals so I'll let that one go for now.

I do love animals but can't even fathom how an animal could mean more than a human being. That is like saying that your dog is worth more than you OWN life, you being human and all. Makes no sense to me. And what the PP said about that poll saying over half the people would choose to save a dog over a child...wow! That just makes me sick to my stomach. Says a lot about society today. I'm hoping that poll wasn't accurate or something.

Okay, now that I've had my vent for the day...I will add that I think a true service dog is one of the most wonderful things I have seen for disabled individuals and I would never have a problem with that. However, you can generally tell the difference in a service dog's behavior vs. somebody's "baby". And most of the dogs I see where they aren't supposed to be are definitely not service animals.

Also, I am not opposed to seeing animals in places like PetSmart where it is geared toward animals. I know if I take my kid there that it will be my own fault if he has a bad experience with a dog since dogs are welcome there. I'm smart enough to know what places I should avoid and which ones are supposed to be pet-free.

Oh, one more thing...I do think that during evacuations that it is okay to rescue a person's pet too b/c they are part of the family. I really do understand that. I think that is a separate issue from feeling the dog just can NOT stay home while you go buy a chicken breast for dinner. JMO.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

My neighbor goes for a walk and pushes her dog in the doggie stroller... I thought the point was for the dog and you to get an excersie....I didn't know they even made these. Then the other day dh and I moved out of the way for this lady who was talking to her "baby." When I looked in the stoller to see the little cutie...it was a dog.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

You cannot at any time whatsoever bring ur dog into a grocery store. That is against health ordinances - or a restaurant. I have personally never seen it done by us. Now as far as other stores I have seen it, and yes, I am one of them! . Our little yorkie does go a lot of places with us, and she is a very happy healthy dog. She is 11-years-old and acts like she is young dog, very playful, happy and well behaved. Many times tho I do have her in a vented bag if I believe she is going to disturb others.

 

[Mermaid02]

You cannot at any time whatsoever bring ur dog into a grocery store. That is against health ordinances, or a restaurant. I have personally never seen it done by us. Now as far as other stores I have seen it, and yes, I am one of them!

True. But if they ask you if your dog is a service dog and you say YES (even if it is a LIE) they can't make you take the dog out. No proof required AND it is illegal for the to ask you WHAT SERVICE your dog provides you.

 

[PixieTopaz]

There is a middle aged man in our area made the news because his assitant dog (a lab) was denied entrance in some store.
He has the dog because the man is deaf in ONE ear.

My DH is also deaf in one ear and cant imagine why he'd need a helper dog

We saw the guy with his dog strolling around in a bass pro shop(huge place)-silly

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Just to clarify, we didn't bring our dog inside a restaurant. Most places around here have outdoor seating in nice weather and that is where the dog is permitted. Some nights at certain restaurants nearly every outside table will have a dog there.

I've never once seen a dog in our local grocery, it's pretty well known where they are and aren't allowed. That's not a problem.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am sorry but if you (a general you) cannot go buy dinner or clothing without your dog - unless you have a real disability not some made up nonsense- then I think you have issues that would best be dealt with by a therapist. I had dogs all my life. Not once did they read the Sunday papr to see what was on sale. Not once did they insist that they had to come to Macys with me because they had a coupon. Never did they even want to come to the mall to take a look around. Maybe other people have gifted dogs?

If your dog cannot bear to be separated from you while you grocery shop etc. then again, some kind of therapy is in order. Until you get that squared away please use a grocery delivery service.

If it is a store like Petsmart where your dog is allowed then by all means have at it. Any other place where they clearly don't belong - like Kmart, the bank, restaurants etc. please keep them home. While I love dogs I don't love having to dodge them in places they shouldn't be in.

 

[PghLybrt]

Some of these comments are really quite funny.

Do we really think a grocery cart that we put raw leaking meat into is clean? Do you really think they have ever been washed?


I think many of these comments you could replace the word dog with child or perfume and get equal responses.


To each their own.

 

[phorsenuf]

Am I the only one that puts their meat on the rack under the carriage? I do that so it doesn't leak onto my food.

 

[handinpocket]

Am I the only one that puts their meat on the rack under the carriage? I do that so it doesn't leak onto my food.

I put my meat in the plastic bags they provide at the meat counter. That way it won't leak on the belt when I'm checking out.

 

[PghLybrt]

Am I the only one that puts their meat on the rack under the carriage? I do that so it doesn't leak onto my food.

The place I shop does not have a rack under the cart, just one big buggy.

 

[DisMomme]

My son has adhd (quite a good case of it too) and I can't for the life of me think of any reason he would need a service dog

I think MORE THAN A FEW people are taking advantage of the situation. I would bet better than 85% of the dogs we see in inappropriate settings (restaurants, grocery stores etc) are NOT service dogs.

You can get a service dog if you are ADHD? Wow! Learn something new everyday.

We have a service dog in our school. He was originally trained as a search and rescue / therapy dog for a child that has ADHD and tends to bolt. Let me tell you I am glad the dog is with the child. The child is much calmer with the dog next to him and he is less likely to run.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

There are some boutiques in the suburb of where I live that allows dogs but however, I only bring my darling pooch to Petsmart and Petco due to the fact of him being well over 30 pounds and a little rowdy. Even so, my next dog is going to be a pekingnese/shih tzu mix but never the less she won't be going everywhere with me. I think it would be nice to bring dogs everywhere but as far as having to deal with training issues and behavior, then it can (and will) get messy.

 

[VillageMama]

I think many of these comments you could replace the word dog with child or perfume and get equal responses.

Ahh, but therein lies the difference... children are small human beings. Dogs are not.

 

[Mermaid02]

Some of these comments are really quite funny.

Do we really think a grocery cart that we put raw leaking meat into is clean? Do you really think they have ever been washed?


I think many of these comments you could replace the word dog with child or perfume and get equal responses.


To each their own.

So you are fine with dog butts in shopping carts?

Am I the only one that puts their meat on the rack under the carriage? I do that so it doesn't leak onto my food.

I do this too.

We have a service dog in our school. He was originally trained as a search and rescue / therapy dog for a child that has ADHD and tends to bolt. Let me tell you I am glad the dog is with the child. The child is much calmer with the dog next to him and he is less likely to run.

My dog is a certified therapy dog- that is not the same as a service dog.

 

[PghLybrt]

So you are fine with dog butts in shopping carts?

Sure, I wash my food. What do I care? Like the kids crawling around in the carts with their shoes on are always 100% germ free?

The idea, of putting stuff underneath is a good idea but Ihave witnessed in some stores that is where people but their pop and paper towels and such (like at target).

 

[PghLybrt]

Ahh, but therein lies the difference... children are small human beings. Dogs are not.

True, but I said some of the comments you could replace the word because in some situations there should not be small humans either. However many feel that is ok.

 

[SueM in MN]

True. But if they ask you if your dog is a service dog and you say YES (even if it is a LIE) they can't make you take the dog out. No proof required AND it is illegal for the to ask you WHAT SERVICE your dog provides you.

There are 2 questions that people with Service Dogs can be legally asked when they come into a business.
The first is, Is that a Service Dog?

The second is, What Service or Task has your dog been trained to perform?
(The task must be something the dog has been trained to perform; just being there to be stroked to calm the person is not a task).

You can’t be asked what your disability is, but asking the Service or task is legal and can be answered without sharing information about the disability.

Even if it is a service dog, the user/owner can be required to remove the dog if it is acting in a way that is dangerous to others or if it is out of control and the owner/user is not able to control it.
Link to ADA website page with information for business owners about Service Animals.

There is a woman we have seen several times at WDW with a small dog in a stroller. Every time we have seen her, the dog is growling at people as they pass by.
We met her once coming toward us on a bridge in AK. That dog barked and growled at every person as they walked by. The people were not doing anything other than walking the opposite direction to the dog on the bridge, so I would say it was an aggressive dog. That kind of behavior could and should get the dog removed from the park, even if it is providing a service/task for the woman.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

As gross as I think a dog butt in a grocery cart is, I have kids and they can be just as gross. My DS has puked in grocery carts (sudden onset virus), and I personally witnessed the worker wipe it down with dry paper towels, and just put it back with the rest...no sanitizing WHATSOEVER .

So I just assume all grocery carts are filthy, and bag my fruits, veggies, and meat.

I do think it is ridiculous to bring a non-service 'accessory-only' dog with you everywhere...I don't think about it much.

 

[Planogirl]

Most of our stores provide sanitary wipes to clean the cart handles and so on and I guess that I should wipe down the whole cart just to be safe. The idea of a dog sitting in the cart is just wrong to me. And I don't compare this to kids because kids are people which is what stores were designed for. It's not the same thing at all.