You and your dog both love the comfort of your home. So when you’re shopping for home improvement supplies at Lowe’s, it only makes sense that you would want to bring your dog along with you. And you can! Lowe’s is one of the big retail chains that allow dogs to accompany their owners. However, not all retailers allow dogs, which means that you might have to leave your dog at home if you want to shop at them. When you need to leave your dog at home to visit a retailer that doesn’t allow dogs, know that you can depend on Atlanta dog sitting company Critter Sitters to take care of your pup. Keep reading to learn about bringing your dog with you to Lowe’s, the other big retail chains that allow dogs, and what you can do when you have to visit a retail chain that doesn’t allow dogs.
Is Lowe’s in Atlanta Dog-Friendly?
Bringing your dog with you to a Lowe’s is not only permitted, it is encouraged! However, there are a few things to note if you plan on bringing your dog along with you when you visit a Lowe’s.
You should only bring your dog with you to a Lowe’s if you’re certain that your dog has been properly trained to spend time around other humans and dogs. And keep your dog on a leash for the duration of your time in the store—a short leash is preferable to a long or retractable leash. It’s recommended that you only bring your dog with you to a Lowe’s if your dog is in good health; use discretion when bringing senior dogs and dogs with special needs to a Lowe’s.
Petco and PetSmart are welcoming to all pets. If your pet is new to spending time in retail spaces, taking them to a Petco or PetSmart might be a good place to begin so that you can make sure that your pet will be comfortable. Remember to bring items that will make your dog feel comfortable. This may mean bringing some water or toys for them. If your dog doesn’t enjoy walking and you plan on keeping them in your cart, bring a small towel or blanket so that they can have a soft place to sit (this also prevents any fur and dirt from their paws from getting in the cart.
Keep your dog close to you, and act respectfully when someone seems like they want to keep their distance from your dog. Watch your dog to make sure that they are comfortable while they are with you—since they will be exposed to a new setting and unfamiliar people, they may not feel entirely safe and secure. And if they make a mess, do everything you can to clean it up immediately (you might want to bring baggies along with you).
Other Dog-Friendy Retail Chains
Lowe’s isn’t the only retail chain with a dog-friendly policy! Many other national retail chains allow dogs to shop with their owners. However, just because the store has a pet-friendly policy doesn’t mean that individual locations won’t ban dogs. Call the location that you plan on visiting and ask them to confirm that they are welcoming to dogs. Also, many stores only allow dogs if they are service dogs. Note that it is illegal to lie about whether your dog is a service dog.
The following are retail chains that allow dogs to accompany their owners.
Home Improvement, Hardware, and Home Goods Stores
- Home Depot
- Ace Hardware
- PepBoys
- Home Goods
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Pottery Barn
Apparel Retailers
- Ross
- TJ Maxx
- Kohl’s
- Macy’s
- Bloomingdale’s
- Nordstrom
- Gap
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Urban Outfitters
- Free People
- Anthropologie
- Old Navy
- Foot Locker
Beauty
- Sephora
- ULTA
- Lush Cosmetics
- Bath & Body Works
Miscellaneous Household Items
- Apple Store
- Barnes & Noble
- Michael’s
- JoAnn Fabrics
Dog-Friendly Chain Restaurants
You might get hungry or thirsty before or after shopping at Lowe’s with your dog, which means that you might want to stop for something to eat or drink. Many chain restaurants allow dogs to hang out on their patios, meaning that you and your dog can enjoy some time outdoors together as long as the weather is nice. Some might even give your dog a treat!
Chain restaurants that allow dogs in their outdoor patios include:
- In-N-Out
- Shake Shack
- Taco Bell
- Dunkin Donuts
- Chick-fil-A
- Baja Fresh
- Chipotle
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Five Guys
- Johnny Rockets
- Starbucks
- Dairy Queen
- Olive Garden
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- Applebee’s
- Panera Bread
Many local, non-chain restaurants in the Atlanta area allow dogs to sit with their owners on their outdoor patios. Call ahead and ask them if dogs are allowed to sit outside before you arrive.
Other Things to Do With Your Dog in Atlanta
Atlanta is an exciting city with a dog-friendly culture. There is plenty for the two of you to do together when you’ve finished your shopping. Check out one of Atlanta’s many dog parks. Many of them offer facilities for both dogs and owners, as well as the opportunity for dogs to go off-leash. You and your dog can also spend time together while visiting one of Atlanta’s cultural or historical sites such as Grant Park or Westview Cemetary.
Dog Walking Company Serving the Atlanta Area
The Atlanta pet sitting company Critter Sitters is available to walk and take care of your pet whenever you have to leave home for any reason, whether it’s shopping for important items, work, vacation, or an unexpected event in another city. Critter Sitters’ dog sitters bring years of experience with them whenever they take care of dogs and other pets. Get in touch with them today to discuss their services. Call (404) 793-6178.