Taking Dogs to Petco or Pet Smart.

[PFlamingo]

If you are referring to my post that my dog doesn't care to play, then yes, the Kom is considered an aloof dog to strangers.

Running up unannounced is not really a great introduction. They will usually just be "snobby" and ignore you. BUT, if the Kom senses a threat, they will protect their flock (the human on the end of the lead.)

Same with Norwegian Elkhounds, although they were bred to hunt more than herd. But they are extremely protective of their humans. Mine saw no need for any other dog to exist on the planet, and she had little use for most other humans. She was an amazing watch dog and "body guard." I used to live in a somewhat questionable neighborhood, but I could walk her at 2am and no one would bother us. So I guess she'd be a snob, too!

 

[bluesaturn]

I never realized that dogs could be so snobby.

Considering some of the owners, are you really surprised at the snobby dogs?

 

[Jey12]

I don't agree that just because I take my dog to a pet store they should be subjected to any whim of any dog or person in the store. When I go grocery shopping, which is where other people go, I don't just expect people to come up hug me and ask for my phone number. A petstore is just that a store. This is not a social setting for play time. This is a place where dogs should be taught to heel and walk calmly with their owners. Honestly I've stopped shopping at petsmart for various reasons, one being the large amount of what I'd deem poor mannered pets running wild.

That said even an intact male that's well trained should be able to be around another well mannered dog and be sniffed or greeted without incident. If they can't then they shouldn't be in a pet public place. You can't control someone who would bring a female in heat or another intact male into the store, but you can control bringing your dog in. To me this is just part of the responsiblity of keeping a dog intact if you so chose.

I have been in petsmart before and a small dog came over from the next row on one of those pointless retractable leashes lunging and barking at my dog. Finally when the owner decided to find out where their dog was they remarked at how "excited" their dog was. Uh huh.

To me a shopping store is just that, to shop in. Having a dog that's socialized means they can behave properly in all social settings. Shopping is not a place to jump on things, run wildly up to other dogs overly excited and bark your head off. That's the opposite of being social, that's being ill mannered. If you were out shopping in a regular store and I screamed, ran up to you, jumped on you and started telling you my life story would you consider me just to be happy and playful?

 

[Michelle and crew]

considering how many see these stores as a way to socialize, i don't take our dog into them. I get far too nervous. You can't control the behavior of others.

 

[bicker]

When I go grocery shopping, which is where other people go, I don't just expect people to come up hug me and ask for my phone number. A petstore is just that a store. This is not a social setting for play time.

For very specific reasons, the owners of those two chains disagree with you. Their house; their rules. Our choice, should we not like them, is to either not bring our pets to the store (that's our approach) or shop somewhere else.

They unquestionably do lose some business because of this - but they almost surely gain (or "don't lose") more business this way.

 

[aprilgail2]

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 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.

I Totally agree!!

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

I think the need to take these dogs into stores and banks is beyond silly! U have had dogs my entire life and have never felt the ned to bring them out into a store. If we drove over to the dog park for a walk and I had to stop at the store I would drop the dog off at home not expect to bring him into a store---I don't ever shop at petco or petsmart BECAUSE they allow dogs in there- I went in there once and there was a nice load of dog crap in the middle of the floor and that was that---I shop where dogs can't go!

 

[Mimi1965]

First of all, Conner doesn't get to pick out anything at the store. There is nothing there that he is entitled to touch or sniff nor is he allowed to.

"Leave it" is a phrase that he is very familiar with and responds to it whether he is at the end of the leash or at the end of our yard. He likes to go for a ride in the car and I will not leave him in the car alone.


.

Still doesnt explain why he has to go inside petsmart-or why he has to take a ride in the car at the time you go to petsmart?

 

[Michelle and crew]

It seems a nice drive in the country might be more appropriate...

 

[Skywalker]

I've never taken my dogs shopping, lol, but I have been to these stores. They strike me as the type of place where people bring their friendly dogs and lots of meeting and greeting is going on.

So, if you have a dog that is snobby, possibly aggressive, etc, then you are the one that needs to leave your dog at home.

 

[Ceila]

OP, you are trying to insist that YOUR way is the ONLY way. Obviously, the folks that run those pet stores want a shopping environment where pets are allowed to be open in the way they interact with others. That's the culture there - you don't have to like it, but it's not your place to change it (of course, you could always open up your own pet store with your own "rules" in place...).

 

[onelilspark]

We did obedience classes at PetSmart. Part of it was taking our puppies out into the store to meet other people, etc. We only approached those that looked like they wanted to participate (our pup is a little fluff ball, so most people wanted to pet him anyway.) At the start of class, it was encouraged for all the dogs to "say hello" to each other. IMO, it was an important step for the owners as much as the dogs. I know my pup has a propensity to jump, so I keep him on a very tight leash to prevent it.

If someone is obviously keeping their dog away from other people, I won't let mine approach. Otherwise, if their dog is curious about mine, I'll let them interact. I wouldn't expect to go to a place like PetSmart and no one want to pet my dog, or other dogs approach. If that were a problem for me, I wouldn't go. It doesn't matter what I think should happen, what matters is the way people actually act.

I do think all owners should be courteous of others and keep their dogs on leashes, and ask before approaching. Not all people do. We went for a walk a month or so ago at a local park. BIG dogs were off leash and running around, approaching my small dog on a leash...in a run. He understandably was afraid (terrified really...) and started barking, but of course we were the ones with the bad dog. Since he is still a puppy, I do keep him on a short leash around other dogs and it'd be nice if others did the same. BUT I know it's not logical to assume everyone will act the way I expect them to.

 

[DawnCt1]

For very specific reasons, the owners of those two chains disagree with you. Their house; their rules. Our choice, should we not like them, is to either not bring our pets to the store (that's our approach) or shop somewhere else.

They unquestionably do lose some business because of this - but they almost surely gain (or "don't lose") more business this way.

Really? There is a sign on the door that says make your pet available for unwanted advances? Interesting. I saw a sign that said leashed dogs. That says to me a pet under the control of his owner who should be polite enough to ask. I know my dog will behave well. I don't know how other dogs will behave.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I've never taken my dogs shopping, lol, but I have been to these stores. They strike me as the type of place where people bring their friendly dogs and lots of meeting and greeting is going on.

So, if you have a dog that is snobby, possibly aggressive, etc, then you are the one that needs to leave your dog at home.

OP, you are trying to insist that YOUR way is the ONLY way. Obviously, the folks that run those pet stores want a shopping environment where pets are allowed to be open in the way they interact with others. That's the culture there - you don't have to like it, but it's not your place to change it (of course, you could always open up your own pet store with your own "rules" in place...).

Bingo, and this happens to be the way I feel about it, too.

I go into pet food stores to buy cat food, litter, etc, and I LOVE interracting with all the mutts and tabbys who express an interest in interaction with me. However, as a responsible owner, I wouldn't bring my anti-social, 1000% Diva, prima-donna stuck-up cat into this environment where most dogs are excited and happy and will walk right up to your crotch and grab a sniff before their embarrassed owners can get them heeled. She's still got her claws and I can't afford the vet bills for what she'd do to these "commoners".

Pet-Smart, Pets-Plus and other animal-friendly stores are open to allowing their patrons to bring their pets in to socialize. 100% of the people who shop there should understand this when they bring their dogs in. Dogs socialize by sniffing each other's butts. If you have a dog that's standoffish and gets anxious at the thought of allowing another dog to socialize with it in this manner, then the onus is on YOU to not subject your dog or other dogs to that experience.

To paraphrase: Prepare your dog for the world, not the world for your dog.

 

[DawnCt1]

Still doesnt explain why he has to go inside petsmart-or why he has to take a ride in the car at the time you go to petsmart?

He didn't "have" to, I chose to take him. When you take your infant into a grocery store, is it all right if the five year old with the runny nose runs up and gives him a great big kiss?

 

[DawnCt1]

Bingo, and this happens to be the way I feel about it, too.

I go into pet food stores to buy cat food, litter, etc, and I LOVE interracting with all the mutts and tabbys who express an interest in interaction with me. However, as a responsible owner, I wouldn't bring my anti-social, 1000% Diva, prima-donna stuck-up cat into this environment where most dogs are excited and happy and will walk right up to your crotch and grab a sniff before their embarrassed owners can get them heeled. She's still got her claws and I can't afford the vet bills for what she'd do to these "commoners".

Pet-Smart, Pets-Plus and other animal-friendly stores are open to allowing their patrons to bring their pets in to socialize. 100% of the people who shop there should understand this when they bring their dogs in. Dogs socialize by sniffing each other's butts. If you have a dog that's standoffish and gets anxious at the thought of allowing another dog to socialize with it in this manner, then the onus is on YOU to not subject your dog or other dogs to that experience.

To paraphrase: Prepare your dog for the world, not the world for your dog.

My dog is not "stand offish", he is well behaved. I question the judgement of the patrons, who are being lead, and walking 6 ft behind their own dogs, and if they really have any control should their dog suddenly become aggressive. None of the dogs that I saw yesterday were walking with their owners. They were walking at the full extent of their leash...in front.

 

[Carly_Roach]

My dog is not "stand offish", he is well behaved. I question the judgement of the patrons, who are being lead, and walking 6 ft behind their own dogs, and if they really have any control should their dog suddenly become aggressive. None of the dogs that I saw yesterday were walking with their owners. They were walking at the full extent of their leash...in front.

Then don't go there.

I don't want this to sound like a personal attack because that's not what it is at all. But all of your posts on this thread seem to be asking "Why should I change?" and you're missing what we're telling you. You are the one walking into an atmosphere (a pet food store) where everyone else is comfortable with how things are run. Everyone else enjoys a relaxed atmosphere where the dogs are mingling freely. YOU are the one who seems to have a problem with it.

That's why YOU need change your shopping habits if your shopping habits are going to cause distress for your dog. It is unrealistic for you to dictate to everyone else how they need to behave in order for you to feel comfortable bringing your dog to that establishment, especially when everyone else there seems to have an unspoken agreement of acceptable animal behaviors and you are the one who disagrees.

If you want to solve the problem, don't bring your dog there or don't shop there. Regardless of whatever consensus you may get here on the DISboards, none of it is going to change how that shop is run.

 

[ols386]

Really? There is a sign on the door that says make your pet available for unwanted advances? Interesting. I saw a sign that said leashed dogs. That says to me a pet under the control of his owner who should be polite enough to ask. I know my dog will behave well. I don't know how other dogs will behave.

Exactly. And if you don't feel comfortable with not knowing how other dogs behave, then it might be best not to take your dog there.

 

[DawnCt1]

Exactly. And if you don't feel comfortable with not knowing how other dogs behave, then it might be best not to take your dog there.

So should parents leave their children home as well. There were two little boys there, without dogs, but with parents who seemed wary of dogs. That didn't stop the dog owners from letting their dogs roam at the ends of their leash and approaching these children.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I agree with everyone here. I think that you have to take the whole "I trust YOU...I just don't trust the WORLD" kind of stance on this. No matter how well behaved your dog may be and no matter how in control of him you are, there will always be people out there who have crazy dogs and don't restrain them.

You, being a responsible pet owner have to step and, be the bigger person, and understand that.

My dog is highly trained...super smart and a total lover. With people...He like small dogs but DOES NOT play well with dogs his size or larger(he is boxer). I never pulls even when there is action around, but I won't take him to these places or put him in a situation where another dog is able to possibly come up to him and make him uncomfortable. It would be cruel of me to do that to him.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

So should parents leave their children home as well. There were two little boys there, without dogs, but with parents who seemed wary of dogs. That didn't stop the dog owners from letting their dogs roam at the ends of their leash and approaching these children.

As a parent, if I had children who were afraid of dogs I would refrain from taking them to a store where dogs are welcome and encouraged.

I'm not saying the behaviour of the other patrons (and their dogs) is 'right'...I just agree with the many PPs who say that you can only control your own behaviour and choices. While it may not be a good idea to let your dog roam on a long lead around unfamiliar dogs, it's not illegal and obviously not discouraged by the store.