I like to take a dog with me when I can.
I will take my girls with me to mall, (if I have them both) in the stroller. No one can touch them then. If I have only one I always have her in a bag, I don't let them on the floor.
If I go to Wal Mart, I go through the garden dept with my doggie in a bag. I do not go around the food area at all if I have one with me. It's usually for some toiletries or garden supplies, etc.
I have taken one in a bag into a restaurant when I was traveling, but closed in the bag and sleeping. I have had them in a stroller on a patio for lunch.
I know that people think I am nuts, but what the hey!! I REALLY don't care what they think. These are my babies!!