Sgt Grit Marine Forums

.....that is the question!!!!

 So I took a little trip to the mall for lunch.  Went into Borders, flipped through a few books, sat on one of those foot stool things and read/people watch.  Suddenly, a lady walks in with her pooch (dog) in tow.  Not in a carrier, not in one of those stroller things, but on a leash as if she was walking her dog in the park.  The pooch was a little ankle biter, maybe about 8-10 lbs.  Don't really know the breed, cute little sucker, well behaved, but an animal none the less.  Then I started to ask the all important question....since when is it acceptable to bring your pooch into department stores, malls, grocery stores, and everywhere else for that matter?  Has the age of Paris Hilton influenced everyone to bring their four legged friend into public places?

 Now I know that some people are extremely attached to their furry friends, but I wouldn't dare dream of bringing my black Lab into the mall to hit the weekend sales.  Nor would I bring him to a restaurant or any other public place.  For one, he's a pretty big guy.  Two, for other people's sake.  What if someone is allergic or have a phobia of dogs? 

So, my question to all of you is....is it acceptable or unacceptable?  Why?  Are you one of those people who bring their pooch everywhere?  If so, why do you feel the need to bring them with you?  Can they not stay at home? 

I'm really interested in your feedback....maybe I'm just not seeing something that many other people are seeing.

I was amazed yesterday afternoon when I saw a woman at the "Flower Fields" carrying her little fluff ball (really couldn't tell you want it was, just hairy and small) under her arm... I understand that the Field part is outdoors, but then they of course have the whole tourist trap part that is indoors where they are hoping you'd spend your $$$ and she was carrying this thing through that section...

Now I understand people having "working pets" IE seeing Eye-dogs, or "working pets" who are currently under training - but I personally have never understood the need to bring an animal into a store or public venue - other than open markets, or something like an outdoor Jazz festival...

When I was living back at home, and working in Fred Meyer's (which is kind of like a Super Walmart but higher quality) I can't begin to tell you how many times I had to tell patrons that they weren't allowed to have their little dogs with them... And I got very bad reactions from most of them - I don't personally understand it, but I know people who get very offended if you tell them that they can't bring little Miss Princess into the store.

Definitely unacceptable. I mean, I love dogs, but people can leave them at home once in a while too. The only acceptable store in my opinion to bring dogs into is Petsmart or Petco. But what I do think is worse is when people bring their dogs in the car with them, then go shopping and leave the dog(s) in the car with just a window cracked. :( That makes me want to call the ASPCA or Humane Society.

I went not too long ago with my boyfriend's mother to go get a new dog, and we ended up having to go to Walmart. We brought the dog in, but she was wrapped in a blanket in my humungo purse, so no one could really see we even had her. Plus, we were only in there for about 10 minutes. I was so nervous we would get yelled at!

is it fashionable, yes. but i think its dumb. so are skinny jeans (on me lol).

If its a seeing eye dog, or trained at the same level, then i have no problem with it. But only if they are seeing eye dogs. ya know? i dont have a fear of dogs but i know my sister is very alergic and she'd go haywire if a dog had been around where we were shopping. they leave traces everywhere they go.

i wouldn't bring my hamsters around in a little to-go box. i dont think people should bring thier dogs in one either.

I think bringing your dog to the mall just because is unacceptable, mostly for the reason you pointed out about people being allergic and also for hygeinic reasons. 

However, I do think working animals are acceptable.

 I think it's unacceptable.  Mainly because of the reasons you stated.  What if someone is allergic or has a phobia.  Also you never know how a dog will act so you shouldn't bring it out like that.  I definitely don't want to go to the mall or a grocery store and see a dog.  So I'm with you on this one.  I have a dog and I LOVE him to pieces but I don't want to take him to those types of places you know.

 yeah im with ya'll... theres a time and place to take ur dogs places. i mean i have a lab/collie mix and i cant see me bringing him to go shopping... LOL :) and theres NO way im taking him out to eat with us... ya know? hes a good dog but No way...

i have to share this story... ok so most of you know that i work at a hospital and one night i saw a guy walked with a little dog on a leash and i was like ummm thats not right... well, i asked one of the girls that i worked with and she said that they allow it to a point and i guess its for the ones that cant go home and that needs some happyness and cheering up... but i was like huh? no way.....

Definatly not right. Working dogs yes but just your average pet? Heck no! I mean there is the allergy thing but what if a child came up and pulled the dogs tale or something and the dog flipped out? Or what if it peed or pooped? I would never in a million+ years think of bringing my dog into a store. That's just flippin' weird...

I do have to say though that the thought of Kacie having her hampsters in a to-go box is a very funny thought. But seriously, what's next? People taking their snakes or horses into stores??

I pretty much agree with everyone. There's no need for that.

Oh I think it's crazy! I went home to visit and was at the Santa Monica promenade and they bring them in all the stores. I went in Sephora and a huge great dane or something like it was in there with the owner. I was like OMG? I went to the Beverly Center and they have them walking around Macy's while they shop. Boy has the world changed! I asked the sales associates at both places and they said it's not really inforced and not a problem. Let me take my 2 WELL BEHAVED Pitbulls for a walk in Macy's and see the reactions, LOL!    ..

First off I wanted to say that the image of Kacie with her hamsters in a to-go box had me laughing out loud over here!!!  

 I'm not a huge "dog in the store" fan. I worked at two outlet stores (polo and jcrew) and it seemed like everyone brought their dogs shopping. I watched one lady take her little dog out of her "doggie bag" and place a puppy pad on the floor so her dog could go to the bathroom. Our manager was LIVID!!!! We even had a black lab in the store once...I just don't get it. Seeing eye dog, therapy dog...OK in my book but your family pet....nope. I certainly wouldn't bring Ellie (shepard/chow mix) shopping with me. Honestly, it would be more of a hassle than fun. Girls would bring them into Victoria's Secret all the time too. I was waiting for one of the little dogs to come trotting out of the fitting room with a pair of panties in tow.

 Well, out here in the sticks we don't have many little dogs haha. I've never seen anyone bring a little dog into a store, but there was a girl at college who used to sneak her bunny to class in her bag. The only time I've seen dogs in a store is at Petsmart or something like a gas station...when it's really hot and humid outside and you know you're gonna be in the gas station for a few minutes, it's generally accepted here to bring your dog (of any size, granted it's well-behaved) in for a couple minutes. Of course, we live in a rural area. I think that's okay, but I wouldn't take my dog to Wal-Mart or something.

Honestly I don't think it is a huge deal as long as common sense is taken into consideration.  If the dog is small and being carried I don't see how it is any different to carrying a baby around (as long as it isn't making a mess.)  Yes there could be someone who is allergic, but people are allergic to all sorts of things..... peanut dust, bees, perfume, pollen, etc     And of course there are some people who are afraid of dogs....but who is afraid of a 5lb fluff ball?  However I don't think people should bring them into eateries.  In big cities in the US and places all over Europe people bring their dogs (small and big) everywhere and have done so for years.

--Anjuli

Yea. Unacceptable.  What if little Rover takes a piss on the mall floor?  Not to mention allergies. 

I see that all the time and I think it's nuts. Dogs - even little dogs - are pets, not children, and maybe it's because I don't have a dog myself, but I don't understand why people feel the need to take their dogs with them everywhere.

With the exception of seeing eye dogs and seizure dogs and the like, I don't think it's acceptable. 

 A seeing-eye dog is one thing, a stuffed-animal like toy dog is another. I really dislike tiny little dogs that people carry around in their purses because they are not little babies with fur, they are a-n-i-m-a-l-s. I hate that in Hollywood it's cool to carry around your dog like it's some type of trophy, but that is unfair to hte animal and not exactly what makes them happy. 

I don't think it was acceptable for her to bring it into the store at all. Animals belong outside in the yard or in your home, not a public store. What about people with allergies or a fear of dogs? She was not considerate at all. Not cool lady.

Just thought I would throw a different point in here. I know that Barnes and Nobles and some other stores allow you to bring your dog in if it has passed its canine good citizen test. I understand peoples complaints about allergies and things, but personally as long as the dog is well-behaved I don't mind. That being said, just because your dog is small and you can carry it does not make it well behaved.

 As to the hospital thing, I don't know if that dog was a therapy dog or not (probably not since no vest) but this is a great program. I am currently training my pup to become a therapy dog. They must pass there canine good citizen and additional tests, but then you bring your dog in to visit and help cheer people up. All that being said though, not much angers me more then people with ill behaved pets and irresponsible owners.

As long as it's not a huge, drooling beast of a dog, it doesn't bother me. Half the time I don't even notice if someone is carring a dog in a doggy purse.

HA, my soon to be sister in law has a pet baby squirrel named Spanky McSpankerson and since it has to eat very often she carries him in her purse. She even takes him to work (she's an event planner) and so far no one even notices.

I don't think it's o.k. for any type of animal to go to the  mall.  I don't see how bringing a dog into a mall food court (or any of those kiosks or whatever that sell food) can't not be a violation of some health code.  Plus, I'm sorry, but I have no idea if your dog has fleas or ticks or anything else.  I certainly don't want some flea infested dog walking around Macy's and getting his fleas on the clothes I'm about to buy and bring into my home. 

guccirush:

Honestly I don't think it is a huge deal as long as common sense is taken into consideration.  If the dog is small and being carried I don't see how it is any different to carrying a baby around (as long as it isn't making a mess.)  Yes there could be someone who is allergic, but people are allergic to all sorts of things..... peanut dust, bees, perfume, pollen, etc     And of course there are some people who are afraid of dogs....but who is afraid of a 5lb fluff ball?  However I don't think people should bring them into eateries.  In big cities in the US and places all over Europe people bring their dogs (small and big) everywhere and have done so for years.

--Anjuli

I think there is a huge difference between a small dog and a baby.  Secondly, I was absolutely terrified of dogs when I was a kid...even the 5 lb fluff ball type.  If I would have seen a dog in the store no matter what size, I would have had a panic attack.  Thankfully I grew out of it as I got older (not until about 17 years old) but there are most definitely people afraid of even that size of a dog.

 Wow this one is HARD for me.  First of all I am one of those people with a 4lb little ball of fur that I take everywhere.  (with the exception of ANYWHERE) there is food for sale ie.  Walmart-the grocery store, etc..................He is tiny and always in a carrier.  He is home alone all day until my kids get home from school and I hate the though of leaving him more than I have to.  I am fully aware of those of us who say they are animals, but when you have had anything in your home constantly for years it is hard to see them like that.  I would never take him to the mall just for a random day of shopping all day long but only because it is not fare to him to be confined in his carrier (okay doggie purse) all day.  But if I am running to Macy's or Dillard's to say....pay a bill or something....then in he goes with me.  I take him to every outdoor event I go to (jazz festival, fairs, etc).  

On the other hand, you have to consider that there are pets (just like some people's kids) who are just not well behaved.  Pets who are scared of people or not fond of lots of people or kids touching them and that is just a chance I don't think people should take.  But I have honestly seen a child destroy an area just as bad if not worse as any dog could.....I know this I have raised three children.   I think it just comes down to a consideration and responsibility thing on behalf of the owner...............Just like it would be ridiculous to take a 2 year old to an opera or the theatre for a play.........there are places a dog just doesn't belong.  Just my opinion.   

When Bruce was a tiny-iny puppy we took him to Wal-Mart with us. Not just the occasional trip, we went daily mostly because we had nothing better to do. I carried him, he never walked in the store. In my case he was completely attached and would harm himself and the house if we left him alone so he had to go. If I had left him in the car he would have died, although in the cooler months I did while I ran in real quick, but not for the time killing trips. I never took him to a mall or anywhere that had food. He only went to our podunk Wal-Mart. Now when we go to Petsmart and the surrounding stores, he goes and dogs are allowed in those stores, that's why they're all grouped together.

I think if you have a small dog and you have to run in the store real fast to pick up something it's not a big deal. BUT if you're going on a huge shopping trip I would think of something to do with little fluffy. Now that we live in a more populated area with bigger stores I've had to train my 8 pound dog to stay at home even if that includes a bark collar, a muzzle, and a crate.

Just thought I'd add a little something-  

 I have a friend who has a seeing eye dog.  He is the sweetest dog in the world, but he is BIG.  German Sheperd, huge paws, just an all-around big boy.  And let me just say, walking with my friend and his dog has shown me just how many people can be terrified of dogs.  Even if the dog is just walking in their general direction, some people jump or even leave the room.  So, I think that unless it's absolutely necessary (service dogs), then they should stay at home, unless they are in a carrier, because I know I wouldn't want something I'm terrified of to be in a place that I think is safe.