Should you bring the dog?

[Gempress]

I just read an interesting article online.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13740984/

Apparantly, an increasing amount of people are bringing their dogs with them...to movie theaters, restaurants, dinner parties, etc. And some pet lovers are rejoicing, but others are appalled.

I admit, I would never bring my boys to a private home without asking the host. That's just plain rude. And I wouldn't even consider it with an untrained dog.

But I also think the overall tone of the article is a bit sad. It implies that small dogs are acceptable but large dogs are not. I see nothing wrong with a well-trained large dog in certain situations. Certainly it would be no more problem that a small dog in a purse.

I can see where the author is coming from, though. It seems that many dog owners are getting downright belligerant about their "rights" to bring the dog. I personally would not bring my boys to a restaurant, even one that allowed dogs. How does the dog enjoy that? My boys are not fed from the table or allowed to beg. I would not let them solicit attention from other diners, either. So they get to lay on the floor for an hour, smelling food they can't eat and seeing people who don't want to interact with a dog at that time. What fun!

What do you think? When is it acceptable to bring the dog?

 

[jess2416]

What do you think? When is it acceptable to bring the dog?

IMO, when all parties that are involved are comfortable with the dog being there....

 

[Renee750il]

We always clear it with the hosts. Of course, not being able to bring at least one of the dogs if it's an overnight trip means that either we don't go or Charley goes by himself.

As far as doing things like sightseeing or just generally futzing around, I've always taken my big dogs anywhere people brought their little dogs. And very often, mine were the best mannered and least obtrusive!

Shiva in a restaurant!!!! Although she is a different dog when she's out in public. Her manners are deceptively impeccable. Kharma is easy - just a dream. Bimmer doesn't care much for too many people, although he does love women. He also doesn't like to go into strange buildings very much, but I figure that's the wolfiness there.

 

[Roxy's CD]

I never bring Roxy and Hades anywhere.. LOL, other than my parents house.

They not well enough behaved... that's sounds really weird. LOL

I also of course, would never bring Roxy/Hades to a resteraunt/movie theater. As you said Gemp what fun would it be for them?

Definitely not, not even if they were well behaved would I bring them to a resteraunt. They come to places like the pet store, and in the car with me, but...Nope never even if they were allowed, would my dogs go to a resteraunt or a movie! LOL

 

[Buddy'sParents]

We take Buddy wherever we can. If it's another person's house we ask and if he's not allowed to come we usually don't stay long. When we start training him for his therapy dog he will go absolutely everywhere with us so that he can get accustomed to many many different things.

 

[Toller_08]

I love the idea of taking my dog everywhere, but its not ever going to become reality...atleast, it shouldn't in my opinion. Its not fair to people who are afraid of dogs, or are highly allergic to them either. Plus, there are more irresponsible dog owners out there than there are responsible ones so I just see problems. I don't think any dog, except service dogs, should be allowed absolutely everywhere. Restaurants are fine, as long as you're going to one that has the option of dining outside. Everywhere else, I totally disagree with UNLESS there is a sign clearly stating that dogs are allowed inside so that non doggy people can steer clear from those places. Of course, I take my dogs everywhere possible but only when I'm going to be somewhere outside where dogs are allowed. Lol...do you really think a dog would enjoy sitting in an extremely loud move theatre? I know mine wouldn't..

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Wow, that article is VERY prejudice against large breeds.

 

[bubbatd]

I think outside restaurants and bars should accept any breed as long as they behave. Bubba would behave himself any where .

 

[Renee750il]

I sent them an e-mail . . . but you KNEW I would . . .

 

[SummerRiot]

Riot goes almost everywhere with me, if he can't come, I rarely go lol

Its been like that since he was a puppy - I just got used to him always being there, getting socializing, I find it odd if he isn't there with me.

Riot goes to the movies with me(Drive In), he goes to the mall with me (waits in the van), he goes to friends houses with me(if hes invited - his "aunties and uncles" love him though lol).

 

[PoodleMommy]

My dog comes many places with me.. I admit I have snuck her in a few places she shouldnt have been.

But I only bring her to private homes, if I have asked the Hosts beforehand.
Most parties we go to are at family or close friends and she is more then welcome at all of them.

Elissa

 

[iheartsammy]

Riot goes almost everywhere with me, if he can't come, I rarely go lol

Its been like that since he was a puppy - I just got used to him always being there, getting socializing, I find it odd if he isn't there with me.

Riot goes to the movies with me(Drive In), he goes to the mall with me (waits in the van), he goes to friends houses with me(if hes invited - his "aunties and uncles" love him though lol).

wow me and sam are the same way! I think I would rather take my dog with me where ever I could, where ever I am Sam is happy. So I think it would be better to take her with me, then leave her alone at home, just so she can freak out and chew up the trash!

 

[darkchild16]

im the same way with walker but everywhere around here the people who own the building know him and love him so its all good. Rarely do i go to the movies or mall or anything

 

[RD]

Honestly I can understand why the article is a little partial to small dogs in public vs. big dogs. I've never been bothered by a small dog in a purse, but I've been bothered by people with exuberant larger dogs on long leashes. I take Ripley quite a few places in my purse and he is so good and quiet, nobody knows he's there. I was out this week (terribly sunburned too) and had to run into Wal-Mart for some aloe vera gel. It was too hot to leave Ripley in the car so I tucked him in my purse and nobody noticed him. Not even the cashier noticed him until we talked to him - she said she thought he was a stuffed toy!

When is it acceptable to bring the dog? When the dog is under control and where the dog is welcome by management. If a restaurant tells me I can bring my dog in, to hell with what other people think - I'm bringing my dog. Both of my boys are well mannered enough to handle that. It doesn't do much for the dog in terms of fun, but my dogs would rather be with me at a restaurant than at home, alone.

If I was staying with somebody, I would never ever bring my dogs unless they agreed to it. I will be staying with some friends of ours next month to train their Golden Retriever puppy, and I made sure that my dogs were truly welcome and that I wasn't just taking their invitation to me to mean that my dogs were allowed too.

I will take my dogs wherever I can. Both are dogs that need consistent socialization and the more they get out, the better.

 

[imissmydog]

I'm only 15 but I've never seen a dog in a restaurant, movie theatre, or dinner parties. If I did see a dog in the movies , I would say to myself "What the hell is a dog doing at a movie? It cant enjoy it."

 

[RetrieverLove]

I really don't see a point in taking my dogs to those places. If there wasn't strict regulations against it, I can see it turning into complete chaos too. There are the occasional places that I'll take Emma in but those are few and far between. Honestly, I don't see the novelty of having one of them in a store with me. They are happier relaxing at home.

 

[Dizzy]

I'd love to take Bodhi more places, but some people do not like dogs, so I have to consider that.

Can't see the point in taking her to the cinema or a restaurant though - for reasons stated above. Not fun for her at all.

 

[Fran27]

I don't see the point of a movie theater either... Poor dog. Restaurant is fine though IMO, but again people have to be sure that they are well behaved, and seeing how stupid some people are with their dogs, I think it's safer to just know allow them, lol.

 

[StillandSilent]

My Radar would actually enjoy the movie theater. He would have an unmoving lap for 2 hours. A little slice of heaven in his opinion. Plus he loves an occasional snack of popcorn. As far as shopping goes, I wouldn't take either one. Both are fairly well behaved, but both would be bored stiff. Plus Radar hates walking for long periods because he is a lazy little booger.

 

[LabBreeder]

I think it's nuts that people want to bring their dogs to restaurants and movie theaters. If you are trying to watch a movie and all these dogs are barking someone is eventually going to get pi$$ed off. Why bring your dog to a restaurant when most will only be allowed to lay under the table until the people are done eating? That's kind of cruel and boring for the dogs.
On the flip side - if little dogs get to go places then big dogs should be allowed to as well. Provided that all (small and big) are well trained and will not cause problems (and no dog or people agressive dogs allowed).

Having said that...I won't bring mine anywhere except where they are allowed (which is basically outside) and to some out of the way ponds and rivers. They both love people and other dogs but I know not all people and dogs are going to love them back.