Going around town with your pup/older dog - Page 1

I notice that everyone says that you should socialize your dogs as much as you can to get them familiar to new places, people and situations.

Where the hell do you guys take your dogs??? lol

Mine don't mind hopping in the car for a ride but I have a hard time with coming up with places to take them.  Walk around a certain part of town on a sat/sun but where else can you go?
You can't walk into stores on the street with dogs or go many places with them and be allowed in.

I would like to take mine out to see or do more but I am at a loss for where to go.
Hopefully places where you take your dogs will help spark some new places or things to do.

Call around.  A lot of places will accept the dog if they know ahead of time.  You might be surprised who doesn't care if you bring your dog in.  Most hardware stores here (kansas) are ok as are all the pet stores.

I agree with debisue -- I like to take mine to Lowe's of Home Depot.

 Pet stores, tractor supply,  Office depot......well the one here allows them at least,  Lowes allows me to take dogs in here, but they said they don't typically let others bring theirs in.  They all know me there though.   My Husky Buck went to all of those places, and he went with me when we were going to see about renting a building out to people or possibly selling it, shoe stores, video game store, the list goes on and on.  Even the police station.  The cops here all know me and love seeing my dogs.  Dickson is a really dog friendly place though as far as the people go....for the most part, I don't know how it is where you live though.

I guess it will really depend on where you live.  I try to take my pups anywhere I'm allowed to take them.  I'll take them to the pet store, which happens to be in the same plaza as the grocery store, so sometimes we'll walk back and forth in front of the store, or just sit on the bench and watch people and shopping carts roll by.  I always take the dogs to the town parades or other festivals and events, although that may be too much for a shy dog.  I often sign up for more than one puppy class, (I did 3 with my male!) just so they get used to different people, places, and dogs.  If you live close to a big city, or even a busy part of town, take them for walks through the crowd.  Is there a train station nearby?  That's a good place to walk over different surfaces, and see strange sites and sounds.  A park or playground is also good, sometimes you'll be lucky enough to meet kids there, and if nobody else is around, I'll have the dogs climb on and check out the playground equipment.  I'll make trips to the vet office just to get a weight and have the staff give treats.  If they're not busy sometimes they'll take them in the back just to walk around, so that going to the vet is a pleasant experience, not a stressful one.  And anytime one of my other dogs is showing, pups go along to get used to trial environment.  That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now.

In addition to what other people here suggested, most restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs. We take our dogs to downtown Ft.Lauderdale on a Friday night to walk around and have dinner and  our dogs get a tremendous amount of socialization. It can be a very fun evening out for everyone. We also take our dogs to outdoor events, such as art fairs and things like that.  

  Everything said here is constructive with the exception of one possible scenario which can easily occur.
 A health related emergency strikes the handler/owner in the car or in a crowded area.
 Don't assume it won't happen.It is something to think about particularly with a dog who is naturally Protective.

 So Jon, should we just not socialize and train our dogs now because we "could" have a health related emergency and the dog "could" protect us? You could take your dog to the vet, and get in an accident on the way home.....and the dog tries to protect you. 

   I guess    i should have stressed that those handlers with Pre Existing conditions should be cognizant of that scenario,rather than everyone here,but I stand by my Post.

ACE952,
I take my dog with me all most everywhere I go.

Here are some of the places we go:
Lowe's & Home Depot
Pet Stores & Feed Stores
Restaurants that have out side seating like Starbucks
Dog parks &  City Trails
Outdoor Markets and Craft Shows
Special events (that allow pets)

I have even taken her with me on business trips. I stay in pet friendly hotels and she goes with me to the job site.

I also make sure she is wearing a name tag with an emergency contact number  and her rabies tag on her collar.

Hope this helps.

C