Has anyone taken their dog into the stein recently or at all? I know the parks website doesn't recommend it for fear of running into bears and other such wildlife, but curious to know what others have done.

Which area? I took my dog up from the Lytton end many years ago. We stopped a little past the first cable car. It was a struggle to get her to cooperate in staying put while I pulled us across but we did make it. And back when I had a dog she was always running into, after or away from wildlife. (But I know better now, but don't have a dog anymore)