[DerbyLayne]

We bring Derby to the mall ALL the time and he's 10 pounds now! the carrier we have is enclosed, and the kind that is acceptable to bring on the train. It has wheels, so it can be like a rolling suitcase, but it can also be a backpack style. It zips up all the way. It's mesh so you can tell there is a dog in there, but there's no way he jumps out. I think because of that store owners are more than likely to allow the dog in the store because he is confined. I think it also depends on your attitude... I've seen people try to bring their pets in as if it was a baby (in their arms, in the carts etc), but you have to remember it is a PET ... and some people don't allow it. I've never had a problem, ever since I bought that carrier. Keep in mind we can also zip down the tip so he can stick his head out, and he quite likes that. If someone has a problem with it, we zip it back up.