Cross Breeds

So what exactly is the rule with small dogs?

It's obvious that you can't take a large dog into stores, but I regularly see people bringing small dogs into stores (sitting on their arm) and nobody cares. What is the official rule on where you can and cannot bring small dogs?

Public Comments

1. I would never bring your dog to a place in less it says that you can. I personally hate the fact that people think that they can bring their little yorkies or poms to the mall. It really irritates me. Don't take your dog anywhere that you don't think it should go, for example, the mall, walmart target, anywhere that serves food (in less they have an outdoor area that allows dogs). Remember that it is a dog, not a fashion accessory. You shouldn't take them anywhere unless you can take them inside. Don't ever leave them in the car. That's a death sentence. Please be responsible and use common sense.
2. They just don't get caught. Some shop owners allow small dogs that can be carried, but pets are not allowed in places that sell food. Like grocery stores or restaurants of any kind. Unless the animal is a service dog, like a seeing eye dog, etc. It's not because they don't like dogs, it is a Public Health Law.
3. I think people with small dogs are more likely to bring them in, and unless a store worker says something to them, they think it is okay. I dont take my dogs into any store but Petco or Petsmart. If its too hot or too cold to leave them in the car, then they stay home.
4. I bring my chi into non-food type stores, hidden inside a bag, only because it is in the 20's here and she gets freezing if left in the car. I feel guilty about it a bit, but don't think it's the end of the world.
5. I don't know what the rule is, but if anyone allowed small dogs in a store such as a grocery store, and they weren't therapy/service dogs...well, I don't think I'd shop there anymore. I love dogs and cats to death, but I don't think they belong in the grocery store.
6. Unless the dog is a guide dog or a service dog it has not business being in stores except pet product stores. I had a woman tossed from a rather large grocery store in NE Ohio last week end for having a dog in shopping cart. I witnessed the dog climbing from cart into meat section and I went for the manager, and he came and told her to leave and she screamed at him and every body else that her dog was her baby and had a right to be there. She said she wasn't leaving and he called police. They shouldn't be in restaurants either
7. I will never for the life of me figure this one out. Ever. One of my jobs is a retail job & regularly people bring in their little dogs in a bag or push them around the store in one of the shopping carriages. I think it's absurd. I always wonder to myself what people would think if they saw me pushing my German Shepherd around in a cart. A dog is a dog. I don't care how little it is. Or how much it resembles a stuffed toy or a cat. It's a DOG. If it says "No Dogs" then it means NO dogs. Especially in places that sell food. I'd say use common sense, you can easily tell which establishments are pet friendly. A manager has every right to have someone leave for bringing an animal into their business. The exceptions of course always being a service animal.
8. The rule should be that if you can't bring a big dog into the store, than you shouldn't be bringing a small dog in either.