I understand both sides. I look at Jackson as my child and he goes almost everywhere with me that he can. He's bigger at 12lbs so anywhere that he can be on a leash and walk himself he goes.
I can carry him but only for so long! I don't really see how it would be a problem if you bring your dog into a store with shopping carts and let your dog ride in the cart but a lot of places like Target, etc won't allow it.
I do agree that it's difficult because how can you tell one person they can't bring their Great Dane inside but you can bring your Yorkie? Great Danes are also peoples "children" and I don't think it's necessarily fair to allow some and not others when both can be equally behaved. So I think it's a tough call, hence why most places don't allow them.
I do agree that I've seen kids that act WAY worse than Jackson ever would. I also must say I get grossed out when I see a bunch of kids with snot running down their noses, coughing, etc and then I always end up getting sick
A dog could never get me sick like that! LOL.
I don't know, like I said... I see both sides.