Why? Honest question…..
 

Saturday I was at the Brownwood Paddock Square with some family and friends for the Christmas tree lighting. The place was absolutely packed. Thousands of people were in the square. The bleacher seating area was full, the chairs were full, the dance floor was full, the blocked off area for vendors around the square was packed with people. So serious question….why do you insist on bringing your very large dog to this ‘packed with people’ event? Now before you accuse me of not liking dogs, I love dogs! I have a dog but would never take him to a crowed event like I was at Saturday and would love to know why you feel you have to bring your dog or dogs to this type of event. If it is a service dog that is one thing but I saw dogs there the size of goat or a small horse and they were not service dogs. I really don’t think dogs care one bit about the ‘lighting of a big Christmas tree’! I have discussed this with a number of people and for the life of us we can’t come up with why people do this. So please enlighten me….why do you bring your dog to a jam packed people event?

and to lowes, walmart,restaunts and any place they can get away with.

How do you know they were not service dogs?

Lowes allows dogs. A number of restaurants allow dogs on the outdoor patios. Dogs are allowed at the squares.

Some people think dogs are their children and most always be with them

Because a dog never gets angry with you or tells you what you can’t do.

So at Marshals, dog in cart drinking water from a bowl owner took off the shelf. Lady told the manger I have to bring my dog everywhere if I don’t

“He will ignore me for a week, and refuse to be in the same room”.

Thinking dog is good, but owner should not be out by themselves, if she truly believes the dog would ignore her for a week. Bet if she missed one feeding, dog would be right beside her.

Because a service dog has a vest on that says ‘service dog’ and none of these had on a vest.

What does ‘ermiied’ mean???

You are incorrect. Service dogs are not required to wear a vest. Actually, most of the dogs wearing a vest are not service dogs. The owners buy them on the internet

allowed lol

Gee, this is a novel post & discussion. I don't think it's been brought up on this page, in at least a week or two.

& people bring their dogs, for the same reason people bring their grandchildren ... gets them out of the house, they get some exercise, they're not at home, playing video games and like my Mom always said when she was throwing me out of the house ... "the fresh air will do you good" !

I am not saying they are not allowed, I’m asking, seriously, what is the reasoning for bringing a large dog or any dog to an event that is elbow to elbow with people? Would love to hear the ‘why’ from people who actually do this….bring their dog to an event like Saturday night at Brownwood that thousands of people are at and there is limited space.

This is a good point. I believe, one of the benefits of The Villages, is getting out of the house, being active. Active could mean golfing, playing pickleball or walking around the square.
If taking Fido to the lighting ceremony gets Mrs Habberdashery (fictitious name) out of the house, then that’s good.

True….service dogs don’t HAVE to wear a vest identifying them as such but many do. Also you could tell they weren’t service dogs because they would get distracted, bark and their owner was allowing people to pet and talk to their dog. THAT is a pet not a service dog.

See my best friend or I just want to pi## off others

Dog owners' choice. Not your business!

Maybe it was their first time for the tree lighting event and they didn't know it would be "elbow to elbow", with thousands of people?

he majority of the dogs wearing vests are not service dogs. Service dogs may be petted if the owner agrees. Get over it TV is dog friendly.

I the early days of The Internet people who jumped on posters for making spelling or grammar errors were called "Trolls"- Congratulations

Because they're selfish, and don't care that their dog is probably only behaving itself because it's overwhelmed and unable to do anything else.

They don't care that the loud music coming from multiple speakers from the square's nightly entertainment is likely painful to their VERY SENSITIVE ears. They don't care that the only thing their dog sees when he's being walked through the crowd are legs and feet and it's likely one of the last things it actually wants to be doing. They will insist that their dog loves the attention, loves being out with mommy and daddy, loves the crowd, loves the music.

No - they don't. Your dog doesn't love it. Your dog loves you, and to the detriment of its own health, will obey you willingly and with a wag on his tail. You are damaging your dog's hearing. This is cruel, not love.

I love dogs and I would never EVER subject a dog to large crowds with loud music, unless it was my service dog. And even then I'd probably do it minimally, out of respect to the dog.

I say this about large dogs and small dogs. Pets don't belong in large crowds with live music. Add to this for the small dogs - they endure all of the above, but they also run a greater risk of being stepped on, dragged around, and "hounded" by well-meaning people who don't know any better and insist on "oooooh looka how cuuuuuute!" grabbing and petting.

There's one lady who -literally- drags her dog around - this pooch is probably 15 years old, can barely see, is lame with one REALLY bad leg and three somewhat bad legs. And gets - I kid you not - dragged. She walks faster than the dog can walk, and it can't keep up with her and falls and she just tugs it over the concrete square. That's the worst of them.

I have had dogs for 6byears and owned a dog business for a number of years. Your opinion and I disagree. I take my small dog and carry him. The loud music does not bother him! I feel badly for the older dog, but it is the owner's choice not yours! MYOB

Were you a dog in a previous life?

How else would you know so much about how dogs feel and what they like? Are all breeds the same? Do all breeds like (& dislike) the same sort of music? Do they all hate 50's & 60's rock? Do some of them like Rap music or Techno?

How do you explain this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSWsGB2emes

Thanks. You are totally correct!

These are the same people that bring dogs to the stores and restaurants. Maybe people didn’t expect the crowds to be so large. We bring our small dog to the squares when we go for the music but we stay on the other side of the street. We love our dogs but have no problem leaving them in the house when we go someplace they shouldn’t be. I do not like seeing dogs in restaurants or store, generally sitting in a cart.

How do you know? Have you asked your pooch?

MYOB.....might want to take that advice

I can tell when he is uncomfortable.

Since you know nothing about dogs MYOB!!!! You add nothing to the thread as usual!

Dogs’ body language is easy to read if you are an interested observer. Loud sounds do hurt dog’s ears without question.

I just did an experiment with my cat; played Handel’s Messiah to him. When the instruments and singers hit a really high note, the cat lowered its ears. When the instruments played mid-range, the cat’s face relaxed. The cat showed me which pieces he liked to listen to.

Do not compare dogs to cats!

Yes, it IS the dogs owners choice but you are missing my point totally. I am asking WHY ….WHY do dog owners bring their dog to an event that thousands of people are going to be jammed into a small roped off area? Give me the reasons you do it…..seriously….WHY do you?

Dogs are even more sensitive. My Welsh terrier can’t even stand listening to singing “Happy Birthday” without howling. And, I used to breed dogs too, American Staffs.

My choice. I do not care about your opinion.

Nor I about yours!

Yes!

Back at you! NVA

Why not?

That is the difference between you and me then….I do care about your opinion and why you do it. I’m not trying to be argumentative here….I’m truly interested in why people bring their dog or dogs to events where there are a lot of people. If your only reason is because ‘it’s my choice and I choose to do it’ then so be it but it seems like there are other reasons people do and I’m interested in knowing why. Educate me on this. I have a dog and I would never take him to an event like Saturday night at brownwood and truly want to know the reasoning why people do. Carry on.

Actually I have no dog in this fight as I own no pets. I do realize dogs are not people and may not enjoy what people do, loud music, crowds other things. After all, they are canines, not primates.