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).