I was in a Frisco grocery store, which just gave up on allowing dogs (they did have a security guard, but he wasnt allowed to do anything about dogs), and I watched as a dog peed in the produce section- and the owner did nothing.
Well, I watched a kid touch every apple in a bin. Eat grapes and cherries. Peel a banana.
I wish people would watch their kids in produce aisles.
You can’t outlaw those petrie dishes who talk. (Include my nasty grandkids)
But we can stop animals in a store. As much as I love them, they are not humans. They can easily stay home and probably be happier doing it
These people are thinking of their own comfort, not the dogs.
Apparently it is acceptable for a shopper to taste test grapes by eating one-
It may sound unhygienic, but there’s nothing wrong with trying before you buy. As long as you follow the proper etiquette, it is totally acceptable to make sure your potential bag of grapes is suitably ripe. In fact, some grocery store employees encourage people to test out the grapes prior to buying.
Ask them if you can sample a grape to see if it’s ripe enough, and they’ll probably oblige. As grocery store workers, they may even be able to provide a glove to make your sampling experience more sanitary. If you’re unable to track down an employee near the produce aisle, limit yourself to one or two grapes
I did not know that.
We had this experience many times, as well. We did have small dachshunds, so they were not intimidating to people (little did they know), but when one of us walking the dogs outside the store, staff would often invite us to bring them in. They never peed or pooped inside. They were well trained.
And they were seriously cute.
You’ve never been around carpeting and a dog, have you?
What gets me is the op just says “animals.” Really? I can bring my death-on-paws tabby, you can bring your adorable pet rat, she has her pet rooster, and that guy can bring his rat terrier? And all will be completely happy and friendly with other?
Me, I see blood shed, a battle royale over who gets to kill the rat and maybe the chicken, who will flee in terror and hide wherever he can burrow or fly. Meanwhile their people will scream and yell and shove and push each other, likely knocking over displays and maybe tumbling into open bins of produce and generalized mayhem and property damage as the phobic and/or especially danger-averse people do their best to get out of the arena.
Do you really think that this will enhance the store’s business?
FULL disclosure:
As much as I think it’s horrible idea taking widdle doggie shopping or eating out. Unless they are true service dogs. (Other animals do not count. IMHO).
As much as I have determined personal comfort animals/pets cannot be certified, by any organization that has any power.
As much as I love animals of all kinds.
I did it. Yes. I did.
For 10 years. Before I had dialysis or lots of hospital and rehab stays.
I had a tiny little Yorkie. I’ve told the story of her here.
Gracie.
She was disabled. I hand fed her every meal of her life. The only thing she knew how to do was potty on her little pad.
I carried her everywhere I went(except medical places). She rode in my hoodie pocket. Never made a sound. Never peed or pooped on me. She was never on leash, or down on the floor, in a store.
No one knew she was there. I suppose they thought I was just fat or pregnant. I didn’t care.
I gave her vitamin water with an eye dropper every 45 mins or so. I timed that when I was outside the store or in the car.
I would put my hand in the pocket and tickle her ears every little while. She was kinda brain damaged so I don’t know if she cared.
Now, I didn’t really go a lot of places. I was at best a seldom seen shopper. Occasionally went in a restaurant. Certainly not a fancy one. Mostly I went to Sonic, those days.
So I just wanted to tell the whole truth.
Frisco, Texas?
Nope- Baghdad by the Bay- CA.
Oh. You mean San Francisco. 
When I was coming up it was known as The City.
That’s what my mom called it and taught us kids to. She lived there when she moved to California, before she got married. She’s the one who taught me to never use that ugly nickname.
I’ll happily believe that all Dopers have wonderfully trained and well behaved dogs. But based on your experience/interactions, what percentage of dogs/owners do you believe are consistently and reliably well-behaved? I think 25% is likely quite generous.
My current dog - a doodle - is less mellow/instantly cooperative than my several previous goldens, but at least he does not shed. And even tho some of my previous goldens were IMO amazingly well-behaved, since I’ve fully gotten my social brains (post college and having had kids), I’ve found it best to presume that I can’t FULLY trust ANY dog. And I CERTAINLY can’t trust each and every other person we encounter. In most cases, it is just easier - and more socially responsible - to train the dog to be left at home when running errands, eating out, etc.
Our dogs will wait patiently as I prepare their food, and will not eat until I say ‘Break’
Same with going outside. I open the door, and check for critters, before I give them the ‘beak’ release’.
They sound perfect, but they have their doggie moments.
Yep, generous. Taking into account that a very large majority of modern dogs spend their entire lives in a house and back yard and are (minimally) exercised while tied to a person. They don’t have a lot of opportunity to annoy or frighten strangers. If they did, I hate to think what would happen.
My dog does the “break” command. (We call it “still”)
He does it with a hand sign.
Flat palm, fingers down.
La di da! 
He’s a smarty pants with a wiggly butt.
(Yes, he has doggie moments quite frequently)
Sure my large rottweiler has a few less than ideal behaviors, but where I go, Pooper McBiteyface goes too!
We live in a condo, so all our dogs had to be walked on the outside sidewalks, where they were exposed to a ton of people and dogs. We live in a very doggy neighborhood. It was great for them – especially for the first pair we got who were not socialized at all.
But I wished parents would teach their kids how to behave around animals. Because our dogs were little and cute, kids always wanted to approach and pet them. Fortunately, there were good parents who’d ask and tell their kids what to do if we said it was o.k. Once a four yo (my guess) caming running up to us, and before I could even tighten my grip on the leash, dropped to her knees and stuck her face right in my dog’s face. And this was the one dog we had we was an occasional biter. Again, fortunately, Shanni was always on her best behavior outside and only nipped us, so she happily let the little girl pet and coo over her. But I was terrified when the girl first ran up.
That has happened to me many times. I had a dog who absolutely would bite if someone got in his face, but luckily he was big and impressive and people usually asked. If they didn’t, I learned to move between them and my dog and say very firmly He Is Not Friendly.
A wonderful dog, but he aged me ten years.
How long has it been now that dog owners feel entitled to bring their pets everywhere? I personally love all critters and am not bothered by their presence but I remember a time when it was pretty much unheard of. Neither our dog nor, I’m assuming, anyone else’s seemed to suffer from staying home.