Dog-Friendliest City

DoggyMoments · 03-02-2007, 08:36 AM

What CITY do you think is the DOG FRIENDLIEST and WHY?

Where are your favorite places to go with your dog?

Any good dog-friendly roadtrips?

Tell us if you think you live in the Dog-Friendliest City.

Let's try and figure out where is the best place to take our furkids.

Oh and mention if we can have a lot of fun there too!

I live in Pennsylvania
Reading Area
I do not believe this area is very pet friendly.
Gizmo would love to travel everywhere with me.
Since he's only 7lbs I believe we get away with more.
He can go to PetSmart and Petco, there is a Doggie Boutique called Godfrey's.
(it's an upscale boutique that has all sorts of adorable treats, there are not many like this around, it's pretty progressive).
And I can sneak him into the health club I work at because they think he's adorable. Also the woman in the jewelry store that my husband bought my engagement ring, she said he could come in. But that's it for my little Gizmo.
We're going to continue his training to try and have him do therapy, that might allow him to go more places. Overall, Christmas Village is close to my house and that may be fun for families, but I don't think you could bring dogs there. Not too much in Reading area.

I hope others have more input.
~Cheryl

Weebles · 03-02-2007, 08:52 AM

Well, I live in Chicago, and it is definitely pretty dog-friendly. I think I read an article a little while ago where it was rated the most dog-friendly city. Weebles comes almost everywhere with me, and I've never had a problem. He's allowed in lots and lots of stores (although I got some strange looks at the hardware store) and when I take him anywhere people always want to pet him and play with him. He has this trick he'll do whenever people are looking and he'll walk around on his hind legs.

We have lots of dog-specific stores and even a spa that you can go to with your pet (I've never been). There are dog boutiques all over, and even some of the "human" stores are getting good dog sections. We also have tons of doggy daycares and play groups, plus a few places that are indoor dog parks where owners can sit and hang out at the bar while the dogs play in their area. Plus, there are tons of vets (including a nighttime/weekend/holiday vet) and behaviorists and even dog psychics. He's also become quite a good bus rider.

One of my other favorite things about this city is there's a lot of outdoor seating at restaurants in the summer, and almost all allow small dogs. So, Weebles and his dad and I will sit and have breakfast (W gets a little bacon and they usually bring him a water bowl) and then we go play at the dog park. Definitely not a bad life for the dog and we don't have to leave him!

DoggyMoments · 03-02-2007, 09:00 AM

That sounds wonderfully dog friendly. I may have to move. We walked into the mall with Gizmo because there's a pet shop there and a stand that has doggie bisquits and little outfits. The guy at the stand adored Gizmo and talked in doggie voices to him. And then the security guard said we would have to leave and then said...'oh he is so cute isn't he'.

So Chicago sounds pretty good.
Anyone else think there city is the best?
Or at least what does it have to offer?
Is it the worst?
I believe Reading, Pa is pretty bad for dog friendliness.

Wimble Woof · 03-02-2007, 09:49 AM

Nothing around here is dog friendly... all of Ontario is apparently dog hating. Makes life really friggen interesting! *sigh*

Captbob · 03-02-2007, 10:30 AM

In the County I live in, in the Atlanta Metro area, we now have 4 dog parks. That's pretty good in my opinion.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/me...parks0302.html

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 10:44 AM

We live in a very dog-friendly town. Arizona in general is pretty dog-friendly...but I grew up in Phoenix which isn't that dog-friendly. We live in Northern Arizona now, Flagstaff and people here seem to be all about dogs, for the most part. It is very much a hippie town with a lot of little coffee shops and vegan/vegetarian restaurants where (most of them anyway) you can bring your dog along. Other than Petsmart they allow you to bring dogs in Ross, Bed Bath and Beyond, the mall, and tons of other places. It's nice to be able to bring her with us sometimes. We also have a lot of places that will give out treats to your dog (and they always ask which is GREAT!)...they are allowed in every gas station too.

However, I was born in Holland...I moved to England when I was two and haven't been back to Holland so I don't remember it, but my dad said it was the dog-friendliest town in the world...in his opinion. He said there wasn't really anywhere that didn't allow dogs. You'd go out to dinner and everyone would have there dog laying by their feet. Granted they had to be well behaved, but that's common sense to me. My parent's friends in Holland had a gorgeous Doberman that we'd bring EVERYWHERE with us...even grocery shopping!

jasonbird · 03-02-2007, 11:05 AM

i dont know which is the friendliest city but i know which is de woest city.
maybe you guys dont know what happened in Peikin last year.all the dogs which are higher than 35 cm are forbiddened in Peikin.no matter what breed the dogs are

Nagem · 03-02-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimble Woof

Nothing around here is dog friendly... all of Ontario is apparently dog hating. Makes life really friggen interesting! *sigh*

I agree. Ontario could be much more friendly to dogs, especially Northern Ontairo. The city I am living in right now has no leash-free parks, no dog parks, no dogs allowed on the beach.. My dog lives for the times we visit my parents because there is a dog park where they live.

RonE · 03-02-2007, 11:11 AM

Ashland, Wisconsin is the dog-friendliest city I've ever visited - at least with a dog. My dog, all 120 pounds of him, was allowed in the motels, on the beaches, in the parks, on the ferry going out to the islands - virtually everywhere, He could have gone into most of the shops with me, but picture a bull in a china shop, so we elected to sit out front (there were usually benches) while my wife shopped. (That would be my preferred activity anyway.)

Appleton, where we live, if somewhat less friendly to dogs, though we have three dogs parks within an easy drive. If you walk a dog, on a leash and on the sidewalk, through any of the city parks, you risk getting a ticket that is more than I paid for the dog.

(Just so there's no question, this dog was the best bargain of my life.)

Wimble Woof · 03-02-2007, 12:26 PM

In ontario, if you have a pitbull, pit mix, staffie, staffie mix or anything that even remotely resembles one ounce of those breeds, WATCH OUT! you are shunned worse than smokers. You get dirty looks, comments muttered about you, the whole nine yards. Avoid Ontario if you are looking to travel with any dog that is brindled, short haired and has any form of a "blocky" head.
Leash free anything DOES NOT EXISTS, and like said earlier, beaches, parks, abandoned feilds all have signs NO DOGS ALLOWED.
It's pathetic.

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimble Woof

In ontario, if you have a pitbull, pit mix, staffie, staffie mix or anything that even remotely resembles one ounce of those breeds, WATCH OUT! you are shunned worse than smokers. You get dirty looks, comments muttered about you, the whole nine yards. Avoid Ontario if you are looking to travel with any dog that is brindled, short haired and has any form of a "blocky" head.
Leash free anything DOES NOT EXISTS, and like said earlier, beaches, parks, abandoned feilds all have signs NO DOGS ALLOWED.
It's pathetic.

That's sad. I'll keep in mind that we better not bring Bridgette to Ontario with us!

Wimble Woof · 03-02-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrzyBritNAmerica

That's sad. I'll keep in mind that we better not bring Bridgette to Ontario with us!

The banned breeds are not allowed in Ontario at all, in any form of importing, even if you are driving through. You could face fines .
I'll try to find the link later with an email that was written by someone going from Alberta to Nova Scotia ( I belive) with a Staffie, the response is there and its discusting.

Chloef_2799 · 03-02-2007, 01:09 PM

Oh Wimble Wolf you couldn't be more true. Anything that looks remotely bullish is immediately "bad dog, mean dog, should have a muzzle, boo hiss." I HATE IT!!!! Even though my dogs look nothing like pits, lol, (maltese toy poodle and a cocker spaniel mix) it still drives me nuts.
The most dog friendly city I have ever been to has got to be Vancouver. I flew there with Chloe about 2 years ago and she got to go in the plane cabin with me instead of in cargo much to my relief, lol. It was because she could fit into the air line approved carry on kennels. The hotel we stayed at was awesome, they gave me treats and even offered to provide dog food and daily walks and day care service for her. I didn't end up using the walk or day care service because I was there alone and she was my buddy, lol, but it was great. Everywhere we went no one would freak out because I had a dog, I even brought her shopping with me at a mall and they let her come in!!! the security guy (who I thought was going to say "ma'am no dogs allowed" actually said "o cute dog, my girlfriends is the exact same." I was amazed!
I have heard San Francisco and New York are great places to be a dog also though. I would like to visit San francisco, I'll let you all know how it is when I go!

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimble Woof

The banned breeds are not allowed in Ontario at all, in any form of importing, even if you are driving through. You could face fines .
I'll try to find the link later with an email that was written by someone going from Alberta to Nova Scotia ( I belive) with a Staffie, the response is there and its discusting.

Oh wow! That is extreme. So is that if you actually have a definite banned breed or any dog that looks like a bully breed? I don't think I'd planned to go to Ontario anytime soon, but I had never heard that and I am interested. I only ask because Bridgette's "papers" (the Rabies info and vet bills and what not) have Dalmation mix on them. What are the banned breeds there? Pits and Staffies or more than that?

Chloef_2799 · 03-02-2007, 02:54 PM

http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.o...fty.asp#TOC_03
This is a link to a website all about this so called "beneficial" pit bull ban. I live in Windsor.....it is awful around here. A lady who breeds statfordshire bull terriers was going to a dog show in Toronto from Michigan with her two dogs, she has all the necessary paper work, she had them muzzled even though they were in kennels in the back of her car and at the Canadian border she was told she was not allowed into Ontario with her dogs and if she tried to come into Ontario her dogs would be seized and destroyed without question because they were considered vicious dogs. I think that is absolutly DISGUSTING!!!!!! What does that say about our so called "friendly tolerant" country eh?

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 04:50 PM

That's crazy! I would hate that so much! I am not positive, but I've heard than in parts of England you can have a Pit, but it has to be muzzled whenever outside...I mean I know there are VERY aggressive dogs out there, but it's the dog not the breed. If someone is going to a dog show (where there are tons of people and other dogs) obviously the dogs aren't going to be aggressive...and also not going to break out of muzzles and crates to attack anyone! That is truly sick! It's crazy too because ANY dog could attack a person. My roommates mom loves our pit/dalmation mix, but she wouldn't go near a daschund because she got bitten on the face by one and has a nasty scar to show for it!

MagicToller · 03-02-2007, 08:42 PM

One of the nice things about living in Miami, despite it having the appearance of being a high-end Art Deco loving beehive for spring breakers, is it's hyrbid nature in that there is gorgeous residential area with lakes and hiking hills, as well as the dazzling city only a few miles away. I'm lucky enough to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Miami and the Ft. Lauderdale area have amazing sights to enjoy that are awesome for dogs too. One of my favorite things to do is go to Lincoln Road on the Beach which is a two way boulevard of fantastic resaurants and shops with outdoor cafes that are dog friendly. On the weekend nights, the city comes alive with people and their dogs cruising the shops and eating.

There's also an area called Coconut Grove which is similar to Lincoln Road but on the Ocean bay side of the city. There's an awesome park that has a dog area that I adore taking my dogs to. They recently had an event there where alot of people came out with there dogs to enjoy a beautiful sunny day out and participate in some fun events.

Then ofcourse are the beaches. Ft. Lauderdale opens their beaches to dogs after 5 pm on weekends - and let me tell you, it's a blast. Usually there's anywhere between 20-30 dogs crashing into the surf and waves after balls or frisbees in a nonstop chase to see who can hold onto the toy the longest - it's the funniest thing to watch

Chloef_2799 · 03-02-2007, 09:07 PM

What makes me most upset about this pit bull ban in Ontario is that people are being harrassed left and right because their dog "resembles a pit bull." My friend neighbour has a boxer and a beagle boston terrier rescue and he is harrassed ALL the time when he takes them for walk. The beagle boston looks like a short legged 30 pound pit bull but his papers say what mix he is and the boxer is a perfect example of a boxer. They say it is illegal to harrass people and he has called the police a few times to report people and they tell him to expect that type f treatment if his dogs look like a breed people know is dangerous. AAHHH!!!!

DoggyMoments · 03-03-2007, 11:31 PM

So many wonderful places to visit!! My In-Laws live in Florida Ft. Meyers maybe we'll have to take a trip with Gizmo. Although I can't imagine sand in his long shih tzu hair, I'm sure he'd love it.

I'm so sorry to hear there is such discrimination against pitbulls. (and other "stereotypical" agressive breeds- i don't believe there is such thing).

We went to a wonderful dog boutique today. It was very progressive for this area. They even have a little area to have coffee so you can relax with your furkid by your side. Gizmo got all sorts of gifts for his birthday tomorrow!!

Doberdude · 03-03-2007, 11:53 PM

Its simlilar over here although loyal guard dogs are also popular eg. German shepherd and doberman although dobie owners are rare around here. But pit bulls are hated here in fact they get put down here like every day. This stupid owner in my area left his pit bull in his car to guard it but he didnt tie it to the car and it jumped out and tried to attack this guy walking with his doberman. The doberman portected the owner and severly injured the pit bull *his leg was bleeding* then the owner of the pit bull got his pit and drove off. The dobe owner got the plate sign number and called the cops. When i went to puppy pre school everyone hated the pit bull owner they wouldn't even let their dog near his althought the pit bull wanted to play it was really gentle. Labradors jack russes golden retrievers and cute toy/ small breeds are welcomed everywhere here. When ever a pit bull is mentioned or seen all I hear is "mental dogs" or "I hate those monsters"