I agree that untrained dogs don’t belong in stores—the dog owner you mentioned was a disaster.
But....I traveled around the US for 3 months with my dog. Heat was a huge concern because dogs can die in cars when it’s over 70 degrees outside. It’s scary to have to run into a gas station bathroom or grocery store for 5 minutes while hoping no one takes it upon themselves to smash your car windows and “rescue” your beloved pet. I would have appreciated more dog-friendly places.

Okay literate hiker. I look forward to your posts. I think your great. I hate every man who has done wrong by you.

But, there are two sides to every story. To me, IMO, the problem isn't pets being allowed in stores. The problem is a lack of regulations ,and assignment of liabilities, monitoring those bringing non humans into human establishments.

I like it when people bring their pets into a store. I also love watching the reactions of people when things go horribly wrong. For example, when a wet dog turd hits the floor.

I will always be on the side of dogs.. humans, not so much..

Dog feces are loaded with bacteria (as are ours). Disgusting.

I agree, except for properly trained service animals all others should be left at home. Bringing animals into anyplace with food is especially vile.

I love my dogs and like most other dogs. My dogs have never been fully trained as guard, attack, emotional support or assistance dogs, but they do adopt those roles.
If you come onto my property - my dog knows and ensures I know
If I do not like you - my dog knows and stands ready
If you attack me - my dog will help me defend
If I feel depressed - my dog helps me carry on
If I cry, or scream, in my sleep - my dog licks away my tears and gently wakes me
If I need solitude - my dog remains beside

I could not live without my dogs - I would not be alive had my dogs not been around

My dogs are not formally trained, yet do follow my instructions and a word is enough. They do not pee or poop indoors, unless ill, when they stay home with doors open and always go outside to poop I take my current dog Gaia to many shops, restaurants, bank, bars etc ... she is socialised with people and behaves as I do, courteous, friendly and calm .. usually .. we have on occasion prevented violence - a simple low growl does catch attention and makes most stop and think before acting.

I wish all children were as well behaved.

And there is the problem - too many owners (of dogs and children) do not take responsibility for teaching what is and is not expected and acceptable in social circles, the basics of social living.......where do we go from here?

From my understanding of the current laws, you can not ask to see the certification of the "support animal" nor can you ask what the disability is that requires you to use one. That law needs to changed so the animals that have been properly trained can do their job.

There is also a difference between emotional support animals and service animals. I believe properly trained service animals should be allowed, while emotional support animals shouldn't. Laws need to be changed to show the difference.

Just to show how out of control this has gotten, my daughter used to have a friend who went no where without her emotional support Transformers (yes, I said transformers. She had emotional support toys).

I agree with you in the vast number of inconsiderate dog owners, but might I point out that guide dogs are NOT the only service dogs that should be allowed everywhere with their owners?!? There are service dogs for a number of ailments and situations: hearing dogs, seizure and diabetic alert dogs, (yes) emotional support dogs, and so on.

• Actual "Service Dogs" are vastly different from "therapy dogs"...

I (as a long-time dog breeder) have produced dogs who have gone into service in myriad manners (including Guide Dogs, Canine Companions for Independence, Therapy Dogs, etc), and would like to say that many service dogs help their humans in ways most people do not understand, but they are every bit as important as a guide dog! The "emotional support dog” can be abused, no question, but there ARE dogs who by virtue of being with their human can offer silent support for situations that could completely overwhelm or emotionally cripple their person. Please be aware that many "handicaps" are not visible, but that does not mean they are any less "crippling" than something obvious!

As an aside, I remember (several years ago) using the power button to open a door, and a woman caustically told me that those buttons were "only for handicapped people". My first reaction was the desire to tell her that it was none of her business, unless she was the "power button police", but I managed to not respond to her rudeness, and instead THANKED her for pointing out that my handicaps were not OBVIOUS!! Probably the best possible response, and I hope that the woman never again assumed to be able to judge someone's handicap!

My dog would die of shame if he ever pooped indoors. I only take him stores like Home Depot that keep dog treats at the cash register.

I love dogs. I don't understand people's obsession with bringing dogs everywhere they go! And for God's sake train your dogs!

Nope you are wrong. There are people with dogs that need them to alert someone if they are having a stroke or heart attack or having a seizure. If anyone thinks having a health condition makes one weak, they are a privileged healthy cnt and seriously need to check their privilege.

If you have never experienced something traumatic in your life or have not been negatively impacted by something traumatic, it is not your place to speak of weaknesses. Again, speaking from a place of ignorance and of privilege.

As for doggies in general, I would say allow doggies in if you carry them in a carrier or put a muzzle on them and ensure they go potty outside before entering the store. Leaving dogs in hot cars can kill them and tying badly behaved dogs outside stores will have its own set of problems. Were that dog to be tied outside, it would still lunge at you.

Wow do I disagree. There are people who require support or therapy animals.

Thank goodness there are stores who allow service dogs to be trained on the premises - poop and all.

This was one case of a person sliding one by - so you want all support animals banned? Hard nope to that.

Did you know there are dogs trained for seizure patients? Who will alert when they are going to have an episode? And help cushion the head while they seize?

They even go for help if the person remains down.

Or support animals for children with special needs?

It helps many folks with PTSD interact because they trust the dog to alert correctly when they can't.

Was that woman wrong? Yes. Are all helpful service animals wrong? Heck no!

I would love to be on a flight with someone with a pet rat as a therapy animal. We'd have a lot to chat about.

And I spoken to folks training dogs in WalMart more than once (when they had the dog on a sit/stay command).

Dogs have been helping humankind for a long time. A turd isn't going to end that relationship.

I love seeing a tiny therapy dog when I go to my Pain clinic. That one rides is a purse! It's awesome!

I think support animals are a great idea. I'm not so sure issuing prescriptions and getting special treatment for them is a great idea. If you want a pet for support, get one. If you can't for some reason, like your landlord doesn't allow them, find another way to get the support you need.

As for animals in stores, I agree that they shouldn't be there, particularly if they aren't even house broken. The problem with that woman's dog wasn't that it wasn't trained as a support animal, it apparently wasn't trained at all. Either that or the lady had neglected to give it a bathroom break for so long that it couldn't help itself. Sounds like the dog might be the one who needs support.

I would never bring a dog into a store like Macy's! I work at a big box home center with a liberal dog policy. I love it actually. We have dog regulars. We also have a rare, but occasional accident. No problem. We are prepared. Also concrete floors makes clean up easy. As for other retailers... No!

For clarity.
Also, a quick and easy way to tell if it’s a real service animal is asking to pet it. If the owner says no then it’s real. Especially for business that don’t want to deal with lawsuits.

I'm with you.

I love animals, but owners are sometimes irresponsible. Dogs can't go shopping on their own; they come with owners, so unfortunately this irresponsible behaviour will eventually ruin it for all the responsible dog owners.

i disagree. it is irresponsible dog-owners who should be banned. there are well-behaved dogs who would never poop or piddle in a store because they've been trained not to and/or their owners made sure they had done so out of doors before entering the shop. there are others whose owners would immediately clean up if an accident occurred. i wouldn't ban the dogs, but i'd post clear signs about what is required and ban humans who do not comply.

g

I love dogs but I don't assume everyone does...kind of like a child...yours is great but everyone else's, not so much.

I take my dog where dogs are welcome...in the park on a leash, dog park without a leash but fenced, walking in my neighborhood, outdoor cafes specifically known for welcoming dogs, PetSmart...

People like that make responsible dog owners look bad...support dogs for those that need them are trained BEFORE they are given over, so she was a faker...

Was interesting to see dogs allowed in many, many stores and restaurants in Germany, when I visited back in the 90's, before the concept of support or service dogs was popular. They were just allowed as a matter of custom. Different country, different perspective.

When My older brother was still able to live at home with his wife, he had a support dog. He had Altzheimer's for the last several years. He died this May 14th at age 79. I will not comment as to if his "emotional support dog" was a frivolous indulgence or not.

People want to bring "support animals" everywhere and even on a plane. It's ridiculous! Can I bring my support ostrich?

I agree with you that people should not take dogs everywhere, however I do feel different about support dogs. In that I have to say that support dogs are trained they would never disgrace themselves like that dog did. I don't know but perhaps they have different training for support dogs in the US than we have here in Australia. Actually when we talk about dogs not being allowed everywhere I feel like that about kids sometimes. I think there should be a kid free day that they are not allowed into shopping centers, libraries and other public places.

There has been a lot of abuse of the service animal title.
It's disgusting how easy the vests are to acquire online.
It hurts those who HAVE LEGITIMATE SERVICE ANIMALS.

I agree with the caveat that any trained licensed assistant dog should be allowed access. The problem with emotional support animals is they are not trained or vetted rather its just signed off by a doctor etc. The airlines are struggling with the difference and the ease of people getting emotional support animals.

I have no problems with people bringing their pets in to stores. However, people need to be be prepared to take 100% accountability for their pets behavior if they choose to take such action. This includes paying for any damage their pet does to the property. Stores should also not be held accountable if a pet whose human has no control over them is killed or injured.

I would personally never bring a pet in to a store. It’s too much of a distraction. I’m there to get my shopping done. Not to make sure that my dog isn’t running around knocking over displays and tearing in to packages of beef jerky.