Dogs in public
I am helping to organize a art fair/charity event (part of the proceeds to go to various rescue organizations) her in AK, and we are trying to figure out if making the event "Dog Friendly" is a good idea. It will be held indoors, at a mall. The owners of the building are very nervous about the dog friendly idea. Here are several options we are thinking about: 1-Vendors (folks with booths) my bring well behaved dogs. 2-Rescue organizations can have an adoption event with the dogs present. 3-Customers may bring their dogs, on lead only. 4-some combination of these. Here are the concerns: Allergies poop/pee fights or biting Ill manners (in the dogs  )
Above and beyond this specific event, I'm also curious about how people feel about this in general. I must admit, I am a bit snippy about the whole "allergy" issue, since I am very allergic to perfumes and certain other scented stuff (candles, incense, etc) and feel like if I have to take medication and "suck it up", dog allergy people can too!  I also feel that if dogs can be allowed in hospitals, etc, for therapeutic reasons, and service dogs can go anywhere, then the only REAL reason they shouldn't be allowed everywhere else has to do with training. I see no reason why a dog with a CGC shouldn't be allowed a special vest or other identifier and allowed to go into public places with their owner. This might even encourage more people to train their dogs!
Ok, so I'm a radical  what do you guys think? |
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| Personally, I like the idea of the vendors and the rescue organization being able to bring pets. It seems like it could get crazy otherwise. Like what if a vendor had a dog (well behaved, etc) but that like 8 people with 8 dogs were all visiting your booth at the same time...it seems like it would be hard for the vendor to keep an eye on their dog as well as sell their goods.
I don't care about the allergy excuse either. I have allergies and I just suck it up. If you know you are going to an event that has dogs everywhere and you are allergic, then don't go. I like being able to bring dogs places. But I have been places where it seems like there were too many dogs and it was a little crazy and harder to concentrate on the festival b/c I was concentrating on going around the dogs. Oh, it was awesome. I was at one of our malls a few nights ago. It is dog friendly. So I go into Smith and Hawken and I see the most beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog. I then see another. And another! This one couple had 3 gorgeous BMDs. And they were SO well behaved and sweet. I put my hand out for one to sniff and he immediately licked my hand and sat down on my foot, leaning against me and expecting rubs...  |
| I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
I have been to many dog friendly events through the Humane Society, TOUCH, etc.I have manned booths, collected money while walking through crowds, and just been visiting booths. I always take a copy of shot records just in case. To my recollection, there was never any "issues" with either side ("booth" dogs and or the "visiting" dogs) Allergy concern---As long as the event is being advertised as "bring your dog" to a fun day!!! Then that should not be a problem. People who have serious allergies would simply not attend. Poop/ Pee concern--This is be an extra cost, because you would need bags, cleaner, trashcans etc and signs (in numerous places) to alert everyone to make sure to "Clean up after your pet". Also, you would need a "relief" area outdoors so people will know where to bring their dogs. Fights/Biting/ ---Maybe I'm naive, but if someone had a people or dog aggessive dog, I don't think they would bring them to such an event. Ill Manners-If you mean dogs that jump, bark, lunge..Again, the owner would be responsible for "controlling" their dog--- maybe signs to bring this to owner's attention (just in case). When I have attended events with Pearl, I am always on high alert --and I think most of the vendors and volunteers would be that way too. As long as everyone takes responsiblilty for their own dog, the event should be a huge success. Good Luck!!! |
I always think it's so unfair people are allowed to take their children to public places but I can't take my dog! It makes no sense to me! I agree that trained dogs should be allowed into some public places- perhaps not shops that sell food though, knowing how Rufus likes to take a sneaky lick sometimes. Having said that, I have SEEN kids take a bite out of fruit & put it back on the shelves 
Your event sounds great- I would be worried about fighting but if they are on leashes that should be dealt with easily? Then there is th poop issue, perhaps a few volunteers with mops at the ready on pee patrol! Maybe someone could supply doggy bags as a sponsor? |
| I love being able to take Bailey to events and different places. I wish there were more dog friendly things going on. I would definitely support a dog friendly art fair.
But, from the building owner's perspective, I would be nervous too. If someone does get bit they will sue the deepest pockets - probably the owner, who has a substantial insurance policy, and the lawsuit will result in increased premiums. Sad but true. |
Hint of Mischief wrote: I always think it's so unfair people are allowed to take their children to public places but I can't take my dog! It makes no sense to me! I agree that trained dogs should be allowed into some public places- perhaps not shops that sell food though, knowing how Rufus likes to take a sneaky lick sometimes. Having said that, I have SEEN kids take a bite out of fruit & put it back on the shelves
Here, here! My dogs are a lot more well behaved than most people's children! The biggest problem with dogs in public places is the same problem I have with people bringing their children public places-- they don't control them and let them act like idiots, forgetting that public spaces are shared and that kind of behavior is unacceptable. You can only expect the same type of people to bring out their untrained, wild dogs, too and, of course, they'll ruin it for everyone, too. |
| This was on my Basenji list I got this from the UK Kennel Club newsletter which I get by email. What an excellent idea! There in France They can even take their dogs to the butcher although I gather it is not allowed by law. In most of continental Europe you can take a dog to a restaurant without any problems, but the big hypermarket and supermarkets won't let them in unless they are guide dogs. Anyhow, I think the following campaign is excellent:
Annechien"*Open for Dogs sticker campaign" *Ever tried to takeyour dog for a walk to pick up some essentials from the shops, only to be faced by the problem of not being allowed to take your dog in?Restrictions for dog owners on where they can take their dog seem to be a never increasing daily dilemma, which is why the Kennel Club launched its'OPEN FOR DOGS' sticker campaign this November at Discover Dogs at EarlsCourt 2, London. Millions of dog owners would benefit if more places allowed dogs - and so would the businesses! From cafes, restaurants, libraries and shops to taxis, road recovery companies, offices and more. These are places we all go to,and need to go to, and why should dogs not be allowed to accompany us, as well behaved dog citizens?The Kennel Club has created campaign stickers which are freely available to all businesses which allow dogs. Places which display this campaign sticker'Open for Dogs' and allow dogs, will benefit from encouraging more visitors and their dogs. Contrary to popular belief, it is by no means illegal to take dogs into restaurants and pubs etc.Places which allow dogs and display the sticker can also benefit from being listed on the open for dogs page <http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1534/6cf0C56/53>(terms andconditions apply) =96 providing a centralised and useful servicefor all those who want to go about their daily lives with their dogsalongside. These stickers are available from the Kennel Club Press Office(email press.office@...)Request a dog sticker and support the 'Open for Dogs' campaign, so dogownership in daily life can become the norm.Help the UK to be more 'Open for Dogs'! |
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