I would like to know if the date had photos of the dog on her profile. If that's the case, he probably shouldn't have been so surprised that she brought it along. Otherwise, I don't blame him for being upset.

When I've been out on dates like this and something like this pops up, I start wondering if I'm being put through some sort of test. If I pass, I get another date and probably another test. It's better if I don't get tested.

If her attitude is "love me, love my dog," I can see bringing it on the date. But she should have arranged the date for someplace where the dog was allowed to be. And, as Fayd said, she should have "must love dogs" in her profile.

Although, I guess not doing so is really no different from lying about her weight or a guy lying about his height. I've never understood the point of that--why waste time on a date with someone who's going to be turned off by the obvious truth?--but from what I hear, people do it all the time.

(I don't have any personal experience with this; the last date I had was pre-Internet. But I'll be in a position next year to start dating again, and I'll probably try online just to see what happens.)

Poor little dog being stuffed and carted around in a handbag. Maybe the reason it was so unruly was because it had to pee real bad. I hope it left a puddle in her purse!

Your "friend" tells you how you should feel about this weird antisocial behavior, and you care, why? You aren't the one violating any health ordinances or being asked to leave. But you should take the hint.

Fayd and Rex Little, I can't agree with you. You seem to be overlooking the simple fact that dogs aren't allowed in restaurants. Yet, she brought it anyway. Yes, he absolutely should nix her, whether she had pictures of her dog on her profile or not. This was a first date, and she sabotaged it. If she's so attached to her dog that she can't even leave it at home for a first date, then he's absolutely going to take a back seat to that dumb dog, regardless of how far their relationship progresses.

One point that Amy might have made is that the particular breed of dog is known to be territorial. Chihuahuas are notorious for being the dog with the Napoleonic complex. They are often very possessive of their owners and very hostile toward anyone that comes between them and their owners. Which could be why the dog was behaving so badly; he perceived someone else as competing for his female's attention.

Nix her, nix her, nix her. She's not only disrespectful toward LW and the restaurant, but it doesn't sound like she's a terribly good pet owner, either.

Small dog = big red flag.

My sister is obsessed with her dog, and of course it's all over her dating site profiles. There are pictures of her hiking with it, kayaking with it and camping with it. It's important to her that potential dates know about both her dog and her outdoorsy lifestyle.

That said, she'd never bring the dog on a first date with a stranger. Just like you wouldn't bring a kid. A first date is meant as a time to focus on the person and see if you'd like to get to know them better. And you can't do that when half of your attention is devoted to the needs of a being that can't take care of itself.

A friend of mine has a chihuahua that absolutely HATES me and one other dude she hangs around with.

At first she thought it was funny the way it would go batshit insane whenever either one of us was in the house, but the last time HE spent the night (on the sofabed, not even in her bedroom)the little bastard whined all night.

Just because he was in the house.

Yeah, it's not so much the dog that turns me off; it's that even a toddler should know dogs aren't allowed in restaurants, but somehow that rule didn't apply to her and Scrappy.

It makes me wonder what else she's going to be above caring about.

We all have preferences, principles, and standards for what we are looking for in employees, friends, lovers, and spouses. You should know what yours are and act accordingly. You have learned she is a purse-dog person. You have learned that the purse-dog will be with you everywhere: eating out, bar-hopping, going to the film, shopping, having sex, etc. You have learned this purse-dog person has no notion of customary manners, or what is and isn't acceptable at the dining table -- like dogs. Does this meet your preferences, principles, and standards of behavior? If so, date away. To each his own. If not, walk away now. Be thankful she brought the dog. For now you have actionable intelligence to base your decision upon!

Women post profile pics of their horses and dogs... that tells me they're going to be part of our *date*, which is cool by me.
I hate when their pics include beautiful daughters and extended family: HUGE red flag!

Before I married (hubby passed the test, btw), I invited potential beaus (after the 4th date)to come for dinner - to meet my cat. If my kitty hissed or didn't greet the guy, it was over. Hubby came from a long line of pet caretakers. We donate to a number of animal welfare charities and I volunteer as a cat caretaker. I would never be with someone who couldn't stand cats.

I know a woman who is 32 years old, who has burst into tears because she cannot find or keep a man, and still doesn't get it: the dog cannot come first.
If her boyfriend comes over, he has to sleep on the couch, while the dog snuggles.
Some idiots have no idea of cause and effect.

If something bothers you, ignore a friend tell you not to write her off. It bothers You. That is all that matters. Listen to your voice. A relationship is not a popularity contest. It's all about how it makes you feel. Do you feel relaxed or stressed? If you feel stressed on the first date, run.

Lots of things are commonplace and still annoying as hell. If it bothers you that much, ditch her. You don't need to get anyone's approval first.

Big red flag. If she seemed otherwise promising (and seemed apologetic about the dog), I'd say go on a second date with her and see if it goes better. If not, nix her.

If she's so attached to her dog that she can't even leave it at home for a first date, then he's absolutely going to take a back seat to that dumb dog, regardless of how far their relationship progresses.

I agree with Patrick. Ixnay, Irked.