Where do you take your pups?

[Jacqueline]

I've been taking Taffy with me pretty much everywhere I go, including Walmart. She went to the eye doctor with us today, and was a perfect child. She is always in her carrier, along with a toy and a bone. I make sure she has ample opportunity to go potty before we leave, and while we are out (always picking up after her, of course).

Because she behaves well, she has been welcomed everywhere. We do grocery shop at the Walmart superstore, but I do not let her near the food, even tho she is in her carrier. And I carry her....never put her down....I'm funny about that.

She's going with me on Friday to do some photography. She's been to Ding Darling on Sanibal Island, and loves watching the wildlife...but she doesn't bark at any of the birds or animals, either.

So far, no problems taking her with me anywhere I go.

[Lillie's Mama]

Lillie usually goes everywhere with me. I take her to the grocery store all the time and luckily nobody seems to mind. I didn't like it the other day though, I was heading out of town and stoped at the gas station filled up and tried to go inside, and the lady told me "Your dog isn't aloud in here" I told her fine I would take my business elsewhere (and said a couple other things (not going to mention)) I just thought that was totally ridicolous. She was in her carrier and all. Whatever though, nobody else seems to mind, and I will not be going back there every again!!!

[maddoxies]

I am careful where I take Valentin because of his fear aggression issues. Little Miss Heidi Ho Ho loves people and since she has to be carried, she gets to go more places than Valentin.

[Orchid Crazy]

I voted only places where they are welcome. Many food places are prohibited by code, at least around here, which may be why the woman at your gas station would not allow the dog in. You'll never see a dog in a grocery store or any other food place unless it is a guide dog or someone is sneaking it in. I personally do not care for the mix of dogs and food places. I know how I care for my pooch, but not everyone feels or does the same. I do not relish the thought of ticks, fleas and other doggy critters mixed in with my food stuff. Story - in Florida (which is more pet friendly than most places) 2 years ago with our kids at a restraunt. Older lady walks in with pooch hidden in her purse. During dinner, pooch poops on carpet, lady leans over, picks it up with a napkin and keeps on eating. I am THOROUGHLY sceeved at this point. I was grossed out to begin with that she brought her pooch where my family is eating dinner, then this happens and we have to deal with it and the odor of it as well. Ugh - some people. I know they love their pets, but please! I love my Buddy, I'll share my food with him, but I don't expect others to have to deal with him while they try and eat. I am happy that stuff like that is discouraged around here. If it's a law for her to upkeep codes, I wouldn't expect her to break it to allow your business. Our local Home Depot will not even allow dogs in, their insurance will not cover for dogs hence they ask you to leave if you go in with your pooch, even in a carrier. The Home Depot across the NY line does allow dogs in, so long as they are in the cart or a carrier and leashed. Different insurance - different state - different liabilities. Unfortunately this is a case where the few bad eggs spoils it for many. With dog bites, attacks, etc. in the news, liability issues arise and companies will cover their behinds to avoid problems.

[Penny & Mags]

I must confess I pushed the envelope a little bit right after Penny's surgery because I didn't like leaving her at home when I traveled (we boarded the other 2, but Penny still required some special care). During that time she went to the mall, the airport and several stores that I normally wouldn't have taken her to, on our journey back and forth from my parents' home. Normally I prefer to only take them to places where dogs are welcome.

In New England most grocery stores, gas station convenience stores and all restaurants have signs that say "No dogs" (or "service animals only"). It's the law and they could be shut down if store employees do not enforce it.

Penny still gets to go lots of places though, she visits the nursing home and the school regularly, she goes to football games, baseball games and home basketball games (not all of them, but enough that she has a little Mountain Valley sweatshirt to wear ;)) as well as the little kids' T-ball and soccer games. She visits several of the older folks from church when I stop in to drop off treats or just check on them, and she goes with me when I visit some of my closer friends or my niece. All 3 girls love to ride along in the car when we run errands, as long as it's not too hot. They sit in the car while I run in to pick up dry cleaning, pay a bill etc.

Penny & Mags also get to do a lot of camping and hiking with us in July and August.

[MicheleS]

I take Sophie everywhere I am allowed to do so and it is practical. She's very sociable and loves to meet and greet. I try to be understanding that not everyone likes dogs around, though. I heard of someone I know buying a "working dog" vest so her dog could go with her. That's totally wrong because it ruins it for those that really need working dogs. I wouldn't go that far!

[Jenn]

I take Charlie w/ me only to places that will allow him. I work at Lowes part time and we allow small dogs that ride in carts. So once in a while we will go in there and visit with everyone. Most of the time I will take him to Petsmart, or to run errands and he sits and gaurds the car (weather permitting of course). He loves to go places and ride. Say "lets go ride" and the ears perk up and he is waiting at the door.

[Jacqueline]

Story - in Florida (which is more pet friendly than most places) 2 years ago with our kids at a restraunt. Older lady walks in with pooch hidden in her purse. During dinner, pooch poops on carpet, lady leans over, picks it up with a napkin and keeps on eating. I am THOROUGHLY sceeved at this point. I was grossed out to begin with that she brought her pooch where my family is eating dinner, then this happens and we have to deal with it and the odor of it as well.


I can't believe that no one complained to management about her, and had them removed. Taffy will not be dining at restuarants, unless it's one of the many outdoor ones that accomodate for pets, and she will be in her carrier then, too. She's also very good about letting us know if she needs a potty break, and would be taken away from there.

As for dogs in carriers in grocery stores....have you seen what people will let their children do? They climb all over the frozen food and open meat and dairy cases. They handle everything they can touch. I have seen kids poking holes in the packaging of meats, breads.....eating fruit and then leaving it somewhere else. Adults decide they don't want something they have in the cart, and leave it.....anywhere. How often have you seen a package of meat stuck on a shelf? Or frozen packages of veggies?

And fleas? Want to know why Walmart is pulling carpet out of the stores and replacing it with hard floors? Not because people are bringing in flea ridden pets....but because of what the people themselves are bringing in.

All in all....I prefer the dogs. They are usually better manners, often much cleaner, and don't tear open the packaging. But they don't belong inside restuarants.

[Orchid Crazy]

Scuze me, but I have children - this is two posts of yours on the animalistic behavoir of children. You may prefer pets to people, but there ARE folks here with families. I find the tone in both threads towards children EXTREMELY offensive. I do NOT allow my children to touch things in stores. I have NEVER seen or allowed a child to climb on any food, meat or diary cases. And as far as eating fruits, etc. the main folks you see doing this is the older ones who want to sample everything before they buy. We consider it stealing and even my children are offended when they see an adult to it.

Please try to be respectful to the families who are here.

[Jacqueline]

Scuze me, but I have children - this is two posts of yours on the animalistic behavoir of children. You may prefer pets to people, but there ARE folks here with families. I find the tone in both threads towards children EXTREMELY offensive. I do NOT allow my children to touch things in stores. I have NEVER seen or allowed a child to climb on any food, meat or diary cases. And as far as eating fruits, etc. the main folks you see doing this is the older ones who want to sample everything before they buy. We consider it stealing and even my children are offended when they see an adult to it.

Please try to be respectful to the families who are here.

I have children and grandchildren, too, and mine do not act like that in the store. BUT....and I am sure I am not the only one who has seen this, there are parents who are not inclined to watch or correct their kid's behavior....a lot like irresponsible dog owners.

I worked in retail for 10 years, and I am not exaggerating when I say I have seen the things I mentioned, as well as a lot more. I will not offend your sensitivities with some of the truely gross things I have personally witnessed. And I am not talking "bad neighborhoods", either.

I never allowed my children to run thru the store like wild creatures, running thru clothes, turning over displays, taking things from other people's carts, or throwing things in carts. They weren't allowed to smear food on anything, spill drinks everywhere, tear up books and magazines, etc. And they would NEVER have repeated some of the language I heard twice, trust me.

I live in an area that have heavy tourist traffic, so it's just not people from an isolated area....we saw it from snowbirds as well as locals. Frankly, a lot of the adults weren't much better. Imagine young men riding thru the store, trying on bras, and claiming they were being discriminated against when they were told to knock it off.

I am not the first person to take notice of the bad behaviour of children and teens. There's a reason they have started banning unattended children in malls. So, if you are personally offended, then accept my apologies to your family....but I stand by what I reported. Animalistic behavoir is your term, not mine.

Incidentally, there is a lot of senior citizen munching in the stores. So much that the stores refer to it as grazing. When I brought it up to management, they told me since they eat the evidence, it was hard to stop. It costs the store....and ultimately the rest of the shoppers, a lot of money.

[HawaiiDoxieLover]

but yes, we've also been banking, to malls and drugstores together.

[Doxie_88]

I hate it when people bring their dogs into Wal-Mart and similar stores eventhough they shouldn't and they're excuse is that they're small. My large dogs can't go into those stores so I don't think Tia should be allowed either just because she's small. A dog is a dog, no matter what size. My dogs only come into places that allow dogs like pet stores, the vet, dog parks and the like.

[Flipper]

I would go 90% with Only Pet Friendly places and 10% Everywhere. Flipper travels with us A LOT. Whenever we are on the road and have to stop somewhere, I always ask to speak to the manager and politely inform them of my situation and ASK PERMISSION to take Flipper into their store in her carry pouch. Nobody has ever refused permission. I am considderate of other people and Flipper HAS to stay in her carry pouch. As for restaurants, it has happened before that on our travels we stop to have lunch/dinner. We ALWAYS sit outside (the South African weather permits this) and have never had any complaints. I agree that some kids behave worse than my dog, but some dogs also behave worse than my dog. Everyone should have a fair chance to enjoy what they are doing without disruption from pets and children and it is up to parents/owners to ensure this.

[xsnmodr8tion]

Until it gets unbearably HOT and HUMID. every where, I take them on MINI Road Trips almost daily. When my other half goes grocery shopping , the boys and me just walk around the strip mall - great way to learn to be around people , sounds, smells and noises - makes for a nice energetic 30 minute walk exploring new things for them.