Where can you go with a dog: we take a pet with us

You made the mistake of looking your dog straight into its sad eyes before closing the door and going about your business. You go back to give your four-legged friend one more goodbye hug and try to explain to him that you can’t take him with you because they don’t let you bring your dog into the store. But how hard it is to turn away from those sad eyes. What to do?

Actually there is a great solution. Ready? Take your pet with you! There are more pet-friendly stores than you might think, and they’ll be happy for you and your dog—at least as long as he’s well-behaved.

Take your dog with you

Before you go on business with your dog on Saturday, be sure to…

• Call ahead. National and local store policies may vary. Or, a branch of a dog-friendly chain of stores may be located inside a mall where pets are not allowed. Therefore, we recommend that you always check such things in advance by phone at the store before assuming that you can go there with a dog. In addition, the policy of some stores depends on the size of the dog. For example, individual stores have nothing against dogs that can be carried on their hands, but they may not let too large ones in.
• Ensure good behaviour. Your dog must walk on a leash, obey commands, and must not jump, bark, or do their dirty deeds in the store. For example, Lowe’s had a company-wide animal-friendly policy, but this changed after several incidents where dogs were a safety hazard for patrons.  
• Be guided by common sense. Before you go shopping, think about possible problematic situations. For example, you can bring dogs into Apple Stores, but sometimes there are so many people there that your dog may get scared or panic.
• Get ready. A day out with your dog is great, but just like at home, he needs to eat, go to the bathroom, and exercise. If you plan to spend more than a couple of hours with her outside the house, be sure to take her out in time to do all her chores (you don’t want her to leave a bunch at the store). Don’t forget to bring disposable cleaning bags with you. We also recommend taking some food with you in case you don’t make it home in time for feeding. Always carry a bottle of water with you in case your dog becomes thirsty. Lastly, if you need to go to another pet-free establishment, take care of your dog before you leave it in the car. Never leave it for a long time and never leave it in a hot car. Many places have laws against leaving your dog in a car in the sun, so don’t do anything that could put your dog in danger.

Recently, not only shops are becoming more dog-friendly. For example, restaurants and cafes in Moscow and St. Petersburg with outdoor terraces are often allowed with dogs. Due to sanitary requirements, animals are not allowed inside restaurants, but thanks to outdoor summer terraces, more and more establishments appear where you can share a meal with your well-mannered dog. Moreover, in some places you can even offer pet treats, water bowls and areas where your pet can run with other dogs. Again, be sure to check with the restaurant ahead of time before bringing your dog there. An open terrace is no guarantee that they have an animal friendly policy.

Even sports teams are siding with dogs. Some professional baseball teams host special Bark at the Park nights where fans can bring their pets. They often bring in pet sellers or host special dog events so that both you and your dog can enjoy an evening at the baseball stadium.

You can take your pet shopping with you and enjoy your day together – just remember to do a few simple things ahead of time to keep your dog happy and safe.