Dogs in the store!

[LCHIEN]

The reason I brought up kids, because Interestingly, I can use some of the same arguements against children in stores as dogs. Noisey - can't shut them up. Can leave bodily waste in the aisles. can damage merchandise. People bump into them because they get underfoot. Sometimes they fight. Sometimes they bite. The only one I can't see but I suppose its even possible, alllergic reactions to kids.

Not all kids but some. Same as for animals.

[Ed62]

True, but unlike pets, people can't leave children home unattended. The options are completely different.

Not only am I a dog lover, I'm a kid lover too. I agree with the statement above. It's true that some kids are allowed to run all over the place, but that's just poor parenting, in my book.

Ed

[headhunter636]

In Germany, dogs are allowed just about everywhere from stores to resturants. The one thing that differs from Germans and Americans is that their dogs are very well trained and behave very well.

That being said, I don't think dogs should be allowed in most places in the states because not everyone trains their dogs to go in such places. Although I do think some stores are fine, i.e. Petsmart.

Dave

[Russianwolf]

In Germany, dogs are allowed just about everywhere from stores to resturants. The one thing that differs from Germans and Americans is that their dogs are very well trained and behave very well.

That being said, I don't think dogs should be allowed in most places in the states because not everyone trains their dogs to go in such places. Although I do think some stores are fine, i.e. Petsmart.

Dave

I'll add this comment. A poorly trained dog in petsmart is a bigger danger than a poorly trained dog in HD. Reason being that since I expect to encounter other dogs when I walk in the door of petsmart, the chance of a fight starting due to poor training is even higher (poorly trained dog makes a move that the properly trained dog takes as aggression).

If your dog isn't well behaved/trained, it should not be out in public.

A neighbor has a German Shepard that has been trained as a attack dog. Yet he insists on taking it out to watch the fireworks with the neighbors. BUT if you approach him, you're dead. This isn't appropriate.


As far as kids go. the same applies. If they don't know how to behave and you can't control them, hire a sitter.

[Russianwolf]

True, but unlike pets, people can't leave children home unattended. The options are completely different.

hire a sitter. If you can't afford one, stay home and shop the net.

I have no qualms in telling a parent to collect their kid and leave a store if the kid is not behaving. I've called managers over and insisted that the kid leaves or I do (and I won't be back).

I've done it in theaters mostly, but on department store where a woman had three kids running amok. She shot me nasty looks as she left, but I think the manager was glad I insisted since it placed the blame on me (had the advantage of having LOML with about $300 in purchases that day too)

[Richard in Smithville]

I have always had dogs at home but I said "no". People are alergic, people have animal fears, and some people just don't like dogs. If you can bring your dog to a store, can I bring my rats with me? How about a snake or a pot belly pig? It has to be all or nothing.

[Cheeky]

Dogs should be allowed in stores if kids wearing Heelys are

My dog is incredibly obedient and actually has manners (except when he eats, he's an english bulldog for crying out loud ), with that said, he doesn't belong in stores, save Petco, Petsmart, etc.

I love dogs, quite possibly more than people, but some people are allergic to, and generally feel uncomfortable around them. What if they are flea or tick infested?

[Russianwolf]

Dogs should be allowed in stores if kids wearing Heelys are

My dog is incredibly obedient and actually has manners (except when he eats, he's an english bulldog for crying out loud ), with that said, he doesn't belong in stores, save Petco, Petsmart, etc.

I love dogs, quite possibly more than people, but some people are allergic to, and generally feel uncomfortable around them. What if they are flea or tick infested?

I'm allergic to cigarette smoke,can actaully have problems when someone sits next to me that smokes alot in an enclosed area. But as I ride public transit I have to deal with it for myself. Just like anyone else who goes out in public has to care for their own allergies. If a person is severly allergic to dogs, they could have a reaction from hugging me as I'm usually covered in fur.

[prlundberg]

hire a sitter. If you can't afford one, stay home and shop the net.

I have no qualms in telling a parent to collect their kid and leave a store if the kid is not behaving. I've called managers over and insisted that the kid leaves or I do (and I won't be back).

I've done it in theaters mostly, but on department store where a woman had three kids running amok. She shot me nasty looks as she left, but I think the manager was glad I insisted since it placed the blame on me (had the advantage of having LOML with about $300 in purchases that day too)

A little common sense by both parties needs to be used.

Sometimes a meltdown by a child is unavoidable, especially in babies and toddlers. It often has nothing to do with parenting abilities. People need to understand that and not be condescending everytime a child does something that annoys them.

On the other hand, parents need to realize that when you are making a large disturbance you should probably leave.

Telling parents to hire a sitter or stay home goes too far. Most businesses welcome parents with kids and the money they bring with them.

[Russianwolf]

A little common sense by both parties needs to be used.

Sometimes a meltdown by a child is unavoidable, especially in babies and toddlers. It often has nothing to do with parenting abilities. People need to understand that and not be condescending everytime a child does something that annoys them.

On the other hand, parents need to realize that when you are making a large disturbance you should probably leave.

Telling parents to hire a sitter or stay home goes too far. Most businesses welcome parents with kids and the money they bring with them.

sorry but I've helped raise 7 neices. If I were in a store with them and the they started pitching a fit, we left immediately. I don't care what it was about, the rules to go out in public were simple. Behave or you go home. I've pulled a kicking and screaming 5 year old out of the Barbie aisle at Toys R Us, and I'll do it again if needed.

When I'm in a theater, I expect everyone present to allow everyone else enjoy the movie. It doesn't matter to me if they are adults who don't turn off their cell phone or a baby who is tired and starts crying. I paid to watch a movie, not listen to other peoples non-courteous noises.

The remark about hiring a sitter or stay home was a direct jab at a comment made saying " if you can't be away from your pet, stay home and shop the net". I think that it applies to the kids as much as to pets. If your kids can't behave, then you have no business taking them out in public. Especially when the parent make no effort to keep the child in check (as in the dropping them off in the tent department to play while they shop, the clerks are not babysitters).

I have 7 neices that I am the "third parent" to. They will be the first to tell you that "Uncle Michael" wouldn't let them get away with anything at anytime. I have a daughter that I continue to raise (and she's 23). I also have 8 dogs (9 until 3 months ago). I honestly use the same rules with the pups that I used with the kids. behave or you go home.

My pups, while they wouldn't pass a obedience test, are close to perfect inside petsmart and the like. Even when other pups are barking at them. They would be fine in other establishments also, but I don't take them for some of the reasons that have been noted earlier.

If I come off condescending when I have a misbehaving child removed from a situation, it's because I expect and demand better from those I'm responsible for. And I refuse to let others misbehaving effect my enjoyment of my time.

Edit: And I think that when a parent allows a fit to happen without response, it is poor parenting. It's basically condoning the fit as an okay thing to do.

[Knottscott]

To me, it really boils down to the dog, it's behavior, and store location. A farmer's market is more condusive than a Kohl's or Target. I really don't mind if the dog is well behaved and poses no risk of biting or losing control of bodily functions at an inopportune time. But unfortunately, not everyone has enough common sense to judge properly if their dog is up to the task, so I vote no. A service dog is a completely different matter.

[atgcpaul]

I have 2 dogs and voted no. I'm annoyed to see people carrying their pooch
in the shopping carts where I might have my food or my kids.

I remember going into a Frys electronics in San Diego several years ago. A
dressed up family thought it would be a good idea to bring in their golden
retriever. The dog was probably 20 feet into the door when its bowels let
loose. I think they tried to play it off but some staff caught them, made them
clean it up, and had them put the dog outside.

[cabinetman]

The only stores in this area that allow pets, and well mannered ones BTW, are Pet Supermarket, and PetSmart. My German Shepherds take me right to the food isle.

.

[Whaler]

We live in a very pet friendly town and dogs, including ours, are common anywhere food is not sold.

Dogs are no different than kids in a store, if you can't control them leave them at home.

[TB Roye]

By the look of WalMartians, I would rather have a dog with me. My dogs don't go shopping, to the airport or any public place not designed for dogs. The may sleep on couch or on our bed, but they are still dogs. That being said my dogs are better behaved in public than a lot of children and their parents.

Tom