Dogs At Markets - Yay Or Nay?

[Steph M]

I just came across this while trying to book our annual Summer camping trip along the Murray, we stayed in the same park last year and were thinking about going back, but one of the biggest drawcards was wandering around the market with the dogs and getting some nice fresh produce and some funky antiques/junk.

Am I the only one who things saying no dogs at an outdoor market is strange? Mostly because there are SO many dog friendly campsites around and frankly there isn't much else to duck off and do if you're not swimming or lounging about, and there's certainly nowhere to leave them when camping.

I might also admit we are a bit biased, we used the farmers market for a lot of Gus's early socialisation. He said hi to the chickens and goats in the petting zoo, ate lots of floor chips and met little kids without bowling them over. Ours was an awesome tool for us, but we didn't have lots of blow in tourists either, so I fully accept that our local was a little different.

Got me thinking, maybe I am in the minority and not everyone likes dogs at their markets?! (

Of course I know there's asshats who let them poop everywhere and use those extendable leashes, but blanket banning all dogs seems so final.

Would it not be better to penalise jerks who do the wrong thing or am I living in dreamland? Haha.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Steph M

[Better Late]

I don't have a problem with it at all! Perfect for socialising to a variety of different things, plus how lovely is it to take your dog to the local market, grab some local produce and then enjoy a yummy jam donut while people comment on how well trained your dog is :D

Well, at least thats what I hope to do with my girl once we see K9Pro and have a program to work on! I love seeing dogs at the local market. There are always signs up saying no dogs in pavilions at our local, you do get the occasional owner bringing theirs through but people will be people.

Think about all the mental stimulation they'd get from all the smells!

[JulesP]

One of the markets I go to is dog friendly. Not sure how they could ban them anyhow as it is situated in a off lead dog area! You do hear the odd person whinging about dogs as you walk around.

I personally don't take mine to it as it hampers my shopping! When I had 3 dogs I did use to take Brock as he was super quiet. 2 dogs is a bit more of a handful to maneuverer through the foot traffic as it is a quite busy market.

Edited August 7, 2015 by JulesP

[Scottsmum]

I'm meh. I find if I take my own they're annoying to me & it can be stressful for them /him & me.

[Taliecat]

I probably won't take a dog to markets for the next decade..

But I did like taking Dozer when he was a small pup, but my highlight of dog friendly market trips is seeing the lovely oldies.

I can't help but smile at any wagging tail so I'm probably a biased party

[Miz]

Our new pup goes to the farmers markets every Saturday morning. Meets new people, including plenty of children. Hangs around the petting zoo. Lots of sounds, smells and sights. Opposite a football oval where we walk a few laps. I dont walk around where the produce is (outdoor market), only around the breakfast/coffee stalls.

Perfect morning out for him, he is knackered until late afternoon.

There is one small white fluffy thing that is never on a leash that is a serial pest. I am all for the markets as being dog friendly, provided they are on the leash as there are too many farm animals/kids/people with food to trust pretty much any dog off leash.

[oakway]

I would suggest that you change the heading to...Taking your dog to a market.

The way it reads it can lend to people thinking that it MAY refer to the sale of dogs at markets. :)

[Dame Aussie]

I don't normally take ours to markets because Lili doesn't like big crowds but I have no problem with dogs at markets. Every market I go to regularly has dogs everywhere and I've never seen any issues.

With a rule like this all they're going to do is reduce their patronage

[*kirty*]

As usual, it's a few morons who have ruined it for everyone.

[ness]

We go to the Farmers market once a month - they have a dog biscuit store :laugh:.

[pheenyx]

Sadly the markets near me don't allow dogs

[tdierikx]

So many places and events are becoming anti-dog nowadays... how the hell does anyone think dogs can get decent social skills training now?

T.

[huga]

My dog at a market? Fine :D

But as a stall holder who has had dogs cock their legs on my gazebo while their oblivious owners browse or chat? No.

[LisaCC]

I've always taken dogs to markets, great for socialisation. Lots of them even have stalls selling dog stuff!

I've only came across one weekly market that banned dogs and they banned them from the produce section only, so you could still have them in the markets just don't take them down the areas with the fresh food. I'm guessing some peoples dogs had jumped up or something as previous weeks dogs were allowed everywhere.

[Willowlane]

I took Willow, who is now 4 1/2 months old, to our local town market before, it was wonderful. Lots of dogs - all on leashes as it is through a main street. There were stacks of people, stalls, cafes etc. a great morning for socialisation. We have also been to one of the markets in Sydney near Centennial Park, we (my family and I) just sat with the dogs we had taken around the outside of this little farmers market on the lawn while people went in and got what the wanted to eat for lunch, it was such a lovely day.

I agree with most people thoughts though, its just a few who spoil it for the majority.

If dogs are kept on a lead and handled sensibly then there is no reason not to have them out at markets and fairs. I think it just adds to the atmosphere and vibe to have them there, its boring if their missing....no character or exuberance without those gorgeous gleaming eyes looking up at you as they bounce along.

[Steph M]

So many places and events are becoming anti-dog nowadays... how the hell does anyone think dogs can get decent social skills training now?

T.

This is part of what baffled me, a few dogs (OK, humans) ruined it for everyone so they're saying everyone out and leaving one less place to socialise the next generation of pups, who in turn will probably act poorly when in similar situations.

Its kinda self fulfilling?

I'm glad there seems to be a lot of happy stories of dogs at markets. I know the dog treat stalls well! And our local pork guy who sells offcuts and organs by the kilo. He's a fond friend to my canines...haha.

[Steph M]

My dog at a market? Fine :D

But as a stall holder who has had dogs cock their legs on my gazebo while their oblivious owners browse or chat? No.

Those owners are assholes, we should ban them instead!

Or perhaps a hot wire around whizzer level...aha.

[_PL_]

I'm on the fence.

Some people don't seem interested in controlling their dogs at all. And I feel sorry for tiny breed baby puppies getting rushed by big dogs 'just saying hello' when they actually looked like they were having evil thoughts.

I did go to one event where the on-leash rule was enforced by a wandering ranger. I still got my leg peed on a few times by dogs that were on lead, but doing their own thing while owners chatted. Eewww, lesson not to stand still too long which was a shame because the stalls were great.

The crotch sniffers were out in force as usual. :laugh:

[HazyWal]

I'm on the fence.

Some people don't seem interested in controlling their dogs at all. And I feel sorry for tiny breed baby puppies getting rushed by big dogs 'just saying hello' when they actually looked like they were having evil thoughts.

I did go to one event where the on-leash rule was enforced by a wandering ranger. I still got my leg peed on a few times by dogs that were on lead, but doing their own thing while owners chatted. Eewww, lesson not to stand still too long which was a shame because the stalls were great.

The crotch sniffers were out in force as usual. :laugh:

Yep I agree. There are a lot of markets here on the Peninsula every weekend and I've seen some damn close calls with larger dogs having a go at littlies with both owners at fault. I saw one guy struggling to hold his staffy that was built like a brick shithouse and was intent on ripping every dog at the market a new one O.o I have taken Stan back home once when I just had him but Maddie's a biatch so I don't take them plus no one takes any notice of what their dogs are doing and that annoys me no end.

I'd love a ban on extendable leads, dogs wrapped around stalls and peoples legs is common as is cocking legs on peoples stuff.

Edited August 7, 2015 by HazyWal

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

When I saw the topic - I thought dogs were not going to be sold at markets and I thought YAY! I'd be fine with a breeder or rescue displaying their dogs but not handing them off to strangers. And the sorts of "breeders" who sell at markets tend to be the bad kind (breeding for cute puppies with no health checks on the parents etc).

As for a few irresponsible people stuffing it up for everyone... why do the good dog owners have to be punished for the poor behaviour of the bad ones. Why doesn't anyone just single out the bad owners - like speeding drivers.

In SA - unless there is a sign saying the dogs are allowed off lead in a public place (other than a "park" - which may have a sign saying they need to be on lead), then the dogs have to be on a lead less than 2m. And no matter what - the dogs have to be "under effective control". There's lots of rules that apply to dogs cocking legs on other people's property. Why can't we enforce those?

My local council has just back flipped on their plan to completely ban all dogs from all playgrounds - no matter if they were on lead or not. I did point out to them that the parents who like to bring their dog with their kids wouldn't be too happy with that. And the parents that talked to me about it - I told them to email their councillors and the council and say what they want instead. Which I guess they have done.

Our local free newspaper has a new editor who owns a dog and lives next to one of these playgrounds and the whole attitude of the newspaper is suddenly dog friendly. Woot.