I tether mine to the bike rack at Tim Horton's every morning. I know my dogs really well and can also keep an eye on them from inside. Everybody in the neighbourhood knows them well, also. I've tethered them outside when I've gone into Starbucks, but once again, only long enough to get my coffee and take it outside to drink. I've also been blasted here on GT for it . If it was a situation like you've described, I'd definitely go the x-pen route.