Im Never Taking My Babies To Petsmart Again!!!!!!!!!!

[jpb1971]

That's going to be true anywhere you take the little darlings though. If you stop taking them to PetSmart then before long it'll be easy to justify not taking them anywhere and that would be a tragedy! Just watch out for others that don't pay the same care and attention to their dogs as you do.

Yes, something could happen at Petsmart but something could happen at any place you take them. Are you going to stop driving because it's possible that you might have an accident? Will you stop using a knife in your own kitchen because you might cut yourself?

[Latuya]

Was the boxer ok? How scarry! Gus goes to Petsmart with me all the time but he is either in my arms or in his doggy bag. I have never let him walk on the ground there. That is one of my fears that he will get attacked by a big dog there.

[cheryl000]

I LOVE taking my animals to petsmart and Petco. It's great to be in a place just for them where everyone is an animal love. Bailey (my pug) LOVES the attention he gets. Unfortunately he loves barking at other dogs, out of excitement. He stays in the cart and I hold Brandy. The only thing I don't like is when people pet them without asking. I know it sounds snobby, but sometimes I'm in a hurry or feel crowded from it. Other than that it's cool to let the dogs pick out their treats or see what clothes fit Brandy. It's the one store that is 100% for the animals.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by cheryl000

I LOVE taking my animals to petsmart and Petco. It's great to be in a place just for them where everyone is an animal love. Bailey (my pug) LOVES the attention he gets. Unfortunately he loves barking at other dogs, out of excitement. He stays in the cart and I hold Brandy. The only thing I don't like is when people pet them without asking. I know it sounds snobby, but sometimes I'm in a hurry or feel crowded from it. Other than that it's cool to let the dogs pick out their treats or see what clothes fit Brandy. It's the one store that is 100% for the animals.

That might be my answer too I might put Chachi in the cart and hold Jewels when I go to Petsmart from now on.

[gymbo68]

Originally Posted by yorkiemom1970

You know, I'm glad you brought the petsmart thing up. I NEVER take my dogs to petsmart. I just feel that so many animals come in and out all day long every day, and there is no rule about having them vaccinated or wormed before bringing them in. So I don't chance it. I even take my shoes off that I wore into petsmart when i get home and wash them. I've seen some really "mangy" looking animals in there in the past and it got me to thinking...

I do LOVE petsmart though. Just don't think its a good idea to have my babies in there.

I agree 1000% plus I may over worry but I think about fleas too....we have never taken the boys there-

[Cisco'smom]

I always wondered about this.
Before I got Cisco, I would got to petsmart to get things I would need for him, and I would see these huge mean looking pit bulls. I didn't even like being around 'em, they scared me- and i couldn't imagine walking a little yorkie past them. I haven't taken Cisco in petsmart yet, but if i do, he'll be in a carrier.

[FirstYorkie]

I like the opportunity for socialization that petstores provide. I like for Joey to see and smell lots of different dogs BUT I am careful about which dogs I will let him get close to.

[Francie]

Originally Posted by Austin's Mama

How scary! Even though it can be great socialization, I never thought about other pets not being vaccinated and stuff! I don't think my lil boy will be going to Petsmart again, I will go by myself! About a year ago, we took both our yorkie and lab to the vet for a checkup and a pit bull attacked our lab, and the owner had the nerve to say it was OUR fault! She said that we should have noticed it was a pit bull! Needless to say, our vet made her leave with her dog and never come back and gave us free pain killers for our lab and cleaned the wound the dog created. I cried! I couldn't imagine if the pit bull would have attacked my lil 5 pound yorkie! Some people should just not be able to have dogs if they can't control them!

I know several Pit Bulls that are the sweetest things...with people AND other dogs...apparently this "intelligence challenged" women never socialized her Pit Bull properly...or realized the tremendous responsibility that goes along with owning that particular breed...maybe she will "wake up"...when she loses her house due to her "not my problem" mentality...

Francie

[Francie]

Originally Posted by jpb1971

That's going to be true anywhere you take the little darlings though. If you stop taking them to PetSmart then before long it'll be easy to justify not taking them anywhere and that would be a tragedy! Just watch out for others that don't pay the same care and attention to their dogs as you do.

Yes, something could happen at Petsmart but something could happen at any place you take them. Are you going to stop driving because it's possible that you might have an accident? Will you stop using a knife in your own kitchen because you might cut yourself?

I agree 100%...you can't hide them away from the world...same for people...if I thought of all the things that would be a danger to me....I'd spend the rest of my life drinking bottled water in bed with Animal Planet...I mean you do the best you can to "minimize"...but I think if dogs could talk...they would opt to be "In" the world...not observing it through a window.

Besides....bows and pajamas aside...Yorkies are smart tough little guys! That why I fell in love with these little terriers...their tenacity and inquisitiveness is so endearing!

Francie

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by yorkiemom1970

You know, I'm glad you brought the petsmart thing up. I NEVER take my dogs to petsmart. I just feel that so many animals come in and out all day long every day, and there is no rule about having them vaccinated or wormed before bringing them in. So I don't chance it. I even take my shoes off that I wore into petsmart when i get home and wash them. I've seen some really "mangy" looking animals in there in the past and it got me to thinking...

I do LOVE petsmart though. Just don't think its a good idea to have my babies in there.

Our Petsmart in our area has a sign on the window "All Leashed Vaccinated Pets Welcome". I go into Petsmart often but I never allow Schatzie or Ransom to walk. I keep them in their carriers.

I do the same at the vets office. Never do I allow them on the floor, seats, etc. I feel it's just too germy.

Regarding the Pitbull who decided to mouth the Boxer pup, this is inexcusable by the owner. It doesn't matter where you go in this world there will ALWAYS be those who do not take others into consideration, and by doing this possibly causes harm to others.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Francie

Besides....bows and pajamas aside...Yorkies are smart tough little guys! That why I fell in love with these little terriers...their tenacity and inquisitiveness is so endearing!

Francie

I so agree with you

[Steelygirl1]

I have been in a similar situation. I carried my Yorkie in to Petsmart and was chased by Lab mix... the owner was not paying attention and the dog came at me growling and trying to get at my baby...I am pretty short so I ended up backing down the aisle and right out the door and Chompie hasn't been back there since! I've never let her down in the store... I worried not only about bigger dogs but about disease too...

[lilbumbleybees]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

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

Agreed completely. It's like driving. Don't assume that b/c you're a great driver nothing can happen. And don't assume everyone else is going to watch out for you. Take care of yourself. We always have to be careful with our babies. Even my big guy I have to be careful with b/c he thinks EVERYONE is friendly and looks so confused with another dog growls at him. He just wants to be friends, and here is this other dog about to attack him. We always ask grouchy dogs to leave our boutique or wait outside. We just can't have it with as many sweet dogs we have that want to come in and enjoy their shopping time.

[vainchick5]

When I go to pet stores, I try to be responsible for my own baby. I will not let her walk on that filthy floor anyway, but also for safety reasons I hold her. There are other dogs there, and people with different sized dogs enjoy bringing their dogs as well. You can't stop people from being irresponsible but you can control things for yourself and your baby. I take her everywhere, I just choose to hold her for sanitary and safety reasons. In my opinion, a place that only mops and cleans a few times a week, with that much animal traffic, is dirty.

[txshopper73]

I don't take mine to places like this for this reason. I understand that I am responsible for my dogs but too many hypotheticals come to mind...like what if my dog is in the cart and some other dog jumps up and grabs them. I'd rather not take the risk.

As for the pit...what if that had been someone's child?????