Actually, this probably has more to do with state laws, than individual store policy regarding food being sold, but I've always wondered why it's okay to have a dog eat with you if it's on a patio, but not in the restaurant. It like they think the dog germs will be more potent inside? :p

I wouldn't lie about having a service dog just so you can get away with it! That's just going to make it harder for people who really do have service pets. Leaving a pet in the car is not an option but rules are rules if you don't like them then keep your pet at home so you don't have these problems. I don't think the older couple were in the wrong they probably were looking out for the store & just didn't like the fact that you brought a dog in there. Doesn't matter if he's in a purse or not fact is you can't have PETS inside the store. I read all the comments and don't feel anyone is being judgemental but honestly what were you expecting from everyone? Sometimes people need to realize that yeah you may love them and they are so cute and your babies but they are still pets! Rules are rules. Just learn to follow them & you won't have these problems.

I think because on the patio you have people with dogs walking by anyhow and it is well circulated. :D If you are trying to have dinner inside with the smell of a dog or hair attaching to your food, it isn't very appetizing. :p

"In many areas of the country, inspectors have become more tolerant of pets. In Los Angeles, for instance, health inspectors allow dogs in outdoor café seating areas, provided there are no barricades separating diners from pedestrians, and that you don’t have to walk through the normal restaurant to get to the area, the way you would with a back patio."

Oh, I never thought about the smell, that's true, some dogs aren't bathed that often. My babies smell better than most people!

While I totally agree with you, I have heard that even though it's not right to lie about it, an establishment can't ask you for proof if you do say so. Don't know if it's true, but a friend of mine works at a supermarket and she said they aren't allowed to ask for proof.

There's a place here in CA called Lazy Dog Cafe. They started with the premise that you can bring your dogs in the patio. They even have a dog specific menu! You can't bring them anymore. :rolleyes: At least the location in Torrance you can't anymore. There's only one other location I know of and I don't go that area often. But they are building a new one near me so we'll see. But I heard the food is not that great.

This is off the Department of Public Health in LA
In February of 2012 a policy was created to allow restaurant owners the choice to allow animals on a open patio as long as the following was followed.

Guidelines for the Allowance of Pets in Outdoor Dining Areas

Pet dogs may be allowed to enter the exterior areas of a food facility's outdoor dinning area if the following requirements are met:

*A separate entrance is present where pets do not enter through the food establishment to reach the outdoor dining area.
*No food preparation shall be allowed at the outdoor dining area including the dispensing/mixing of drinks and ice.
*Customer multi-use or reusable utensils such as plates, silverware, glasses and bowls shall not be stored, displayed or pre-set at the outdoor dining area.
*Food and water served/provided to pets shall only be in single use disposable containers.
*Employee shall be prohibited from having direct contact with pets while on duty.
*Pets shall not be allowed on chairs, seats, benches, and tables.
*The outdoor dining area shall be maintained clean.
*In cases of excrement or other bodily fluids (urine, saliva, vomit), employee shall immediately clean and sanitize the affected areas.
*The outdoor dining area shall not be fully enclosed (a fully enclosed dining area shall be considered to be part of the interior area of the facility).
*Business operators are obligated to follow local city ordinances related to sidewalk, public nuisance, and sanitation issues.

For information on helpful hints for dining outdoors with your dog, please visit Department of Public Health.

Exactly, we take care of our little ones better then most. I have known people that rarely ever bathe their dogs but want to take them everyone. It is unfortunate that a few ruin it for others, but it is understandable.

In Los Angeles County there is a policy that allows business owners to make the decision at restaurants as long as it is outdoors and they comply with the rules under the policy. Most places it is a state law, but in some situations it is the choice of the owner.

I was not allowed to enter a Costco once when I tried to bring Uni in a bag when she was a puppy. I guess it depends on the door person.

Used to be Home Depot around here let you bring dogs in the garden dept. We brought Uni several times and she was walking on her own, no problems. I even saw a man bring his cat! Now on all the doors there is a huge sign that says no pets.

Therapy dogs are required to wear their therapy dog tages or patch on the vest.

It is odd to me how some restaurants let you take your dog out on the patio and some dont. The restaurant where my Son works wont let you because they say its a Health violation yet in the same city in a very dog friendly area of town they will let you at all the restaurants. They even bring out a dog bowl of water for your dog. If we ever move thats where we are going to move to

It depends on the area and the policies in place. If a policy is in place that allows dog, it is usually up to the owner to decide if he would like to allow dogs in. In short, it isn't mandatory that they allow dogs in, it is an option if they would like to implement (only in areas where a policy is in place).

In Dallas today I went into a Walgreen's and asked if Tibbe could come in and they okayed it. He rode in the baby seat in the cart, charmed everyone and we were in the drug section picking up drugs and the food section getting ice cream out of the refrigerated area. Wonder what the difference is with some stores where food and drugs are sold being ok with dogs being around and others not allowing it.