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.