Do Dogs Behave at Petsmart?

I volunteer with a Cat Rescue and clean cages and feed cats. The cages are at a Petsmart. I go every day, or 5 days a week, for about a year now. I have never seen a fight. I have seen some dogs go nuts over all the smells and animals. Never aggression between two animals, though.

Most people have common sense and wouldn't take a dog-aggressive dog into a pet store!!

A.:

My dog LOVES going to PetSmart. He behaves quite well.

I've never had a problem with HIM. There have been other dogs that have lunged and him or me or my children and the owner apologizes profusely.

Sometime, somewhere, sure, it's probably happend, but it's not the norm. Most people have common sense enough to know there dog. My black lab baby does fine - he's been thru training and loves everyone and every dog. Worst he does is try to pull cause he wants to play!!! :) My malamute however will NEVER be taken into a pet store because she does not play nice with others! She is great on a leash and completely under my control, but accidents could happen with her!

When I had dogs I brought them there and mine were always well behaved. I did see a few psycho dogs going nuts being dragged away but no one was harmed by that, other than my ears.

For the most part they behave very well. I would hope that anyone that has a dog that is normally aggressive leaves the pooch at home. I go to Petco instead and have been there when they do the shots. Lots of dogs and with one exception, I have never seen a problem. There was one time (we went for cat litter) that a bigger dog bit a little one. The whole time they were in line, the owner was having a problem getting the dog to sit still. I think that should have been a cue to get out. There were 3 people together so 1 could have taken the dog out and when it was their turn, one of the others could have gotten them.

Usually, the dogs don't even get aggressive with the cats. And the workers pretty much expect to get a call to clean up.

It really just depends on how much the dog has been socialized (to both people and other dogs) and brought out in public and been expected to behave for the owner. I've seen plenty of dogs who are fine and others that the owner has no control over them whatsoever, and doesn't even try. I've worked a few low-cost vaccine clinics inside pet stores and some dogs are ok, some you can tell have not been taken out in public much or trained to listen to their owners at all. I've seen a few dogs almost go at each other (snarl, snap, attempt to bite) before their owners pulled them back away. My guess is most people who can't trust how their dog is going to act don't take the chance.

One of my pet peeves (no pun intended) are the retractable leashes. I don't know why people let the dog pull it out to it's full length inside the store or the vet hospital - the dog is able to go wherever it wants and owner has no control over it. Either lock the thing, or get a real leash!

My dog got attacked at Petsmart and the owner said she thought it was odd that her dog approached my dog since her dog doesn't like other dogs. Clearly, he approached my dog to try to eat him. I only take my dog to Petsmart to get his nails clipped, otherwise I leave him at home. My dog behaves great at Petsmart. I could let him off leash and know he stay with me. My dog is super friendly too. However, I just don't understand taking a pet somewhere when you don't have too. I don't even like taking my kids out when I go shopping, I don't want to take my dog.

I take my dog and he does fine.
Dogs tend to get along better with other dogs when they're all on neutral territory. It's when one dog invades another's turf that they fight.

The only misbehavior I have seen when taking my little dog to a petsmart type store, is that she immediately tinkles at the door or entry way area. The smells are just overwhelming for her. She never tinkles anywhere else inappropriately.

I've never seen any fights, but I have seen plenty of puddles on the floor!

Yes, I have seen dogs fighting one another at pet stores before. Really made me look askance at the owners of the dog that initiated the confrontation. I mean, really? If your dog can't behave himself or hasn't been properly socialized OR is a breed that, honestly, should stay in your yard, then leave them in your yard!! And that goes for dog parks, too!

And no, I don't bring my dog into pet stores. And he's a sweetheart that gets along with other dogs.

I've mostly seen good behavior.

I got very scared once when a large Rotweiler was eye-balling my 10 lb schnoodle (and his owner insisted he was fine with small dogs but he looked like he was ready to pounce). I pretty much stopped taking her after that.

I do not take my dogs for any reason other than grooming. My Laber-imer is HIGH anxiety and does not do well in those situations and any dog that is or looks like a German Shepherd he freaks out on since we were nearly attacked by one. I keep him home now. I have another dog, a Malti-Pom and he goes into a mesh pet crate that I can sling over my shoulder. I keep him in that when he goes to and from for grooming, and overall I do not bring my pets in for a "visit" like many do. We enjoy seeing the other dogs, most are very well trained and I have not had an issue with other people's pets I do not think that owners bring their pets if they can not handle it.

I have never seen a problem before. I am assuming that pet owners who do not have social pets would leave them at home.

I don't have a need to bring my dog with me. He would love to meet other dogs but most dog owners don't know that and keep their dogs away when we pass on the street.

ive never seen an issue with any dogs but I only go to petsmart once a month. I would take one of my dogs because she is happy go lucky, loves other animals and people. (I take that back she wants to eat the guinea pigs and hampsters but she is a hunting dog) but those are in a cage and she just points and we have to drag her away but then she is fine. The other one gets nippy if another dog acts even remotely aggressive so I could totally see a situation escalate with him.

I've never seen a fight. One dog stiffened up when my dog passed, but didn't do anything. Honestly, that's the worst I've seen. Its a friendly place...my dog was probably the least "trained" of all the ones I've seen. She was a sweet dog, but a shelter dog who hadn't been properly trained. I took her to Petsmart to get groomed, a full checkup on file at their onsite vet, and her first shopping trip (the dog house, bed, food/water bowls, collar, leashes, some treats, some toys, etc), and to sign her up for classes.....she wasn't "bad" but she was like a little kid walking into Toys R Us for the first time and it was difficult to keep her at my side without having to pull the leash away from another toy. I've never seen dog aggression before. Guessing that has a lot to do with the pet owners who frequent the stores in your local area though?

We had to take our dog to petsmart once because we were on our way camping and could not find her harness so we took her in to make sure it fit. OMG she was like a child who would not listen. No not mean but wanted to play with everything (we make sure she is super socialized because of her breed) and it was serious over stimulation. And then a little dog of some sort starting barking and growling at her and she kinda of went behind my husband like "what is wrong with that thing" it was funny because she happens to be a pitbul. Then after that she saw the tennis balls in the little bin, oh good lord. I swear between her, the kids and my hubby that is one store we wont be going back to as a family. lol. but in answer to your question, i am actually amazed how well behaved dogs are in there.
many blessings
edit: she does better at the dog park because she can run and play

Whether at PetSmart (or any pet store) or out for a walk in your neighborhood or visiting your vet, it is your responsibility as a pet owner to prevent any type of fight or other altercation from happening.

I show dogs, and regularly go to venues where dogs have to walk so close they might touch as we pass. People are courteous, keep a close hold on the leash near the head, & let others know when passing. There are intact males & bitches in heat... and surprisingly very few dog fights, or even tiffs.

If I am approached by someone who does not seem to have a good grasp on the situation (for example, while on a walk) I snug up the hold on my dog & say to them "please don't let your dog approach mine / sniff noses / etc. I'm not sure how he'll react" meaning my dog.

I DO know how mine will react, but what I DON'T know is how theirs will, or how they will handle any reaction from their dog. Many people have a very rosey view of their dog - they think that because their dog is good at home, & with the neighbors laborador, it gets along with all dogs, & everyone should sniff noses & butts & get along.

But, it doesn't always work that way, & the best way to avoid anything is to make sure it never happens, starting with your own dog.

T. - Breeder/Owner/Handler/Trainer Rhodesian Ridgebacks