Do You Take Your Doggie to the Pet Store?

Yep. It's his favorite place to do his caterpillar or seal impressions (belly flat to the floor, scrabbling along with his legs)... Because of the slick concrete, and his husky like: I don't Wanna! Noooo. I want to smell this random piece of concrete for 14 minutes!!!! No! Not one 3 inches to the left! Ooooohkaaaay fine. But I'll only do it by inching and scooting so you know how inferior it is over there. Also, he's so goofy looking that he gets treats galore from people who think he's funny.

Most of the time, though, (as long as Incan somehow avoid selective smelling invisible spots, he's show dog perfect. It's the food. Anywhere that smells THAT much like food, he's on his best behavior.

As others have said, big dogs have to be well trained to be in public.

It's small dogs that tend to yap constantly, lunge, and nip people and other pets.

We're friends with the local shop owners. They have dozens of bites per year, but NEVER by a big dog. Always the little ones.

I brought my first Golden Retriever to the pet store with the kids ONCE. She was just 7 months old. She peed on the floor when an employee pet her, then my kids stepped in it and tracked it all over the store. I felt AWFUL!

Never tried it again.

:(

You've "never had that happen before"???
What happened? As far as I can tell nothing happened.
I think your small dog is just as likely to get attacked by another small dog as it is a big dog. I also don't think that people would take an "attack" dog to the pet store. You're judging based on size and breed.

It doesn't sound like there was a problem except for your fear of the Rottie. Our next door neighbor's dog is a Rottweiler, and until our dachshund's death a couple of weeks ago, they were the best of friends. If you take your dog to the pet store, you should expect that it and other dogs will want to sniff each other and figure each other out. It's what dogs do.

Big dogs, does not equal aggressive dogs. I have always had very large dogs. They have always been sweet, and non aggressive. Most sane people are not going to take a large, aggressive dog into a store. If you were in a dark alley, would you assume a small man wouldn't hurt you, but a big man would? I would say men of all size are capable of harm, in a dark alley.

The most aggressive dogs I've ever met were small. BUT, because they were small...people would overlook their behavior. If a large dog behaved the way they did, they would have killed someone. Anyway, your fear would trigger something in a dog far faster then your little dog would. Unless YOUR dog is one to bark, nip, lunge, or growl at other dogs...then yes, it's unwise to take your dog. If your dog is socialized and friendly with others, there is not likely to be an incident.

A.:

yes. I DO take my dog to the Pet Store.

You do realize that dogs can smell fear, right?
You do realize that Rottweilers and Pit Bulls only have a bad reputation from BAD OWNERS - right?

I don't let fear lead my life or keep me from doing things. It is my opinion that you are acting like ALL "Rotties" are bad. They aren't. And people who takes their dogs to a pet store are, 9 times out of 10, IN CONTROL of their pets.

My dog is a lover. He's a Boxer/Pit Bull mix. He doesn't know how to harm anything. If I say "ow" when he jumps on me when I am sitting down? He crouches and licks me. His ears are pulled back and his tail is tucked.

I would take my dog. Don't get fear rule your life.

Lol. My aunt has a Great Dane, Rottweiler, Pit Bull, Chihuahua, and a small mutt (Slightly larger than the Chihuahua.)

She regularly takes the 3 big ones with her to the pet stores, or walking on the river. They are the sweetest, most gentle creatures I have ever met. She even has saddles for the Rottweiler and Dane, and they often go walking with her grand kids riding on their backs. (Kids are young and lightweight...)

She can't take the Chihuahua or the mutt out in public, because they are just vicious little things!

You can't judge a book (or dog) by it's cover. :)

Our German Shepherd gets taken to the pet store regularly. She gets lots of attention, and treats, from the owners, so she loves to go there!

Hi A.-

For ME...particularly when kiddos were younger, I had trouble merely managing THEM at a pet store!

I cannot imagine managing our two large (friendly...but excitable dogs) either with or without them...

Best Luck!
michele/cat

Rottie probably wanted to sniff your dog. That's what dogs do, right?

If the Rottie owner knew his dog was a puppy-killer/eater, he likely would not have taken his dog to a pet store where, like you said, oftentimes you see a lot of little dogs.

I've had a Rottie before. She was so sweet. It was my boxer that was more likely to chase your dog, but only if your dog had started running away (that smell of fear thing.) Your question - yes go to the pet store with your dog if you want. Better than leaving the dog in the car! Lucky for you, your dog is small enough to be carried or pushed in a shopping cart.

I just don't see why it would be necessary to take my dog to a store. He is a dog. He has no idea what is going on. In fact, I don't feel it necessary to take my dog here there and everywhere with me. but there again he is 160 lb!

Nope...I tried it once. Before kids, my DH and I took our two Boston Terriers to Petsmart. I don't know if it was just all the smells that freaked them out, but both ended up pooping on the floor at some time during our shopping trip. I decided that there was just NO way to look remotely dignified while cleaning up dog poop :)

I always take my puppy (7.5 lb. Boston terrier) to the pet store, she loves going for rides in the car and everyone there gives her lots of attention.

When she was spayed last week all the nurses and vets let her lay on their laps while she was recovering. She is very friendly and just loves everyone. We see lots of big dogs there too but she gets so excited she scares them off.

I don't mind big dogs most are just fine around other dogs. I don’t like when the owners don’t clean up after their dogs big or small. I have seen so many people see that their dogs have pooped or peed on the floor and they just walk away, it's very rude. Pet Smart has paper towels, garbage cans and cleaners at the end of each isle just for this.

My sister's Rot used to sit in my lap when I would go there... rotties just get a bad name. Honestly, my dogs only go when they need to be groomed simply because they do not do too well in the car.

Any time you bring your bet to that kind of an environment, it's always POSSIBLE that there could be an incident. Even the most social, well-behaved dog can have a bad/off day and snap.

That said, I would HOPE that most people only bring their animals in if they are socialized with other dogs since that would greatly reduce the likelihood of an incident.

I will not bring my dogs to a pet store. I had a similiar experience (the dog got aggressive) and it frightened me. I bring mine to my parents house, through the bank drive-thru and for a ride when I have to go to a public mailbox. Other than that, we have a door that opens to a fenced in area !