Dogs in Stores???

[harbie]

I did not say all dog owners would leave it, I said that it would happen and it probably will eventually.

Just so you know I wasn't referring specifically to anything you said. I was referring all ALL the comments along the same line.

[Darth Penguin]

Just so you know I wasn't referring specifically to anything you said. I was referring all ALL the comments along the same line.

Given I've seen full Pooper-Scooper bags with the final instructions as 'Dispose responsibly" in the middle of a children's gated play-ground in a private day-care...some folks do seem to need reminding..Just like the person who left a diaper next to the McD's playarea..or the supposed lady who left her heavily used ST stuck to a public toilet wall...

Some people just don't get being human!

[nwf1946]

Bugs me (as a dog owner) when people with small dogs feel that they can take then anywhere

[tjthemanto]

I have a child who is terrified of dogs and I am allergic to them. Dogs do NOT belong in stores unless it is a designated PET store.
And come on...you can't compare children to dogs. It doesn't matter that kids are noisy, messy, and gross. You know why? Because they are PEOPLE. They are covered by the human rights act and last I checked, dogs are not.

I used to work in a fast food restaurant and people would come in all the time with their little dogs in arms or in bags and were always confused and offended when we told them that the dog needs to leave. Its a health regulation. Its the law....

Plus children are very very unlikely to bite someone or jump on someone and scratch them.

Dogs no matter how well behaved are quite capable of doing the above , when they are in a public place surrounded by strangers they don't know or even other dogs they don't know.

Just because your dog is nice to you , does not mean that he will act the same way with others.

I have seen perfectly friendly dogs go ballistic because they wrongly felt threatened or felt their owner was threatened , due to the sudden or different movements of harmless strangers.

[tjthemanto]

I understand the relationship people have with their dogs, but like many have said, not everyone is comfortable with dogs. I am absolutely terrified of German Shepherds because I was bit by one when I was 8, completely unprovoked. I once had a panic attack on a subway train because of one. It wasn't that particular dog's fault, he was well behaved and just happened to walk by where I was sitting but being attacked has really traumatized me for the breed. I wouldn't want to be shopping in a clothing store and then encounter a German Shepherd. I avoid places like parks and pay attention when I'm walking and walk away from them.

The problem too is that some people think their animal is trained but it is really not. And some dogs can be huge. My friend's dog is like 80lbs and is as gentle as can be, but sometimes he forgets his size and he's very clumsy. From a store's point of view, they wouldn't want him in it because a place like Home Outfitters will have tons of broken dishes. He can also intimidate people simply because of his size. And people are sometimes very selfish; your rights as a pet owner do not necessarily trump mine as a non-pet owner.

You will be surprised how many people hate German Shepherd just bcoz they were extensively used by the Nazis during the holocaust and concentration camps.

Ofcourse not the dogs fault , but some people look at them from that point of view.

If they are not socialised properly , they can be extremely protective of their territory and their owner..and are known to attack people totally unprovoked.

Its just a dog being a dog , nothing more nothing less , but the consequences are deadly

[idonovan]

i have been bitten and scratched by children.... seen it happen in stores as well (to the mom or whoever there with) but still just saying...

[Darth Penguin]

my neighbours have a Great Dane..It's eyes are level with mine at 5 ft...big ferking doggy. It's owners don't want to understand why I don't want it near my kids...

It's a lovely, friendly dog but it can and has knocked me over..

[Darth Penguin]

You will be surprised how many people hate German Shepherd just bcoz they were extensively used by the Nazis during the holocaust and concentration camps.

Ofcourse not the dogs fault , but some people look at them from that point of view.

If they are not socialised properly , they can be extremely protective of their territory and their owner..and are known to attack people totally unprovoked.

Its just a dog being a dog , nothing more nothing less , but the consequences are deadly

GSDs are the UK policeforces dog of choice for routine canine patrols.I'm not sure about other countries.

They are one of the larger breeds who have been breed to be obident and have strong jaws and teeth. That's the dog's blessing in a good situation and a curse if they have a less than scruplous owner. same for pit-bulls and Dobermans.

I'd take a well trained GSD or Dobie over an over-excitable poodle or terrier-type dog.

[Shwa Girl]

Bugs me (as a dog owner) when people with small dogs feel that they can take then anywhere

Popped into a grocery store to use the bank machine.
Lady with a dog in the top of the cart.
I asked her, gently, if this was a service dog. No.
I reminded her, gently, that grocery stores don't allow pets (there is a huge sign on the door)
She became angry
I told her, gently, that I will be calling the health inspector, and she told me to do so (not so gently -- swearing). The customer service manager was approaching her when I left.

When there is open food in the meat department, produce department, bakery, deli, fish section, I just don't understand why she would think it's o.k. for her to bring her dog and also for her to ignore the signs at the entrance and exit.

[d.ot]

Popped into a grocery store to use the bank machine.
Lady with a dog in the top of the cart.
I asked her, gently, if this was a service dog. No.
I reminded her, gently, that grocery stores don't allow pets (there is a huge sign on the door)
She became angry
I told her, gently, that I will be calling the health inspector, and she told me to do so (not so gently -- swearing). The customer service manager was approaching her when I left.

When there is open food in the meat department, produce department, bakery, deli, fish section, I just don't understand why she would think it's o.k. for her to bring her dog and also for her to ignore the signs at the entrance and exit.

Or people with cats that let them jump up on tables and walk through food...yuck!
I visited a friend with a few cats. One of them jumped on a side table that contained chips and salsa. The cat licked the chips, walked over the salsa (who knows what dander fell in), and the friend kept eating the chips like it was totally normal. Needless to say, I never ate anything at their house and stopped visiting altogether.
Pets are pets, treat them as such.

[redhdlois]

Popped into a grocery store to use the bank machine.
Lady with a dog in the top of the cart.
I asked her, gently, if this was a service dog. No.
I reminded her, gently, that grocery stores don't allow pets (there is a huge sign on the door)
She became angry
I told her, gently, that I will be calling the health inspector, and she told me to do so (not so gently -- swearing). The customer service manager was approaching her when I left.

When there is open food in the meat department, produce department, bakery, deli, fish section, I just don't understand why she would think it's o.k. for her to bring her dog and also for her to ignore the signs at the entrance and exit.

The rules don't seem to apply to certain people.....and then they get mad at YOU for mentioning the rules.........shaking my head.

[Shwa Girl]

The rules don't seem to apply to certain people.....and then they get mad at YOU for mentioning the rules.........shaking my head.

I could be wrong, but I had a feeling that she knew that her dog should not have been in the store.
I think this lady was testing the waters.

Personally, I think would be more comfortable at home -- too much excitement at the grocery store and too much temptation to sniff, smell, lick or take a taste of the products in the store.

Not fair to other customers either. And not fair to the dog.

[terry2144]

I agree with this. I am a dog lover. My dog is very friendly. When kids ask if they can pet him I say no. I had a friendly dog that nipped a kid who was running by. He broke skin and I paid for injury (drugs etc ) and my dog was under muzzle law after that. I was also a courier for 14 years, many get bitten by dogs who's owners say are friendly including me. Dogs are protective and that is why I love them. I'd never take my dog shopping even if he was small. On the other hand, when my son played hockey he brought his little dog inside his jacket. I had no idea he was there.

[Shwa Girl]

I agree with this. I am a dog lover. My dog is very friendly. When kids ask if they can pet him I say no. I had a friendly dog that nipped a kid who was running by. He broke skin and I paid for injury (drugs etc ) and my dog was under muzzle law after that. I was also a courier for 14 years, many get bitten by dogs who's owners say are friendly including me. Dogs are protective and that is why I love them. I'd never take my dog shopping even if he was small. On the other hand, when my son played hockey he brought his little dog inside his jacket. I had no idea he was there.

Thanks for your comment
Questions: Doesn't your dog feel better when he is home? Is it stressful for dogs to be waiting in cars -- they look stressed to me? Is a grocery store too much excitement for a dog with all the lights, noise, music, people, carts etc.

Just wanted a dog owner's opinion.
Thx

[Purdee]

I love dogs and have two. The only store I take them to is pet store i.e. Petsmart. I did take my little one to work with me but I do have my own office and my work allows it. Studies have shown dogs can provide a calm and relax environment and can increase productivity in workers. However, I understand there's a small % of the population that is still terrify of dogs for many reasons i.e. was traumatized when they were little. It is encouraged that workers speak up with they have issue with my dog and I'd be completely ok with stop taking her to work. I have not taken my dog to work in a year because I go to too many meetings/travelling and cannot leave her alone in the office - would not be fair to her. We still have a worker bringing her dog to work and everyone loves him. Some of our local hospitals have a pet therapy program where certified pets are allowed to visit patients. In these cases, the dogs are happy as well as the owners and the people they visit.