Why the FUCK am I seeing dogs at the supermarket now?

By that, I mean customers with their dogs... Is this a result of the pandemic? Why are customers bringing their dogs into the store now?

Support dogs have always been allowed over here.

They're usually little crappy rat dogs. You never see anyone with like a Great Dane.

They're likely support dogs. They are on the rise.

captpackrat posted...

They're usually little crappy rat dogs. You never see anyone with like a Great Dane.

I've seen bigger dogs way more than I see small ones. Not full-on Great Dane, but more like Labs and Golden Retriever size.

"Emotional support" dogs are horseshit. ALL dogs are emotional support animals. That's one of the main reasons why dogs were bred 10,000 years ago. But, for every one person on the airplane that is emotionally comforted by their own dog, there are several people who are very much emotionally discomforted by that dog's presence, like myself. You're just being selfish. Only legally licensed disability support service animals, like seeing eye dogs, should be allowed where pets are not.

If they're well behaved then more power to them. Everyone likes seeing dogs.

Yellow posted...

If they're well behaved then more power to them. Everyone likes seeing dogs.

I don't.

I think there should be dogs everywhere

KopeofOnrac posted...

I don't.

Everyone likes blind people being able to get around safely more than they like you being able to exist without properly confronting your aversion to dogs.

KopeofOnrac posted...

But, for every one person on the airplane that is emotionally comforted by their own dog, there are several people who are very much emotionally discomforted by that dog's presence, like myself.

Most airlines no longer allow emotional support animals in the cabin, yeah?

KopeofOnrac posted...

I don't.

Wow you are mean

Damn_Underscore posted...

Wow you are mean

To be fair, there are people who are afraid of dogs for one reason or another.

There are also hygiene and convenience considerations that might bother some people, but which narcissists will never take into consideration because the world revolves around them and everyone else can fuck off.

I love dogs, and I'd still agree that the whole service animal concept has mostly become bullshit over the last decade or so.

AFAIK from work, if someone brings in a dog we're only legally allowed to ask two things. Is that a service animal for a disability? What is it's job? That's it. TBH I don't even know what's the point of the second because if they say yes to support animal the response to the second one is moot. EVEN if they say it's for their happiness or something. You can't ask for papers etc because you can then be sued for discrimination.

BTW in this state a miniature horse can be considered a service animal. Can you imagine seeing a freaking miniature horse just cantering around the store? A hospital? I can't but it's ridiculous that was just randomly included into the law but you can't do service cats. Service horse? Yep. Service cats? NO THEY'RE THE DEVILS ANIMALS...apparently?

I have to say the many times I've seen service animals those animals are freaking amazing, the training they have EASILY puts them in the best and most behaved animals you will ever see. Their job is to be invisible (and do their assigned jobs), you might not even notice the guys because they're just THAT behaved. If at any point you can notice a dog from a quick glance around the area odds are it's not a service animal. Hell even the dogs that fail service animal training are still significantly better dogs than whatever the fuck most people have for poorly trained animals. Obviously if you see a service animal visible then something has gone wrong because they're trained that way. If a service animal is barking it's probably a seizure on their owner or their owner needs assistance. But you will almost never see a service animal barking or extremely visible like most..."emotional support animals" that exist.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/d/ddd7677f.jpg

Realistically I just think the issue is training. If all dogs/animals in public were trained as well as service animals were, I don't think people would give much of a fuck. Most of the time people have issues with dogs barking or shitting in the middle of a location and nobody can do anything about it. Or dogs who don't respect personal space despite fifty whistles/recalls being made toward the animal. That's the issue people can have with dogs. And I'll be honest here most people's dogs do not have the training that a service animal does. But everyone likes to pretend their dog is just as well behaved and trained as a service animal lol. "It's ok he's friendly" as the dog is jumping up and sniffing the crap out of you and their weight is visibly shoving you around. Yeah that's a "friendly and well trained dog" sure.

KJ_StErOiDs posted...

They're likely support dogs. They are on the rise.

No, not even close.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

but which narcissists will never take into consideration because the world revolves around them and everyone else can fuck off.

It's this. The only people who are more narcissistic and selfish than dog owners are smokers.

badjay posted...

AFAIK from work, if someone brings in a dog we're only legally allowed to ask two things.

It could be my state but we're not allowed to ask AT ALL. I've seen people bring multiple dogs into the grocery store because staff aren't allowed to ask them not to. Only after a significant incident has already occurred is anyone even allowed to talk to the customer about it.

adjl posted...

Everyone likes blind people being able to get around safely more than they like you being able to exist without properly confronting your aversion to dogs.

No one has a problem with dogs for the blind, because those serve an obvious purpose. It's all the assholes who exploit the laws around service animals to bring their dogs everywhere because no one is allowed to call them on it that people object to.

And I've known several times more people who have been mauled by dogs than I've seen blind people with dogs IRL. Mostly as children, though thankfully none have died (other than the dogs that mauled them, of course). On balance, I'd say people with actual service animals should have to show papers at the door and everyone else should get a police escort out of the building.

People are becoming less considerate

willythemailboy posted...

It could be my state but we're not allowed to ask AT ALL. I've seen people bring multiple dogs into the grocery store because staff aren't allowed to ask them not to. Only after a significant incident has already occurred is anyone even allowed to talk to the customer about it.

Interesting? Because I believe it's federal law possibly? Vs state law. The federal law says you can ask those two questions. It could be state limitations or your job is not knowledgeable or have a legal department to interpret or parse it for you guys.

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/94936dfe.png
It's insane you can't ask for paperwork or see the dog demonstrate it's task. Because that allows liars to just fly on through if they say yes it is required because of a disability and then just lie about the task too if they want, and there's nothing you can do. HOWEVER, you DO have rights. If the animal is being disruptive like barking insanely or is just crapping everywhere because it's terrified of being in a public space (happens a lot with "emotional support animals" that aren't actually trained). You ARE allowed to kick them out on the basis of disruption. That's why I said almost every service animal is invisible for this exact reason. When they aren't something is very clearly wrong and that's a part of their job.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/749f5823.jpg
This is all from the ADA website. But it's possible state laws dictate something even stricter but I dunno. Just make sure you actually know and read the laws instead of whatever you heard through the grapevine and assume is true.

I once saw a few cats. One was a friendly, one eyed cat in a vest.

KopeofOnrac posted...

ALL dogs are emotional support animals

I have an emotional support cat and he is the best thing ever.

Oh my God, I just realized that everyone thinks I hate seeing eye dogs. No, I fully support accessibility for everyone. I just meant that I don't like to see dogs in places they're not allowed.

KopeofOnrac posted...

Oh my God, I just realized that everyone thinks I hate seeing eye dogs. No, I fully support accessibility for everyone. I just meant that I don't like seeing dogs in places they're not allowed.

I assumed this is what you meant.

Dogs in stores where I live is usually a case-by-case basis of places deciding to allow them or not. I've worked in places where the owners are very 'yay dogs!!!' but then you've got dumbasses literally putting their little dogs on the counter and their big (non-service) dogs licking random ankles. When I worked in an optometric office, some woman expected us to look after her dog during her exam. Ma'am, I have a fucking job to do. I also had two co-workers who were afraid of dogs but had to shut up and deal with random dogs constantly licking their ankles, or dumbasses dealing with their dog confronting another dog in the store.

Service dogs - hell yeah. Never dealt with an annoying service dog. Know why? They're licensed. Average dog owners think the world revolves around them, and they're annoying as hell. The mall did a trial where they tried allowing dogs in, but too many dogs took shits in the mall. I'd be fine with more dogs in stores if people knew how to train their dogs, but they don't, or they think they do.

ReturnOfFa posted...

I assumed this is what you meant.

Dogs in stores where I live is usually a case-by-case basis of places deciding to allow them or not. I've worked in places where the owners are very 'yay dogs!!!' but then you've got dumbasses literally putting their little dogs on the counter and their big (non-service) dogs licking random ankles. When I worked in an optometric office, some woman expected us to look after her dog during her exam. Ma'am, I have a fucking job to do. I also had two co-workers who were afraid of dogs but had to shut up and deal with random dogs constantly licking their ankles, or dumbasses dealing with their dog confronting another dog in the store.

Service dogs - hell yeah. Never dealt with an annoying service dog. Know why? They're licensed. Average dog owners think the world revolves around them, and they're annoying as hell. The mall did a trial where they tried allowing dogs in, but too many dogs took shits in the mall. I'd be fine with more dogs in stores if people knew how to train their dogs, but they don't, or they think they do.

Cool.

Emotional support goat

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/298b8d09.jpg

I work at an allergy clinic, where people come to get treated for being allergic to dogs and people still try to bring in their emotional support animals. Some people just don't understand that not everyone loves their pet as much as they do.

badjay posted...

AFAIK from work, if someone brings in a dog we're only legally allowed to ask two things. Is that a service animal for a disability? What is it's job? That's it. TBH I don't even know what's the point of the second because if they say yes to support animal the response to the second one is moot. EVEN if they say it's for their happiness or something. You can't ask for papers etc because you can then be sued for discrimination.

The second question exists so that staff understand what role the service animal is there to serve. If someone has a service dog to help them in case of a seizure and goes to a hospital, you want the nurses to know what's going on if it springs into action.

KopeofOnrac posted...

Oh my God, I just realized that everyone thinks I hate seeing eye dogs. No, I fully support accessibility for everyone. I just meant that I don't like to see dogs in places they're not allowed.

I'm not sure why I mentally inserted "-eye" into "seeing dogs." My bad.

funkyfritter posted...

The second question exists so that staff understand what role the service animal is there to serve. If someone has a service dog to help them in case of a seizure and goes to a hospital, you want the nurses to know what's going on if it springs into action.

This is true, I just saw it as useless for the basis of eliminating fake service animals. It's pointless for that aspect if someone will lie. But yes that second part is very useful.

As long as theyre on a leash and dont poop, Im ok with it. Its better than leaving them in the hot car while they shop.

I've noticed an uptick too

Someone had a parrot in the store a while ago, that was pretty cool

Service dogs have been allowed for a long time.

Its up to the business if they want to allow pets. Service animals are required to be allowed by I think the ADA or something, I cant think of any exceptions to that. Emotional support animals aren't usually classified as service, maybe in california or something, and thats the problem because everyone thinks they can bring in their little ankle biters and are surprise pikachu'd when their little shit gremlins bark defecate and bite ankles all over the place.

Yellow posted...

If they're well behaved then more power to them. Everyone likes seeing dogs.

As an asthmatic who is badly allergic to most things with fur, I can tell you that this is very much not true.

I feel pretty confident in saying that I like breathing more than people like their dogs.

Should just be service dogs, but given the state of things, it 100% wouldnt surprise me if it were people who need their special support doggo because going grocery shopping makes them scared :c or something.

Dogs are more trendy and thus people are more tolerant of them cause of influence of the interwebs.

Although seriously, I'm not a dog person but I can somewhat tolerate them as long as they stay quiet and don't bother me. I'll still be cautious and wary around them, though.

I've noticed it too.

My area is pretty chill about letting people bring in their little dogs most of the time. Nobody complains about a wiener dog sitting in the top part of a grocery cart or a medium-sized dog in an outdoor garden section. Sucks for people with dog allergies I guess, but it's not like the dogs are running towards people or going near food or in places like restaurants.

I've met more Karens and MAGA lunatics in public than I have misbehaving dogs, so I can't be bothered to give a shit.

Flappers posted...

I've met more Karens and MAGA lunatics in public than I have misbehaving dogs, so I can't be bothered to give a s***.

And unfortunately it's frowned upon to keep them penned up at home.

ALL pets are for emotional support. why you're suddenly allowed to drag them around stores i don't understand at all. if you're so dysfuntional that you need your pocket-sized puppers with you at all times, and you officially filed something to make it ok to bring your pet everywhere, then fine. But some people don't, and just fake it and think that just putting a harness that says "WORKING DOG" on it counts, no, you can't do that. Either fill out the form or stop pretending. Pull up your big boy/girl panties and just hug your doggy when you get home like the rest of us.

captpackrat posted...

They're usually little crappy rat dogs. You never see anyone with like a Great Dane.

Considering the time it takes to train a service animal, and the life expectancy of larger dog breeds, it would be a terrible investment unless the larger breed can do something specific the smaller breed can't.

I've been seeing them before the pandemic.

captpackrat posted...

They're usually little crappy rat dogs. You never see anyone with like a Great Dane.

I've seen retrievers, huskies, pits, and mutts. I've also seen the occasional bird, snake, and cat. Though the cats are the only ones in pet carriers.

Damn_Underscore posted...

Wow you are mean

Don't forget some people are also allergic

I've never seen anything more than support dogs at the supermarket. But some home improvement stores allows animals in them. Dogs and cats.

For those saying some people are allergic to dogs, that doesnt mean you have to hate them

badjay posted...

It's insane you can't ask for paperwork or see the dog demonstrate it's task.

demonstrating their task can be rather difficult with some conditions.
hard to fake something like an upcoming seizure, or a mental breakdown, to get a dog to respond appropriately.

some kind of verification with a simple service dog ID card would work, but this isn't done because it is considered a financial and logistical burden too great to put on people.
there is no recognized organization for certifying service animals, setting one up would cost too much money, and the government doesn't want to do the work or spending to make it affordable.

"Emotional support dogs", mostly, which is very different from actual service dogs. Service dogs have a lot of rules and requirements, and are supposed to wear service vest with patches/tags. There's a lot of reasons for this, but mostly people that have physical or mental disabilities or illnesses.

"Emotional support dogs", however, is a mostly bullshit, very broad term, that as no real definition aside from just a pet function as a pet. And unfortunately, rules that bar establishments from asking people to prove their dog is a service dog means any idiot can buy a fake-service vest online, and claim it's an actual service dog. Taking advantage of an otherwise good rule.

I don't really have a problem with seeing dogs/pets at most locations. Pretty common for me to see them at Lowes and other big-box type stores. Grocery stores definitely feels iffy to me.

I actually called two local supermarkets to talk to the manager about it. Not in a Karen way but in a more... investigative way.

One manager said she wasn't sure and didn't want to give me the wrong answer when I asked her for more coherent details. She briefly mentioned they're supposed to be on a leash. She could say that for certain.

Another manager from a different store said that when they confront customers, oftentimes they get yelled at, and will simply continue to bring the dog back. She said they're supposed to be support/medical dogs and that they need to have proof of this.

It honestly feels like the wild west out here.

You know what's worse than dogs in the supermarket? Other people. There is so many gross people out there that are less hygienic than dogs

Muscles posted...

You know what's worse than dogs in the supermarket? Other people. There is so many gross people out there that are less hygienic than dogs

During the worst of the Covid shutdowns I found a cart abandoned with a dirty diaper in it. The same day I found a hand basket with a used feminine hygiene pad in it, returned to the rack so the next customer could use it. Luckily we were still doing full-cart sanitation between uses so I had the cart people clean the cart and the entire rack of baskets extra thoroughly.

Then I nope'd out for the day, because God knew what I'd find next.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Service dogs have a lot of rules and requirements, and are supposed to wear service vest with patches/tags.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/6/687edf30.png
??? Why are you saying things without verifying the source.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

I rarely see them.

I've seen a few cats, mostly at smaller establishments where it's either a stray in the area or owned by the proprietors.

There was a coffee shop downtown with a stray cat everyone liked, but still wasn't allowed in the place. I have a picture of it:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8908faf3.jpg

Venixon posted...

Don't forget some people are also allergic

They are but some folk are also blind so what now?