We love taking Shamas into stores with us. He really relaxes when he's in the human places, and generally gets great responses from the other customers. It's funny how many people assume he's a service dog, as it's a fairly new phenomenon, this welcoming of dogs into human areas. We know that he's welcome in Petsmart, Chapters, and some Canadian Tire stores. Of course many other small pet stores welcome dogs in too. I'm always looking for other suggestions for places to take Shamas with me to socialise him. It's great for his growing confidence, getting him out around people but away from traffic. Eventually, I'd love to be able to take him to the various events that happen in the parks, but he's got to learn to be comfortable out and about before I introduce him to places with other dogs as part of the crowds. Baby steps are important for an un-socialised dog
Those are pretty much the only stores that allow dogs that I know of (I didn’t know Chapters is dog friendly). Lots of smaller stores in downtown Toronto are dog friendly, including the Wine Rack. Home Depot no longer allows dogs. I sometimes just ask...lots of places say yes if there is no food served. We bring Quinn into our local corner store/post office and pizza place (she gets tons of chicken from the employees and loves that place the most). Dogs are usually ok on any outdoor restaurant/coffee shop patios, which is good training to settle in public.
It's too bad that bite incident removed Home Depot from the short dog friendly list. But the HD parking lot is still a good place to go. Oban was a winter puppy, I took him to the local ski resort. The parking lot was smelly, noisy and had large objects and people carrying big sticks (skiis ) I was given permission to take him just inside the front entrance too. HATS, strange ski hats, the great bugaboo of many dogs, hats. And, BOY, do downhill ski boots ever make a lot of noise, and they make people walk funny. An off kilter walk also sets some dogs off.
Yes, i read about the bite incident. My dad works in a Home Hardware, and they let dogs in. not sure if theirs is a company-wide or a store by store policy?
That's a shame that so few places allow dogs in your area. It sounds like a great idea to take him to open-air events in the spring/summer, though. My favourites used to be art and wine festivals, fun walks/runs and (of course) doggie-specific events. Some dog shows may allow you to bring your own dog but also rescue organisations or local shelters may do events too. Do you have any public transportation in your area that is dog-friendly? For example, in California there a few touristy trains that allow dogs. That can be great fun and great socialisation.
No, public transportation isnt animal friendly that I know of. Cabs are..but if I'm aying for a car, I'd rather just pay for gas, and ask hubby for a ride. Or go with my dad and buy him gas. He loves doing doggie events, and has been taking me to things like Bark in the Park, etc for years.
