Many dog owners are unaware that there are numerous big box stores, in addition to pet shops, where dogs are allowed!
Bringing your puppy to a store is a great way to socialize them and help them become comfortable around people. While your puppy is still small, use a pet backpack, carrier, or sling to take them with you. Pair this experience with nice treats, and your puppy will grow up to be a dog that is comfortable in public.
Taking your adult dog to a store can be a great way to provide them with new experiences and enrichment, while also training them to be comfortable in public. If you already trained your dog, bring some of the exercises they excel in into the store and practice them there. It will further solidify those behaviors!
Below I share some tips on how to teach your dog to accompany you while shopping.
List of stores that allow dogs
- Pet store chains: Petco, Pet Express, PetSmart.
- Hardware stores: Home Depot, Lowe’s, ACE Hardware, Tractor Supply Company, Harbor Freight Tools
- Book stores: Half Price Books, Barnes&Noble
- Hobby stores: Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Michaels
- Department stores: Marshalls, Ross Dress For Less, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Bloomingdale’s, Duluth Trading
- Electronics: Best Buy
- Home decor: Bath & Beyond, Pottery Barn, Homesense, Anthropologie
- Sports Stores: Sports Basement, Dicks, Home Bass Pro, L.L.Bean, Orvis
- Cosmetics stores: Lush, Sephora, Bath & Body Works, MAC
- Clothing stores: Everlane, Urban Outfitters, Gap, Old Navy, Foot Locker
Tips on taking your dog to a store
🐕🦺 Only bring your pet to the store if they are potty trained, can sit or wait on command, and will not jump on people or pull you across the store. It is always a good idea to provide basic training before taking them to public places. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, please check my services page for public access training options!
🐕🦺 Start by visiting pet stores (dogs are expected there and it will be less stressful for you), hardware stores (they are spacious and have wide aisles), or bookstores (fewer people and a less hectic environment). (Note: unvaccinated puppies should not be on the floor of the pet shop! carry them in a sling or a carrier).
🐕🦺 If your schedule allows, try to go to the store during low-traffic hours. Especially during your first visits, your dog may feel overwhelmed, so it’s a good idea to keep things easier for them. Otherwise, both of you will be stressed out to the point that neither of you will want to go to the store together again 😉
🐕🦺 Be prepared to leave the store at any time. Don’t expect to do a full shopping trip when you are bringing your dog to the store for the first few times. It’s a training time!
🐕🦺 If your dog doesn’t have much experience being in public, you will need to take things very slowly. Start with a short visit to the parking lot of a shopping mall a couple of times. If they remain calm there, you can take them into the store for a couple of minutes (yes, minutes). Gradually increase the duration each time you go.
🐕🦺 Before entering the store, make sure your dog has had a sufficient walk where they had time to do their regular business, including going potty. Otherwise, your dog might be anxious or even pee in the store.
🐕🦺 Bring high-value treats so you can work on some behaviors and reward your dog for showing good manners. Alternatively, in case of an emergency, you can scatter treats on the floor to keep your dog distracted and busy, or use them as a food lure to guide your dog to where they need to go if their obedience skills aren’t strong yet.
🐕🦺 Remember that the store is a highly distracting and novel environment for a dog, and the perfect behavior you expect might not happen there. They might not follow cues or commands that they normally perform perfectly at home; they might be too excited or too anxious; they might bark or whine even if they are usually calm. All of this means they are not ready yet, and it’s a good idea to leave the store earlier than planned.
🐕🦺 Make sure to watch for signs that your dog is experiencing too much stress while in the store. Obvious signs include barking or whining, behaving differently than usual, not following commands they are trained to do such as sitting or lying down. Subtle signs may include panting (when it’s not hot in the store), trembling, or displaying frantic or fearful body language.
🐕🦺 Bring cleaning supplies (poop bags and cleaning wipes) in case your dog does go potty in public. I used to work in a big box pet store, and I can’t even describe how many dogs would pee in public and their pet guardians would just leave it there. If we want to ensure our pets are allowed in stores, restaurants, and other public places, we have to be responsible and keep the place clean if an accident happens.
🐕🦺 If your dog frequently marks, you can also use a diaper (single-use and reusable options are available) or teach your dog not to mark on cue (I taught my dog a cue not to mark when they are about to).
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