The “no dogs allowed” sign is one that dog owners are often faced with when out shopping or in public places. There are some areas that our four legged friends just are not permitted to enter – that is unless they are service dogs and they are necessary for the shopping experience.
Many dog owners will therefore automatically assume that all store won’t want any other dogs at all. However, the rise of the dog stroller raises some interesting points, and there are some debates on the subject on many forums. So, can we take a dog in a pet stroller into a store, or should they still be left outside?
"On one side of the argument is the dog owner that sees no problem with their pet traveling around a store in a stroller"
Let’s look at the argument in favor of dogs in strollers in stores first. The logic behind this thinking is simple. The main problems with having a dog in a store are keeping them under control and ensuring that they don’t make a mess. The worst possible situation for any store owner is that a dog will foul the floor and pose a hazard – especially in a food outlet where there could be a contamination risk.
A pup on a leash can also make a mess with the merchandise, chew things and generally become a nuisance as they “play”. The theory here is that a pooch in a stroller doesn’t pose this risk. Instead, they are enclosed in a secure area where they cannot reach the goods, make any sort of mess or get under the feet of shoppers.
"On the other side of the argument are those that do not want dogs in the premises at all, stroller or not"
Others are not convinced by this argument at all. They feel that a ‘no dog rule’ should be kept up regardless of whether the animal is in a stroller or walking on the floor – especially when it comes to those selling food. Some are uncomfortable with the idea of dogs being in stores.
This is an area where they don’t have to be bothered by the smells and sounds of dogs if they are uncomfortable around them. There is also the issue of those will dog allergies wanting a safe place to shop. Dog dander and fur gets everywhere, so can dog owners with open top pet strollers be sure that this won’t get onto clothing for sale?
"Each side has interesting points, but the final decision comes down to the store"
There is no strict, universal rule that says that dogs can or cannot be allowed into stores. The rules of a brand or an independent store is ultimately made by the management. Some may be happy to allow dogs in stroller, if they think that they are safe and secure. Others may continue to enforce the no dog rule because they don’t want animals in there in any form.
There is always the possibility that a store did allow it once, due to a lack of strict rules, and saw complaints from shoppers. In the end, the best way to find out if a store will allow a dog in a stroller is to ask the store directly about their personal policy. Just be sure not to be presumptuous and don’t take the dog in as you ask.
I’m sorry but I’ve seen kids and people who act bad when in a store. Running, screaming , knocking things off of shelves, shop lifting and more. As far as foul smells there are people out there that smell worse then a dog. I can’t handle strong smells like perfume but they didnt stop them from coming in the stores.when a dog is in a pet stroller they cant get out and if the pet parent is willing to buy a stroller for their pet then let them bring them to the store. Noisy dogs what about all those kids screaming and crying, that irritates me.
I agree
Thank you ????
My pup is always on a stroller with a harness that attaches inside stroller so there’s no way out!! She cannot make a mess or hurt anyone. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Many of us have lost there spouse early in life and no children all we have is our pet. My Maggie Mae acted better than most children and parents in stores. She does give me emotional support many think that’s ridiculous but your not in my shoes. My husband passed at 55 I’m now 60 and still feel very alone . I would be lost and bed bound without her. It may sound crazy to most, but it’s true. My baby is very well behaved and most times you don’t know she there. I see both sides but in today’s crazy do we really have to put so much focus on how it’s to have a small pet with in a stroller. I would say 97% of people we meet welcome her. And just adore Maggie Mae. Lighten up people there are worst things to worry about.
Thank you Betty for addressing this.
I really try to follow the rules for pets. I to have a Small Yorkie which are well known for being needie. And shouldn’t really be left alone for long periods of time. So she goes almost everywhere with me. I would never leave my pup ???? alone in the car either. So many people get away with a lot of illegal things but is this something that needs to truly be enforced so strictly. There’s always exceptions and this should be one!!!
Sorry Betty I meant to reply at the bottom. Thank you for your post
Totally agree with you. Thank you ????
I agree as well
I agree, going out of the way to buy a stroller for your precious pet, I have two teacup yorkies and love taking them out, I’d love to take them into supermarkets, not done that yet in case I’m turned away. Should be allowed if you have small dogs in a stroller to go anywhere with them, I even put nappies just in case! My dogs are well behaved.
Yes Betty fur I agree your message is totally true.
I’ve just rang the range for permission to take my little Yorkshire terrier in Her stroller. No was the answer. They lost a good sale today.
I also called Ikea if i can take my senior dog with me in a stroller and they refused
Iv been shopping in LIDL with my pet stroller for 5 years my toy yorkie loves his time out he is fully enclosed and safe from everything and every one. Because no infection can get to him . After five years they have desided they don’t want pet strollers in there stores. This needs addressing. As everyone is safe. And they are not actually in the store there in a enclosed stroller which are designed and manufactured for the sole purpose of shopping airplains ect etc can I take this case up with my equality rights. Because this needs addressing. There are thousands purchased for the equality of human and pets.
I think you should be allowed a dog in a stroller if on holiday you cant leave a dog in the car if it’s hot I wont tie it up outside I need to take it into the shops it’s in stroller cant get out so what is the problem
So im on vacation in Arizona. Staying at a Casino Resort. Paid a premium so my Boston could come with. Her is the rub…..I cant leave her in the hotel room unattended (ok I get it) AND i cant take her and her stroller into the Casino. What! Seriously! Ridiculous.
My Dog is handicapped. So we have to carry him every where. We have a dog stroller. When they don’t allow my dog in the store I sit in the car with my dog while my wife shops.
I have a jackadoodle and she loves to be out and about with us I just wish I could take her shopping with us.i think people with kids make more noise and mess when they’re out shopping where my little dog would not be a bother to anyone
Why are not emotional support dog in a stroller covered up allowed in a store. She is very quiet, does not smell. I have been turned away or told I can’t bring her with me. I have a letter from a doctor saying she is an emotional support dog for me.
If you are not so fortunate to have a child, you have a pet, in my case it’s a small toy poodle. As a parent of a small pup I like the company he gives me, I like to take him with us on vacations as we do not have the option for a puppy sitter. We travel to places that can be very hot not where you can leave a pup in a car or a hotel. This can pose a dilemma, so we are limited. I got the pet stroller thinking I could take him with me to the store or restaurant. Not the case unfortunately, leaving us to find a pet friendly place.
Parents bring in their crying babies into restaurants, to the store, and let their wild 3 year old go running down the grocery isle, pulling items off the shelves and crying because the parent won’t get it for them. Store Managers do not tell parents to take their child out when the child is having a emotional breakdown.
Why is having a small pet in a covered stroller worse than that – its because the store / restaurant has that right. Their thought is you don’t have to go to that restaurant or grocery store etc.
I get that some people have abused the emotional support pet, I get that some people do not clean up after their pet when accidents happen, this does not help.
I support that we have more places to dine or shop that allow pets to join us, and I support the enforcement of rules to have a behaved pet or consequences.
I have a nearly 11 year old cavalier with arthritis he can’t walk very far now but loves to go out with us in his stroller. We have been in many high Street stores and supermarkets with him and have never been turned away,until today we visited Dunelm and we were refused entry.
John Lewis and H&M and TK Max now have a dog friendly policy( TK always has) their take on it is the growing number of people that have dogs since covid and to eliminate them would be loosing a wide selection of would br shoppers. Any responsible dog owner would not take a dog in a store that is at risk of fouling etc, more credit should be given
I have a state registered service dog and the problem with pets in strollers, they are still pets and because they are untrained I have had numerous experiences with these pets in strollers and the problem is still the same, they are pets and illegal in stores where groceries are sold. Every time we have experienced a pet in a stroller they have barked and distracted my Service Dog and put me in danger of her not doing her trained work. Cute, loving, adorable pets are still pets and no matter what the excuse they still pose a life threatening danger to a handicapped person with a Service Dog.
I get what you are saying Carlos. But aren’t yelling, running children that advance quickly on service dogs all excited and wanting to pet them just as big, or more of, a distraction than a possible random dog in a fully enclosed stroller?