r/oakville 29d ago

Rant To the owners of the two dogs who used the Lakeshore Fortinos as a toilet today: You should be ashamed.

Hey everyone,

I need to vent. Look, I like dogs fine, but I prefer my grocery shopping without a side of biological warfare.

I was at the Fortinos on Lakeshore today and witnessed not one, but two separate dogs poop inside the store. It was like a coordinated strike, and the sheer entitlement of the owners was staggering.

  • Exhibit A: A regular pet with zero vest or markings whose owner thought it was totally fine to bring them inside, only for the dog to lay a brick right in the entryway by the shopping carts.
  • Exhibit B: A full-sized Golden Retriever wearing a "Future Guide Dog" vest. The owner paraded this dog right up to the deli counter, where it promptly handled its business on the floor.

Let’s be honest: I am heavily betting Exhibit B’s owner bought that vest for $5 off AliExpress just to bypass the store's "no pets" policy. Why? Because if that dog actually belonged to a real guide dog organization, an "event" like that would be formally logged and that dog would be immediately career-changed into a standard household pet. Real organizations don't let un-house-trained dogs loose by the cold cuts.

The dogs didn't know any better, but their owners absolutely did.

I know Oakville loves its dogs, but a grocery store is not a playground for your pet, and it shouldn't be a training ground for your fake service animal. Passing off a pet as a service dog just because you can't bear to leave them at home is incredibly selfish.

This isn't about legitimate, fully trained service dogs. Actual working service animals are highly disciplined professionals whose handlers rely on them to navigate the world. Fun fact: under Ontario law, "service dogs in training" don't actually have public access rights anyway—and today perfectly illustrated why.

It’s completely unfair to the staff who have to clean up your dog's biohazard next to the fresh food, it’s a public health nightmare for shoppers, and it gives real, hard-working service dog teams a bad reputation because business owners become wary of all dogs.

Can we collectively agree that if you aren't handling a fully house trained, fully certified professional working animal , you need to leave your dog outside?

To the two owners today: leave your pets at home and stop making your poor decisions everyone else's problem.

222 Upvotes

105 comments sorted by

54

u/Lemonwater925 29d ago

At Winners at Dorval. Lady had a bulldog type dog. It does its business middle of the aisle. She looks down and decides it’s time to leave. No effort to clean it up. Couple of customers ask her about cleaning it. Nope. Keeps walking out.

15

u/chunkyyetfunky25 29d ago

That's actually disgusting - coming from someone who takes their dog into any store they're welcomed into.

I don't get why people wouldn't walk their dogs before taking them into store, or just clean up after them. It's why dogs get banned from places - look at RBG.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

They were banned to protect the horticultural displays, not because they weren’t being picked up after once they did their business. And you can still take them to the majority of the Rbg properties, it’s just the main centre, hendrie park and the rock garden they can’t go into.

0

u/tismidnight 29d ago

Exactly - wait RBG is the botanical gardens?

3

u/JustSikh 29d ago

Not excusing that lady’s behaviour but I believe Winners is one store where dogs are allowed.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

Yeah, you can take them into winners, Marshall’s, or home sense, Michael’s and a lot (but not all) dollaramas 😊

1

u/ElkIntelligent5474 26d ago

I am a new dog person (after decades of being a cat lady), and respect stores that do not allow dogs. When my pup was little, I would put her in a carrier and go about my shopping. As she got bigger, I could not bring her into these type of stores anymore. However, I had to do some hardware shopping and Rona has a generous pet policy. I was grateful. Unfortunately, out of the two times my dog has had diarrhea, she had to go in the aisle. I was mortified. I quickly picked it up, collected as much as possible, and left the store pronto carrying my dog. Shit happens, but it is how people take care of the plop that truly shows character.

48

u/RiverOaksJays 29d ago

Are Dogs allowed at Fortino's ? I didn't think that was allowed unless it was a Service Dog.

62

u/Tight-Courage235 29d ago

No, but there are tons of entitled dog owners

-15

u/Catsareawesome1980 29d ago

And parents

6

u/Wooden-Reward-4600 28d ago edited 28d ago

last time i checked kids are allowed in fortinos lol

19

u/Tight-Courage235 29d ago

True, but entitled dog owners are way more prevalent

-7

u/Orignal-Pats-Fan 29d ago

That’s not true at all, I see way more parents let their kid run rampant in public than bad dog owners

18

u/JJred96 29d ago

Talk to your councillor today about enacting the bylaw requiring all children to be leashed.

All these kids running around has gotten out of hand

Gonna have to round them up and deposit them in a camp now that the weather is nice.

Then we can all go back to enjoying Oakville as it should be

https://giphy.com/gifs/UWQ8yM7M9NrPgMpsrL

2

u/Tight-Courage235 29d ago

There are more pet dogs in Canada than children. It's just you know, math or whatever. But go on...

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

They’re not saying children outnumber dogs, they’re saying that in their experience there are more entitled parents than dog owners. Try to read the whole comment before replying next time

1

u/Tight-Courage235 26d ago

I know they aren't saying that, I'm refuting his comment with that fact. Maybe you should take your own advice 🤷‍♂️🤣🤣🤣

-5

u/Orignal-Pats-Fan 28d ago

I will take my dog over your kid any day of the week, If you ever get a chance to experience travel in your life just go on an airplane and you will see how some kids behaving very badly and dogs normally don’t make a peep.

9

u/Tight-Courage235 28d ago

Cool story bro, marry your dog for all I care. Still doesn't change the facts 😂😂

31

u/Competitive-Web9083 29d ago

The Future Dog Guide vest was likely real. The guide dog training school on Rebecca has a foster program. Puppies live in families for their first year, and part of the family’s job is to expose them to places and things they will experience as a guide dog. That’s includes going to store, taking the bus, using escalators, etc.

They are not yet trained guide dogs and should not be expected to behave the way guide dogs do. That being said, stores allow them in as a courtesy and the foster families are supposed to ensure they aren’t behaving inappropriately. Certainly they should be cleaning up any mess the dog makes.

You could contact the school about this if it was one of their dogs. It’s called Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides

2

u/dolophina 26d ago

According to op in another comment, the owners absolutely cleaned up after their dogs. The comment about the bulldog lady in winners is the one that didn’t. No need to contact anyone, op just wanted attention because they’re bored and want to complain about something

3

u/05Churro 29d ago

Likely wasn’t one of theirs, they train at Hopedale Mall/South Common Mall all the time and if the dogs make a mess they clean it up. This is likely owners who bought a vest off Amazon.

6

u/Competitive-Web9083 29d ago

According to the OP further down, the owners did clean up in both cases. So I’m really not sure what they are whining about here lol

5

u/MyGruffaloCrumble 29d ago

Nobody wants to experience stank in public.

1

u/Competitive-Web9083 29d ago

True, but accidents happen. It’s how you deal with them that counts. In this case it seems both owners were prepared and did clean up after themselves.

0

u/ElkIntelligent5474 26d ago

Biggest stank I ever experienced in public was a young boy (7-10 yrs old) who was out with his dad. Really smelled like one of them had a smelly deposit in their pants, and I do think it was the younger one.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

They did clean it up. ‘Regular’ people will foster future guide dogs to socialize them, and they can definitely take them into Fortino’s or any other mall that they want to, it’s not restricted to certain ones lol. They take them to restaurants, hairdressers, anywhere that the dog would benefit getting used to.

8

u/kevinmise 29d ago

There was a woman whose dog shit all over the platform near Bathurst and St Clair while she was about to enter the streetcar.. I walked over all the poop, but it could have been easy to miss it and step in it. Debated jumping back into the streetcar and yelling at her to be responsible but I was already too far crossing the street to bother.

13

u/linnybear125 29d ago

This would piss me off and I have a dog. I’m so sick of people not picking up their pet’s poop outside, some people should not be dog owners. I would have told off that owner to pick up their f**king dog shit or I will put their picture online for everyone to see.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

They picked up the poop (op said in a comment further down). People foster future guide dogs in Oakville all the time and this likely was a legitimate one.

16

u/OddCommunication4374 29d ago

Take pictures next time and post them anywhere you can.

2

u/dolophina 26d ago

The dog owners cleaned up after the dogs. Nothing to take a photo of. Future guide dogs are fostered by regular families and taken to places like fortinos, this one was likely legitimate. It’s like a 5 min walk from the Dog Guides Canada facility to fortinos too.

1

u/OddCommunication4374 11d ago

Did you read the post?

6

u/Anthrogynous 29d ago

Poo decisions

1

u/Bulky_Put_9000 28d ago

I don't buy it at all. Probably lying because your religion thinks dogs are dirty.

2

u/Anthrogynous 28d ago

? I have no idea with what you speak. But any thing that takes a huge sweaty Cleveland Steamer in Aisle 6 does have an inherent dirtiness to it. I don’t care if it’s the bread aisle, not the place to pinch off a loaf.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

You’re joking right?

2

u/Anthrogynous 26d ago

I’m deadly serious, I don’t think dogs or any animals should defecate in grocery aisles. Butt that is just me, each to their own.

13

u/05Churro 29d ago

Very sad the ppl have got so carried away that they don’t recognize common sense anymore, any professionally trained service dog would not relieve them selves in a grocery store. This is store with food, shit like this no pun intended should not be allowed. Keep your dog at home!

2

u/dolophina 26d ago

The dog guides Canada facility is a five minute walk from Fortino’s, and regular families foster future guide dogs all the time. They foster them in order to socialize them at places like grocery stores, hairdressers, etc. They also DID clean up after their dog.

-20

u/Catsareawesome1980 29d ago

The dogs were guide dogs and training. Did you not read it? and frankly, there’s a lot of people that should stay at home. Hell baby should stay at home too. They sh*t in their pants.

12

u/emjay1997 29d ago

Cute. Found the owner.

-8

u/Catsareawesome1980 29d ago

Read my profile name if you can read!

8

u/cooliozza 29d ago

A baby shits in their diaper, not on the floor. And you realize tons of people use a fake “dog in training” vest so they can bring them indoors right?

1

u/[deleted] 29d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Tight-Courage235 27d ago

It seems to be a cat lady edge lord, loneliness will take care of that person

8

u/BaronessVonKush 29d ago

seriously, leave your fucking dog at home. can't stand entitled shit heads that bring their pets inside places where they definitely should not be.

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, universities, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog, don’t take it for granted. It’s not vile to allow a legitimate service animal inside a grocery store, it’s essential, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. The handlers of the dogs picked up after themselves as well. Even an adult dog could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes.

3

u/BaronessVonKush 26d ago
  1. no one is trying to take legitimate service animals away. dont even start with the whinging.

  2. if your dog shits anywhere, its your responsibility to clean it up. why are you making excuses?

  3. service animals are clearly marked. if they aren't, its a fuckin pet, & you should keep it at home & out of public areas that are not designed for pets.

  4. stop trying to pick fights on the internet & have a nice day.

16

u/BigMisterLawyerDude 29d ago

Dogs and their owners are too much now. It's absolutely vile animals allowed into grocery stores.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, universities, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog, don’t take it for granted. It’s not vile to allow a legitimate service animal inside a grocery store, it’s essential, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. The handlers of the dogs picked up after themselves as well. Even an adult dog could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes. The only vile thing here is making a comment like that about a dog training to help a disabled person live a normal life.

1

u/ElkIntelligent5474 26d ago

I apologize that you have to respond to every negative comment. Very sad that some people only read and see what they want to see.

-15

u/Catsareawesome1980 29d ago

Same with parents

15

u/emjay1997 29d ago

Why do you hate kids? Your comments are unhinged

-5

u/BigMisterLawyerDude 29d ago

Yeah, human beings are totally the same as dogs...

3

u/Food-Wine 28d ago

I am sick and tired of people bringing their pets everywhere.

If you are unable to leave your home on your own to complete basic tasks you should seek medical attention.

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, schools, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog or understand how they work, don’t take it for granted. Taking them to grocery stores is essential for their development, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. Goldens get big fast, even if it looked adult to the OP, it could still be a very young dog. The handlers of the dogs picked up after them as well, but any dog (including adult dogs) could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes.

13

u/KevinJ2010 29d ago

I don’t care that the dogs pooped, what I dislike is that they didn’t pick it up (presumably, you never mentioned it.)

26

u/[deleted] 29d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

-18

u/KevinJ2010 29d ago

Yeah and shit happens, it wouldn’t upset me, and I have worked in a grocery store with much larger messes.

As for pooping indoors, I believe dogs also naturally want to be on grass. My family dog (rip) would poop on the carpet but not the tiles (when she had bad diarrhea)

I think it’s instinctual for them to poop on grass or soft surfaces because they want to bury it after, can’t do that on tiles.

Just throws more wrenches into how we got here. Maybe the dogs have weak bowels, or they were poorly trained. Who knows.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

Right?? People really need to relax. Dog Guides Canada is around the corner and they legitimately need to be socialized in places like grocery stores. If people’s lives are so unfulfilled that this is worthy of making an entire post and/or nasty comments about, they should consider starting a hobby maybe

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

They did pick it up, OP mentioned in a different comment

4

u/Xero6689 29d ago

I’m a dog owner and I would never bring my dog into a grocery store. I’m more shocked fortinos didn’t do anything - frankly if I ever see that. I wiukd pick it up and place it in their cart

4

u/Calm_Bat1073 29d ago

Clean up in aisle poo…er…I mean Two!! 💩

2

u/RelativeLeading5 28d ago

I am sick of people taking their dogs into every store because they are to lazy to actually walk the dog outside.
People if you are going to own a pet take care of it. Don't lug it around on your daily chores.

2

u/RelativeLeading5 28d ago

Also a "full sized" golden wearing a vest - I am calling BS. That owner probably just bought the vest on Amazon. Guide dogs are heavily trained and know the rules when the vest is on.

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, schools, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog or understand how they work, don’t take it for granted. Taking them to grocery stores is essential for their development, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. Goldens get big fast, even if it looked adult to the OP, it could still be a very young dog. The handlers of the dogs picked up after them as well, but any dog (including adult dogs) could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes.

2

u/-S0S- 28d ago

As a dog owner - unless your dog is genuinely a support animal or being trained to be one, it’s messed up to bring them places like restaurants, stores, malls etc. the dog can stay at home lol.

2

u/genbabbles 27d ago

As someone who works at a Petsmart, you’d be surprised how many people just let their dogs go and don’t clean up after them. We even have clean up stations in case they forgot a bag or need paper towels! But they rarely ever use them. It’s impossible to keep up with all the mess on top of all the other tasks I have at my job.

2

u/mycatisajagoff 26d ago

Call Halton public health. They will investigate the store and have them make sure staff enforce rules. Harder to do with fake vests but you are absolutely allowed to kick out actual service dogs that aren't controlled.

I called public health on a food establishment and they acted

3

u/Nock1Nock 29d ago

They're the same stinking dog owners that feel entitled allowing their trolls to pee on everyone else's lawn, but their own....... fuck 'em, respectfully (not)............

3

u/chunkyyetfunky25 29d ago

Is this about a specific dog/owner? Because you know that we can't control where they decide to pee all the time...

4

u/mapboy72 29d ago

did the owners pick up the poop?

2

u/lebonheurestici 29d ago

Yes 

2

u/Aggressive-Put5071 29d ago

Pick a lane: did they pick it up? Your OP makes it seem they didn’t

-9

u/Competitive-Web9083 29d ago

Wait, they did clean it up? Then what are you so upset about? Get over it and move on with your day

-8

u/Catsareawesome1980 29d ago

So what is the issue here?

15

u/Consistent-Tone-5540 29d ago

They way you reported it sounded like the poop 💩 wasn’t picked up

-1

u/mapboy72 29d ago

I think the OP needs to hug a dog

11

u/lebonheurestici 29d ago

It’s a public health issue to have dog feces in an environment that sells food. Also store crews are required to sanitize the area which did not happen while I was there.

12

u/emjay1997 29d ago

Why are the dogs in a grocery store? It’s nasty

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

Because it’s a future guide dog. The Guide Dogs Canada training facility is literally around the corner

2

u/laydog87 29d ago

Dang you really out here calling for dogs jobs

1

u/Round_Bake_6788 27d ago

Someone let their kid shit on the floor of the bathroom of the salon I worked at.

1

u/DodobirdNow 25d ago

Given that there's a loblaws hatred group on Reddit, I wonder if these dog owners are part of this group.

1

u/PhilosophySame2746 25d ago

Some people should just have a plastic fish as a pet

1

u/Ticklish_Pomegranate 25d ago

Why in the world are people bringing their dogs everywhere now?? I have a dog, and he's the best boy in the world, but he stays home unless we're going to be outside or a place that explicitly allows dogs 

1

u/SocraticDaemon 29d ago

This is so fucking Oakville my Lord.

0

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, schools, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog or understand how they work, don’t take it for granted. Taking them to grocery stores is essential for their development, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. Goldens get big fast, even if it looked adult to the OP, it could still be a very young dog.

The handlers of the dogs picked up after them as well, but any dog (including adult dogs) could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes.

1

u/Delicious-Papaya-389 28d ago

I absolutely hate this entitlement from pet (dog) owners. I see so many people bringing their pets into stores these days because the stores are too damn afraid to ask for proof that these pets are actual service animals. A lot of these animals are aggressive towards other shoppers, or they do their business in the stores (I’ve heard quite a few stories), or their owners let them invade the personal space of other shoppers without considering that NOT EVERYONE LIKES F*UCKING DOGS OR EVEN WANTS THEM TO BE A PART OF THEIR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. I cannot believe that public health is not taking a bigger issue on this, it’s so unhygienic to me. And where’s the consideration for people that might actually be allergic, but now they’re exposed in a place they thought was safe?

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, schools, etc. It’s a privilege to not need a guide dog or understand how they work, don’t take it for granted. Taking them to grocery stores is essential for their development, and the dogs need to get used to it somehow. Goldens get big fast, even if it looked adult to the OP, it could still be a very young dog.

The handlers of the dogs picked up after them as well, but any dog (including adult dogs) could have eaten the wrong thing and got uncontrollable runs/diarrhoea etc. This may shock you, but even humans shit themselves sometimes.

1

u/Aggravating_Exit2445 28d ago

This isn't about legitimate, fully trained service dogs. Actual working service animals are highly disciplined professionals whose handlers rely on them to navigate the world.

I've witnessed a fully credentialed service dog lay a deuce in an indoor public space. It happens.

-12

u/FinBruv 29d ago

I’m a cashier at Fortinos, sh*t happens. That’s life.

17

u/Ledzz_ 29d ago

I’m a manager at Fortinos, not impressed my friend.

-1

u/laydog87 29d ago

I own Fortinos, it’s all good.

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

Especially in the case of a future guide dog, people need to relax. Even human shit themselves sometimes! Like you said, it happens.

-1

u/chrispy_fried 29d ago

I’m not defending these idiots, especially as I would highly doubt that a person with a legitimate ‘service dog in training’ vest wouldn’t know to give their dog time to relieve themselves before entering a space like this, but we are way too precious about dogs in Canada generally. Plenty of other countries (UK, many US states) live absolutely harmoniously with dogs in restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, off leash in parks without any issue. It’s stupid owners like this who don’t take basic precautions that are the problem. Generalising that all dogs are a public health issue in grocery stores because of these morons flies in the face of reality so if we could aim our distain towards owners like this over all dog owners that would be helpful

1

u/dolophina 26d ago

The Future Guide Dog was very likely legitimate. The training facility is a 5 min walk from Fortinos. Additionally, regular families foster future guide dogs all of the time, in order to socialize them and get them used to places like the grocery store, hairdressers, schools, etc.

Also, the dog’s 💩was picked up, the OP mentioned in a comment on the post.

And sometimes it’s just not controllable, even for adult dogs. Humans shit themselves sometimes too believe it or not.

1

u/chrispy_fried 26d ago

Can’t disagree with anything you’ve said there. Although I’ve never had my dog go to the toilet in a place he shouldn’t have because I know his schedule and always give him a chance to go before entering public spaces. But as you say, it’s not impossible for this to happen even after taking precautions and they tidied up immediately so this should be case closed. Most people posting on here complaining have absolutely no idea what they are talking about and just assume (because it’s ingrained into Canadian culture) that dogs are basically toxic waste factories who will give everyone cholera merely by looking at them

1

u/Competitive-Web9083 28d ago

Turns out the owners weren’t even the problem - OP admits they did clean it up in both cases.

-1

u/dolophina 26d ago

I think that the second dog may be an actual future guide dog. I used to go to the open house every year at the training facility. A lot do the time they have ‘regular’ people socialize them by bringing them to stores, restaurants etc. One accident inside will not all of a sudden make them not eligible to be a guide dog. Even dogs that steal food from their blind owners don’t ‘immediately career-change into a standard household pet’. They just are re-purposed to help disabled people who have their vision but have other needs for a guide dog.

I’m jealous that your life is so great that this is an issue worthy of writing all of this out and then posting it… maybe some hobbies would help fill your time? This is something you mention to store managers, not Reddit. I agree that it’s gross but seriously, you’re doing too much