Bringing your dog into stores

I know a few restaurants have outdoor patios that allow dogs to sit there as you eat. My bank will give out doggy treat if I go through the drive through with my dog, they just send them through the tube after the transaction. Giz thinks the bank is one of the best places to drive to.

It really depends greatly on where you live. Some cities are much more dog-friendly than others (and some areas of some cities are likewise different in their dog friendliness). The general rule is that if food is served or sold in the establishment the answer is absolutley not, unless there's an outside seating area. That's a health code violation. Beyond that, it is up to the proprietor, and the proprietors generally tend to follow the trend of the area. If I have my boys with me and need to stop in somewhere that food isn't involved, I'll sometimes pop my head in the door and ask if the dogs are okay. Where I live is currently sort of transitioning to greater dog-friendliness, so it's still expected that you either ask or don't bring them in at all.
 
Even with chain stores, the policy differs from store to store. I know several REI (outdoor equipment) stores allow dogs because they sell dog hiking gear and it's nice to be able to bring your dog in to fit her for it. But the one in my city does not allow dogs. Same with Home Depot and Lowes--some allow them and some don't. I got booted out of my local Home Depot even though they had no "No Dogs" sign posted and I've been to Home Depots in other areas that allow dogs.
 
You just kind of have to be a little outspoken and drum up the gumption to ask. I'm a bit shy, so this is a big thing for me, but when necessary I'll do it.

Yeah, Houndlove said it - it totally depends on where you live.  Even in NY, it depends on the neighborhood you live in - some are more tolerant than others.  The only way for you to find out is to give it a try!  My situation is different than yours, but my approach has always been - if there's no sign, I'm going in. 

When Max was in obedience school, instead of the regular spot in the park we met downtown one evening.  We took the dogs into a lot of stores (book stores, shoe stores) that I never imagined would let dogs in.  All the dogs were amazingly well behaved, considering most of them were still pups. When class ended, we all met as Baskin Robbins and the trainer bought each dog his/her own scoop of plain vanilla ice cream. I can't understand the problem at some Home Depots or Lowes if the dog is well behaved and on a short leash - they do have cement floors.

Joyce

Joyce,
 
the problem would likely be what dogs leave behind on the cement floors, and their owners response to it. Plenty of dog owners DO NOT feel the need whatsoever to clean up their dogs messes in stores. All it takes is a couple of rude peeps to ruin it. It also depends on the employees feelings on the matter...if a majority don't like the idea of watching where they step then it's fair IMO to bow to their wishes and not allow dogs in the store.
 
Bottom line is...what is the average dog owners response to a dog peeing or pooping on the floor? Going by the amount of doo doo I see everywhere...parking lots, grassy areas, mulch around nice landscaping, & the state of many Petsmart aisles,...people ain't picking up..period.

I think it also helps if you have a small dog, especially if you can carry it in your arms or a carrier.  I was at the Dr's office yesterday and an older couple came in with their little dog.  I actually thought that was pushing it a bit, but the man just held him and sat in a far corner of the waiting area.  No one seemed to mind.

I have decided, lately, to push the rules. What's the worst they can do? Ask me to leave.

I have taken the dogs into banks, shoe stores, clothing stores, book stores, the health food store where I work allows dogs, any resturant with outdoor seating, Home Depot, convenience stores, basically anywhere that isn't a grocery store or a doctor's office. I've not had one single ill response. I've had lots of talk about how cute my dogs are, and how good they are. Teenie *did* potty in Pet Supplies Plus, last week, but I'm guessing that the floor had some smells that inspired that idea. I asked, repeatedly, for something to clean it up with, and when nobody brought me anything, I left it. Every other pet store I've been in has had cleanup stations, and I always clean up, if they have an "oops" moment (which they don't, unless they REALLY have to go, or it smells like pee and poo).

I do normally stick my head in and ask a cashier if my small dog can come in, with me. They almost always say, "yes", or "if you'll carry her". Even Olive Garden lets me sit outside with my dog (I had to tip HEAVILY that day, b/c Teenie hated the waiter, and didn't stop barking the whole time... she wasn't ready for that yet).

The Lowes and Menards in my town allows dogs to come in on a leash.  I always ask and they always tell me that it is OK if my dog remains well behaved.  I've never had a problem with her peeing or pooping in a store, so I can't address that.  We also visit all the pet stores, too.  It is a great way to get them use to different environments.  People love to see them in the store and they enjoy greeting people, too. []

Gina, I guess I never thought of that aspect of it. [][] I just assumed that if a dog is totally housetrained, he/she wouldn't go inside even if the floor is cement. If I was taking Max into a store, I'd take him on a little "pee walk" first, then get in and out as quickly as possible.

Joyce

All the plant nursery's here allow pets.  In fact, this week end , I was at very unscale one and I had Lola my 36 pound pup in the cart.  The well dressed owner sought me out and said "thanks for bringing her in,,,we love it when dogs visit us"  He even tracked down other men to come over and say Hi.  Of course my hubby was nowhere to be found!

hmmm... I've never seen a dog go potty inside a store either.  I can see how that would deter shop owners from being tolerant! 

Plenty of dogs tend to get loose with the bowels when they go someplace new....others loosen up in the car because they're a bit nervous or don't travel well...others tend to want to mark "new territory"...others are submissive wetters...the reasons are numerous.
 
We here tend to forget that we represent a real minority when it comes to dog ownership. Simply put JQP isn't like us, and doesn't have the same knowledge of dogs and what might happen or if their dog is "ready" for this or that. They don't think ahead...lol!
 
Also bear in mind that not everyone's dogs are as used to kids, wheelchairs, canes, those stupid roller shoes, loud folk, forklifts, etc etc and if you aren't really on top of your dog then bad things can happen.
 
Given the amount of complaints here about other people NOT having control of their dogs, or not knowing their dogs in whatever situation...lol enough said.
 
I do agree that purse dogs can be just fine everywhere....because if they poop well, we know where it's going don't we? HAHAHA!
 
In Europe and places where the dog is welcome many places....they have kind of evolved TOGETHER ya know? It's always been so...people are used to it, people know the rules, and people do it more or less by the rules. But try something like that here where it's not been the norm? here...in perhaps the world capital for neurotic dogs and neurotic dog owners...well...hmm.

wow, thanks for all the replies everyone!!!! My 8 month old foster dog is definitly not ready to go out in public, we just can't seem to master good leash skills yet with so much distraction,,,but my other one really needs the socialization and she's proven to be quite good at staying with me and behaving properly in public. I have to make a trip to lowes soon, so maybe I'll call ahead and ask if she would be allowed to go with me, I have to get stuff mostly in the outside garden part anyhow so I doubt they'll mind. I wonder where else I could take her, hmmmm, I'll have to think about this[]

I take Zoe to Lowe's and Home depot here.  I carry her but it is as much for her safety as anything since I don't want someone running a cart around the corner into her.  I have also taken her in Best Buy and some convenience stores (esp. on drives from MD to Florida).  Anywhere I take her, I carry her.  I have seen dogs at Target but they specifically have a sign that says no dogs other than service dogs so I don't try it.
 
We also have a few restaurants here that are dog friendly, even inside.  We take Zoe to one of these restaurants for her birthday and gotcha day.  Here's a pic of how much she likes it .