Spin-off: Are Pets Allowed in Stores?

[goofy!]

I didn't realize those were the only 2 options.

I'd rather see them left at home. I don't like the entitlement factor people seem to have about bringing their dogs places they shouldn't be.

What if the stores and restaurants allow dogs?

Many, many stores (except grocery stores) and restaurant patios around here allow dogs. You can't say they shouldn't be there because not only are they allowed, but most places they are welcomed.

Our Alfalfa's Market has a doggie parking lot out front, equipped with doggie bowls, shade, and a small water splash area, since regulations don't allow the dogs in the store. But the store made sure it took care of the pups.

I think the dog culture differs from place to place. It is very dog oriented around here.

 

[JanaDee]

I only feel comfortable taking my dog to a pet store. I did see a dog at my local garden center a few weeks ago. It was small enough that it was carried.

I understand not taking a pet into a store that sells food (grocery or restaurant) but if you have to run into a hardware store or home improvement store, I would rather a person take their dog with them than leave it in a hot car.

TC

Why do you "have" to take them anywhere? Leave them home where they belong.

 

[JanaDee]

I haven't noticed this trend where I live. But if it is happening, my guess is that it is probably a reflection of our society becoming more "accepting" of things in general. Might as well get used to it.

No, it's more about people thinking rules don't apply to them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Wouldn't it be better to see them in the carts than people leave them in hot cars??

It would be better for them to take the dog home and then return to do their errand.

So no, it isn't better to take them into the store.

 

[aaarcher86]

What if the stores and restaurants allow dogs? Many, many stores (except grocery stores) and restaurant patios around here allow dogs. You can't say they shouldn't be there because not only are they allowed, but most places they are welcomed. Our Alfalfa's Market has a doggie parking lot out front, equipped with doggie bowls, shade, and a small water splash area, since regulations don't allow the dogs in the store. But the store made sure it took care of the pups. I think the dog culture differs from place to place. It is very dog oriented around here.

If the dogs are allowed then I don't have a problem with it at all. But, that's not what I had gotten the impression this thread was talking about.

I have 2 dogs. I love going to stores that allow them, but most of the time it's a bigger PITA then it's worth since they aren't purse puppies.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What if the stores and restaurants allow dogs?

Many, many stores (except grocery stores) and restaurant patios around here allow dogs. You can't say they shouldn't be there because not only are they allowed, but most places they are welcomed.

Our Alfalfa's Market has a doggie parking lot out front, equipped with doggie bowls, shade, and a small water splash area, since regulations don't allow the dogs in the store. But the store made sure it took care of the pups.

I think the dog culture differs from place to place. It is very dog oriented around here.

As long as signs are posted and it isn't against the law.

There was a local restaurant where I used to live that wanted to permit dogs. Even with how they were accommodating them (which I found reasonable), the Health Dept said no can do and the practice has to stop.

My preference will always be for dog owners to not think they are above the law or above the policies that businesses have in place that prohibit their dog on site.

 

[jrmasm]

If the dogs are allowed then I don't have a problem with it at all. But, that's not what I had gotten the impression this thread was talking about.

I suspect that quite a few people are objecting to dogs in public regardless of whether they are allowed or not.

 

[Planogirl]

From my understanding the laws vary from state to state. In Texas only service dogs are allowed in places that serve or sell food products and that does not include therapy dogs. Many restaurants have pet friendly patios though but it gets awfully hot here!

 

[aaarcher86]

I suspect that quite a few people are objecting to dogs in public regardless of whether they are allowed or not.

That's not my personal interpretation, but if the dog is allowed their objections don't really matter.

I've haven't seen complaints of more and more businesses allowing animals, just more people noticing dogs in those same places and disliking it.

 

[design_mom]

I saw a St. Bernard in our local Sears once. He was the nicest dog and we had a nice chat with the owners. My husband asked if it was a service dog (my husband loves St. Bernards and was interested to know what it could do), and it wasn't. It was just a pet. I was surprised that a dog like that was allowed in Sears -- obviously, they weren't trying to hide him -- but our local newspaper ran a story about "dog friendly" establishments and it turned out the whole mall allowed dogs.

Unfortunately, after the article ran, all sorts of people started bringing their dogs to the mall and not all of them were well behaved. We witnessed several "potty accidents" that were just left in the middle of the floor and a "dog fight" between two leashed dogs that were passing each other. Shortly thereafter, the mall changed its policy and now pet dogs are not allowed anymore.

I have seen the same small dog in a shopping cart at the grocery store recently (might have been the same dog both times). It appeared to be well behaved, but it is still kind of weird to see a dog in the grocery.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

There's a swanky outdoor mall nearby that is very dog friendly. The restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs, and it's not uncommon to see them lying next to tables. There are water bowls in several areas for dogs. However, most businesses are strict about not letting them inside. There are signs on many of the stores saying "no dogs." I was browsing in a clothing store there once and a little dog's head popped out of a woman's bag. She tried to shove it back in but it started barking. An employee came over and told her she had to take the dog outside.

My husband was seeing his eye doctor at the same mall and I was sitting outside waiting for him. There was a couple sitting across from me with a stroller facing them. They were gushing over their baby, giving it treats from a baggie, talking baby talk to it, etc. My husband texted that he wanted me to come in and help him pick out new frames. As I passed the stroller, I glanced at the baby. Yep. It was a dog.

 

[runsandjumps]

I see people with their dogs at malls and stores all the time. If it's a dog wearing a best I tell my kids to keep their distance since they are working. If I see a small dog in a purse or being held, I may point it out to my children if it's cute. If it's in a stroller at a mall I think it's over the top. As long as the dog is being quiet I don't mind so much.

I did see a few people sitting at the outdoor area of a restaurant. I was just glad they weren't eating inside. I think dogs can be great, but I prefer to eat away from them. My kids have allergies so I try to limit their exposure.

We were at a lake the other day swimming and a lady was tossing a ball just to the side of the swimmers. I can't say I was happy about it- especially after I read the no dogs allowed in the wading area.

But I pick my battles better now.

 

[wilkeliza]

Wow so much judgement in some of these posts.

I take my dog with me into stores all the time. If I am out walking her and I realize oh gosh I need toilet paper I am not going to tie her up outside in order to run in and get it. I go somewhere that I know allows dogs and take her in. I live in NYC and hear too many stories of dogs getting mauled by either dogs that other owners can't control or being stolen while chained up outside. Also I always see people feeding other people's dogs stuff when they are waiting tied up outside.

There are also a lot of restaurants here that are dog friendly. They have outside seating specifically for people with dogs. We go out with our dog at least 2 or 3 times every summer. Nobody here cares.

Also for flying we take our dog on flights all the time. We pay 100 for her ticket through Jetblue and if I didn't tell you I had her you would never know because she is the quietest dog I have ever owned.

Our favorite place to take her is Bed Bath and Beyond. They are very clear dogs are allowed and even off dog carts. We always use the dog carts and she loves it. It lets us get two things done at once with out having to go to BB&B and then come home and get the dog and go for a walk. We can do it all at the same time now.

We have also taken her into grocery stores (always in her bag never out and in the cart) because we can't just leave her in the car and when we visit the in-laws it is a 45 minute drive back into town if we were to drop the dog off first. Management has never said anything and if they were to say something we would politely apologize and one of us would go back to the car and with the dog and wait with the AC turned on. Some stores just don't care or even encourage pets.

 

[npierce25]

I saw two dogs in strollers in a bakery a few months ago........ Then when I looked there was another song in the ladies purse.....

 

[LiveYourLife]

Besides a pet store, I never see dogs out and about. It's probably because I'm too engrossed in my smartphone and not speaking to my family to notice my surroundings. Oh well.

 

[jrmasm]

That's not my personal interpretation, but if the dog is allowed their objections don't really matter. I've haven't seen complaints of more and more businesses allowing animals, just more people noticing dogs in those same places and disliking it.

Yeah, people disliking it but that doesn't mean the dogs don't belong. I'm pretty willing to bet that in most cases, if you see a dog, the dog is allowed.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Besides a pet store, I never see dogs out and about. It's probably because I'm too engrossed in my smartphone and not speaking to my family to notice my surroundings. Oh well.

 

[Talking Hands]

I see smaller dogs all the time that are service dogs in stores. Several of my friends have hearing dogs and smaller dogs are often used for diabetics and epileptics because of their keen sense of smell. Although they are not official service animals both my dog and cats will wake me when my sugar goes low at night.

 

[aaarcher86]

Yeah, people disliking it but that doesn't mean the dogs don't belong. I'm pretty willing to bet that in most cases, if you see a dog, the dog is allowed.

From my experience, it's the opposite. But I will say, I typically frequent the same stores so I know their policies.

 

[Piper]

Although Lucy works well without her vest, I do put it on her when we are in public. She is small (9 lbs) and I'm afraid people wouldn't know she is a trained service dog if she didn't have it on. She is a diabetic alert dog and has also been trained to alert me when someone is at my door and when a beeper goes off on the stove, microwave, etc. She also tells me when my phone rings and picks up and returns the many things I drop. She is very valuable to me.