[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Perhaps I can give you a reason . . . We have a dog . . . a very large dog. If we had taken her to Brownwood that night with that amount of people, truthfully, we would have left. I don't think it would have been fair to anyone, dog included, to be in such a mob scene with a dog. I think it is selfish to bring a dog to a wall-to-wall people event and regardless of what a person's reasoning is, it is wrong.

However, we will take her to Lowe's or Home Depot because they do permit dogs. We will go to a square at night to listen to the music. We will sit in the back or somewhere where she doesn't interfere with the crowd, but if it is somewhat crowded, we move further out. Our main reason for taking our dog to people places is for exposure to different places, sounds/noises, people, etc. In other words it is to socialize her and give her exposure so she doesn't get spooked (we hope) to different places and things.

Unfortunately, I do not think our reasoning is the same as others; I can't account for what others do and very often I am tempted to say something, but don't.

I understand why you might have to "hold your tongue" at times, you seem to be not only a "responsible" pet owner, but I would guess you also treat your pet very well and do not walk it a couple blocks away, momentarily unleash it, and urge it into a yard to do it's business. I watch this and really wonder if the owner did that in the PREVIOUS locations where she lived, or does this happen when you moved to the V's ? Puzzling, and very disrespectful ! Actually gives me a sad feeling to watch some of the "entitled" behaviors you see here. Here's another interesting "discussion"...LOL... why "some" people feel entitled to park a golf cart in the MIDDLE of a parking space... do they have the "right", of course, but why do it ? What do people feel they can just drive their autos IN the golf cart lane along main streets ? But they do it ALL the time, not just "swerve" into the GC lane momentarily because they were busy checking their cell phone, but actually drive with the right front and rear tires entirely in the GC lane ! Senility or entitlement I always wonder, same with some of the things you see in regard to pets, dogs in particular. Like you, just watch and shake my head in wonder, but hold my tongue... LOL !

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

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? ….why do you bring your dog to a jam packed people event?

They probably bring their dogs so people who see them can post 20 pages on TOTV about "why do they bring dogs to <fill in the blank>" every week. I guess this smells better than POOP posts. Just wait! Next will be "when is Costco for Dogs" coming to The Villages?

[mlmarr]

totally agree, leave the pets at home, if they need you that much, stay with them.

[WingedFoot78]

Does taking a pet for a walk in a baby carriage actually considered " taking a pet for a walk"? It seems to defeat the purpose.

[WingedFoot78]

138 posts............is this some sort of a record?

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I rarely agree with Orange, but this post was right and I agree. I'll tell you how one knows about dogs. Experience and advice from experts. I've had dogs for decades and also trained them for the military. Professionals make it their business to know as much about a subject as possible.
Folks in the Villages are selfish in the manner they treat their pets. Yes, many animals love to ride in a car with their owner. Yes, animals love to go with their masters when they go ANYWHERE. That does not make it right. Some folks are allergic to animals and don't appreciate having your pet forced upon them. Some folks are scared of animals. Some folks do not want your pet sitting in a shopping cart where food is carried. Some animals do not enjoy loud music, large crowds, being stepped on, having a stranger pet them, etc. Most of that should be common sense, but some idiots have total disregard for their pets and just want them as a security blanket. Get a stuffed teddy bear.

Agree

[Daxdog]

A real service dog must have a note from a doctor. You can not ask the person what if anything is wrong with them, but according to Fl law you can ask what the dog is trained to do. A business can decline to entry to a support animal but not a true service dog. Just because you went online and brought a vest or a leash with “service animal” it doesn’t make it real.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Don't have a dog (been there done that many times, but wanted a retirement dog free life, selfish but, want to be able come and go with out so much responsibility. Since so many seem to give such, well, rather nasty type replies, I'll try to give you an honest answer. Have a cousin who takes her dog everywhere, and I mean everywhere, if you invite her to lunch at your home (and I have), you also get the dog. It goes to all the stores, she does take a pad she puts in the shopping buggy, and she constantly tells us how "even at stores that tend to discourage you from bringing your dog inside, just fall in love with our Hunter, they just flock to him everywhere we go". I have never understood why people would just flock to this dog as she always relates they do... it's not a small dog, medium mixed breed from a shelter, not "snippy", seems friendly enough when we're around him, but he's quite a load for a shopping cart or in a restaurant, etc. She claims HE will not allow her to go anywhere, even on a quick errand, without HIM or he pouts and is angry with her for several days ???? I gave up trying to figure it out. Apart from this odd behavior, she has NO other odd behaviors or talk ! ? All I can say is, from what we have observed in our home, in her home, and out at public events, she just firmly believes the dog IS AN ACTUAL HUMAN PERSON with the same range of emotions, desires, and demands ! ?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I understand why you might have to "hold your tongue" at times, you seem to be not only a "responsible" pet owner, but I would guess you also treat your pet very well and do not walk it a couple blocks away, momentarily unleash it, and urge it into a yard to do it's business. I watch this and really wonder if the owner did that in the PREVIOUS locations where she lived, or does this happen when you moved to the V's ? Puzzling, and very disrespectful ! Actually gives me a sad feeling to watch some of the "entitled" behaviors you see here. Here's another interesting "discussion"...LOL... why "some" people feel entitled to park a golf cart in the MIDDLE of a parking space... do they have the "right", of course, but why do it ? What do people feel they can just drive their autos IN the golf cart lane along main streets ? But they do it ALL the time, not just "swerve" into the GC lane momentarily because they were busy checking their cell phone, but actually drive with the right front and rear tires entirely in the GC lane ! Senility or entitlement I always wonder, same with some of the things you see in regard to pets, dogs in particular. Like you, just watch and shake my head in wonder, but hold my tongue... LOL !

Aaaand, you let it all out here...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by WingedFoot78

Does taking a pet for a walk in a baby carriage actually considered " taking a pet for a walk"? It seems to defeat the purpose.

Does taking someone in a wheelchair out for a walk really count as taking them out for a walk?

Sometimes, it's the best one can do to get fresh air and see the world outside their home...

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

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?

People, dogs and Christmas. Add gold cart speeding and lawns.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by WingedFoot78

138 posts............is this some sort of a record?

Not even close...

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Daxdog

A real service dog must have a note from a doctor. You can not ask the person what if anything is wrong with them, but according to Fl law you can ask what the dog is trained to do. A business can decline to entry to a support animal but not a true service dog. Just because you went online and brought a vest or a leash with “service animal” it doesn’t make it real.

No matter what the law is or it's INTENT, there will be people who think they are ENTITLED to abuse it. We/I tend to notice ABUSERS but need to remember that MOST
people are responsible. As far as a business POLICING customers, Imagine the POSTS from SOME of our fellow Villagers. They have ALL decided it is not a good idea.
Grocery, better not to realize the previous user decided THEIR mutt that just stepped in
poop, is needed as a consultant to decide what FOOD to purchase. Have not seen any pet, oops, service pigs.

[jimkerr]

Because it’s good for socialization. Who cares if someone brings a dog. There are so many busy bodies trying to get involved in other peoples business here.

I encourage more people to bring their dogs.

[Laker14]

I've seen dogs at the squares, but I've never seen one that seemed distressed by the crowds or the noise, probably because the owner has taken the time to desensitize the dog to such an environment, by, (get ready for this now...) bringing the dog to places with people and noise.
If the dog has been conditioned to it, and is behaving well, I have no problem with it. Not all dogs are bothered by it. Some dogs tolerate guns being shot over their heads, other dogs hide under the bed when a car door gets slammed shut. If the dog is freaking out, and as I say, I haven't personally seen this at the squares, then the owner should get the dog away and seek some professional guidance in dog behavior and training, and learn how to gradually desensitize the dog to such an environment. This can be a daunting task, and likely more time consuming than most dog owners realize, or are willing to undertake.

Training dogs is not that hard to do, but it requires an owner who is willing to do it, and consistently reenforce desired behaviors, while calmly, assertively, and humanely, discouraging undesirable behaviors.