Wow - thanks, everyone for the pats on the back. That felt good. You all asked a lot of questions...First, I called Bass Pro in Olathe, KS, and specifically asked them if dogs are allowed if leashed - they allow ALL dogs on leash. I called Supertarget, (I am very up-front w/everyone re: he is in training, and not to be a service dog, but to be a therapy dog), and got permission to bring him in, as long as he was wearing a cape or vest that marked him as "in training". Everyone I've s/w so far doesn't care if I bring him in, or if he's certified, as long as he's wearing a vest that states "In Training" on it.

I also called Borders (I've taken him there before w/permission from management). This time the person I asked for permission said I'd need to bring his papers. (I call before each visit because you never know if one manager will allow a dog and another one won't). I asked what papers, and they said whatever paperwork I had stating he's a service dog. I told them that he was in training to be a therapy dog. They said, "that's the same as a service dog." I informed them that therapy dogs don't fall under the guidelines of the ADA, and they aren't obligated to allow therapy dogs, and he's not even certified yet, just training. They finally said, "yeah, bring him in as long as he's wearing a vest." LOL. I guess they gave up...

I ended up not even going to Borders, as we've been there before, and I checked w/the public library, and they said we could come in there. The funny thing is as I was walking w/Kodee and my 2 yo in a stroller, security came over in a big hurry like I was in for it. I heard him say something about "dog" to one of the ladies at the desk, and they told him "it's ok, he's wearing a vest." LOL. I ended up talking to the security guy when I ran into him by some shelves later. We talked, and he was really cool. But then later, I took Kodee downstairs, and lo and behold, he and I ran into each other again. I finally figured out he was following us! Lucky for me, Kodee was on his best behavior - I think the guard was looking for him to slip up or take a poop on the carpet or something. tee-hee.

I always call ahead of time and ask before going into a store w/Kodee. And I make sure that they specifically understand that #1)He's in training to be a therapy dog, and he's not certified yet, and #2) If they say something about service dogs are allowed, I always clarify that he is training to be a therapy dog, and they are not covered under the ADA like service dogs are. Basically I go out of my way not to let the vest mislead people into thinking they have to allow him in, as I don't want to make stores suspicious of everyone who's trying to train a dog, or who really has a service dog. So far no one has turned me down, but I always call ahead, as I don't want to get in someplace and get kicked out.

Kodee will be 8 mos old next week...and I do think he understands that when I put his vest on, it's time to be extra-good. Actually, he seems to understand that in general when we are out in public, even w/o the vest, as I am very strict w/him when we are out. He seems to know it's not "silly goofy puppy time", like he can have at home. And he is learning that being a good boy brings good attention from everyone! Believe me, he has not hit that "mature age" by any stretch of the imagination, but I've been taking him pretty much everywhere I possibly could since he's been housebroken (about 4-1/2 to 5 mos old), and before that, we went out in public a lot outdoors or in the petstores (no carpet, although he's never pottied in public unless it was in the grass).

I am just so proud of him - he is such a sweet, pretty boy, and I want to share him with everyone (as long as I get to take him home w/me when we're done...lol).

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

Congrats!

I find that places that allow dogs are the worst places if you dont want people to interact with your dog LOL.

Mike, that's probably true, unless you're training a therapy dog. Then all that interaction w/people is wonderful!!!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, part of the training to be a therapy dog is getting the dog used to wheelchairs, walkers, etc. There was a nice man in the Bass Pro Shop who was handicapped, and he got one of those scooter-things with the basket on the front. Kodee was scared of it at first, but after he interacted with the man a couple of minutes, he didn't even seem to remember he was on the scooter. (sort of close to a wheelchair, I guess). Also, we walked behind a little old lady w/a walker for a while, and he didn't even pay that any attention. Good dog, Kodee!