Your Dog Is Family, But Is The Pooch Welcome Everywhere? [The Question]

For many Americans, dogs aren’t just pets. They’re family.

Max and Bella and the rest of the pack have secured their places in family pictures, vacations, and even major life events like proposals and weddings.

Yet as pet-friendly norms continue to grow, does that mean our canine companions are invited everywhere humans go?

Some dog owners seem to think so.

Dogs are increasingly tagging along to outdoor patios, breweries and boutique retail shops. Some even make the grocery run, whether they’re welcome or not. And some owners apparently believe an invitation to someone’s home extends to every member of the family, including the one who sheds on the furniture.

But not everyone is eager to roll out the welcome mat for someone else’s dog.

Is it rude to bring your dog to someone else’s home without asking? Has the assumption that pets are welcome everywhere gone too far? What places should be off-limits to dogs?

We’re asking for The Question, Patch’s exclusive etiquette column. Just fill out the survey below. As always, we don’t collect email addresses.

About The Question

The Question is an exclusive Patch column on etiquette, everyday ethics and what to do when the rules aren’t quite as clear as everyone pretends they are — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you’d like us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “The Question” as the subject line.

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