I don’t think it is so much that they think their dogs are under control, I think it is more that that don’t care if their dog is under control or not. They want to take the dog everywhere and nothing else matters.
I don’t know that it is as easy as that - but I don’t have a single easy explanation.
Even walking dogs on paths in parks. What could be easier than keeping your dog from lunging at other people and other dogs? And keeping your dog’s leash short enough that other people don’t have to worry about the dog nipping at them?
But probably at least a quarter of the dog owners I encounter as I walk my dog are clueless about even that. Instead, they seem to think, “My dog wants to play.” Or “Is just being friendly.”
Then, even if they seem aware of their dog’s misbehavior, they coo at the dog, or respond in ways that seem perfectly aimed at reinforcing - rather than discouraging - such conduct.
As a normal adult, I can control my bodily functions, but even if I get sick & get diarrhea & can’t quite make it to the bathroom in time I’m wearing clothes, which would serve to contain any mess. Is your dog wearing a diaper or are they going on the floor? I am also pretty sure I’ve never rubbed my butt on the ground to scratch an anal gland & I know I’ve never licked my own butt (I’m nowhere near flexible enough to even attempt it.)
I believe the law is that non-service animals are not allowed in places that serve food. They may be in the outdoor seating area of a restaurant but not inside.
My dog is a service dog in training. She goes almost everywhere with me. When she was younger and occasionally had accidents, I carried something similar to a diaper bag. I was prepared to clean it up, bag it, disinfect the area and dry it. She is regularly brushed and bathed, so that we can reduce the shedding/dog smell issues. When the harness is on and she is working, she is calm and collected (mostly). We’ve worked very hard on her ignoring everything. She tucks herself into small spaces by my feet when we are sitting (waiting room, restaurant, etc). She is familiar with and unbothered by grocery carts. We have not attempted the grocery store yet, but I also tend to have groceries delivered.
I realize that I am discussing a service dog and not a family pet, but it’s certainly possible for people to work on socializing their animals and make them safe and pleasant in public spaces. On the other hand, I don’t have a problem with people taking their animals almost anywhere, so long as they can meet that standard. I don’t think the mere presence of a dog makes a store or restaurant any more unsanitary than it already is.
I entirely disagree. I want to make it clear that I really love dogs, and I plan on owning a couple dogs when I have the space, money and time available to dedicate to them. But dogs simply do not belong in certain places unless their inclusion is an absolute necesessity.
Think about it. Your dog/s are probably trained very well. Maybe they’d lie down comfortable by your feet the entire time you’re at a restaurant. That’s awesome. The problem is that most people’s dogs are NOT trained to the same level, or even close. Kids already run around screaming a lot of the time (and I feel their parents should be given the boot when that gets out of control), but can you imagine if everyone and their barber brought their dogs in? If you’re determined to include dogs in virtually all places, you better also be determined to make high-level training absolutely mandatory. Which will never happen because fewer people will adopt, and more dogs will be euthanized.
Ideally, dogs would be trained and could be allowed everywhere. I wish I could see that. But that viewpoint doesn’t jive with reality one bit.
We already have people causing problems with bogus emotional support animal certifications. We don’t need the situation to get even worse. Plus, there are plenty of people with dog allergies that don’t need to constantly risk exposure to dogs every time they enter a building.
I think plenty of people would, saving those with dog allergies or intense fear of dogs. The problem is the ‘well-behaved’ part. Most dogs going into places like restaurants would NOT be well-behaved.
In my part of town, I’ve never seen a dog at a cafe or restaurant, much less a supermarket. The only place I ever really remember seeing them is at Pet Smart. I am a dog owner; I love dogs, but, yeah, that would be weird and maybe slightly annoying to me, as I simply don’t expect dogs in those places. I have been to places that were specifically advertised as “dog friendly,” but, even there, that was typically in outdoor sections of the restaurant or bar. I have never seen a dog inside something like a Starbucks.
I am all for dogs everywhere as long as they’re well behaved. Sadly, they are not all well behaved.
A Starbucks near me used to have water dishes on its patio for dogs that accompanied their owners. A few months ago I saw a sign that pets were no longer welcome due to city regulations that prohibited non-service animals where food was served, even outside.
I can think of a lot of reasons why you might take a dog into an establishment. Take the aforementioned Starbucks, there were times when I would really have liked to go in and get myself a drink, but I was walking my dog. I didn’t even have a car to leave him in.
I would never tie one up outside.
But I can also see why you might want to prohibit them. The only dog I ever saw in a supermarket was a guide dog, and he was pooping. Pooped while walking, right next to the meat counter. It was disgusting. It was also really surprising, because those dogs are really well trained. It also led me to wonder whether blind people have to pick up after their service dogs because that particular blind person did not, and apparently she couldn’t smell either. Yet as her dog was walking along pooping she managed not to step in it.
I’d like to point out, as others have, that many countries (like France) do allow dogs in restaurants, and society has not broken down completely.
Dogs are no worse than many children, in a store, restaurant, or wherever.
But kid don’t usually pee or poop in public.
Now, trained service dogs are another story altogether. I prefer them to most kids.
And thinking of seeing eye dogs, has anyone ever seen one in a place of worship? I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
100% agree. Leave the da*m livestock at home. Unless it’s a seeing eye dog or some other legit disability there’s no need for this.
I sure have at my former church. In the Episcopal church the service follows a set pattern and most Episcopalians can recite the responses by heart. I have no idea what the church had for a first time blind visitor.
The health code is on your side most places, dogs not allowed in establishments serving (or even selling) food. Where I live (northern NJ right near NY) is very dog-oriented, our city was named ‘most dog friendly in the US’ by some dog magazine. But it’s still against the health code to allow them into restaurants and some have signs saying so. Others let it slide.
Over in the City last week at a fairly fancy restaurant a lady had her French Bulldog. One of my dinner companions was asking her about the dog and then mentioned ‘this guy (me) really loves dogs!’ so next thing my picture is being taken with the dog in my lap…at a table at a restaurant. I do love dogs, but they really aren’t supposed to be in restaurants.
Also the de facto rules tend to be a little inconsistent. My late dog was an only fairly big but pretty ferocious looking ‘pit bull’ type and I always imagined I’d get more pushback bringing her into places dogs aren’t really supposed to be than little sissy dogs (though I like sissy dogs too 
). I never took her to indoor public places though in case there were other dogs: she’d been used to breed fighting dogs in her former life and it wasn’t safe for other dogs to be near her, though a complete sweetheart with people. I dog-sit my daughter’s pit bull often now and she’s good with both people and dogs, so I’ll take her into say Home Depot, etc, but not food establishments: she’s really not supposed to be there.
I wonder if those people saying that it’s ok to bring a dog into a restaurant feel that way about other animals? Can someone bring their cat into the restaurant if it’s well behaved? Can I bring my rats in to eat with me? They’re very sweet and won’t bother anyone. Besides, I don’t like to leave them at home alone. How about parrots, monkeys, ferrets and lizards?
Truthfully, I wouldn’t be bothered by any of those animals in a restaurant. As long as whatever animal it is isn’t intruding on me in terms of smell or sound, (and that includes children) I wouldn’t care. It can do its thing and I’ll do mine.
Monkeys kinda freak me out so I prefer none of those but parrots and leezards and cats and ferrets? Heck yeah, those are fun. So long as the parrot isn’t screeching, that’s pretty annoying. I’ve run into a couple people who take their parrots with them everywhere and the birds are so well socialized and cool that they’re a joy to have around.
I don’t know that I’d be disturbed by any of those animals. The key is that they be well-behaved. So I’d likely disfavor a bird flapping its wings and squawking, the same way I’d disfavor a dog vigourously shaking and barking.
I know that various laws consider dogs a health hazard in restaurants. But what exactly are the hazards I’m exposing myself to in my home, where my dog has free rein of the kitchen, often rests his head on my lap while I eat, and pre-rinses the dirty dishes before the go in the washer? I’m not aware of suffering adverse effects from the past 40 years of so of living w/ big dogs.
I’m so looking forward to our yearly sojourn to St Martin, where, on the French side especially, well behaved dogs are welcome anywhere. We cannot afford to bring our three dogs with us, but many French travelers bring theirs along.
There’s a similar statistic about Seattle, apparently it’s 3 dogs for every 2 kids or something like that.
I live in a neighborhood with a 100 walkscore - the grand majority of my errands are on foot (the same with many of the people I see in places with dogs). So my thought pattern is “the hardware store is a 10 minute walk away. Lucy needs a 30 minute walk. I’ll take her for a walk and swing by the hardware store on the way home. Two birds, one stone. Also, they have dog biscuits there.” She doesn’t get to go into (most) restaurants (I don’t consider Starbucks a “restaurant,” and for that I use the mobile app, so all that I have to do is walk in and pick up an already waiting order). And grocery stores (even Amazon Go) are out. She also doesn’t go with me on car-errands, just foot ones. It’s more convenient and easier for me.
These doghouses have started to show up - but I’ve never actually seen a dog inside of one.
In the US for the most part, it is against local Public Health Statutes. No matter how well behaved your non service dog is.