If you could vote to allow dogs into restaurants and other public places, would you?

Question

As you likely know, in America it's against the law to bring dogs (except for service dogs) into places where food is served.

If there were a proposed law giving restaurant and store owners the opportunity to choose if they allow dogs into their store or not... Would you be for this law?

Would the law be more appealing to you if dogs entering these public places needed to be certified in some way (such as with a CGC)?

Obviously I'm asking dog people so it's not a poll of the general public. I'm curious how dog people would feel about this.

Answer 1

I would be for it if dogs were certified by more than a CGC, most of my dogs have had CGCs but that does not mean they will down stay under a table for 30 mins or more. A certification that only CGC titled dogs may enter tho would be a start with a diff title on completion. PCD..Public Companion Dog? More than a CGC but less than a CD degree? There was(and maybe still is) a state I read about in Dog World or Dog Fancy where people, primarily women can have their dogs certified to go everywhere. The dog is for security so obed. trained and some protection work. I wish I had written down the state yrs ago cuz it sure is not where I live..lol. BTW, a dog trained by the owner can take a CGC certification test at many shows and clubs for under $20 so if you can not afford $20 you do not need a dog. My Dobe pup got his CGC at the local dog show since I already trained him in basic obed. And we have put a CGC on a pig so any mixed breed dog should be able to do it.

Answer 2

As a dog lover, I'll vote for it. I'd like to bring my puppy to restaurant, since I stop to go out often to eat at restaurant, because I don't want to leave my puppy home too long. But as we all know. There are people just afraid of dog, small or big.

Image, if I went to a public place that allow snake there. Maybe the snake is not harmful. But I just don't care for it.

Answer 3

Good question. Yes, a private business should be allowed to make a choice of entertaining dogs along with people if they liked. It would be nice to bring a dog into a coffee shop, for example, because it can be dangerous to leave them outside unattended.

Restaurants and kitchens in general are cesspools of bacteria and most of us survive frequenting them. Unless a dog pees or poos (and then they are banished) somewhere, I cannot see how a bathed, well-cared for dog is any more of a health risk than a human being.

You can already take a dog to many restaurants with patios and outdoor seating.

Answer 4

My dog has been attacked going into public places on several occasions even by my apt mng's dog. I would only vote yes if they had to be CGC or Delta or something of that nature. I run a pet food store and I have even had some of my clients dogs try to get me. The fact of the matter is that dog owners with bad dogs are generally blind sided about their dog's bad behavior and don't see anything wrong with it. I have even had a lady laugh after I pulled my 30# corgi out of her 85# lab's mouth saying "she just wanted to play" Too many times have I seen this human behavior to trust in pet owners.

Its not a bad dog its a bad owner.

Answer 5

Heck yeah!!! Placing a CGC requirement would be sort of elitist since not everyone can afford to have it done. I think that as long as the dog is friendly and the owner conciencous about cleaning up any accidents, then heck yea!!
My 2 dogs heartily agree! There are many people who bring their pocket breeds into shops, banks etc..why do the big breeds get discriminated against!

Answer 6

Well, I'm from the UK, so I didn't know this!

Over here, there are some places that allow well-behaved pet dogs on their premises and that rule seems to work.

Obviously nobody wants an ill-trained dog bounding around them whilst they are eating - especially if that dog belongs to somebody else.

Some pubs allow dogs into certain areas within their premises but keep dog-free zones. For example one not far from me allows you to have your dog in their beer garden - i.e. you're still on their premises but you are eating outside.

As long as the restaurant owner has final say over what their policies are, and can warn or evict customers (with or without dogs) at THEIR discretion - then it works.

Answer 7

I lived in Germany for a couple of years and dogs were allowed in restaurants and I have to say those restaurants were cleaner than any restaurant I have been in inside of the US. I got to take my dog to a lot of great places where she learned a lot re-enforcement of commands/rules. That said, in Germany if your dog is not well behaved you are out of there FAST because they don't put up with that. Of course this probably won't work here in the states because most people can't pick up after and control their children, how do we expect them to do so with their pets.

Answer 8

CGC is a good idea, but might be seen as exclusive. I think as long as the owner had the right to evict any poorly-behaved dogs, it would be fine. Of course, any restaurant owners are wishing there was a way to evict poorly-behaved children! It might be a good idea to have a specific section where dogs were permitted.

Answer 9

If I go out to a restaurant to eat, I want a quiet, peaceful dinner. If I want to eat around dogs, I will stay home. Service dogs are very well trained to lay down and not bother other people. They are amazing animals. I shudder to think about eating at a restaurant with some of the dogs I have seen - disruptive, barking, fighting etc.
My answer would be NO

Answer 10

I'd do it providing that the dogs allowed would be only the well trained ones, that won't get agressive or bark, and I would also suggest that the restaurants allowing dogs create a separate area for people with dogs, because harming persons with allergies wouldn't be fair.