We have taken the girls to Target a couple of times, in their carriers of course, we just try to be as sly as we can....it has worked for us several times, but we have been asked to leave once!! Other than that, we have taken them to the mall a couple of time and to buy my books for classes but other than that we just take them places we know are okay.

Tucker is in training to be a service dog, too. He is able to tell when my blood sugar is too low and alerts me. We tried to train him to pick things up for me but he doesn't give them back! My problem was he was such a marker that I couldn't take him in stores! Now that he's been fixed I'm hoping he'll do better at that. We haven't been anywhere in a while, such crummy weather.

I would never take my dog(s) into an establishment that says, "No pets." And, I really don't think it's cute to sneak them in - particularly restaurants.

However - the first night I got my pup, I stopped by Safeway on the way home to get some food that I was told he should have. It was very cold that night, and I couldn't leave him in the car. So, I bravely went in with him. I didn't hide him, but was ready to explain my reasons for bringing him in.

The end result was that I hurried along and did my little bit of shopping as fast as I could and went through the checkout stand as quickly as I could. Many people commented on the cute little pup (including the employees). And, we got in and out with no problems.

I don't know what I would have done, if I had been told that he wasn't allowed. I think I would have taken him to one of my neighbors and then returned to the store to get the things I needed.

I try to follow rules. If I can't -- I step up and explain my circumstances, and more often than not --everything works out.

I'm not a prude! I really don't suppose that there is anything very wrong with sneaking a tiny little pup into a motel room - but, if we plan ahead - we can stay usually stay at a place where our little dogs are welcome. And, that's a better thing to do.

I remember honestly just hauling my cat into a motel room - it was late at night and we were tired -- and I didn't even know if they had a pet policy.
I just wasn't very smart about traveling back then....... Anyway - nothing was ever said. So - it worked. Today, I would check pet policies in advance.

Carol Jean

I have 2, a 9 lb yorkie and a little one. She can go in her carrier and I could get in anyplace but it is a little harder with 2. Especially my Rio who can get very bossy about leaving when he is done being there :D . But in all honesty I feel it is easier to just go places they are welcome,it is uncomfortable to me to have confrontation about my dogs. When I travel I use only pet friendly hotels. The last time we went to NY Mignon barked at every noise she heard in the hall, it would have been very inconvenient to have to leave in the middle of the night, when we went to a restaraunt for an anniversary party we left our cell number so the hotel could call if they were loud and someone complained.
It is nice that we have a pet friendly mall in our area and almost all stores there welcome small dogs. Not the restaraunts but there are tables out in the common area.
I do wish that some stores would be a little more lenient but I can fully understand the health codes in the restaraunts. I was in the business for many years and the fines are steep.
I don't go out as often as I used to to be sure but if I know I am going someplace that won't welcome my dog I just don't take them.

My daughter and I took Parker to lunch at Charcoal Pit with us. One of his carriers looks like a gym bag, so no one knew. He sleeps on my daughter's lap all through church service, but we have a small really friendly church. He hates staying in the carrier. I took him to Acme, but he wormed his way out and I had to carry him while pushing the cart. It was hard to believe how many other Yorkie owners I encountered on that one shopping trip! He won't stay in the purse-type carrier I have, which is a bummer.

I have only taken Kalena to work a couple of times, and to the pet store. I am gutless when it comes to that :) !

Same here.

I really don't understand the thrill of sneaking them in places where they're not supposed to be. :confused:

I remember when Mojo was first brought home, I took him into a gas staton and everyone loved him (no sign posted). That week, I tried to take him into Wal-Mart (without a carry and there was no sign posted) and we would told that we couldn't bring him in (he was so small too).

I get embarassed and mad when I'm confronted like that though! So, I normally think pretty hard before I take him in some place. We have tons of different pet bags, put sometimes he just doesn't want to be in there....he likes to be around all the people.

We took him inside a small country gas station, just to pay for gas and was told that he was no allowed in there (course, he was in my arms the whole time and there was no food by the door where the cash register was). I told that lady that he was cleaner then anything in that store including her! But that was just her being a crab because Mojo has been in there several times when others are working.

My bank loves to see him come in...if he is not with us, they ask where he is. I took him to Eureka Springs (a small shopping town) and he went into every store with us. We asked at a local eatery if we could eat there and the owner said sure we were welcome there (we sat outside on the patio and he stayed in my lap the whole time). We even took him into a candy (chocolate) shop. The only place there that did not allow him was a taffy store (no sign posted), we were getting ready to buy some taffy (so we had been in the store for awhile) when they realized he was a puppy (I guess), so we just left and said that we would buy some taffy from the other store...and we did!

I agree...if there is no sign posted, how do you know, so it is a chance. I sort of agree that they shouldn't go everywhere (even though that just kills me to say that because I am with my little guy 24/7), but I know friends that own resturants and they can get fined heavily (the chances of that happening or slim, but there is always that chance and I would hate to be the cause of it) and I know of several people that have fear of dogs (small too....which I think is funny) and people that are allergic (even though Yorkies are said to be good for this).

I personally would rather be in the company of dogs than most people I have met! I would definitely rather stay in a hotel room with a dog than a smoking room! I wish the towns around here were more "dog friendly"!!!

I don't do it for the thrill of breaking rules. Shelby just goes everywhere with me. She is in a bag that doesn't attract attention so unless someone does a purse check, we are safe. I have always been a rule follower but those days are over. If I had a red hat and a purple dress I would wear it.

I guess this thread is about sneaking them in. I might be better off mentioning when I leave her at home. she missed out on a funeral and dinner at a 4 star restaurant this week. she didn't care about the restaurant, she has been there before and wasn't impressed. A couple of weeks ago she enjoyed her first movie out but slept through most of it. She woke up long enough to see (and hear) King Kong and she is sure she could kick his butt. The grocery store is a pretty regular outing but the sprinkler warning bell in produce confuses her. She thinks it's the doorbell :eek: so now I leave her at home if a lot of produce is on my list. I only stay at hotels where she is allowed b/c I don't like worrying about her making a little noise.

Sorry if it offends some of you that I don't follow the rules. Part of it is the therapeutic attachment I have with this dog and part of it is my new rebellious attitude. Getting old can be great.

gotta find that red hat to match my new tude.

I couldn't agree with you more on your post! :thumbup: Everything you said is exactly what I do and feel.

There is soooo much crap w/ humans in this world too, and me bringing in Ransom in his carrier is not hurting anybody IMO. A well trained fur kid in his/her carrier isn't so much sneaking it's a part of my life.

If I am ever asked to leave I will respect that and do so. This has never happened before, knock on wood.

But as I grow older I find that what I do shouldn't always concern anybody else as I don't feel I'm bothering them or intruding. Life is short and I plan on enjoying it with my fur kids, at home and in public.

Doesn't offend me at all. I just don't understand it, that's all. Hope I didn't offend you by saying so!

I adore my Yorkie. I'm far and away more attached to him than I've ever been with any of my other dogs. But I don't feel the need to take him everywhere with me. And despite the fact that I'm aging, I don't feel the need to break the rules.

So, I guess I can't relate is all I'm saying.

I love your new 'TUDE!!!! I have always been a tad rebellious and not a rule follower just because there are rules...I have trouble with the rules usually because some just make no sense!!! The ones that do I follow to a "T".

The therapeutic nature of dogs is well known..they keep blood pressure down, they make people smile, they are natural healers and the law is recognizing this more and more thankfully. They now allow "emotional support" dogs to be service dogs to people who need the emotional support for whatever reason, degression, grief, anxiety, whatever....this is a great thing for us and our dogs.

The United States is one of the least dog friendly countries in the world and I am glad to see that changing...in a lot of European countries dogs are everywhere, including restaurants. Like Germany...you see German Shepherds out with their owners in nice restaurants all the time. :thumbup:

Have to admit to taking Rif (Tiffany) into many places and being amazed that they didn't seem to mind, not grocery or eating places altho once at Walmart and this just in the garden shop had some old geezer greeter tell us to get that g***d**** dog out of here. felt like kicking his cane out under him..lol
But the creme d creme was touring Graceland and no one ever had a clue a 4 lb yorkie got to see the kings house.....

I have takent Tori to a mexican restaurant in Austin. The people sitting close by, saw the waitress looking in my purse. At that point almost everyone in there had to see her when they realized I had a puppy in my bag. The manager even came to the table to see her. Of course she was only 10 weeks old at that time. I also, take her to starbucks with me.
I was in Memphis recently and had Tiffany with me, took her into Starbucks and the customers had a fit over her. It's good advertisment when you breed.
Of course their favorite place to go is PetSmart.

I have never taken Teddy anywhere only because he gets nauseaus in the car and i hate to see him throw up. I just feel its selfish wheni know hes gonna get sick to his stomach. BUt i used to have a Chi named Tinky (RIP) and i took her to Publix one time to cash a check. Well let me just say that the EMPLOYEE was flipping out saying that I had no consideration for peopel because some people have allergies and all this other BS. I was really mad but i guess she was right in some way.

I live in downtown Manhattan and it is VERY pet friendly here. However, there are some places that don't allow dogs and I have to say I just put Chewy in his carrier and go in. NO ONE knows he is over my shoulder and when we leave I can take him out and have him walk again!

I've done it
 

I have taken pixie everwhere so far that i go got her this new purse like carrier and we go to walmart been to goodies we go to walmart 2 times a week and no one ever said anything they dont know she is still and quiet gone shopping never out to eat the again we dont go out much either but when we go shoppen i take her and if we go to someones house we take her or to the jiffy mart and we do go everyone looks for her which makes me feel good and she knows no strangers and that is good also and i love her new bag and everyone thinks its a diaper bag when they see me carry it with my daughter and they look at my hubby funny so he dont carry it much he says its not right so if he takes her out he just takes her but she loves to go and hates to stay at home even though she loves her crate or bed we call it. :aimeeyork

I have taken my new yorkie puppy everywher fast food places, markets, once we took him to costco and they made us leave. we also took our cocker spaniel to a hotel with us where there was a $500 fine if there where any animals found in your room we snuck him in a suitcase with pillows over the top and his little head sticking out!!!!

These are all funny.......I just wish I was more "brave" and that there were more places in my area to take him.

I really don't see the big deal.....after all, my little guy is cleaner and better behaved than most kids (and adults) I have seen!!!! - especially in the area I'm in! Ha,Ha!

I've seen tons of little furbabies left alone in cars (for long periods of time) and I just can't imagine doing that with Mojo.....anyone could steal them and you would never know who! That is a horrible thought and I just cringe when I see a little one left alone!!!

I ususally think twice about taking Parker, but have found that places are a lot more friendly. During Christmas shopping, there was a lady in TOYSRUS with a large dog on a leash, and I don't think anyone said anything. At an ice cream store, they had a stash of treats for the dog visitors. When I went into a medical supply place to pick up something, one lady made such a fuss and asked to take him into the back office. I could hear all the ladies back there loving him.

I think once I find the right carrier for her I will take her more places....I think she would like that.........but my friend was asked to leave Walmart with her Brussels Griffon.....so I am not sure about there........

Just out of curiosity, what restaurant in Santa Barbara? haha, I live there so I was just wondering.

I've taken Debbie many places in her Petote Bali Bag. The movies for one. I let her come out in the dark if no one is around. We go into all the stores but she's in her bag and no one can see her. I did take her into the hospital a couple times as we were out doing other errands. As long as no one knows she's there, we don't have a problem.

I did sneak her into a motel room once. The place was a dump anyway but then I was hoping she didn't bark. That could have been problem.

I've taken my baby everywhere with me since I got him 4 months ago... truth is I don't give a rat's butt who thinks what about it ... I've had so many positive experiences ... Nobody seems to mind him at all .. even in stores like the grocery where I sneak him in the bag ... the manager knows me and sorta winks and smiles at me ...I had him in the stroller once at Trader Joe's it took them 45 minutes in the store to realize it was a dog lol .. they told me very nicely that dogs were not allowed .. again the manager winks and smiles and asks me to make my way to the check out and to "take my time leaving" ;) All of my regular neighborhood haunts love having him and make a fuss over him ...

Walmart, Target Mall.... haven't tried a restaurant yet...

Peanut has been every where from old navy to the gap to walmart whole foods Target Best buy , Various malls. Ny waterway ( ferry)....PATH (train), Subway ... I could go on for days...lol

I have a 11 lb Bichon Frise that I've trained to go everywhere with us :cool:. I started training her when she was a puppy & she's now 10 years old.

We can use any sort of bag/ backpack. Pick one that doesn't looks like a doggy bag. You can alter a regular backpack or large purse easily. She also lays in a baby sling (Target sells a great one for real babys that works) dressed in baby clothes.

We just make sure that her noise is poking out of a zipper. She might move her head back into the bag & go to sleep :dogzzz: but if you have shown her were the opening is she will move to it or use vents when she wants. Sometimes she pops her head out, but she knows she has to be quiet to get away with it- she's so quiet about it she wont even get our attention. If we catch her head out, we help her readjust in the bag (she might be uncomfortable) & pat her head. She doesn't bark or cry in the bag- you train them with treats dropped in to the bag & constant attention. In the beginning you need to constantly pat them/keep your hand on them.

Out of the bag- she's a different dog altogether. She'll bark at any person walking by or knocking on the door. In the bag, not a peep!

Always goes into Costco- stopped once exiting, employees checked my backpack for security reasons- they thought they found a shoplifter :omg: ! They were surprise but not mad, I explained that I was traveling :car: & didn't want to leave her in the car- she never gets out of the bag. I guess I was paying too much attention to my backpack & caught someone's attention :shocked7q . She's been back many other times- only when we are traveling out of town. Target, Walmart, Drugstores, Supermarket, Restaurants.

I stay in hotels that except pets :dog: , but I can not stay in a smoking room. I have noticed that they make pet owners stay in smoking rooms. Thus, I still have to not list my pets. I choose the hotel because it's easier to take her out for potty walks.

Yorkies & Bichon's have hair not fur that's why they don't shed & are less likely to interfere with people's asthma & allergies.

I would rather sneak my babies into a store than leave them in a car, but to each their own!

Really? Do they charge any differently? Weird question, I know, but my boyfriend has celiac disease and would really love to eat at McDonald's.

I worked at mcdonalds for 4 years and they will make you anything you ask for, we used to always get people asking for big macs without the bun (atkins dieters), we would just dress the burger as normal in the foam container and serve it with a knife and fork.

I'm in the UK though but don't see why it would be any different, I've even had a woman ask for a icecream sundae with pickles in it, she was pregnant :rolleyes: :p