What I don't understand is if a working dog (for people with disabilities) is acceptable (they walk on the floor) in stores or places that have food...why not allow a dog that is small and secured in a carrier bag or stroller. Businesses giving the excuse about a health violation is bogus, and having a health violation code on carried animals but not working animals is ignorant. Any dog walking on the floor is more likely to bring filth to the store than a dog in a carrier or stroller.

because you have to draw the line somewhere. if I let you in with your well behaved dog in the stroller then what excuse do I give to the redneck with the pit? Service dogs are trained to do their job, focus and NOT create a problem. They should be concentrating solely on their job and not soiling the area, barking or looking anywhere but where they are supposed to be looking etc... if the service animal is not perfectly behaved then someone is passing off a pet and should be looked at a little more closely. I would love to take my kids everywhere, but I understand the merchant's dilemma. I wouldn't want to have to deal with every freakin' dog out there and I wouldn't want the lawsuits on why this dog was acceptable and that one wasn't. Takes the onus off me.

As a new furbaby mom I had Bella Mia with me to pick up my son in another city. On the way home we decided to go to Costco. We put Bella Mia in her carrieer which looked just like a big purse. We did really well until we started passing the tables sampling food and Bella Mia started barking. A manager came and asked me to have Joshua take Bella Mia outside and then I could finish my shopping. I told the manager unfortunately it is hot outside and if the puppy goes so do I. I TOTALLY understand the no dog policy at places that sell food. It was my mistake for taking her in there but as a new mom I was still new at the whole thing and well hell if Paris Hilton can do it why cant I???

I have seen a service dog throw up on the floor and another pee. No matter how TRAINED they are they are able to have accidents and relieve themselves in public places. They are dogs and not humans and will remind us of that at times, no matter how well behaved/trained they are.

The excuse for not allowing them in is usually they are bringing is because of hygene and are touching the floor. Service dogs do just that too...touch the floor...can bring in germs.

I dont take my dogs anywhere that they arent allowed. We go into feed stores, lumber places, like lowes, home depot etc and of course petco's and petsmarts and I only stay in hotels that allow pets, if they dont, we dont stay there or my dogs dont go.. :)

They bring in no more germs than you do on your shoes. My dh has a spinal cord injury. I have researched/dealt with this on that level and the law enforcement side. I would love to take my dogs everywhere, so I get this side of it also. True service dogs will NOT relieve themselves inappropriately in public. Many people are passing their pets these days by getting online, bogus certificates. Whatever. I do not equate my desire to take my pet to the grocery store with the necessity of a disabled person who has to have his service animal to assist him/her with their activities of daily living. That would be pretty self centered, don't you think?

The costco incident...LOL, ..I've done the same thing at walmart supercenter...I forget that those huge places sell food, I run in for something non food related and bam...there I am...

Peanut will go to

My tanning salon
CVS
Home Depot, Lowes

That's about all I take him =)

I remember one time when he was just a little pup lol My dh and I went to Hooters and we took him in there lol!! All the Hooter girls loved him and they even gave him a little hooter towel!! :rolleyes:

So funny you should put this up. I had to drop the girls off at the groomer to get their ears done, and I ran over to Costco and got that out of the way because I know they won't let them in. Then when I picked them up, I put them in the cart (openly), and we went to Lowes to run and errand. Lowes has never banned them and always welcomes them.

When I took Maya to Rodeo Drive they let me eat at the sidewalk cafe, but I had to wait on a table that bordered the street walk so she could be on the outside, but right at my table. Still I was thrilled to have her with me there.

P.S
 

Peanut also goes with me to the Chiropracter, nail salon and of course to work with me everyday :D

Hubby and I did this in California once and all was well till she decided to take off after a bird. Off went the dog still attached to her bag! She stopped right away but everyone was laughing, she was gonna get her a bird! lol

As far as well trained service dogs go, we have a friend who is blind who has had a couple service dogs (one died). They come to her very well trained but she said it's up to her to keep them that way. If she slacks off so do they after awhile. She said it's hard sometimes to keep treating them as a service dog when you love them so much as a pet as well.

Maddie

you might find this helpful it is a link to everyplace in Austin, Texas that is "dog friendly."

DogFriendly.com's City Guide: Austin, Texas

WOW...getting a bogus certificate to pass a pet as a service animal is terrible! People like that have no shame!

My desire (and probably others too) to take my pet to the grocery store has nothing to do with a disabled person either. What I don't like is for store managers to come up to tell about some hygiene rule when a small pet is secured in a carrier. This happened to someone I know here and the store that complained has changed it's rules because of too many pet carrying customer complaints. They realized it was good for their business to accept small dogs in carriers. That is the exception, small dogs in carriers. They have even put in a huge pet products section with all sorts of pampered pet items for small dogs. They saw the $$$$$.

I am very grateful that I live in a city where pets are considered as family members, and small well behaved pets are allowed to shop and dine (outdoors) with you in peace. There is nothing self-centered about that. The days of the back yard chained up pet are shrinking...at least for people who value quality living with good sense. But for a person who has a non-trained mis-behaving dog (or even children for that matter) a business should have the right to ask them to leave, because THAT is hazardous and disturbing for others.

I imagine it would be difficult...LOL most service dogs are by their very nature beautiful and loving souls...I'd be hard pressed to be a continuous disciplinarian. I just hate to see their necessary place compromised by society's need to indulge itself. I already see some of the disabled's rights be eroded by the misuse of the service animal certification process, let alone the posh puppy crowd. Having a disabled dh and a diva doggy, I think I see both sides of the equation.

Both of my girls would blow this anyway. Service dogs are focused and don't pay distractions or other people any attention. My little praise needy divas would run over to everyone as usual, fail to look straight ahead, or even LOOK like they were doing anything noble. LOL