Dogs love being with you at all times, whether you’re chilling at home, doing DIY projects, or out shopping for supplies. Home Depot is the go-to home improvement store for lots of folks, but pause before taking Fido for a ride—their official policy is that only registered and trained service dogs are welcome in the store.
With that said, lots of people claim they regularly take their dogs to Home Depot with no problems. We recommend calling up your local store and just asking. The worst they can say is no, right? Store policy as dictated by the manager might vary from state to state, county to county, and even store to store. If one Home Depot says they don’t allow dogs, you can see if others do.
Should I Take My Dog to Home Depot?
Even if your local Home Depot allows dogs, you have to ask if you should take your pup with you on your next supply run. They’re big, bright, loud stores with tons of distractions, and timid or untrained dogs could get overwhelmed. Gregarious, well-trained dogs, on the other hand, are more likely to do fine.
If you’re on the fence, try taking your dog to quieter public spaces to get them used to shopping with you. Slowly ramping up socialization will help set your pup up for success when you finally take that Home Depot trip.
Tips for Taking Your Dog to Home Depot
Taking your dog shopping can be a fun bonding experience, but it can be stressful too. The good news is that we have some essential tips you can use to make your Home Depot trip as smooth and painless as possible. Check ‘em out down below.
- Bring plastic bags. Just like packing diapers for babies, doggy waste bags are a must when taking your dog anywhere to clean up accidents.
- Use a leash at all times. This tip helps to keep your dog, store staff, and other customers safe.
- Take a walk outside the store before entering. This helps minimize in-store accidents and calm your dog before going into a crowded store.
- Pack treats. If your dog shows signs of anxiety in the store, his favorite treat might be just the thing to perk him back up.
- Be ready to cut the trip short. Even well-behaved dogs can act up in public, so don’t hesitate to take him home if he doesn’t seem comfortable.
Are Canadian Home Depots Dog-Friendly?
No. Unlike their American counterparts, Home Depot stores in Canada strictly enforce a no-pets policy unless it’s a service animal. They previously had a lax store-to-store policy like the US, but a dog bite incident in 2011 made them much stricter about non-service animals in-store.
What Other Stores Are Dog-Friendly?
Even if no Home Depots in your area welcome dogs, you can check out one of the many stores that do welcome dogs. For your convenience, we’ve listed some dog-friendly stores to bring your best furry friend to on your next outing.
- Lowe’s: Like Home Depot, Lowe’s may be dog-friendly, depending on the individual store’s policy.
- PetSmart: Like most pet stores, PetSmart is one of the best stores to bring your dog.
- Bass Pro Shop: This fishing and outdoor retailer welcomes leashed and vaccinated dogs.
- Tractor Supply Co.: Naturally, this store chain that sells farming gear and feed allowed well-behaved pups on leashes.
- Hobby Lobby: Some locations of this craft store chain are dog-friendly, but call ahead to make sure.
Conclusion
Your dog might love following you on DIY jobs around the house, but Home Depot may or may not allow them in, so always call and confirm with the store to avoid being turned away at the door. If your Home Depot store doesn’t let dogs in, you could always try other stores.
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Featured Image Credit: Home Depot Manteca, California (TaurusEmerald, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0 International)
