Does your Farmers Market allow dogs?

[desertjean]

The rule makers around here have limited every place a dog can go. We don't have sidewalks, they aren't allowed in the parks. The military base has a few dog parks for residents but even these are nothing more than a small, fenced area with no seating area for the humans or even real play room for the dogs.

The only social area that dogs are allowed are the farmers markets. You will see a dozen or so over the course of the morning and all are well behaved, for the most part. You get the occasional grumble from a dog but the owners are responsible pet owners and bring the dogs into line. Only once have I seen a human actually grouse. She stood in the middle of the market screaming that all dogs should be locked in the cars and not in the market. So far she is the lone crackpot.

Our market has booths for dog treats and snacks, as well.

Being a dog trainer, it really concerns me if the only point of dog socializing is removed from our area. My own 3 furkids adore the market, always snag a few free samples and get loved on by a bazoozle of kids and grownups.

With a new one being planned in our area, I would like to some outside input now.

 

[judy-mass]

Our local market has no restrictions as far as dogs are concerned.

When I do an outdoor craft fair, I have a bowl or two that I will fill with water for passing canines. I figure if I water the dog, the owner might linger long enough to buy a pot or two.

It's worked more than once!

 

[desertjean]

I would imagine that it does, Judy.

We often by from those that treat our pups well with free samples or water bowls.

 

[michelle]

We no longer allow them in the market area - it is a public health issue (with food)>>

Our market (Saskatoon, Canada) has increasingly become a place of interest for Public Health. No one has ever become sick from being there, but, because pets are not allowed in other public eating areas, they decided that they are also not allowed in our Market area.

 

[cheezz]

Absolute NOT at ours. I mistakenly took my pup one morning, not realizing this.

Big signs everywhere - no dogs where there is food.

 

[cheezz]

doesn't make much sense to me... most of our stuff is 'organic' and I'm sure animals weren't barred

from the fields... does someone stand guard in the crops to be sure deer, field mice, rats, cats and birds are kept out? I think not...

 

[melissa-dallas]

So stupid. Even if a dog peed on produce pee is sterile. You do wash your produce don't you?

 

[barbara-in-va]

All the markets in my immediate area are run by the county. So, there are no dogs allowed. These

markets are always VERY crowded, as is everything around here, and the patrons can be quite agressive. I think the poor critters would get trampled!

 

[michelle]

It's to do with the prepared foods, not the produce. The bakers, and people like me, who are

required to have a commercial kitchen to prepare what they sell.

 

[dawn_mo]

The market in San Diego had signs posted that no dogs were allowed

(edited to say, no animals allowed)
but people brought their dogs anyway and nothing was said. The signs were for the Health Department more than anything else. The people who brought their dogs were usually far more respectful of the vendors than people with their children. I actually put risers (those plastic white pipes) to raise my table so grubby little fingers were less likely to touch things on my table. And you know I adore kids!
The market here doesn't have any signs and I see far fewer dogs, birds, cats or reptiles here.

 

[michael-in-phoenix]

I think I'd fear the germs from the people as much or more than the pups.

 

[bobbijoaz]

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor markets. These have a few

stalls tha sell food. The dogs must be on a leash or in a cart.

 

[karennoca]

Dogs used to be allowed in our Farmer's Markets, however after the market grew

larger and larger, they now post signs that dogs are not allowed per the City of Redding Codes. As one who used to take her dog every Saturday, I was very unhappy with the ruling, after all, my dog is well behaved/trained and all dog owners know that keeping them social animals is an ongoing chore.
I have since seen the light.....the Farmer's Market is no place for dogs. They get stepped on, are constantly having to dodge the humans who are not looking down but up and out and the produce stands. Yes, my dog would decide to poop and even though I had my plastic bag right there, it was embarrassing. So, my dog still goes with us, but my husband takes him for a long walk around the beautiful City Hall grounds where the market is held. He is much happier with this arrangement. When hubby and dog are done with the walk, hubby puts the tail gate down on my SUV and he and our dog sit on the tail gate and wait for me. In the meantime, cute little old ladies, men, young people come by and admire my adorable poodle.
There are still people who try to carry their small dogs into the market but they are soon asked (politely) to leave.

 

[carol-whidbey-is]

Here I think there are more dogs at the market then people.

 

[richard-in-cincy]

There is always a bureaucrat who loves to make up new rules...

(and new forms in quadruplicate).

Have these brilliant ones explained yet how the dogs will contaminate foodstuffs in an open air market?

Have they banned the birds in the sky from flying overhead yet?

Should someone ban the bureacrats? That makes much more sense for quality of life issues to me.

So far in this very uptight conservative city that loves to make up rules for things, I still see dogs in the markets that I go to. I don't take mine because they're little guys, the markets are on blacktop and are awfully hot right now, and it annoys my dogs when people let their children run up to them without asking politely if it is safe to pet the doggy first.

 

[angak]

agree. I like to take my dog everywhere too, but dogs in tight market aisles are just not fun for

anyone, including the pups. Just my observation with the markets up here. We have several nice dog parks where we can let them run off leash and even swim in small lakes. I take my pup there instead.

 

[amanda_pennsylvania]

Our Farmer's Market in Palatine, IL (Chicago suburbs) used to allow dogs.

There was at least one vendor who sold dog treats and several vendors would have water out for the dogs.

Even after living here for three years, I have yet to go to a Farmer's Market. (Sad, I know.) But it's a very doggy area and I'd be surprised if dogs weren't allowed.

 

[richard-in-cincy]

One wonders how there are any Europeans left alive since they...

not only allow the dogs in the farmer's markets, but also the restaurants, shops, etc.

The EU will probably mess this up however, since they seem set on making up as many rules as possible to make up for lost time.

 

[barb_b]

Richard, you just have made me giggle all day. I loved the bird comment; in Hungary the markets are

filled with animals. While the dogs are not for sale, they are roaming freely around. And enjoyed by the patrons. The chickens on the other hand, which are near the produce...Now, that is another story. ((But suffice it to say, that they are enjoyed by the patrons also))

Seems silly to me to not allow dogs...

Just my 2 cents