From my own experiences and from what people say here, it seems as though it really depends on the workers in the store and how they feel about dogs. I take Kiwi into the mall and everyone at Macy's and the Body Shop, etc. all love her to pieces. As long as she is inside the bag, they don't care even if she sticks her head out. The bank and the post office seem to be the same way. The Home Depot here doesn't have a problem at all, but I haven't had her walk in on the leash, always inside a bag.
I have been afraid to let her be seen in Target because so many people have been kicked out of Target and they seem to be big about enforcing rules (like the no soliciting rule). So she goes into her carrier and no one sees her. We haven't had a problem.
I really don't see what the big deal is if she is in a bag and wish more places would let her in as long as she was in the bag. How could she possibly contaminate the food if she is in the bag? But, I respect the rules and don't take her into the grocery store or restaurants. I think in Europe, many places allow dogs in restaurants and I haven't heard of anyone getting sick because a dog was sitting next to them. |