Is Oregon Too Dog Friendly?
If you’ve ever been to a PetSmart store you know you can bring your “well-behaved” dog in, of course we all know the meaning of that is very subjective. What’s inappropriate to some is sometimes thought of as cute by the dog owner.
Since PetSmart is a pet supermarket it’s one thing to allow dogs, what if you were walking in your local grocery store and you saw someone with their dog, not a service dog, would it bother you? What about if the dog went to the bathroom in the store?
In Portland’s Pearl District this is happening, it’s become dog owners versus non-dog owners. Dogs are now frequently seen in grocery stores and in the last year the food safety division of Oregon’s Agriculture Department has received over 600 complaints about this issue.
The New York Times has the details on what’s happening in Portland.
“Usually they’ll hold off and not make a complaint until they’ve seen a dog urinate in the grocery store or jump up and try to swipe a pack of meat,” said Vance Bybee, the head of the food safety division. “Or they’ve seen dogs pooping in the aisle, that sort of thing.”
In response to the complaints, Oregon is about to begin an unusual campaign, distributing posters and pamphlets to about 4,500 retail stores that sell food. The message is this: Animals, except those trained to help the disabled, are not allowed.
The campaign, however, is not likely to make the problem go away, state officials and dog owners say, particularly in a neighborhood like the Pearl District, where many people who are not physically disabled consider the company of their pets therapeutic and insist on taking them just about everywhere. Some banks put water bowls by their front doors, and dog day-care facilities take time to serve pets the specially packed lunches their owners make for them.
The Pearl District, developed by Hoyt, was built on an old rail yard and is one of Portland’s downtown neighborhoods. It is an upscale newly developed area with condominiums, retail shops, parks, and dog-passionate residents. The project which began in the 1990’s didn’t start out trying to build a place for dog lovers to live, it just sort of happened. Being dog friendly has now become central to its identity. Tiffany Sweitzer, who is the president of Hoyt, even has her dog Scout featured prominently in their advertising.
Do you think non-service dogs should be allowed in stores? What about food stores? Does that cross a line? Give me a bark, let me know what you think.
* Pic courtesy Leah Nash for The New York Times
I would LOVE to take one of my pups with me when I’m out and about but I don’t think they should be allowed in grocery stores. Many people have negative social or allergic reactions to animals and they should be able to shop without feeling uncomfortable. Some specialty shops and boutiques could allow pets to enter at the store owner’s discretion and I think a dog bowl right by the door is a great way to say Pet’s welcome (which could also warn the dogphobic).
I think dogs should be allowed in any business, grocery stores etc as long they are well trained and behave. Over the past few dogs have became more than a family pet, they are family. And as long as he owner has them under control and on a leash, why not let them bring their pet grocery shopping with them. But they should make sure they potty before entering the store. In my opinion, some two legged kids should not be allowed in the stores. Those that parents have no control over. Those who lay down in the floor and kick and scream because they can’t have something they want. Or run all over knocking stuff down and even shop lift because the parent is not paying attention. And those that the parent don’t even try to hush up. Just let them cry and scream while standing in check and all the way to the door. I had rather stand line with a person and their dog than an unruely child. As kids my parents never had a problem with us running all over. We weretaught how to behave in public or visiting. Which few parents of two legged kids do anymore. Lowes in the Nashville TN area will let customers bring their dog in some prefer them in a buggy, but even allow them as long they are on a leash. I think is perfectly fine to bring a well behaved dog into a store than an unruely kid.
Sometimes I wish I could bring my pup into the grocery store with me, but I do think that bringing dogs that aren’t service dogs into areas like grocery stores is inappropriate. Many people have allergies to dogs and even though it may seem cute to have a dog shopping with you, for some it isn’t and this is why I’d rather keep dogs out of grocery stores.
I have worked in a grocery store and people thought it was OK to carry their little dogs around with them. Which wouldnt be a problem if they would carry them the whole way. We had a lady bring in her little yorkiepoo and left it in the buggy while she went across the store. The dog jumped out and went running around trying to find her and the dog was aggressive towards anyone trying to catch it. I love dogs but dogs and grocery stores dont mix.
Barbara shares my thoughts exactly, especially about the unruly kids (thanks for saving wear and tear on my fingers). I’m sorta on the fence about dogs being allowed in stores around food though. When I leave to go shopping I’ll tell Molly I’m sorry she can’t go, yet they’ll allow ill mannered, unruly children. Molly is much more well behaved than any of the children I see around here.
I’d love to live in a dog friendly place like Portland. I live in Lilburn, GA in Gwinnett county which is not a dog friendly place even though many people have dogs. Petsmart is the only store I can take Molly to and there’s really no good safe place to walk. The parks around here are all multi use so we have to be wary of cyclists , skateboarders and every thing else. The few dog parks aren’t much bigger than an average backyard and aren’t well maintained. My neighborhood is a hazard because there aren’t any sidewalks so we have to walk in the street and have to avoid all the yards where people spray chemicals. Portland would be an absolute dream place to live, though it’s very expensive. I suppose you get what you pay for.
I think that Dog Specialty stores certainly should allow dogs, if they wish. Service dogs should of course be allowed anywhere. However, I think that dogs should not be allowed inside grocery stores or inside restaurants unless they are service dogs. If a restaurant has an “outside” part where the owner can sit with the dog, I would have no objection to that. However, grocery stores are very public places and very “needed” places. Cat allergies are more prevalent than dog allergies, but still, there is the allergy concern and there is the sanitary concern. A dog-allergic person could be expected to make an accomodation for a person who needed a service dog, and come back and shop another time. But a constant influx of dogs into a grocery store could make it impossible for a dog-allergic person to shop there due to the accumulation of allergens. My son has a classmate who has to have all his playdates at his own house because of his dog allergies, unless the host house is dog-free. His parents can easily choose to NOT take him to a dog store. It’s not so easy to choose NOT to go to a grocery store.
I’ve never taken or tried to take Pogo into grocery stores/ supermarkets, but I’ve been in a supermarket here in Perth and encountered a lady with the cutest little chihuahua pup in her bag as she walked around doing her shopping. No harm, no foul with that, and I was utterly smitten by the puppy, but I’m not sure how I feel about allowing dogs in grocery stores as a matter of course. Have to think about that one.
I see no problem w/ “well behaved” dogs- perhaps a CGC welcome sign would separate good from evil-
I am also sick of nasty, spoiled children ANYWHERE in Public!
I DO NOT need your brats climbing on me- touching my food in Restaurants or just being obnoxiously loud around me- my dogs are quiet, calm and trained to behave. If you are allergic to my dog- don’t touch him…and remember – I’m allergic to your poorly trained urchin!
I do not think it’s appropriate to bring dogs into a grocery or restaurant or anywhere around food. First, some people have allergies and should not be put at risk. Second, it’s unsanitary. Even without the inevitable “accidents”, they shed. Third, it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt (either a child or another dog). I love my German Shepherd and he goes everywhere (outside) with me.
Well it’s about time somebody should come up with dog-friendly grocery store. In every city! That way dog crazy people like me (and very responsible) can enjoy grocery shopping with my dogs (that’s my dream!) without having to worry about people who doesn’t want dogs in the store. oh and kids shouldn’t be allowed there. ;o)
I think nobody, or anything can be too dog friendly! It’s simply impossible!
I agree with Kay and Jet. First, as far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as being too dog friendly. I am disabled, and my dogs are the only bright spot in my day. They are not service dogs however, so I am forced to leave them behind when I have to go out.
Kay has a great idea. Why not have at least some stores that are dog friendly? I understand some people have allergies and even phobias about dogs and cats, but they could always avoid the pet friendly stores. I think having at least one or two pet friendly stores, restaurants, etc. in all towns is a great idea. I know I would certainly go out of my way to go to those places as long as I could have my dogs with me…under control and probably in the cart, not running loose.
Children should be put on leashes and the parents forced to go to obedience training with them. This is the thought I have everytime kids running up and down the aisle at the store bump into me force me to quickly stop. I love dogs I have 5 of them but I do not try to take them grocery shopping with me. I am a grandmother I love my grandkids but I refuse to take them shopping with me. I love taking one of them at a time (my dogs and grandkids both) someplace with me, a walk, a ride etc. My dogs do not belong in a grocery store and neither do most people’s children.
I am a very smart and well behaved miniature poodle and my mom says I am better behaved than children who are allowed in stores that I am not. She says grocery stores are a no-no but other stores love to see me when I can get sneaked in. I am on my best behavior so I can return. I used to live in Portlande and was allowed more than in the mid-west. I miss that and so does my mom. I even like to watch my mom get her hair cut.
Why not allow behaved dogs in stores? Including grocery stores. I know the dogs are always with me when I am cooking/making/cleaning up the food. I have found children need more behavior modification than my dogs do. have even had Zoey in antique stores and never had a problem.
Horst, dog friendly is never too friendly.
OMD! We all need to move to Oregon. A place can never be too doggie friendly!
Other countries let there dogs go everywhere with there owners. I have heard of no one dropping dead of some disease from a dog. I am sure most of us let there dogs in the kitchen, so far in my 59 yrs I have not been sick from this. I use to take my dogs into menards, but now they have food and wont allow it.Other countries do not have people getting mauled by dogs like the U.S. because there animals are more socialized than ours.. My own mother is one that would have a fit if she saw a dog in a grocery store.Poor mom
I’m all for it, but the rules need to be strictly enforced. Personally, I wouldn’t take any of my dogs unless they were extremely obedient which they aren’t.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost been knocked down by kids running in the store.
I’ve been thinking about moving to Oregon.
In Europe, people bring their dogs with them places a lot more than people do in the USA. I’m not really against it. I’m kind of on the fence about dogs being in grocery stores, mainly because of the dander issue. Like someone else mentioned, people who have dogs let their dogs in the kitchen, and no one has ever gotten sick from dog dander. However, I can imagine that this would be a great thorn in the side for people who do not like dogs. And the idea still does kind of gross me out. And while I think it’s strange to not like dogs, there are people out there who don’t and their feelings should be considered just as equally.
I definitely think there needs to be really strict regulations with dogs being permitted in stores. If you’re ignorant enough to take an ill-behaved dog out shopping, or if you cannot control your dog in the store (*especially* with concerns to bowel movements) then the store should have the right to refuse service to you in the future if you continue to bring your dog.
It gives all dog owners a bad name to be out in public with a dog that is out of control. Especially now, with certain breeds being persecuted, it is our duty as dog owners of all breeds to be responsible stewards for our dog.
I’d hope that regardless of whether or not dogs are allowed out in more public places, responsible dog ownership continues to be a headline issue to be promoted. I’d hate to see a sharp rise in small dogs that never get to walk on four paws because their owners think they are a purse accessory.
One other issue I can’t help but wonder is that with cities like the one mentioned in Oregon, is there a rise in Separation Anxiety with these people who bring their dogs everywhere? I love to have my dog out and about with me, but I don’t feel any *need* to have him with me everywhere, and I also believe it is very healthy for him to be separate from me and not glued to my side every minute.
I like being able to bring my dogs places, but I draw the line at grocery stores and anywhere that serves food. My Chi sheds like crazy and I am sure people dont want her hair in their food. Another place I dont think I would bring a dog is the library. Other than that, I would love to be able to bring her anywhere and would be happy to see anyones *well behaved* dog anywhere.
I would love it if specialty stores and restaurants where allowed that catered to both people and their pets. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a restaurant where you could order a meal for both you and your dog? That is a business that Tillie and I would patronize. Dog people have a place to go, non-dog people would still have non-dog options…it’s a win-win, right? (Except here in litigious California, sadly it would work until the first lawsuit.)
I agree with many other posters – I’d much rather they prohibit unruly children rather than well-behaved dogs. Children do not enjoy shopping and should not be subjected to it. Get a babysitter and leave them at home and everyone…the kids included…will enjoy the experience more.
As far as dogs go…
Restaurants (except for those with outdoor patio facilites) should be off limits for dogs. But dogs in grocery stores, particularly small dogs that can be carried, kept in a dog carry bag or a buggy should be fine anywhere, as long as they are behaved and the owners control their potty issues.
I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had one of our dogs with me and needed to pop by the grocers for just one or two things. I will not leave my dogs in the car unattended, so I instead have to go all the way back home, drop them off and return to the store. It would be much easier to take them in briefly and get what I need.
Our state allows dogs in any non-food store that doesn’t have a sign prohibiting them. For example, we can take our dogs to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Office Depot, Advance Auto Parts, even our local pharmacy! We always call first, though, to make sure it’s ok. Some stores, like Best Buy, told us we could bring them in but only one dog per person and they must be carried. Hobby Lobby used to be the same way but I noticed recently that they’ve put up a sign stating pets are not allowed. It sucks because I love taking them there but I’ll abide by the rules.
Thinking about this in a completely different way, post signs that The Pearl District is a totally dog friendly environment and let people decide for themselves if they want to shop there. Folks who really hate the idea can shop elsewhere. Then let economics decide.
All I can say is, I can’t wait to move to Oregon!
I think as long as the dog is well behaved meaning good with people and will not bark, will stick by the owners side and will not potty in the store I really don’t see a problem. It’s a lot better then leaving the dog in the car or at home alone if you have to run a lot of errands.
No, I don’t think dogs should be allowed in grocery stores or restaurants, etc. As the article states what some see as cute and non-offensive others don’t. I really don’t want a dog urinating or pooping in my grocery store. And, if they potty outside first you just know the owners will not clean up after them. I see it all the time at petsmart and it bothers me there let alone where I want to buy food.
I do not think non-working dogs should be allowed in any place that is not made for dogs. There are too many ill-behaved dogs and it puts the working teams at risk when someone brings their dog in their space.
As a handler, I get extremely nervous when a dog who is not under proper control is anywhere near us and would certainly not appreciate having to be on alert for it in the grocery store, restaurant, etc.