11/08/2024
So many people want to be able to enjoy taking their pets into pet friendly stores, but haven't quite prepared their dogs to be able to handle it. Some skills I find important for dogs to know before they go into public stores:
+ Walk past people and dogs without pulling, getting excited or vocalizing.
+ Fully potty trained
+ Has a solid leave it behavior, no grabbing any merchandise you are not buying.
+ Will not jump on the counter when you check out
+ Ability to stay in one spot while you browse and check out (in a stand or down)
+ Confident of loud noises, shopping carts, weird objects and so on.
+ Able to tolerate random people AND kids reaching out to pet them without asking. (It's going to happen)
Not all dogs like walking through stores, they're loud, sometimes crowded and narrow. If your dog gets stressed walking through stores then they should stay at home.
Remember to check to see if stores are pet friendly, some you may think are, might not be. If in doubt ask an employee before you come in.
PLEASE NEVER FAKE YOUR DOG BEING A SERVICE DOG TO GO INSIDE A NON-PET-FRIENDLY STORE. No matter how well behaved they are.
Aayla enjoyed her trip to Sierra Trading Post yesterday and got a lot of compliments on her beauty and behavior as she did a tuck in and down stay by the check out counter.