TODAY’S POLL

LAST POLL RESULTS

24.3% of you voted I generally like it in yesterday’s poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed in more public places than they were in the past?

“So long as there’s consideration for other people.”

“I always welcome a well-behaved dog with a responsible owner. I do not at all care for owners who think their dogs are perfect and allow them to do anything they want because it’s ‘cute.’ Keep them leashed when they should be, teach recall, and respect that not every person — OR every other dog — likes your dog. I love dogs at work, at cafés, at parks, etc.!”

“If ‘well-behaved,’ most people like to see dogs walking with their owners in public places. I typically like to pat the dog on the head, if permitted by the owner. The dogs typically enjoy the greeting.”

“Bow WOW! Great!”

“We need our four-legged friends so much more than they need us. I’m happy to share more spaces as long as the owners are well-behaved. 🙂”

“I have trained my 6-month-old puppy very well. I get complimented daily. If an owner has total control of their dog, and the dog doesn’t bark, then I think it’s great. If the dog pulls, drags, barks, or ignores commands, that dog should definitely stay home until better trained. I put in the time to make my dog intelligent and welcome everywhere. Dogs are a responsibility and a blessing.”

“They’re not called ‘man’s best friend’ for nothing!”

“AS LONG AS THEY ARE TRAINED, WHY NOT.”

“On a leash and behaving.”

“I’m a huge animal person. If the humans can control their dogs and be responsible pet parents, then I’m all for more dogs out and about.”

“As long as the owners are responsible and can control their dogs, I’m good with it.”

“As long as the dog is not being presented as a support animal when, in fact, it is not!”

“I love it as long as it is the right setting for the dog. Service dogs are trained to go anywhere, and it is unfortunate that people have abused that special designation. Dog owners need to recognize when their pup has the behavior skills and training for a public place or event. One must consider the safety of their dog as well as the general public. My pup loves people, but when he is excited, it can be too much for some people, and I get that. As much as I hate to do so, he stays home. Keep your pup safe at home if you are not sure they can handle crowds, noises, other dogs, the unexpected, and open spaces.”

“I have a husky that cannot be trusted to chill out unless she has had a super-long walk beforehand. I know that about her, so I won’t take her out unless it’s after a long walk. What sucks is when other people don’t have that awareness of their dogs, and they’re loud, freaking out, or reactive to people and dogs.”

“I don’t mind it as long as the dog is friendly and kept on a leash… and the owner picks up the poop!”

“As long as the dog is well-behaved. I have not had one myself in about 13 years, but I love meeting them in public, including the grocery store! That being said, I do regard bringing your dog to my home when the invitation is for you as very rude unless I am asked. I had a friend who would visit unannounced with a huge, ill-mannered dog that you could smell from 20 feet away, and they just could not understand why I was not happy to have the stinking thing anywhere near me.”

“As someone who’s single and often goes places on my own, I love seeing more businesses become pet-friendly. It’s nice being able to include my dog instead of leaving her at home because there’s no one else to watch her. That said, I completely understand and respect businesses that aren’t pet-friendly — they have their reasons, too.”

“I don’t mind that dogs are accompanying people to more places. What I mind is owners who don’t clean up after their dogs or allow them to harass people or other dogs.”

“It’s fun to see dogs in some stores… so long as they are well-behaved and the owner is prepared to clean up if the dog has an accident.”

“I feel like it’s fine when appropriate, but I don’t think they need to be everywhere we go.”

“Everyone loves dogs. There are places that they should not be allowed to go. Outside a restaurant is a yes. Inside a restaurant, it’s a hard no. Dogs on planes are fine as long as they are small, well-balanced, and are truly therapy dogs.”

“Open places, good. Closed spaces, bad. Spaces where I eat or buy food? No way.”

“I have seen dogs in coffee shops snap and attempt to bite children’s hands when the child tried to touch them. Some places you go into seem more like a pet store than a restaurant. When I see this, I leave immediately.”

“When my kids were little, they were terrified of dogs. Having people bring dogs into shops, restaurants, or on public transportation would put an end to any outing!”

“There are many people who are allergic to dogs. And not everyone is a dog lover. I feel like it gets out of control.”

“I said I generally don’t like it, not because of the dogs, but because of the owners.”

“Too many dogs in restaurants and stores that are CLEARLY not trained service dogs. Many times, it’s as unfair to the animal as it is to other patrons.”

“I find it inconsiderate and, in most cases, inappropriate for the poor animal.”

“I don’t like non-service dogs in hotels because you can’t depend on housekeepers to clean rooms that dogs have been in. Also, many pet owners don’t keep their pets clean. I don’t like riding elevators with dogs. I also don’t like being served meals at restaurants after the waitstaff have watered and petted a dog. I think dogs belong in parks and outdoor areas, not restaurants, hotels, non-pet stores, and other venues.”

“Dogs and dining do not go together.”

“Not in places where food is present, i.e., grocery stores.”

“Just quit bringing dogs to dealerships and public buildings, period. We are not dog sitters, and buildings are for people, not animals…”

“I don’t care to see dogs’ tongues hanging out and hear their panting.”

“Why are dogs even allowed in public places!?”

“I don’t have a dog. I feel dogs should be left at home and not taken to public venues.”

“Dogs are not people.”

“Unless it’s a ‘true’ service dog, pets should stay home. Just like you should not be entering a Walmart in your pajamas. Clownish.”

“People need to leave their dogs at home unless they are service animals.”

“What’s next? Bringing your pet snake or horse to the grocery store?”

“There is this great burger joint in Evergreen, Colorado. One time, while waiting in line, I watched a woman on the patio pull tufts of hair out of her Golden Retriever and just let them float over everyone’s food. Since then, I have despised dogs in food establishments.”

“It is EXTREMELY selfish for people to impose their dogs on other people. Some people are allergic and end up being sick. Some people are afraid of dogs because they have been bitten in the past. Many dogs are not trained well by their owners and jump up on people, leaving dirt and slobber. No one made you get a dog; it was a choice YOU made, so be courteous and do not bring it into a restaurant or the grocery store — it’s unsanitary. Keep it in YOUR yard or house or car. Don’t force your choice onto other people who have reasons they cannot be around dogs.”

“I am very allergic to dogs and love them, but they don’t belong in bookstores, restaurants, etc. Additionally, there are some cultures that are terrified of dogs and should not have to be forced to be around them in public places.”

“It just depends on where… food places, grocery stores, and even box stores are a hard no for me, and that should be universal. Other than that, I don’t care much.”

“I am not a fan of them in grocery stores unless they are a true service dog.”

“Dogs in the grocery store don’t belong there unless they are a true service animal. (Not a ‘comfort’ animal that is just there to help its owner not ‘miss’ it for a few hours, with the exception of PTSD animals. I consider them service animals).”

“I certainly have no problem with anyone who has a certified service dog, that’s one with the actual vest. Too many folks are getting away with bringing their pets into stores and restaurants, CALLING them service dogs, and that isn’t right. I see lawsuits in the future over potential situations that could arise because of that, plus sanitary concerns. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE dogs and would take my little Bug with me everywhere if I could. But I don’t. Take them to a dog park or to one of those bars that allow dogs. I’ve done that before. But there are too many different people in the world, many of whom don’t like seeing dogs in certain places. And I really don’t want to see or hear about fights and situations resulting from this.”

“When owners bring dogs to outdoor festivals that are crowded and hot, I just feel sorry for the dog… leave the poor thing home. Otherwise, I’m a total dog lover.”

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