I take my dog to parks and trails all the time as well. Did you really thibk I only took my dog to department stores?? She also enjoys accompanying me other places too. I don't see how it's dumb to take your pet places they're allowed to be if they're well behaved and comfortable. If your dogs aren't comfortable in Home Depot or a pumpkin patch around a lot of people, that's fine, but don't go telling others they're dumb for doing so. My dog is perfectly comfortable in big crowds. I need to pick some spackle up at Home Depot, hell yeah I'm going to bring my dog because she would enjoy that more than being home alone. I want to get some pumpkins? Also yes, she'll come because she'll enjoy sniffing around and exploring. You have no right saying a dog doesn't belong somewhere because you think it's stupid, but then have no concrete reasons on why it's stupid. Now, if there's a dog at Home Depot being a nut, peeing on stuff, not listening, etc, then no, you shouldn't take your dog to those places. You have to use proper judgement, just like you should've taken more thought into splurting out its dumb to take dogs certain places before taking into consideration many other factors. I don't like kids in public places, but I don't go telling those parents their stupid for bringing their kid out to a restaurant.

Now that I know you have dogs, I apologize for saying I feel bad for them. I'm sure you treat them well. Keep in mind every dog and owner are different. Your responses come from an opinion you hold and just make you seem very unknowledgable about dog ownership, socialization, and stimulation.