Where can our pups go?

[Ponyup]

I can I take my Puppy into Lowes &/or the mall. I need to go pick some things up tonight and really hate to leave him, but I don't have a purse carrier for him and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this. I would carry him of course.

[eshuser]

I was wondering that myself, but my guess would be that it probably depends on the individual store.

[PinkMartini]

Definitely depends on the store. I tried taking Bailey into Home Depot in my town and got yelled at to leave with "That Dog!" Where as there are many threads on this subject in the past with people reporting being able to take their dogs into Home Depot without a problem. It depends on where you are as well, I'm sure. I live in a VERY UN-FRIENDLY dog city

[Ponyup]

I think if it's not posted no Pets then it should be okay to take them in.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I am lucky to live in a dog friendly town and my dogs are either service dogs or service dogs in training, and as such, they are allowed access to any public place that people are allowed into without restriction.

Technically, I think the health departments in most cities have ordinances which do not allow animals, other than service animals, in places where food is served, but other than that it is the "policy" of the individual store.

I know that Nordstrom's says they allow only service animals on the sign on their doors but they will not kick someone out who brings in a non-service animal. Most places in the malls in my area are dog friendly. You alos have bette rluck if they are in a carrier or a stroller or are being carried than if they are on a leash and walking.

If you have a qualifying disability and want info on the service dog laws PM me and I would be happy to help.

[chachi]

Your in Indiana like me. I have seen people with their little dogs in lowes and home depot. Ive never did it before myself though.

[jenefor]

I think it all depends on where you go and where you live....I have read that you can bring your pup into Whole Foods and i know I have brought Gidget into Deitrichs (sp) i just pick her up.....no one has ever said anything to me about it.....she has also been in the local Starbucks and little shops in town. I know I have been in our local Nordstroms and a lady had her pup with her and was actually seeing if anyone was interested in buying pups (kinda weird but they never said anything to her but how cute her pup was) and then at Target I see people all the time with them in purses.......I think if they cant see or hear them then it is all good unless someone wants to make a issue of it.

[Toby'sMama]

I take my Toby into Lowes here in California all the time. He just sits in the basket (where the kids sit), and of course has to get everyone's attention so they come tell him how cute he is. I've also taken him in to Best Buy. I don't even try to take him into any grocery stores, or inside restaurants. My previous dog I could sneak her in anywhere. She knew that when she was in her bag, she had to be quiet, so she went almost everywhere I did. Toby doesn't sneak anywhere... he makes sure everyone knows he's "in the house!"

[Toby'sMama]

Kim... how do you get your dogs classified to be service dogs? I've heard about it before, but didn't know how to do it?

[ReconsMomma]

Preslee hasnt been kicked out of anywhere yet. I have taken her to Farm and Fleet, Home depot, Boston store, Kohls, Menards, Target, Bath and Body works, Abercrombie and to the mall. I live in a very dog friendly city though. In fact they are building a 25 acre dog park in my city now. They will have 4 separate dog areas for the different sizes of dogs.

[xtine]

I too would also like to bring all three of my kiddies everywhere with me. I only take them to the park once a week. When I had only Oreo & Ginger i'd take them both to Target and the Mall and that seemed to be okay.

I'd like to invest in a stroller so I can bring them to more places. I know for sure that Wal-mart won't allow animals unless they are service animals.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by Toby'sMama

Kim... how do you get your dogs classified to be service dogs? I've heard about it before, but didn't know how to do it?

To read the actual law you can find it on the American's With Disabilities Act or the ADA for short and then "service animals" but basically I have listed the steps you need to take below:
There is a thread on here under "Training" that is entitled "Service Dog Training" and there is a lot of info that I posted there with links to the websites that are pertinent including a link to the FAQ sheet you can print out.

Basically, you just want to follow these steps:
1. Determine if your disability qualifies under the definition as set forth in the law. (I can help you with this if you are not sure)
2. Determine what tasks you would like your yorkie to perform for you.
3. Decide if you want to train the dog yourself (if they are simple tasks) or hire a professional trainer or a combination of both.
4. Start the training program. Set goals and work everyday.
5. Obtain "service dog" patches, vests, leash tags and whatever else you feel you would like to identify your dog as a service animal. Go to Raspberryfields.org, I think. It may be .net. Google it if necessary.
6. Apply for a badge for your dog from the "Service Animal Registry of America". $35 cost. Downloadabe application.

Good luck.
Kim

[orinskye]

i have gotten kicked out of starbucks when i was babysitting my friends yorkie, my fiance went in and he couldnt order for me if his life depended on it, so i just went in to order real quick and have my fiance finish up..... BAD idea, the starbucks lady had a fit, "you have to leave"........ i have found that my area is not really pet oriented, dog parks and petsmart is as good as it gets around these parts...... i havent gotten kicked out of anywhere with toby mostly because i just leave him at home if im not sure, the only place he has gone where it would be questionable would be the movies (but my fiance works there.....lol..... so it didnt matter anyways)

[Toby'sMama]

Originally Posted by orinskye

i have gotten kicked out of starbucks when i was babysitting my friends yorkie, my fiance went in and he couldnt order for me if his life depended on it, so i just went in to order real quick and have my fiance finish up..... BAD idea, the starbucks lady had a fit, "you have to leave"........ i have found that my area is not really pet oriented, dog parks and petsmart is as good as it gets around these parts...... i havent gotten kicked out of anywhere with toby mostly because i just leave him at home if im not sure, the only place he has gone where it would be questionable would be the movies (but my fiance works there.....lol..... so it didnt matter anyways)

I used to take my first yorkie, Sneaker, into the movies all the time. She'd go in in her bag, and then would sit in my lap or in my arms during the movie, then back in the bag when it was over. Sometimes people sitting behind me would see her, but noone ever complained. She only barked one time, when we went to see Crocodile Dundee, and they had a close-up of a kangaroo on the screen. I also took her to the Ice Capades, and she barked at some of the skaters on the ice who were dressed up in big animal suits. There's no way I could sneak my Toby in. He just doesn't get the "sneaking" part of it!

[alaskayorkie]

I think Alaska is pretty loose on dog laws, but I haven't pushed it. Bruce's Mom was telling us she brought Bruce into a Sea Galley restaurant in Anchorage, and the waiter not only let him in but tried to give him a piece of steak.