WHY Do You Sneak Your Dog Around?

[butterfly]

I am like the other girls 'because I want to'.. Some of you here are SOOOO critical of other people I can hardly believe it.

No I don't take my yorkies to draw attention to myself. The one I had for 15 years loved to just GO. The baby now 11 mos old loves it too. I enjoy the company of them and most places don't even know she's with me because she is contained. Some places get excited when they see me coming so they can do the 'pass around' with her.

I also travel with mine so they are in places that most dogs don't go. Have I taken them in restaurants? Yes. When I am traveling in airports especially, and I want to eat, no one even knows she's with me.

The rest of you that think it's so bad...get over it!

[jkat]

Originally Posted by butterfly

I am like the other girls 'because I want to'.. Some of you here are SOOOO critical of other people I can hardly believe it.

No I don't take my yorkies to draw attention to myself. The one I had for 15 years loved to just GO. The baby now 11 mos old loves it too. I enjoy the company of them and most places don't even know she's with me because she is contained. Some places get excited when they see me coming so they can do the 'pass around' with her.

I also travel with mine so they are in places that most dogs don't go. Have I taken them in restaurants? Yes. When I am traveling in airports especially, and I want to eat, no one even knows she's with me.

The rest of you that think it's so bad...get over it!

I totally agree! I take Aggie with me most of the time (except at work) because I'd miss her if I didn't. She's very well behaved, never causes any trouble. I don't let her walk on the leash when we're in stores or restaurants; I put her in her carrier. Most of the time, people don't even know she's there.

I think because I take her everywhere, she has no fear in anything and has become very well socialized. She loves to go outside. When she sees me dangling her leash or picking up her carrier, she runs right over.

Who wants to be at home all day?!

Yes, if you don't like it, get over it.

[SnowWa]

I am the one who is totally against sneaking our pups into places or taking them places where they aren't allowed.

But -- I certainly do agree that there are emergencies - times when you can't leave them in the car and you have to get something or go to the bathroom, etc.

Even I - did this once. I unexpectedly got my little 8-week old pup on my way home from work. It was winter and very very cold. I had to get some food for him, karo syrup, etc. It was late, I was tired, and I live 9 miles past the store. And, I was afraid to live him in the car.

So - I put him under my jacket and went on the fastest shopping trip I have ever been on in my life. I ran - got what I needed - and was out of there in only a few minutes. Only one person even noticed him -said he was cute - I said "Thanks" and continued running to get out of there as quickly as I could.

If someone had stopped me and told me he couldn't be there, I would have taken him home and then have gone back to the store. But - we made it!!!

So - yes - I know there are times when we might need to bend the rules. This was the only time my pup has been any place he shouldn't be. I would never deliberately take him anyplace he isn't allowed.

Carol Jean



Carol Jean

[londonteatime]

Balance is key. I think it's good to take Bobby to Petco so he learns to deal with other people/dogs/sounds and situations and so he doesn't think that every ride in the car ends up at the vet! I take him for rides to places where I don't have to get out of the car, like the motor bank or drive thru dry cleaner.

I do NOT think it's healthy for him to think that every time I go out, he will, too. Dogs need to have coping skills for the times when they will be alone and, yes, I do believe that "alone time" is as good for dogs as it is for people. I don't want my dog to turn neurotic if he isn't constantly played with, acknowledged and cosseted. I want to raise an emotionally healthy dog who is self-assured.

There will be times, invariably, that they will be separated from us for an extended time and as good pet parents it's our responsibility to make sure they handle those times well. Bobby will be spending the night at the vet's office when he's neutered and I need to prepare him for that. He will also go to the kennel when I move my son into his college dorm at the end of the summer and I want to leave him there with confidence that he will have fun and do well. My other dogs love the place and have a great time!

Julie

[LaviniaHyacynth]

This is my Question.....I don't have an opinion against all of you that do NOT take your dogs with you...Why do you care so much about what we do?

The allergy thing is a lame excuse...People with life threatening allergies usually carry the anecdote to their allergins and those with milder allergies are certainly aware of the risk of being around the public. Do not take this as I don't care what happens to them...if someone were to say to me that my dog was causing them discomfort I would leave. As for the MIL, it sounds like she would have issues just standing next to any of us WITHOUT our dogs due to the hair or scent or whatever it is that makes her sick. I feel bad for her to have to live her life in this much discomfort.

[StewiesMom]

Yeah, I'm not buying the allergy excuse either. but I do think it's gross for an animal to be in a food store. And I think it's rude for people to subject store owners to large fines or license revocation for "allowing" a dog in their establishment.

So, in short, if little LeeLee Yorkie is in a carrier w/ her owner in a store and an inspector is walking around, the store owner is screwed. LeeLee's owner doesn't get in trouble for sneaking her dog in, but the owner of the store gets large fines and may even get shut down. I don't know about anyone else, but I would feel pretty awful if I ruined someone's business.

[StewiesMom]

Sorry, I just got off topic. I just wanted to pose the question as to why it is so important to have your dog with you. I love having mine with me, but I realize it's impossible and it subjects his comfort and my efficiency in running errands.

[jkat]

I realize restaurant owners have their difficulties in allowing dogs in their establishments and thus if they said no, I don't bring Aggie in, not even in her carrier.

However, if the restaurant people (like the ones I have been) don't mind (I know because they even greeted her) I don't see any problems.

Again, I don't prance Aggie around. Most places I have been allowed her because they see she's confined in either her carrier or her pouch. She won't be able to do any harm or damages in the store.

If, I were like the girl mentioned in the post, walking around the store, showing everybody her puppy, I have no doubt I'd be kicked out too. The thing is, I don't.

Maybe where I live is just different.

[DaisyMaesMom]

I just think that a dog is a dog.. Regardless of size.. Do we want a 105 lb lab walking around in a grocery store? No, and I realize that our babies don't walk, most of the time they are carried, but to some people, labs and great danes are their babies.. Obviously, they can't be put in a carrier.. Should they be treated different?? No, I just think it's unfair. If you have to sneak them then you know it's not allowed, regardless of a sign or not.. Food establishments should not have dogs in them period.

[jkat]

Each person is entitled to their opinions and do whatever they'd like to do. We come to YT to express and to share our love the one common thing in our life: yorkies.

However, in this case, why do I feel "judged" just because I bring my dog almost everywhere?

It's absolutely ridiculous that I'd have to feel this way.

Again, if people in the stores expressed to me that they do not like my dog in their establishment, I'd take her and leave. But so far, I haven't encountered any.

[LeslieA]

I take my OZ just about everywhere with me ... the drug store, target, my grandma's dr appointments ... to friend's houses ... the mall ... I took him to my niece's Christmas musical at school ... I mostly keep him either in his stroller or the carrier. When I go to the doctor or dentist .. I get a sitter for him ... When I go to get my hair done.. he sits quietly in his stroller next to me .. I've started to order my groceries online and have them delivered ..it only costs $4.00 ... it's the ONLY place it seems he isn't welcome. ( I've sneaked him in more than a few times in my bag when it was too cold to leave him in the car.) but nobody knew he was there.. quiet as a little mouse.

I do it for several reasons .. Number ONE..I don't like being away from him! I have 2 larger older dogs who are doggie door trained and WILL go potty in the house if I block it off .. Little Oz tends to aggravate them and I am concerned about a tussle breaking out ...I have a pool and don't feel comfortable ever letting the little guy outside alone. I have a playpen for him ..but he hates it .. I mainly use it when I can't watch him for a few minutes ...I'm certain that if I were to leave him in there for more than a few minutes he would scale the top and get out ... While it's true he does attract an awful lot of attention in the stroller ...what's so bad about people thinking your puppy is cute? but honestly, that's not one of the reasons I take him along ...

I'm an empty nester ... I need someone to lean on ..and I love the company.

To each their own ...

[Kate]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Kate, you should start a new thread with your questions or I don't think you will get the help you would like. Just copy it and you should be good to go.

Thanks. I guess I am just venting as I have two other threads on this.

I feel so sorry for Sadie. She is so un-energetic. So not like her.

[Gingergirlsmom]

The only time I take mine in where its questionable is when I'm already out and need to stop somewhere. I used to take her to work with me, and since I didn't get off until 5:30 or 6:00 pm, sometimes, going the whole way home, dropping her off and running back out, when I only had to grab a couple of things at the drug store...well her carseat doubles as a carrier...it was just easier to take her in with me.

Leaving her in the car is not an option. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her!

When we're traveling, we look for restaurants that allow dogs on their patios - just ask, there are more than you think - and places where she's allowed. I usually research the area we're heading to (or through) and located dog parks, parks where dogs are allowed, and activities where they are welcome. For example, we spent some time at the finger lakes in NY last year. While we left her in the home we had rented for much of the time, we also took her along to several wineries (not sneaking), to an indoor/outdoor flea market that welcomed pets and found a bike trail where we could spend a day riding (with her safely ensconced in her basket). But sometimes, you're in a pinch, and you've gotta do what you've gotta do. I've never taken her into a grocery store or restaurant (except as explained above) but have seen another yorkie in the grocery store once.

Regardless, I think dogs should be allowed more places. BIG DOGS AND SMALL DOGS. In some parts of Europe, they're everywhere, even restaurants!
One of the best things you can do for your dog is socialize them, and that's hard to do when it's NO DOGS ALLOWED.

[londonteatime]

"This is my Question.....I don't have an opinion against all of you that do NOT take your dogs with you...Why do you care so much about what we do?"

Personally, I don't care. To each his/her own; We're all individuals with different lifestyles and such.

I do think the breed gets a bad rap, though, and finds itself the brunt of jokes. When I told friends I was going to get a Yorkie, I was teased mercilessly by a few and found myself having to defend myself and the breed. Folks joked that I should just splurge on a Dooney-Bourke handbag because those don't need to be potty-trained; I was asked if I wanted a dog or a fashion accessory; and I was called "Paris."

It was all good-natured fun and I laughed it off but it is sad that's what a lot of people think of Yorkies. They're such bright, loyal, cool dogs!

Julie

[LaviniaHyacynth]

Originally Posted by londonteatime

"This is my Question.....I don't have an opinion against all of you that do NOT take your dogs with you...Why do you care so much about what we do?"

Personally, I don't care. To each his/her own; We're all individuals with different lifestyles and such.

I do think the breed gets a bad rap, though, and finds itself the brunt of jokes. When I told friends I was going to get a Yorkie, I was teased mercilessly by a few and found myself having to defend myself and the breed. Folks joked that I should just splurge on a Dooney-Bourke handbag because those don't need to be potty-trained; I was asked if I wanted a dog or a fashion accessory; and I was called "Paris."

It was all good-natured fun and I laughed it off but it is sad that's what a lot of people think of Yorkies. They're such bright, loyal, cool dogs!

Julie

Why do you care what others think of Yorkies?