Views on Bringing Dogs to Stores

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

LOL My uncle didn't have a chance to even touch the stairs, he barely got through the door

Well u didnt say that so........... I just think if your dog is in a completley inclosed (of course with the some of the netting for air) carrier, its going to keep there hair and dander in the carrier.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

I already knew all of that, I said what I did because someone made it sound like he actually had contact with the cat, when he didn't.
I do remember a lady on here awhile back that was so upset, as she bought a yorkie, thinking her son wouldn't be allergic to it, and he was, so she had to rehome the yorkie, I just remember her being so upset over the whole thing as she loved that little dog(and it was a pretty little thing too)

No I said he had contact with things that the cat had touched not with the cat itself.

[nneessaa]

Everyone has good points here. If a Yorkie is allowed, why not a Great Dane? People would say, why is their dog allowed, but not mine? I definitely can see if everyone allowed their misbehaving dogs in the store how chaotic it would be.

Also, regarding the cat, just because it is in a different room does not mean the hair, smell, and dander isn't everywhere else in the house. Our aunt is allergic to cats and we put our cat in the garage when she comes, but it doesn't help obviously because the cat was still in our house before. Vacuuming doesn't help either, it just stirs it up into the air. Unless you got your entire house cleaned top to bottom and locked the cat up a week before and did a cleaning everyday to get the smell out of everywhere but that ONE room, I don't think locking up the cat would help.

[BamaFan121s]

On another note, unless it is a pet supply store or some store that caters to pets, I cannot fathom why any establishment would take the risk and allow pets in. That would put a huge liability on their heads and I just don't see why they would be willing to take the chance.

[jdonica]

I like to take Harley places with me also. Alot of times he is in his carrier and people never even know that he is there. The are only a few places where I will take him in and let him down or even in the shopping cart. I did get asked to leave a WalMart once because of Harley, and he was in his carrier. It was actually kinda funny, the greeter at the door asked me, "Ma'am, is that a service dog?" I tried not to laugh and wondered if I had said yes what she would have said. Since I am not a regular WalMart shopper I didn't notice that there was a sign on the door. I try to pay more attention to the signs now.

Jeri and Harley

[dianethomas]

Originally Posted by cocoangel

One day I made a quick stop at Target with my little girl (in my tote bag) and a sales person informed me that I would have to leave because I violated the health code.....

Same thing happened to me, but at Wal-Mart.

[dianethomas]

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Same thing happened to me, but at Wal-Mart.

Funny thing is, though, when I had to take Zaccheus with me everywhere I went, when he had to be fed every hour or two, nobody even knew he was there.
Consequently, he went to the mall, Wal-Mart, Kroger, the movies, etc...

[JoeyP]

Live in an area that is EXTREMELY dog friendly
we have an open air shopping area that has many many dogs
walking wiith their owners
sitting with them while they eat dinner at out door restaurants
but not all places are going to be friendly
esp if your dog is walking on a leash instead of being held

One thing .... if you bring your dog any place
You need to know that you are responsible for his behavior
No one wants to hear a barky dog
or have to pull their child away from a dog who is lunging at them
no matter how cute he is

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

On another note, unless it is a pet supply store or some store that caters to pets, I cannot fathom why any establishment would take the risk and allow pets in. That would put a huge liability on their heads and I just don't see why they would be willing to take the chance.

It really depends on the location. As others have mentioned, most establishments in Manhattan allow dogs. I think it's just part of the culture, and given how little space everyone has, small dogs are very popular. If you are wealthy enough, I'm sure you could take your yorkie into Tiffany's and no one would bat an eye.

People are generally pretty chill about it in San Francisco as well, though it's not like New York. A lot of stores near parks will have dog water bowls and biscuits at the ready. They want people to buy things in their stores, and they're not going to let people's dogs get in the way.

I've been thinking more about it and I'm not sure why I think some places are okay and some are not... for instance, I would never take Thor into a shoe store, because he'd be eye-level with some of the shoes, and I'd be too worried he'd pee or chew on one. Starbucks on the other hand, everything is enclosed, and usually at least one or two people come up to play with him.

As for big dogs versus little dogs, I honestly think that's why many places require you to carry your dog. Not because they really want you to carry your dog, but because it imposes a size limit. I'd love to see someone come in with a Husky on his back though.

[chloesMama]

When we were Halloween camping ( pets were welcomed) they had a hayride and I had a feeling they weren't going to let me on with Chloe. I had no problem staying back and waiting if they didn't allow her ( no signs were posted at the ride) .Sure enough when it was our turn he said, "I'm sorry but that cute lil one can't come " EVERYONE , not only the ones in out party, wanted her to be able to come (they all loved her ) but I stayed back. I didn't mind. He felt bad for having to ask me but I understood and was fine with it. If I could then he would have to let everyone regardless. So I can see from a stores point of view ...saying NO DOGS simply cuts out the issue of which can and which can't ( aside from Service dogs) . But if I don't see a sign.I will still try and just see what happens

[phfgkl]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

No I said he had contact with things that the cat had touched not with the cat itself.

Thats what I'm saying. He didn't have contact with things the cat had touched. The cat got there about an hour before my uncle, my uncle walked in the front door, and that's all it took

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

It really depends on the location.

I think you misunderstood my point. I can't understand why any establishment would allow it due to liability reasons...location has nothing to do with that. I'm fully aware that the commoness of it varies geographically, but that wasn't what I meant.

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by tmatherly

I think dogs should be allowed if they are contained...either in a carrier or stroller. Apparently an opinion not shared by most stores! I was so mad about the fall craft fairs (which are outdoor events) that had signs that said "no dogs allowed". It was one of the few activities that I had fun doing with my dogs and they are always well behaved in these situations.

I pointed out to one of the organizers of the craft fair that my dogs are cleaner than most of the kids running around here and certainly didn't touch the merchandise!

Totally agree. Stinky homeless people with lord-knows-what (lice, etc.) can also enter stores with food - which I find unappealing.

I always take my dog in a carrier in stores or carry him with me (do not take him into restaurants/grocery stores) - I never walk him on a leash in stores. This makes him easier to control and also less-conspicuoius.

[QuickSilver]

No, I just meant that if a lot of people have their dogs with them, a store is going to miss out on sales with a no-dogs policy.

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by Bhikku

I personally am not crazy about dogs in stores other than pet-based stores like Petsmart. Petsmart has pet cleanup stations to sanitize any area where a pet might have an accident. Other stores don't, and I don't trust some dog owners to clean up after their pets the way they should.

I don't want to be shopping around in a place which is covered with trace amounts of urine and feces. *shrug*

That being said, I enjoy taking Ollie to Petsmart where he can be around other dogs and a variety of people in a controlled environment. But every time I bring him in, no matter how recently he has been taken out, it seems like he always poops as soon as we get in the door. It's a nervous reaction or something. Very embarrassing...

I feel like you, and my fletcher does what your Ollie does. The second I get him anywhere he poops. It must be nerves or something, but whatever it is, I don't want him doing that in a grocery store, mall or any other store!

I take my dogs to a lot of places with me, but not stores unless they are pet stores. I take my dogs to the drive in movies, people's houses, car dealership when I have service done, outdoor ice cream stands, the beach, most recently a hotel in Boston that was pet friendly. I want them to be with me, but I know they cannot always be with me. I wish i could take them to work with me!

If my grocery store started allowing pets in it, I'd have to find a new store. I LOVE animals, but not all are clean and well kept, A food store is one place that should not allow pets at all.

My friend is HIGHLY allergic to my boys. Shes a mess within 5 mins of stepping into my house/car anywhere they have been. Also I have an aunt deathly afraid of dogs. I know fear like that. Im afraid of heights. But I do not have to climb ladders to get into stores and such. Fear is real and a person should be able food shop, eat at a restaurant in peace without being in fear of a dog in there. Society as a whole, people need to come before dogs, even though most of us like our dogs more than some people! LOL