Appropriate places to take pets?
 

Recently I've noticed an upswing in the number of places where I see dogs. It seems that people are becoming more and more comfortable taking their pets along with them when they go somewhere. While I have no disagreement with taking your pets along with you places, I do think there are some inappropriate places to take a dog--especially a large one.

This last weekend my mother and I went to do some shopping at the Lowe's near where she lives. While we were roaming the aisles of the home organization section, we turned to go down an aisle to find our way blocked by a rather large, excited looking dog. He promptly jumped on my mother, and almost knocked her over before his owner could get him under control.

Is it really appropriate to take your dog along with you to a home improvement store? While we were at Lowe's I saw several dogs trotting along with their owners or being carried around. I really don't think that Lowe's is a good place to take a pet. Furthermore, as a consumer, I'm not expecting to see dogs at a place like Lowe's. Petco and Petsmart and other pet stores--yes. A place that sells lumber, appliances, and paint? Not so much. I didn't find out what Lowe's policy is on allowing pets inside their store, but it seems to be fairly lax, and I didn't really appreciate that.

Does anyone else feel the same? I mean, I love dogs, but I think there's a time and place for them--especially if they're not well-behaved. And yes, I definitely feel the same way about children.

Agreed. I love dogs too, but with all the hardware and movement in that place it is strange they'd decide on being pet friendly. You should certainly voice your preference on one of their feedback forms, and include a mention of your experience.

onesnowyowl, a friend of mine is a Lowes employee. He says ...

Him: Actually, pets are forbidden in the stores. the management team is supposed to enforce the rule that prohibits animals unless it's a seeing-eye dog.
Me: Is this a company wide policy?
Him: yeah
Him: there should be a sign on the entrance

I love dogs, but my girl friend doesn't. She gets freaked out by them in public. I see no reason to carry around your dog like some clutch purse. The park, the beach, the vet is fine. Isle 7 is another story.

If God had wanted dogs to help us with shopping, he would have given them an opposable thumb.

My opinion on dogs in public. If it is not designated a dog park, is a location without other people, or such the dog should be on a leash and under control. I love to see dogs running around having fun, but you never know when one of the people walking by, standing around is someone who can't stand dogs and will become violent towards it if it gets even near that person.

I trained my dog when hiking to wander freely, but if it saw/heard people he would come back to me or stand still and wait for me to catch up to put a leash on him. As far as in stores, in general, unless it's a seeing-eye dog I don't see reasons for pets to be in most stores. Unless the store advertises as being pet friendly.

Some guy tried to bring his massive Lab into the store a lil while back...I work at an AutoParts store. It was a BUSY Saturday afternoon, and the store isn't all that large, so unless its a seeing eye dog, we generally don't allow pets in the store....guy got all pissy....

-Will

Well, some will probably laugh but we actually have a dog stroller :) Now, we still don't try to take her in places other than Petco, Petsmart, a place like that. My other dog was a service dog and even she did not go in most stores with me. When we stayed at motels with her the employees would tell me our room looked better with her than most of their rooms with kids :)

Living in NYC, and working on the upper east side... holy crap, there are a lot of dogs. Little whiny yappy dogs. In sweaters and booties. In bags. And in most of the stores and even some restaurants. It drives me nuts - I think it's damned rude. Noting... I do love dogs. Just not in the store!

we have to notarize and sign a document we won't have dogs when we move into our apartments, but you know what??? there are lots of dogs...

we call them not-a-dogs because they can't be dogs.... you signed a document saying you wouldn't harbor one...

Lowes, Home Depot, they aren't really all that safe, kids are hurt there all the time... just a matter of time until a dog gets hurt.