Okay, so right off the bat, I am going to admit, I have totally taken Lucy into Home Depot with me. She benefits from the adventure, and I get a kick of having her around. I have never taken her to the grocery store, or any other place with food, though. So, when I stumbled onto an article about service dogs {both for physical and emotional disabilities}, I started to wonder what the boundaries are with taking pets into the stores.
The article highlighted a woman from Idaho who likes to take her companion service dog into the grocery store with her, as it comforts and distracts her from her back pain. The dog was suggested to her by her physician, who felt that it might help her manage the emotional side of her pain better. She gets mixed reviews having the dog with her. Some people make rude comments, while others seem completely unbothered. While she is careful not to set the dog down {she carries it in her arms}, or let it touch anything, technically the dog is not covered under the service dog code, and is not allowed any place that food is prepared. Service dogs that perform a service that the person cannot function without {i.e. seeing eye dogs} are exempt from this rule.
Because Lucy isn’t a service dog–just my buddy, I know exactly where my boundaries are. I wouldn’t take her into a grocery store, restaurant, etc…ever. I don’t particularly want other people’s animals where my food is, either {though, since I have virtually no idea how the food got to the grocery store , it’s impossible to say that it hasn’t come in contact with all sorts of critters}.
In general, keeping animals away from our food is probably a compelling sanitary argument, but what do you think? Should animals kept for emotional well-being be allowed to accompany their owners into the grocery store? Where should the boundary lines be drawn?
~Mavis
Melissa says
I’m with Crystal. We take Winston everywhere he is allowed. He is a super sweet and well-behaved maltipoo rescue (oddly, we got him from a pit bull rescue). I live in California and there are a lot of places dogs can go. We sit on the patio at California Fish Grill and he happily chows down on fish tacos with the best of them. We have dog beaches also and he loves Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’m always happy when I find another place that allows dogs. He recently went to a nursing home to visit my daughter-in-law’s grandmother and was the hit of the facility.
Kristina Z says
I’ve actually heard that people who use service dogs to help with a physical disability kind of hate it when people claim to have “service” dogs, but really just want to hold Fido in their laps and feed them table scraps at lunch. They think it makes true service dogs look bad — their dogs are trained to be unobtrusive and though they are surely beloved companions, they certainly aren’t “pets” in the truest sense. They are doing a job. That said, my only real pet peeve is when people put dogs in the cart where my food goes. Or when people allow their children to put their feet where my food goes, for that matter. (I kind of like the idea of dogs in pubs, for some reason which really defies logic.)
Rebecca says
Bravo, Kristina. thank you for saying this. As a service dog handler it is so irritating to see people fake service dogs. When their pet behaves badly in public, it makes it so much harder for service dog teams who come after.
Jen says
I LOVE animals, I’m an animal owner and I’m an animal charity supporter. That said, I’m of the mindset that animals do not belong in a store of any type unless they are trained service dogs performing their job duty or it is a
store where animals are welcome. I have 3 small kiddos that also love animals. We are still working on appropriate petting and approaching animals. I don’t expect to have to be on guard while at Target that my kiddo will reach out to try and pet an animal while I’m comparing prices. While I’m sure most animals are well behaved, all it takes is one wrong touch on my child’s part to get bitten. I’ve had a small dog lunge at me out of a purse while browsing lettuce in the grocery store. It’s just not a place I am expecting to run into animals. I don’t think it’s fair to either the shopper OR the animal.
Nancy says
I am so with Jen on this. I love animals and do a lot of work for charities for them. But a service dog is working, these others people claim are service dogs belong at home.
Jennifer says
So, I know this is not direclty answering the question, but have to share….my children and I saw a serivce PONY in the grocery store not too long ago….person with the PONY was on a riding scooter, so perhaps this was a legit service animal, just surprising to me. Most interesting part of the story is that my two teenage sons walked right by, I had to turn into the next aisle and ask them to look back to tell me what they saw. They confirmed, I did not imagine the PONY in the grocery store.
Mavis Butterfield says
Wowza! I have never seen a pony in the store before. That’s something unique for sure.
M. says
We saw a miniature horse come off of a plane before. The flight attendants said it was a service animal. Apparently some miniature horses can make good service animals for certain conditions and they have a longer life expectancy than dogs…
Lynne says
A well-behaved dog doesn’t bother me in the least, anywhere. I’ve even seen dogs in restaurants in Europe, and they slept quietly under the table while their owner had a nice meal. What does concern me is that owners can be extremely biased about what constitutes “well-behaved” when it involves their dog!
Crystal says
I will take my dog anywhere that’s she’s allowed to go. She goes to Home Depot with me almost every single time I go. My bank allows dogs too, and even gives out treats! She also goes out to eat with us, but only during the warm months at places that allow dogs on a patio. We often end up choosing where to eat based on whether or not we can bring her with us during the summer months. If we are not sure, we call ahead and ask if dogs are allowed. Or we ask while we are already there for our next visit. My dog is not a service dog and I would not take her anywhere she is not allowed, such as the grocery store or Target. And when I do take her out she is on leash the whole time and in my arms if it is too crowded. I also keep an eye on her at all times and keep a lookout for any person or other dog that might want to say “Hi”. If I see children I will bend down and hold my dog’s head towards me and let them pet her until I know that both child and dog are playing nice!
Dale Ann says
Just recently while at the checkout at our local Target store I spotted a couple behind us that had with them a small long haired terrier dog that didn’t look like a service animal. It did have a regular collar and leash on, but no one had any contact with the leash as it was dragging along on the floor as the dog walked.
In my mind I was questioning why the dog was in the store if it wasn’t a service animal.
Diane says
Next time, ask! Even store employees can ask two things. “Is that a service dog?” “What is it trained to do?” People do lie, but at least you called them on it and they might think next time. I doubt anyone with a real service dog would let it trail it’s leash. They know the laws, and will be careful to follow them so as to know cause problems.
Pam says
I’ve heard recently that stores here aren’t even allowed to ask because that would be an invasion of the privacy of the person with the disability. And discriminatory. That would mean that even if it against the law to have your dog in the grocery cart, there is nothing anyone can do.
Rebekah says
I used to take my Tobey everywhere with me. He was a chihuahua terrier and had the best temperament ever! I would always carry him in his purse and/ or he’d sit in his purse in the shopping cart where the child seat goes. I suppose if I was super concerned about what other people thought about my dog at the grocery store I’d probably wouldn’t have taken him along but I don’t. Eh. Anyways, I got mixed responses from people that worked in the stores not usually the shoppers. The children usually wanted to pet him and I don’t recall bad looks or comments from adults. The store employees sometimes would ask me to leave, which I would, as I understood that was the law. But at one market in particular told me that my dog was more well behaved than most of the children that came through the store so they had no problem with him there. (side note, he was probably cleaner than most of the children that came through that store as well! He was super spoiled!) He was the best dog (ie. my child) and would sit patiently and sniff, but never reach out of the cart or bark. I can appreciate that everyone has an opinion regarding this issue, as we are all entitled to have, so no judgement from me here, just sharing my experiences.
suzanne hissung says
I like to mind my own business concerning pets and children. I much prefer a pet in line than a rude, loud, screaming or morally superior human any day of the week. Yes some pets can be unpredictable (as can kids) and should maybe be left in the auto if its not to warm. The pets not the kids 🙂 My daughter and I also make a point of meeting up in brew pubs where pets are allowed. These same pubs allow kids in with the folks. I’ve yet to see this abused by either barking, snapping or crying fur or human babies.
Courtney says
I think it depends on the environment you are in. A pub, especially one where the inside and outside is blurred (common in east cost of Canada), I think a dog is fine…. honestly in that sort of environment there are probably more nasty things to worry about than a dog, and if you are still willing to have your appies there, the dog should be okay. But any sort of sit down restaurant, family or fancy, with nice floors and decor, nope, I don’t feel it is the place for that. Grocery stores also a nono. On the fence about target. But any sort of rough-and-tumble type place like Home Depot, sure, I don’t see a problem. Obviously you should respect the wishes of management.
Rebecca says
Mavis, I am happy you brought this subject up. I am a Service Dog handler/trainer and would love to clear things up for you. First of all, ADA law states: “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, NOT pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA” http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
So the woman in the story you read was illegally taking her pet into the store with her, as “comfort” and “distraction” are not trained tasks. That dog would qualify as an Emotional Support animal, but they have no public access rights. You can have these animals in apartments and on airplanes however. A Therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with learning difficulties, but these dogs also do NOT have public access. There is a big difference between an emotional support animal, therapy dog and a service dog.
I have trained 2 service dogs, and find it very upsetting when people bring their pets into stores. When you bring your unsocialized dog into a store when a service dog is trying to work, it is distracting (against the law) and Service dogs get attacked by pets often. This causes hundreds of dollars of damage – not just physically, but we then have to rehab these service dogs to get them comfortable in public again. And if that is not possible because the SD was too traumatized by your pet’s attack, then that dog must be retired and a new dog trained, costing thousands of dollars. I have been rushed at by peoples pets in stores trying to get at my service dog and it is terrifying!!
Please Mavis, please don’t accept or advocate the mentality that it is okay to bring your pet into stores (I know Home Depot allows it), it honestly makes life so much more difficult for Service Dog handlers like me and is against Federal and State law. Dogs belong at home, on joyous walks with you and at the dog park. Please respect service dog teams for the hundreds of hours we have put into training our dogs to behave properly in public. I promise we do not bring them for fun (it is NOT fun to have a SD), it is because they are our lifeline.
Tamara says
Hear! Hear! And AMEN!
I used to work retail and know of a “sweet little dog” who peed on a baby dress, unobserved by the shopper but seen by the employee. The shopper was livid when the act was brought to her attention, as though it was the store’s fault! What an uproar ensued, with the garment being damaged out simply because the owner thought it was cute to bring the dog with her.
Becky says
Wholeheartedly agree with you. While taking my large dogs into stores isn’t practical, I get irritated with seeing little dogs in all kinds of stores. A fun outing for a dog is a park, not the grocery store.
Deborah Watson says
My service dog is a VERY large standard poodle. He is a mobility and seizure alert/response dog. He helps with balance issues by providing counterbalance and bracing and also assists with me getting out of a seated position. I use his mobility help along with a cane. The number of times he’s kept me from falling is uncountable and the simple dignity and independence that his help out of a chair provides is hard to put into words. As for his ability to warn me of an oncoming seizure 10-15 minutes before it occurrs – that is and has been LIFESAVING. It allows me time to get to a safe place and position. His seizure response not only helps bring me back around, depending on the seizure, it can also be lifesaving. You mention in your reply above that taking large dogs into stores isn’t practical – I wish more SD faking pet people thought this way because small dogs are not the only dogs brought into stores, masquerading as “service animals”, when they have no proper training or socialization and can be (and ARE) a threat to real working dogs like mine if that pet happens to take offense to my highly trained service dog and goes after him. This is a fear ALL service dog handlers live with – because of selfish, unthinking pet owners who don’t realize it’s not just a vet bill they’re looking at paying if their dog attacks mine, it’s literally my life they are risking if my dog is seriously injured and either can’t work is too traumatized to work in public. This happens every day somewhere and even 1 PET attack against a SD in a place it shouldn’t be is too many.
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s a perspective I never really thought of…thanks for sharing that info!
Tracy L. says
I am so glad you brought this up!! I have horrible allergies!! While I totally understand the people with disabilities (my daughter is disabled), that “need” their service dog, I am certainly willing to suffer for that cause. But when you just want to bring fido around and it makes other people sick, that’s not fair either. I expect going into pet smart it’s going to happen, but the grocery store?? I have to take meds to walk into a place that sells and prepares food? To me in should be a “clean” environment where food is prepared/sold. And what about the liability? What if someone has a severe allergic reaction? Gets bit? I was in Nordstrom trying on boots last month when a dog was walking around the shoe department!! And, no, definitely not marked a service dog! Really?!?! Even Nordstrom????
Wynne says
I completely agree. I’m willing to suffer for the cause for service dogs.
Elizabeth says
Unless it’s a seeing eye dog or handicap helper leave the pets HOME! They are not children. Some people are allergic, some deathly afraid of dogs. It’s rude, self centered and inconsiderate to take dogs into stores, or farmers markets or street fairs or ball games and all of the other places I have seen dogs. The end all was someone in Costco with an Iguana!!!! They carry salmonella. I complained and the manager said there was nothing he could do about it.
Margo says
I don’t mind dogs too much in most stores, but it really turns me off when someone places they’re pooch in the grocery cart. I have seen this several times. I know they aren’t sterile, but come on, we’re going to put our food in there. Some dogs just aren’t that clean. And I am a dog lover, too.
Diane says
One of my pet peeves is dogs in grocery stores. Pet dogs. Service dogs are legally protected, and I agree with that. Mavis, you seem to discount “emotional” needs, but that includes things like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In my area there is a problem with taking advantage of the law. It is NOT legal to take your dogs in a grocery store, and if it is not a service animal I will complain. I love dogs, I own dogs. They sleep on my bed. They are family. But, they are pets.
Winco is the worst at asking people if their animals are service animals. And, YES, they can ask. It is legal to ask two questions, which I have no problem asking.
1- “Is that a service animal?
2- “What is it trained to do?”
Store employees are afraid to ask, and often falsely believe they can’t. Yes, I have been yelled at, once by a “deaf” woman when I asked the cashier if he noticed the dog in line! Then there was the woman holding her dog in a blanket, swaddled baby style, but she would open the blanket for people to pet it. She later set it in the basket to pay, and I just had to insist the cashier ask her to take it out! And I do love dogs, actually more than most people. I prefer their company. I even work in a pet store, and pet, kiss, and see dogs all day long!
I do not want a pet riding in the grocery cart. Yes, I have seen it! There are those allergic to dogs, and just from a sanitary viewpoint, it’s wrong.
A dog is a dog. They are not children, so people need to stop thinking they need to go everywhere with you, and that they are welcome everywhere! Service animals, yes. They are not pets, but more like medical aids. If service dogs were required to wear a vest, or something on their collar it would help store employees, but it isn’t legal.
There is also a misuse of the law regarding housing. Again, in my area people are getting shady doctors to say their pets are “therapy” dogs so they can rent any house they want. That isn’t right. 1- it’s taking advantage of a law that some need 2- it’s illegal 3- there are people who want to live in a non-pet apartment building (I couldn’t do that!), and have the right to do so. It’s no different from choosing to live where children aren’t allowed.
As I said, this is a big issue with me! If your pet is a pet, keep it out of stores that do not allow pets, period. Never mind if it is well-behaved or children love to pet it. It’s wrong. If it’s illegal, it’s for a reason, no getting around it.
Diane says
I forgot to mention the mall! Yes, the mall. Dogs in little doggy strollers really get to me. I sell them at work, but dogs are not infants, and would prefer to walk! Not at the mall though. Some people are replacing children with animals, but it’s the animals that are suffering, not being able to be the animals they were born to be. Just because you can carry a dog in a purse doesn’t mean you should! Or that the dog likes it!
JD says
We are pet owners and fond of animals. Having said that, no animals in stores except service. I think it is rude and discourteous and put it on the level of a distracted shopper chatting about their latest vacation in the grocery store. AAAAHHHHHH!
Leave the pets home unless you have a service animal.
Sarah says
Recently, I saw a woman in Target with an adult German Shepherd on a thin nylon leash and no indication it was service dog. I had a Rottie/German Shepherd for eight years whom I loved and diligently trained , but there’s absolutely no way I’d take him to Target!! I’m generally quite comfortable around dogs, but I know how protective German Shepherds can be of there owners and what those dogs are capable of; I felt really nervous about that German Shepherd in the Target Checkout.
Cecily says
I like dogs just fine but I really do not like them in stores (except pet stores and trained service dogs). It is disgusting to have to maneuver around piles of dog feces in store parking lots and puddles in the aisles (I speak from experience here). And no matter how well behaved your pooch is, all it takes is one over excited toddler, unexpected noise or another not so well behaved dog and you could have a major lawsuit on your hands. I wish people would not anthropomorphize their pets. Pets are wonderful and they can provide companionship but they are not people. Treating them as such is a disservice to the animal and can be a hardship on the owner.
Cheryl says
I have 3 small dogs, one is not socialized well enough to feel comfortable anywhere but on a walk in the neighborhood or at home. He is terrified of people for good reasons…he usually stays home or in the truck. Now the other two are very social and love being around others….we go to Petsmart, Petco and any other pet store and the only other place I take them with me is Home Depot, but they ride in the cart for their own protection. I don’t take them anywhere else as I don’t want to be “ON” all the time and you have to be if your dogs are in public with you.
I am aware dogs are not children, but that being said…you are welcome to your opinions as I am to mine. They are my children, the only difference is that I cannot claim them on my taxes and I can leave them home alone. Other than that, they fight over one toy/bone if the other doglet has it, they tattle on each other as well, they are demanding of attention and each needs love and affection in varying degrees. They watch out for each other and worry if one seems to not feel well and I can always tell as the non socialized dog seems to suck on the ears of the other two if he is worried about them. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Mimi says
A relative trains service dogs and I’m very familiar with the process and placement of those well trained dogs. It’s rigorous and well thought out. When people take it upon themselves to “train” a dog and assign it service dog status it undermines the work that true professionals do. And it’s often the not-so-legitimate animals I see in grocery stores. It rankles me to no end! I don’t want to put lettuce in a cart formerly occupied by a schnauzer. And when I round the corner at Home Depot and run into a large black lab, all the air gets sucked out of my lungs – I was once chased down and bit by a black lab. I love the labs I know, but the ones I don’t scare me still.
Does Home Depot become liable for dog bites that occur in their stores? I’ve always wondered about that. And I shop at Lowes!
Jules says
I find it interesting that only one person had the same thought I did, allergies! I know a number of people who are very allergic to dogs and yet, others don’t seem to consider that when bringing their animal into a store. I just don’t think dogs belong there, as cute or well-behaved as they may be.
Jan K says
Great question. I lived in Europe for quite a while and what was acceptable in one culture/country was unacceptable in others. Entering a bank in Bavaria, I would pass a number of dogs who were on sit-stay or down-stay command, located carefully off to the side out of the way of those entering/leaving the establishment. I also saw many briefly appearing dog tails attached to a dog located quietly out of the way under a restaurant booth/table. Was this ever the case in any area of Italy? NO. Greece? No. Our laws and cultural mores in the US are different. I do not agree wholeheartedly with the way the states duck behind the FDA health laws for keeping dogs out of food establishments, but then I also do not agree with the way so many are blatantly selfish pet owners who do not train their animals properly either. Furthermore, I do not like that any person can buy a “service animal” harness and stick it on their untrained, ungroomed mutt and feel they have the right to waltz in anywhere they want with their pooch and usurp the well established right of the needed and respected TRUE service dog. I wish we could all leave ego and self righteous indignation out of this and agree that we have true service dogs with true duties and they are the ones who must be allowed to perform their duties unharassed by untrained dogs and their selfish owners. I wish we lived in a culture that was replete with responsible pet owners and well trained dogs who were welcome hidden away under restaurant tables, but we don’t-so there we have it.
Teckla says
Thank you Jules, and the other person who commented about allergies. One of several reasons why I believe pets do not belong in stores. Yes, I love animals and yes, I know there are stores and restaurants that allow pets. If I know that, I can choose to shop or dine elsewhere. The other things people don’t think about is fleas. Not everyone is diligent about keeping their pets pest/flea free and some of us seem to be targeted more than others. If there is a flea in the store, it will find me and bite me. And flea bites itch horribly! I also don’t like maneuvering around “accidents” or having to be concerned about the animal who may be fine under normal circumstances but who may turn aggressive if startled or has his/her space invaded, however unintentionally. And I, too, object to having animals in grocery carts where I will be placing my food. So, please. Love your pets and enjoy them, but please be considerate of others and leave them at home when you shop or go out.
Brenda says
I have a service dog. Diabetic alert dog. It makes me frustrated to see pet dogs in a store and when the owner lets the dog approach my service animal saying their dog is a service animal. First of all, they would know if it was an actual service animal they wouldn’t do that! Second, the dog doesn’t actually have to have a vest on, even though my dog does. But the owner should also have documentation with them verifying as well. And third, if it was a real service animal, you wouldn’t feed it from the table at a restaurant.
sandy says
I have a corgi that is an “emotional support animal” for PTSD after the loss of a child. I have only used the status once-when staying in a hotel ( we used the pet friendly room). We were quite pressured by the Inn clerk demanding to know what her service was. I understand that she can ask the question, but standing there trying not to cry explaining that she provides comfort and keeps me from anxiety after the loss of my son. I was mortified. I will never return to that Inn. We got the pet room, we didn’t ask of anything.
With that being said, I would never claim that she is a service dog. She is an emotional support dog.
I have no problem with dogs in stores or restaurants, I am used to Europe where they are welcome everywhere.
We are a dog obsessed nation, we can adapt to the changes that is bringing. I see no real down side to having dogs with increased accessibility. We are exposed to allergies everywhere we go. We are exposed to more dangerous things than support animals- but they must be trained and well behaved or they have no place in public anywhere-Sanitary reasons? No dirtier than your shoes.
ChrisM says
I have two dogs that I love dearly. BUT, I would never take them to any store except a pet store where they are welcome. Dogs DO NOT belong in stores of any kind unless they are service animals. Here in Southwest Michigan, I’ve never seen pet dogs in stores. I think the health department bans them from groceries and restaurants (except service animals).
I’m surprised stores don’t have policies against non-service dogs. As a business owner, I wouldn’t want pets in my grocery, department store, or restaurant. Animals would be another liability.
lauren says
Just saying…if you have a service dog then you have the identification tag for it. That being said an employee can look for the ID tag but it is against the law to ask what the task the service dog performs. That is protected by the ADA. Also many people have”invisible illnesses”. So if you see a service vest and an ID tag on a dog..don’t be nosy and ask what is wrong with a person.
Diane says
A service dog does not have to wear a tag or a vest. And it is not against the law to ask what the dog is trained to do. That is one of the two questions that are legal to ask. The other is “is it a service dog?”
Andi says
I used to work as sign language interpreter in schools. There was a deaf/hard of hearing classroom in which one child had a service dog and another child had a severe allergy to dogs. It worked out ok in the end, but it was a puzzlement. The children both had the need and right to be there, but they couldn’t occupy the same space.
Most of the time, it doesn’t come to that kind of dilemma. We have the right and need for a lot of different things, but it is impossible to dictate the correct behavior in every possibility. Most of it comes down to consideration of others and a dose of grace and kindness, without being a doormat.
Jen Y says
I’ve had dogs for about 30 yrs now & it seems the older I get the more I want to be with them. We’ve taken our labrador on vacations with us but stop at rest stops to picnic & stay with family (who suggest we bring her rather than board her) always bring her crate to give our host a break & never take her into stores.
My husband gave me a little lap dog(a Morkie) as an empty nest gift & I’ve been surprised at how attached I’ve become. I actually took her to a local greeting card store today but only because I have a friend who works there who had asked me to stop by with her(I don’t make a habit of it). Otherwise, I never take her shopping with me either, as much as I would love to. She has been a huge encouragement to me in dealing with being alone so much more than I ever have been & I would be devestated to lose her.
Saying that, I love my dogs but dogs are animals & not people. I realise many people put animals on the same level as people but human life IS more valuable than animal life. It doesn’t mean we don’t love them as much or more than some people but we still need to realise the people we may not love as much as our dogs are more valuable than our dogs. I think we should never put our dogs’ comfort over that of another human being. It’s a shift I’ve seen in our culture that lowers the value of human life. A working dog sometimes has to be in public & that’s great that we can depend on them when we need them. There is nothing wrong with having a dog to help us emotionally (I myself have done that) but when we reach a point that we NEED a dog more than people, we need to reevaluate & find a way to reconnect with people…as hard as that might be.
I also have a sister who is absolutely terrified of dogs. Her fear is unreasonably great – she cannot bear the thought of even being around a dog. Why would I want to cause someone that kind of stress by taking my dog into public places? Why would I want to make people physically sick – I have a friend who has severe allergies to cats & dogs & I’ve seen her reach the point that she couldn’t breath without even touching them. There are plenty of outdoor public places we can take our dogs without causing stress to others so I say, unless it’s a service dog, leave it at home.
Jenny says
I have often wondered about this type of thing more from the dogs point of view. Are we acting in the best interest of the dog when we take them in to stores and places that were clearly not designed for dogs? I thought part of the training for service animals is to learn to be calm in loud, busy areas. When we take a pet that has not be trained to deal with these stresses, are we harming them? I can say I have seen little dogs in stores shivering away because of stress. Does the person’s need for companionship outweigh the needs of the dog? Are we humanizing dogs and preventing them from being dogs to meet our own emotional needs? I am not a dog expert and I don’t know what the right answer is. I was just interested in knowing what others might think. I do have dogs but mostly take them to state parks, dog beaches and private lands for hiking and swimming.
Peggy says
I guess it depends on the dog and the person. There are true service dogs, and I’m sure people take advantage of these regulations just like every other rule and regulation out there, but who are we to judge whether a person needs a service dog for emotional trauma? We really don’t know, and shouldn’t assume the worst of people. All types of pain are subjective, we shouldn’t assume. We haven’t walked in their shoes.
Team Blue says
Thank you, Diane. I have had multiple service dogs. My current performs cardiac alert, mobility, and PTSD tasks. Tao may be off leash in public by law if a situation warrants that, meaning his leashing interferes with my safety and vice versa within the work/tasks he performs, although I agree that generally one does not see that. For all of you that bring pets out where they should not be…you create a situation whereby service dog teams face more and uglier access challenges regularly. Ask us how we know. Please help us stay independent in the community by keeping your pets out of venues that do not specifically allow or warrant them.
We appreciate those of you who support our teams!
We appreciate the advocacy of those posters who have reiterated the service dog Ada laws. Please keep educating and advocating so as to continue to reduce public and private misinformation and misperception.
Mavis…we do love your Lucy girl. Her pictures are big bright spots in our day!
Team Blue says
Forgot to say…miniature horses are indeed service animals. They and dogs are now the only service animals after the Ada changed up so many things in 2010-2011. (Not referring to ESA’s or therapy animals, just so no one jumps to that conclusion)
Thank you all again for your continued support of legitimate service animal teams and their public access rights. Peace, Team Blue
Carrie says
Please leave your dog at home. I have a dog. He is well-trained, but he does not go out to stores with me. I think it is incredibly rude and inconsiderate. I agree with so many of the prior comments…allergies, fleas, fear of dogs, messes, and unsanitary conditions. I hate going to parades, fairs, outdoor events and turn around to see a dog next to me. When my kids were little and in strollers, they would be close to the same level as a dog on a leash. I don’t want my baby being sniffed or licked by a dog. I know of several people that have been bitten by a dog that “never bit anybody before.” I really think that the people that have to bring their dogs out in public are only doing it to get attention. The only exception is a service animal who is trained specifically for being in the public.
Jill says
My daughter and I flew on a low-budget airline in June. My seat was on the aisle. The plus-size woman (makes a difference for this story) across the aisle from me had a medium-size terrier type dog on her lap. Because of her size, the dog was perched approximately 2 feet above seat level. This woman made the poor dog balance on her “lap” for a three-hour flight and subjected the passengers around her to a constant dialogue of “it’s going to be OK honey.” To my knowledge, the airline never questioned the woman, although she did state to her fellow passengers that the dog was a “service” animal. I really felt sorry for the poor dog and the two gentlemen that shared the row of seats with this woman.
I can’t believe the airline permitted this – and I can’t believe I didn’t speak up. The dog should have been in a carrier – at a minimum. I did make a comment once the plane landed – that her dog should be commended for good behavior under very difficult circumstances. She said “this was nothing – we flew to New Zealand last year!”
Oh dear 🙁
Pam says
I’ve been reading the responses to this since yesterday. I’ve started to respond a number of times but deleted it prior to posting. I worked for a grocery chain for almost 20 years. Animals in the store were a constant “issue” we dealt with. We all agree that our pets become family members and we love them dearly. But no matter how “well behaved” your pet is or how much the folks in the store “love” your pet, in many cases it is ILLEGAL for you to bring your non-service animal into the building. In my state (I cannot claim this applies to all states, I can only speak for my own), if a non-service animal is on the premises when a state/local health inspector arrives in the store, the store is CLOSED. The doors are closed until the health inspector determines that the store is safe to reopen and serve customers. The reason is because every store has “food prep” (just like a restaurant kitchen) on site (think deli/bakery/meat cutting). Service animals have been given an exemption from this. Non-service animals (like your pet dog/cat/ferret/parrot/etc.) can cause a store shut down. That shut down puts the entire staff out of work until the inspector gives it the approval to reopen (this can be as long as 90 days). Over the years of my employment with the grocery chain, I’ve had to ask a number of shoppers to leave the premises. Reactions have ranged from an apology (I’m sorry – I had no idea I couldn’t bring Ralphie shopping with me”) to hostility (If Ralphie isn’t welcome here, we’ll shop elsewhere”). I love my dog but don’t feel the need to take him with me everywhere I go. He’s a dog. He’s happy with a scrambled egg for breakfast, a comfy doggie bed and being able to lick his own crotch. In the end, no matter how much we may love our pets, it is simply irresponsible and selfish to put others employment at risk, especially in times as hard as these,
Edamommy says
Please, no dogs except service animals in any stores! There is simply no reason for it. I find it very rude and thoughtless when people think their preshus pooch trumps anyone else’s needs or rights. There are so many reasons why: allergies, sanitation, the possibility of the dog biting or hurting someone, or the possibility of someone being very afraid of dogs who is then forced to deal with that anxiety while shopping. In a nutshell, I really don’t want to put my baby in the cart that I just saw your dog’s butt sitting on (even if I wipe the cart down and remove the pet hair). Thank you!
Leslie says
This topic makes me think about two things-
1) Why would anyone disregard the law? What’s wrong with just following the law?
2) It’s appropriate to not care what others things when it comes to some things (like the size of your nose, your food preferences, etc) but when it comes to effecting other people (making them uncomfortable in public), it is quite discourteous to disregard the feelings of others! Maybe you know your dog is well behaved. But do you know about other people’s allergies and fears?
D'Anna says
Seriously, I commend the work of true service animals, their humans who have a better life with them and the people that put so many hours into training them but I’m not a fan of people pushing their dogs around in the carts at grocery stores. I think I’m more upset when no store employee enforces the rule clearly posted at the door. The motorized scooter basket also seems to be a place people think their dog belongs, they will hold food in their lap while their chihuahua rides in the basket.
A few years ago we were having this conversation at dinner and the youngest sons GF happened to be over…we quickly learned her family takes their little dogs in the store with them. She really didn’t understand that you could leave them at home or in the car like everyone else but she most certainly got it by the time we had concluded the meal 🙂
Katricia says
people make some very good points (fear of dogs, allergies) and I, too, especially dislike badly behaved fake service dogs in public. however the argument that dogs in stores create a helth hazard makes no sense to me. in the supermarket all food is packaged except produce (wash it when you get home) and a well behaved dog is not shooting out anyore bacteria than most people.
We enjoyed living in Europe where we took our dog to restaurants. while traveling in warm weather leacingbthe dog in the car is not ok.