Dog friendly estabishments

[Riza]

I was out shopping today at the new outlet mall by the airport and love shopping there. Its not because there is a Coach outlet, (ok maybe a little bit) not that I can get a Prada there (well maybe a little bit of a reason also) but first and foremost I can take my dog into any of the stores in the mall. They welcome him into the Guess store, he is a regular welcome guest at the Calvin Klein store and both of the above mentioned stores. I can take him into some of the most expensive stores in the city and everyone welcomes him with open arms and its not only my buddy that they allow.

So why is it if I go to Home Depot of all places or Canadian tire I get the "sorry, we don't allow animals in the store" Now I totally understand and get that for health reasons they don't allow dogs into establishments that serve or prepare food. I get it and completely agree, but Home Depot???

Know I know there are people that do not take responsibility for their animals and allow them to make a mess or have not trained them to hold there dodo until outside. Everyone makes a mistake, including animals but a owner not cleaning up after their animal is a disgrace and should be punished.

So this got me thinking, why not reward the responsible animal owner. Why can't there be certification for dogs and their owners. I would have no problem paying a fee so it doesn't come out of public tax dollars to the dismay of non animal owners and certify that my dog is a safe and well trained K9 and can expected to be on good behavior in new settings. Something like they do for service dogs but a much simpler and quicker tests and qualifications. Doesn't pee on the floor, check. Doesn't poop on the floor, check. Not aggressive when subjected to various stimuli, check. And so on. Get a passing grade and get a special collar or vest with a serial number. Pee or poop in a store and they take the number and call it in and you loose your privileges of the collar.

These days a dog is part of the family. (I refer mostly to dogs because they are usually the animals taken into public areas but I do know some other animal lovers take their loved ones into public so cat lovers stand down lol) They are loved and cared for just like a child and are treasured as much also. I am lucky and don't have to depend on public transit. For those people that do I feel your hurt. What the hell are you supposed to do if are on a low income and you don't have your own vehicle and you want to take your dog to Coquitlam for a dog show, find a dog friendly taxi when you should be able to hop on the sky train?

Maybe I am just venting or maybe I just love my dog and want to take him with me as much as I can, he is like a son to me and anyone that has come to my house knows this and has probably has met him. Seriously, how couldn't you love this face. (the dog i mean)

If is ok to take him into the outlet Nike store and hang out with the staff I would think I could take him into the depot or crappytire. Do you think the certification idea would catch on? Any other thoughts? Think I will go take my George for a walk and enjoy some mommy doggy time hehe.

Cheers everyone.

 

[Lets Review]

I recommend my dog to certify other dogs. How? I'll just ask him "Who's a good boy?"

 

[Riza]

Maybe I wasn't specific enough. There would be a governing body that would do the certification. Maybe comprised of professional dog trainers and city staff. You used to have to get your car aircare certified every couple years, why not your dog peecare certified. (If you want to, if not, just leave them at home like you do now).

 

[meaghanmcleodDELETED]

There is a good canine citizen test you can get. I know your boy would pass with flying colours, he's such a luv bug.

http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/ccgct-info.html

 

[Lee Marvin]

Seems all well and good until the very well trained large dog loses it on someone's/your little dog and it's not pretty.
These are dogs and recent news should show that it only takes one bad moment to come up with a good reason to keep dogs out of most retail and public places.
I've always owned black labs and the guy I have now used to be a favourite at my mom's care home.
I wouldn't take him to the mall and try and shop if others were also allowed to bring their dogs

 

[Riza]

Seems all well and good until the very well trained large dog loses it on someone's/your little dog and it's not pretty.
These are dogs and recent news should show that it only takes one bad moment to come up with a good reason to keep dogs out of most retail and public places.
I've always owned black labs and the guy I have now used to be a favourite at my mom's care home.
I wouldn't take him to the mall and try and shop if others were also allowed to bring their dogs

I guess you don't take him to the leash off dog park either? There is one in Richmond we go to and he gets to visit with 10-20 other dogs running around having a blast. Guess that would be a really bad environment for your dog also. Does a public place also include walking down the sidewalk?

Edit: Ok took me a moment but now after reading your post a couple times I get it. You fear for your dog from other dogs and not the other way around. Well if I was that worried I guess I would keep my dog at home and inside all the time. I know I can hear at night sometimes what sounds like either wild dogs or coyotes in the back fields but I still take my dog outside for his nightly poop. Also I know there is always a chance my guy could get bit or worse at the off leash park but he so loves his time there with the other dogs, I just weigh the good with the bad. If I was worried all the time about things like that I would have home schooled my kids and never allowed them out of the house, there are some monsters out there

 

[Lee Marvin]

First thing he wants to do at the park when he meets another dog is pee so they can smell who he is.
Imagine that at the mall if everyone brought their dogs, never mind a fight.

 

[Riza]

First thing he wants to do at the park when he meets another dog is pee so they can smell who he is.
Imagine that at the mall if everyone brought their dogs, never mind a fight.

Well I am not the only one taking advantage of the dog friendly outlet mall. We have met up with other dog owners with their dogs both in and out of the stores and haven't had a incident yet. The same goes for our many trips to petsmart and other dog stores. Guess I have only met up with the well trained dogs so far.

And I know there are bad ones out there and they are the ones that should not be allowed out in public.

 

[Lee Marvin]

I've met your dog and you. I showed him some love on my way out. He's certainly adorable.
I'm meaning the indoor malls not really the outdoor malls you've been refering to.

 

[summerbreeze]

some people are allergic to dogs, cats, etc.

dogs are not as controllable as their owners always like to think they are, often they find this out after the fact and have to apologize

their love for their pet makes them completely insensitive to the inconvenience or trauma it causes someone else

really quite selfish when you think of it

might be different if they went to the expense of properly training their animal for public venues

 

[Riza]

some people are allergic to dogs, cats, etc.

dogs are not as controllable as their owners always like to think they are, often they find this out after the fact and have to apologize

their love for their pet makes them completely insensitive to the inconvenience or trauma it causes someone else

really quite selfish when you think of it

might be different if they went to the expense of properly training their animal for public venues

The "might be different if they went to the expense of properly training their animal for public venues" is exactly what I am talking about. Get the training, get the certification, make sure your dog is safe. If you have to apologize for your dog it is not fit to go out in a public place and either go back to school with him or keep him home. Now the allergic thing I see the point. I am allergic to many types of perfumes and colones but unfortunately I have to deal with it. For those that I have gone into a sneezing fit during our session, I apologize. Luckily it doesn't happen often, I think old spice is my enemy lol.

Maybe I am selfish for wanting to take my dog with me when I can

 

[meaghanmcleodDELETED]

I think the issue is the individual dog and their abilities, temperaments, and the owners ability to truly understand dog language.

I have a pit bull. She is 2 years old. Great in an open field, great with other dogs in the right environment. However, I wouldn't bring her into a store, even pet stores. She seems to run into the little dogs that do not have manners, and the narrow aisles do not give her an opportunity to avoid a dog that is not comfortable with a large dog. So I don't bring her in. Maybe once she is a bit older, I will be able to, but for now I won't. However, I understand my dogs abilities.

I used to have a Rottweiler, and I would have no issue bringing her anywhere. Also a terrier who would be a perfect lady in any situation. The difference, they were both older dogs, mellow and listened well and didn't get excited.

The unfortunate issue are owners who make excuses for their dogs.

I took my girl to an off leash dog park up island. My girl came in with respect, no pulling on leash. Let the other dogs greet her. I was so proud of her. One lady however said, is she a pit bull? She needs to have a muzzle. I didn't realize that municipality required muzzles on pit bulls. My dog was still being well behaved, when out of no where, her ankle biter attacked my girl. My girl didn't react, just looked at the dog like, wtf? The lady said, see, I told you your dog should be muzzled. I replied, it looks like your dog is the one that should be muzzled.

So, I am always cautious around other dogs, as if something happens, my dog is going to be the one that gets put down, even if she didn't start the conflict. There are some really bad dog owners out there.

Again, Riza, your boy is amazing, a true ambassador of his breed.

 

[summerbreeze]

you can see dogs with their owners in fine dining restaurants in paris, but it is a bit more cultured over there than here

retail chains have to deal with protecting their staff,

imagine a new young worker at Canadian Tire being told he had to deal with a feces on the floor in aisle nine, many of the rules you will see in retail have to do with employee
feedback and safety

A person who is allergic to animals who wears contact lenses has to deal with itchy eyes for the next 4 hours after an encounter with animals that they are allergic to (assuming that type of reaction) very inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Not sure what is more irritating the dog independent or the owner who thought it was cute that their dog took a liking to you. I happen to like animals, grew up with them and of course tolerate them in my friends and family's homes when I am over for a visit. Most owners go out of their way to protect you once you mention that you are allergic but seldom in a public venue when the dog encounters you through lack of owner training or diligence will the owner even apologize. More often than not you get an angry response for making the owner feel bad. (and I only mention I am allergic, it is never an aggressive complaint)

Dog lovers are love blind when it comes to their dogs, I know, I had a mother who was a dog lover. In this case I am not sure training is the issue, probably an attitude of erring on the safer side so that people are not put out by an incident.

Sorry, just a perspective to keep in mind.

 

[Sibar]

Well I am not the only one taking advantage of the dog friendly outlet mall. We have met up with other dog owners with their dogs both in and out of the stores and haven't had a incident yet. The same goes for our many trips to petsmart and other dog stores. Guess I have only met up with the well trained dogs so far.

And I know there are bad ones out there and they are the ones that should not be allowed out in public.

I guess you are talking about both? the owner and the dog not allowed out! Not all dogs are raised the same, I have seen some pretty nice Pit Bulls out there that are friendly to kids. I have witnessed some owners, that can't be bothered cleaning up after their dogs. Maybe the Home Depot had a problem, so they just blanket all dog owners (excluding seeing eye dogs).

 

[MissingOne]

This is a topic very close to my heart. It's particularly an issue when traveling during the summer. One can't leave a dog in a car in the hot sun, but can't take it along when shopping.

I'm surprised that Riza's crappy tire store won't allow dogs. The Canadian Tire nearest to us allows them, and our dog has been in a number of times.

There are a Home Depot and a Rona about equidistant from us. The Home Depot has a fast food joint inside, so it can't allow dogs. The Rona does allow dogs, so that's where we shop.

Thinking about it though, we've never met another dog in the Canadian Tire or the Rona. I can understand the concern about what can happen when two dogs meet.

We sometimes spend time in a neighborhood that has seen a big influx of south Asians. Some of the older ones abhor dogs. If they see us with our dog approaching on the sidewalk, they cross the street to avoid an encounter. We have actually modified our behaviour. Now, if we see them approaching, we cross the street, so that they don't have to. To an observer who doesn't know what's going on, we probably look racist as hell, but really, we're just trying to be courteous.

Anyway, to the many dog lovers on PERB, you and your beasts have a great new year together!

 

[myselftheother]

You might also take into consideration the liability that retail stores like Home Depot and the like are under, and with dogs running around, never mind kids that parents can't or won't control...imagine you're at Home Depot, and your precious gets into something or eats something harmful off the floor...or causes an injury to staff...allergies, etc. Dogs are great, love them, but please be aware there are inappropriate places where dogs really shouldn't be. Restaurants, grocery stores, etc...no. Home Depot or Canadian Tire? No...it's a distraction, especially a larger breed that needs to be on a leash that you can't carry. And you must take into consideration people's allergies, phobias

 

[sensualsixty]

Pit Bulls and SP's

I am sure that many remember Emily, one of Victoria's more revered escorts, now retired. She had a Pit Bull which was usually present when one was meeting up with Emily. It had a reputation for being very laid back. I bet Emily never had a problem with an aggressive client.

 

[MissingOne]

You might also take into consideration the liability that retail stores like Home Depot and the like are under, and with dogs running around, never mind kids that parents can't or won't control...imagine you're at Home Depot, and your precious gets into something or eats something harmful off the floor...or causes an injury to staff...allergies, etc. Dogs are great, love them, but please be aware there are inappropriate places where dogs really shouldn't be. Restaurants, grocery stores, etc...no. Home Depot or Canadian Tire? No...it's a distraction, especially a larger breed that needs to be on a leash that you can't carry. And you must take into consideration people's allergies, phobias

I take the attitude that if a business explicitly advertises that they are dog friendly, I will take my dog there. By explicitly, I mean that they have a sign at the entrance stating their policy. If there is no such explicit permission, I don't take the dog.

One of the shopping malls near us has signage asking that people do not leave their dogs in their cars. They prefer that dogs be brought into the mall. Each store owner in the mall sets their own policy about dogs entering the store. Obviously, grocery stores and food vendors do not permit dogs in their establishments. It's quite common for couples or families to go into the mall with a dog. One or more persons will sit on a bench in the mall with the dog, while the other(s) do the grocery shopping.

 

[beavereric]

Why not volunteer to train a puppy for Paws or seeing eye dogs. You get to take the puppies everywhere. Have taken my Lab-in-trainng to the movies, fancy reastaurants bus/metro into the new Nortrom store.
The vet bills are provided and the food as well.
Your land lord or strata does not allow dogs? NO problem - these puppies must be allowed by law.

 

[Cami Parker]

I agree 10 million percent!