Taking Dogs to Petco or Pet Smart.

[DawnCt1]

Connor likes to ride in the car and he likes to go into the pet store. He is friendly but I keep him on a short lead, at my side. He doesn't get to greet other dogs, and I do not want other dogs approaching him. He is an intact male and I don't know if another male dog would be aggressive, (Connor wouldn't be) nor do I know if there is a female in heat. (disaster, ) So why is it that some people think that Connor wants to meet their dog or that he would even have a say in it? Socialization is nice in a controlled, obedience class setting, but I don't know your dog, and you don't know mine.

 

[Angelhalo]

I think most people just assume that if you're going to bring your pet to a store full of other animals and children etc, then it's probably ok for the dogs to want to sniff each other out, or play, or whatever may happen. I would think if the person's dog had some sort of special instructions, then they wouldn't take them into that kind of atmosphere.

Just my opinion.

 

[ols386]

If I took my dog to a place like Pet Smart, I would expect that other dogs would want to greet and sniff my dog, and that my dog would be equally interested in the other dogs.

I don't like for my dog to be around other dogs though. I'm a bit over-protective with him. I worked in a vet clinic for awhile, and dogs can easily pick-up stuff from other dogs and dog environments. I won't even board my dog in the dog kennel. I wouldn't take him to Pet Smart or any of those pet stores where pets are allowed.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think most people just assume that if you're going to bring your pet to a store full of other animals and children etc, then it's probably ok for the dogs to want to sniff each other out, or play, or whatever may happen. I would think if the person's dog had some sort of special instructions, then they wouldn't take them into that kind of atmosphere.

Just my opinion.

If I took my dog to a place like Pet Smart, I would expect that other dogs would want to greet and sniff my dog, and that my dog would be equally interested in the other dogs.

I don't like for my dog to be around other dogs though. I'm a bit over-protective with him. I worked in a vet clinic for awhile, and dogs can easily pick-up stuff from other dogs and dog environments. I won't even board my dog in the dog kennel. I wouldn't take him to Pet Smart or any of those pet stores where pets are allowed.

But we do not let our dogs do what they want to do. I have taken him to obedience classes, and socializing with other dogs was not permitted. Not allowing your dog to do what he wants is all a part of training, is it not? Connor likes to ride in the car and its one of the few places that he can actually get out of the car and walk in. Jude was the same way. I never let him socialize with dogs we don't know.

 

[ols386]

But we do not let our dogs do what they want to do. I have taken him to obedience classes, and socializing with other dogs was not permitted. Not allowing your dog to do what he wants is all a part of training, is it not? Connor likes to ride in the car and its one of the few places that he can actually get out of the car and walk in. Jude was the same way. I never let him socialize with dogs we don't know.

I still think that if you do not want your dog to be greeted by other dogs, then don't take him to Pet Smart. You may be able to handle your dog well, but that doesn't mean other people do.

 

[DawnCt1]

I still think that if you do not want your dog to be greeted by other dogs, then don't take him to Pet Smart. You may be able to handle your dog well, but that doesn't mean other people do.

Then maybe they need to leave their dogs at home.

 

[ols386]

Then maybe they need to leave their dogs at home.

I'm just saying, you can only control yourself and your dog. You can't control what others do or don't do.

 

[design_mom]

I kind of agree with other posters.

My dog has been though quite a bit of training (she needed it...or maybe I did). Anyway, she will walk in a "strict heel" (walk behind me, etc.) and will ignore other dogs/people if I tell her to.

However, on walks, at the park, or if I took her to Petsmart (I don't), I would probably not have her in a strict heel. I would let her sniff/wag tails with other dogs. I would only put her in a strict heel if there was something I wanted her to avoid -- like a mean dog, a frightened child, or a nice yummy pizza crust.

I don't think socialization is allowed at obedience classes because you're there to work and the dogs need to be focused on working. I would think Petsmart would be more like two dogs passing on a walk, rather than comparing it to an obedience class. I wouldn't let my dog jump on your dog to play, but I'd let them acknowledge each other.

How you choose to make your dog mind is fine, and your choice. And I think people who can't prevent their dogs from jumping all over other people's dogs should leave their dogs at home... but I don't think others should be expected to be as strict as you are either.

 

[RNMOM]

I think if you bring your dog out where there are other dogs, kids, and people you should expect to have them be approached. If you don't want you dog approached, don't take him there.

Our setter loves people but gets anxious in situations like the pet store. I firmly believe my dog is a big ***** cat but I would never put him where he is stressed and trust he wouldn't resort to his instincts if he was frightened. We don't do that to him. I would love to be able to show him off cause he is so pretty and rather unusual breed around here.

 

[bluesaturn]

If someone approaches you, just tell them everything you said on this thread. Then they won't want to socialize with you or your dog. Problem solved.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think if you bring your dog out where there are other dogs, kids, and people you should expect to have them be approached. If you don't want you dog approached, don't take him there.

Our setter loves people but gets anxious in situations like the pet store. I firmly believe my dog is a big ***** cat but I would never put him where he is stressed and trust he wouldn't resort to his instincts if he was frightened. We don't do that to him. I would love to be able to show him off cause he is so pretty and rather unusual breed around here.

I think it is perfectly acceptable for people to ask, children included. I don't think its acceptable for people to presume. I wouldn't presume that I could approach another dog, with or without my dog, without asking. In fact, for their own safety, all children should be taught to ask if they can approach a dog, no matter how small that dog is. Connor is not stressed in public situation. He enjoys getting out.

 

[froggygrrrl]

I think there are a lot of dog owners that are unwilling to accept that a dog is different from a human/child. They want to pretend that taking a dog to a store is the equivolent to letting children play together in a sandbox.

I also try to keep my dogs on a tight leash, so to speak, and just came across this situation the other day at the vet's office. I was taking one of our dogs in for a bordatella booster and waiting to be called into a room, when a woman walked in carrying her lap dog. The woman whispered something to her dog about being good and wanting to say hi, then put the dog on the floor and it immediately came over to sniff my dog. Of course after a quick greeting, her dog started to bare teeth and growl. I was ready for this, luckily. She ended up picking her dog up again while whispering, "it's okay, I know you're scared. Don't worry, I won't let that dog bite you." Um, excuse me? My dog wasn't the one growling or baring teeth, and I wouldn't ever have let him pull away from me to "greet" another dog. Not all owners understand that dogs don't rationalize the same way we do.

 

[Hannathy]

I consider pet smart and such as one step down from the dog park. I'm not going to let my dog run around the store and wrestle with the other dogs but I'm certainly going to let them sniff and play around a bit. I would never think of not letting her approach another dog (unless that dog was growling)

I think people assume no one would bring a dog to a store like pet smart if they couldn't be approached by dogs and people

If I was just walking down the street I would never just approach your dog or let my dog approach your dog but inside a store like petco i would.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think there are a lot of dog owners that are unwilling to accept that a dog is different from a human/child. They want to pretend that taking a dog to a store is the equivolent to letting children play together in a sandbox.

I also try to keep my dogs on a tight leash, so to speak, and just came across this situation the other day at the vet's office. I was taking one of our dogs in for a bordatella booster and waiting to be called into a room, when a woman walked in carrying her lap dog. The woman whispered something to her dog about being good and wanting to say hi, then put the dog on the floor and it immediately came over to sniff my dog. Of course after a quick greeting, her dog started to bare teeth and growl. I was ready for this, luckily. She ended up picking her dog up again while whispering, "it's okay, I know you're scared. Don't worry, I won't let that dog bite you." Um, excuse me? My dog wasn't the one growling or baring teeth, and I wouldn't ever have let him pull away from me to "greet" another dog. Not all owners understand that dogs don't rationalize the same way we do.

Exactly. Also, dogs on leashes are not always comfortable when approached by a strange dog. They feel vulnerable.

 

[MushyMushy]

Nope, sorry, I think if you take your dog in a public place like a store, dog park, or any other place you'll encounter other dogs, you'll have to put up with that. Going on a walk is a different story.

 

[MAH4546]

If you have an issue with other dogs wanting to socialize with your dogs at a pet store, then the solution is to stop taking your dogs to the pet store. Problem solved.

It's like going to a single's bar and not expect to be talked to. Ridiculous.

 

[DawnCt1]

If you have an issue with other dogs wanting to socialize with your dogs at a pet store, then the solution is to stop taking your dogs to the pet store. Problem solved.

It's like going to a single's bar and not expect to be talked to. Ridiculous.

Again, dogs are not humans. They go to stores where they are allowed to accompany their humans. Not "hook up".

 

[okeydokey]

Then maybe they need to leave their dogs at home.

Then maybe you need to leave your dog at home. PetSmart is a place where I would absolutely expect for other dogs to greet mine. Since you know this is the case you can decide what you want to do for your own dog, but it is unreasonable for you to expect a different reality for the other dogs in the store.

 

[Mimi1965]

First of all-I think the need to take a dog to the store to shop is just silly
I've owned many dogs-none of them needed to sniff out the perfect dog food or chew on various toys in order for me to figure out which to purchase

It's also another way to walk around hoping someone will compliment your dog-show off that you have a certain breed =or whatever.


But to complain about people or dogs approach your dog is also beyond comprehension

 

[yoopermom]

Here is what *we* do in a similar situation:

Olive knows that the "leave it" command means "stop whatever I'm focusing on and look at mom instead". So, when we're at a place like Petsmart and another dog comes wandering up, I make eye contact with the owner, put a big smile on my face, and say, "Olive, leave it" and walk briskly away. So far no one's taken offense, and I have to give credit to the smile.

And I ALWAYS ask before allowing her to interact with someone's else dog or child, and would expect them to do the same.

Terri