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

I just got back from Petsmart. While we were shopping for clothes, food, shampoo, etc., a lot of these big dogs were gathering and playing together and their owners were talking. One of the big dogs was a pitbull. The pitbull was pulling on his owner to let him see a boxer puppy, so his owner let him see and the pitbull growled and grabbed onto the boxer puppy's head!!!!! :eek: It was so scary! I just thought, if that would have been Riley or TJ that the pibull grabbed onto, they'd be dead!!!!!! That was officially their LAST trip to Petsmart. I'm not taking any chances!!!

wow that's scarey!

That's scary!
 

That's scary. When I walk our dogs I always try to be careful not to walk in the direction where there would be owners with a much bigger dog than my babies. Not that all big dogs are bad but my dogs sometimes would get intimidated by their bigger sizes and they would still bark even though I would ask them not to. Most of the time they listen but not all the time. So I don't want to take the risk of making other bigger dogs think that my babies are challenging them and I don't want to wait and see how they would react. But it's different when my husband and I take them for a walk together. I'm not as scared as when I am alone walking them. I've heard enough scary stories about bigger dogs harming smaller ones without really intentionally hurting them. Sometimes it's just bigger dogs strenght and sizes that harm smaller ones and not them being naturally bad. But I don't want to take the risk, so I just take the initiative to be extra careful. :( It makes me sad though that I can't comfortably let them play with bigger dogs without worrying too much. since I love big breeds too. I used to have two big female Doberman when I was still in college and they were so nice ...too bad.

What did the Boxer's parents do? I would have flipped out...

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.

They just like backed up a little bit and like acted like nothing happened. My stepdad said that if the boxer was his he would've kicked the owner's ass. lmfao

This is exactly why I didn't like the petsmart in my area. All those big stinky dogs everywhere and sniffing everything and everybody and the owners standing idly by looking at stuff. I hated it and the store smelled awful.

Hahahaha! I would have wanted to kick the owner's ass.

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

When I take Cali to petsmart I keep her in her little zipper purse where her head can pop out. There are too many big dogs there woth pwners who aren't paying attention also, Cali si so small I don't want her catching anything. I have actually had people come up to me when I am out with Cali and ask if they can hold her. I tell them she is too scared and just walk away. You can't be too careful.

The last time I took my yorkies to Petsmart was Christmas time when I got their pictures taken. Jewels barked at all the dogs and Chachi lifted his leg and sprayed some doggie door mats they had on this low shelf thing. The clerk that cleaned it up wasnt impressed with him at all.I havent taken them back since.

as an employee I can say this, we do NOT discriminate agianst what type or size of dog can come in. We have a sign right outside the door that says "Pets must be Leashed at all times."The floors are cleaned (mopped, brushed, and waxed) a few times per week, and the poop stations are cleaned out daily. (To discriminate would just be wrong.)

It should be Common sense to people that If they bring in their dog, they're taking a chance. It should also be COMMON SENSE for the owners of big and small dogs alike to watch their dogs AT ALL TIMES. Also everyone MUST understand that MISTAKES DO HAPPEN. Not everything can be prevented. Especially in a high volume store.

As an employee, If I see a dog off his or her leash I kindly ask the owner either carry the dog or Borrow/buy a leash. Now if the dog's are growling or if there is any mishapes we as employees are urged to ask the aggressive dog owners to leave and invite them to return later without the dog.

Well no one likes to clean up pee and poop especially after other peoples pets, but the employee should have said something to the affect of "I'm sorry, let me get that for you." as employees it is our duty to help out even if it means cleaning poop and pee. I've had days where it I would go looking for the pee and poop spots just to get it cleaned up. I always volunteer for the customer but most of the time they're too embarrassed and do it themselves.

Am I saying that I'm perfect? Heck no, I've had my days where I didn't want to do it, or couldn't rather due to being busy at the registers or tied down with someother task. When this happens I simply let the customer know that there is a oops station right around the corner with bags, sanitizer and hand gel. They usually will understand.

Well I offered to clean it but she did but she was in a real huff because it happened. The only time Chachi sprays is when he smells other dogs he doesnt do it at home. So I am not gonna take him to places like that anymore.

She was TOTALLY in the wrong, How rude. I don't blame you. I would have asked to speak to the manager.

I take pride in making some dogs piddle(little cockers) because it means I made them happy. I never make the owner clean it up, because it was my doing and I tell them "well, I made them happy and that's what matters. don't worry about cleaning it up. Allow me." Most customers are surprised at my response, probably because they expected me to respond like the girl you dealt with.

Heck I've even gone six hours one day with a puppie's piddle spot on my pants(I didn't take pride in making him tinkle, in fact I didn't know he was going to.) The customer felt bad, but I smiled and said "don't worry about it, He had to go." We bothed laughed a little and they left.

Its a matter of making the most of everyday, and every situation. If something bad happens, so be it. But don't let it get you down. And its a matter of going out of your way for others.

If this girl didn't understand that, she should have never applied.

thats so scarey! omg!
its good that i keep maisy in her puppy bag thing when we go shopping! i'd rather be safe than sorry!

I agree, that's the best way to go. Especially if you don't feel comfortable with letting your dog down.

MyLittleTiger -- I agree with your store's policies 100%. And, I'm thankful that there are stores that my dogs and I can enjoy visiting.

I totally take responsibility for my own dogs when I visit pet stores -- and expect them to behave and not cause problems for other customers and their pets. Like little children, if my dog's can't behave when we go out ---they can't go! But - my dogs do behave, and we enjoying visiting places that allow dogs.


Carol Jean

I truely believe that it vary's by location and how strictly enforced the policy is at that particular location. If Management sucks, so will the associates. Its just a matter of finding the store you're most comfortable with.

I take chloe with me to petsmart but I never let her walk on the ground. I either hold her or put her in her carrier inthe front seat of the cart. I do this becasue I cant stand people trying to pet her or little kids wanting to pick her up.

Im honestly surprised people with big dogs even like taking them to petsmart but for some reason they do because there are always a bunch of big dogs whenever I go. I have a boxer and I couldnt imagine trying to take her with me to the petstore. Its just a major pain, because she slobbers all over me in the car and she's very anzy plus she would want to check out everythign at the petstore and shopping would be impossible. I never bring her with me.

MyLittle Tiger - What in the world are you talking about??

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I take pride in making some dogs piddle(little cockers) because it means I made them happy. I never make the owner clean it up, because it was my doing and I tell them "well, I made them happy and that's what matters. don't worry about cleaning it up. Allow me." Most customers are surprised at my response, probably because they expected me to respond like the girl you dealt with.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Carol Jean

We take our girls to Petco and Petsmart all the time...sometimes we hold them and sometimes we let them walk...but we always keep an eye on both them and the dogs around them!! We don't let them get near any big dogs but will pick them up and hold them, but my girls love to go and see all the people!!

Wosie would flip
 

If Wosie knew I was at Petsmart and did not take her, she would be SOOOO POed at me, LOL!

That's why I got the handsfree front pack. Wosie goes with me everywhere, but she does not get out of her bag. She still gets to see all the other dogs, the scents, the sounds, and has a blast SAFELY. :p

Josie LOVES going to petco and petsmart! She even knows what it means when I say "do you want to go shopping?" However, because she is so small, I always carry her or keep her in her bag in the baby seat of the cart. She loves to go there and "people watch" and "pet watch", then I always let her pick out a toy!

some dogs are really well behaved. Like newfoundlands(newfies) or great pyrenise and incredibly gentle. same with some Rotties. I used to have two regulars who had therapy rotties and they were the most gentle loving things ever.

Just to clarify for everyone. I was saying that some breeds are easier to make pee than others and when they do pee, it's not out of fear or even neccesity, it's simply because they're happy. It makes me happy to know that even if I can't make everyone happy at least I made their dogs. and I don't make them clean up the mess, because it was my doing and rightfully so I should clean it up.

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!

My little guy LOVES to go....anywhere! I just wish there were more places that allowed our little furbabies! I have used "sneak" bags before and have gotten away with it, but I have also been yelled at for having him some place. (oops)

I normally never let him walk inside a store (don't know why, just never liked the idea of it). - I am sure it is probably cleaner than outside, but that has just been one of those odd things about me.

Anytime we go some where without Mojo (cabin, hotel, etc) and they do not allow pets, I always leave a note about atleast having one or two rooms/cabins/areas for us pet lovers.

I met a lady once who said that she does not go anywhere that does not allow dogs. I wonder how she got anything done because most places around my area do not allow little furbabies!