5 Dog Friendly Retail Stores

Do you wish you could take your dog more places so that you don’t have to leave them home? Many dog owners do too but aren’t sure where their dog will be welcomed. We thought we would put together a list of places where your well behaved clean dogs are welcome to shop with you. These chain stores are known for being welcoming of your dollars and your dogs. Of course, you may want to check with your local store before you and pup pay them a visit, but the majority of them do in fact allow your dog to browse with you.

• Before we get to the list here are a few tips.
• Make sure your dog is clean and up to date on their vaccination.
• Make sure your dog is on a short leash. No extendable leashes. You don’t want your dog bothering other shoppers.
• Make sure your dog has gone potty before going into the store and if you realize you have been there a while take them out for a potty break. You can always ask the store associates to watch your things for you while you run out.
• Do NOT let your dog visit with other shoppers unless the shopper expresses interest in saying hello.
• Do NOT let your dog play with the merchandise (unless you are at a pet store).
• Do NOT have your dog model the clothing/ hats/ scarves or jewelry unless your are purchasing that item (if you are at a pet store model away!).

1. Barnes & Noble
With over 600 locations across the country, B&N is a great place to spend a quiet afternoon. This is a great place to go with a calm dog that will be happy curling up at your feet or curled in your lap on the floor. This in not the place to take a dog that needs a lot of stimulation or gets antsy. If this is the right spot for you and your dog go and browse the books with your pup in tow. Don’t forget to check out the pet section while you are there!

2. Bloomingdale’s
Looking for a new outfit for the weekend? Perhaps a new pair of shoes? Then go browse Bloomingdale’s and take your clean and well behaved dog with you. They are welcoming of well behaved dogs of all sizes. Davinia and Indiana visited Bloomingdale’s once while in a stroller. Everyone in the store wanted to say hello.

That trip to the mall we also stopped at Macy’s and Nordstrom’s both were dog friendly but I am not sure if it was because Davinia and Indiana are small and were in a stroller or if they welcome all well behaved dogs in the store no matter their size. Call ahead and find out the girls were a hit at both of these stores with the associates and customers.

3. Home Depot and Lowes
If you want to build Fido a new dog house, why not take him with you to pick out the paint? Home Depot and Lowes stores allow dogs of all shapes and sizes to shop with you. The wide open spaces make it the perfect place to do some Saturday shopping together or practice your training during the week. Home Depot and Lowes allow dogs in the entire store as long as they are on a leash. Davinia and Indiana have never been because they are too nosey and want to check everything out which could be dangerous with all of the big tools, supplies, and stuff in the store which is why I see a lot of big dogs visiting and not small ones. Back when I was shopping for flooring I had taken my mom (Grandma Two Little Cavaliers) with me. At one point she went into the restroom. When she came out she told me that all of a sudden she had a visitor in the stall with her. One of the canine visitors to the store decided to make a new friend while their owner was in the restroom. It is a funny story to share here but this is just one reason why you need to keep your dog on a short leash when visiting stores. What if the person the dog decided to visit didn’t like dogs or was allergic.

4. Petco and PetSmart
Pets love Petco and PetSmart! Take them with you to pick out treats, clothing, leashes, toys, and more. You will enjoy aisle after aisle of pet products and so will they. We have visited both stores. Sometimes we go just because we want to buy something and sometimes it is because we are there for a photo shoot. As long as you are respectful of the store and the other shoppers you can have a lot of fun in either of these stores. You can do everything from check out the small critters and birds to brushing up on your basics to modeling the fun outfits and checking out the toys and treats.

On the weekend these two stores tend to get very busy but if you have the opportunity to go while school is in session and most people are at work you could be one of the only customers in the store basically having the place to yourself. We are trying to work out another in store photo shoot this time for Fashion! Keep your paws crossed for us it would be a lot of fun if it works out.

5. Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is the perfect place for fashionable home décor. They also welcome your pup to shop with you. Head to Pottery Barn to pick out some new dishes, while your pup finds the perfect throw pillow to nap on. Careful of big dogs with long tails that could accidentally knock things over. You will also want to watch your dog’s reaction to statues and the various accessories that could startle your dog especially around Halloween and the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Before heading into this store it might be best to walk or run a few laps around the parking lot to tire your dog out just to be on the safe side. If we were ever to attempt it I know that is what we would do before walking in. let your dog get out their extra energy, give them some water, and then visit the store.