My attitude toward PetSmart and PetCo -- who let animals visit their stores is:
First - it's nice that there are places where dogs can visit - mine have gone to these stores several times and think they have died and gone to heaven. They love going there.
My larger dog knows when we turn the corner near PetCo and is already excited about getting out and going in. I love taking her there, but still keep my eyes open. My little Yorkie is in my arms the whole time we visit PetCo, and loves going there also.
I enter the store tentatively (with my dogs in a cart or in my arms) and check the store out before I let them down. (I still carry my Yorkie.) If all seems well - we are off and running and having a great time. But, I do keep my eyes open. And - I do let my Yorkie down occasionally to visit with another little dog.
I think the policy is that dogs are to be leashed or held in these stores. This alone, should prevent most problems.
I wouldn't expect these stores to say only certain size dogs or certain breeds are welcome. Any size or breed can be well behaved and/or constrained.
Those of us who have small little dogs have already learned that our dogs need special protection and care wherever we go. So - going to PetSmart or PetCo is no different, and in fact, we know there are often other dogs there and should be even more careful. It is much more our responsibility, than it is the store's open-door policy, to protect our dogs.
****** A couple of years ago, I saw two people in Petco with a dog that wanted to growl and bark at the other dogs in the store. An employee ask one of the people to stand outside with the dog while the other shopped. They weren't offended and agreed that their dog was not being nice and were happy to comply.
Next time I'm there - I'm going to ask them about what sorts of problems they have with dogs visiting - and what their policies are. I know if I worked there, "bad dogs" would be asked to leave. And "good dogs" could stay. And ---most dogs are good!
Carol Jean
Carol Jean |