Just because you have a dog does not mean you have to take it to watch your child play soccer. I have seen dog strollers, dog water bottles, dog selfies, crazy dogs, aggressive dogs and dogs who are obviously overwhelmed by the environment their owners have put them in and I have only been at the field for an hour. I feel bad for the poor dogs, people are making them crazy

While I think it is important to keep your dogs well socialized so they are not afraid of random people that may come to your house or they encounter out on a walking trail, there are also places that unless the dog is well trained they just don't need to be. The ball fields that the city of Andalusia operate has signs up that say no dogs allowed once you get to where the fields actually are. I suspect that while there is always the possibility that someone's little FiFi might get overwhelmed and snap/bite someone's kid who hasn't been taught not to just run up and try to pet any animal they see, I suspect it is more about not wanting to deal with the dogs going to the bathroom in the area. Some folks are just not considerate about picking up after their dog and sometimes it is just flat impossible to pick up dog poop that is too soft/loose.

And, we have five dogs ourselves.

People now days don’t take the time or are too lazy to make sure their dogs are obedience trained. They just throw a leash on em and Hope for the best. Those need to be left at home and not in public

Alright! Its been forever since we had a "dogs in public" aldeer thread.

We have a couple at our church that brings their little teacup poodle. I have customers that bring their dogs to get the car serviced. I just don't get the mindset of some people.

A lot of folks don't need dogs at all.

I could care less about what people do with their dogs, but this would be different. Do they bring them to church services?

Yes. Very distracting.

Why has the church staff not informed them that a dog is not welcome in service….?

Tattoos, ear piercings, funky looking attire/hairstyles etc do not bother me one bit at church. I would encourage those kind to keep attending and that we were proud to have them with us in hopes they could get something from God. But I guess that’d be across the line when an animal entered the building…

While dogs should be well socialized. If your dog has had no training or can’t be trusted to listen in a public setting then they shouldn’t be brought to social functions. One dog we have is an old codger and can’t hear well. Does what he wants. He doesn’t go out to functions with us. Younger dog who has had some formal training and does well on leash, we take him on occasion. It really depends on the responsibility of the owner and being self aware. If you’re not gonna be diligent and keep your dogs behavior in check. Then you don’t need to bring him.

When I say functions. Outdoor functions

Church leadership needs to handle that.

Heck my dad attends a church that has a member that brings her pet rabbit to Sunday morning worship on the regular. Now I’m not one to judge but it’s just weird to me to say the least. Service animal certification and all

Animals do not belong in church or restaurants. Period.

Just tell them that y'all are going to demonstrate how the Jews did it in the Old Testament and since that's the only critter in the building............

Back in the 70s the organist at our church would bring her Maltese to the evening service. It sat right on the bench next to her and didn't disturb a thing. That dog was immaculately groomed, too, complete with the long hair.

Just my kinda thread 🤣😂🤣😂

Beat me to it , where's the Elders?

Sitting on the fence or they would have already addressed the situation.

IMO, there is no fence to sit on when it comes to taking a dog to Church.