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You and your dog are together all day long, no matter where you go! But what about when you’re shopping at Lowes? Can you take your dog to Lowe’s home improvement store with you? Are dogs allowed in Lowes?
When your dog hears the car keys, he knows something is up! You’re going somewhere in the car, and he wants to go along! There are times when “no” just doesn’t work, and you have to take your dog along! It happens to all of us at some point!
And what about pet parents who have service dogs? Services are by your side everywhere you go. Only service dogs are emotional support animals, they give help when pet owners need it.
A service dog can perform many tasks to help people with disabilities. It is a dog that has been trained to assist people with disabilities in performing specific tasks. A service dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. This is why service dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities in their day-to-day activities.
But are guide dogs allowed in Lowes?
Lowes Dog Policy
Does Lowes allow dogs? Is Lowes dog friendly?
It seems that back in 2012, Lowes created an official pet policy for their stores. The home depot’s pet policy is that they only allow dogs that are proven service dogs. These dogs must stay on a leash, under control, and pet parents must clean up after their furry friends.
But what about all the people who take their pooches into Lowes? Or what about all the dogs you’ve seen at your local Lowes? They can all be service dogs, can they?
Management May Not Enforce the Lowes Dog Policy
The confusing thing is that not all Lowes stores enforce the dog-friendly policy. It seems that each store has its own company policy in regards to whether or not dogs can be in their specific store.
This means that the management in some stores may overlook dogs in their hardware store, while Lowes store manager in other store locations will enforce their pet policy. How confusing is that?
What’s more, some Lowes locations may ask to see a dog’s certification as a service animal. However, other local Lowe’s store locations just ignore this requirement completely. They won’t ask to see proof that your dog is a service dog.
So, Lowes in different locations may be pet-friendly, while other stores are not. Our advice is that if you’d like to take your dog into a particular Lowes, then call ahead and ask the management if they allow dogs or not. This way, you’ll know whether or not it’s OK to take your canine companion to that store.
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Ask a Vet Live NowPet Parents are Responsible for Their Dog’s Behavior
While a Lowes store may allow your dog into the store, they are not responsible for your fur baby. What does this mean for you? You bear all the responsibility for your dog’s behavior and actions while in the store.
If your dog is well-behaved and gets along well with other pets and people, then he may be a good candidate to come along into the store. He will need to stay on the leash and harness at all times unless you have a small dog. Then you can carry him. The dog should not be allowed to freely roam the store.
Does your dog tend to bite? Then you may not want to take him inside the store. Lowes is not responsible for dogs that bite, but you will be held responsible for your own dog hurting another shopper or dog. In that case, the police may be called, and you will be held responsible for all injuries and damage your dog has done.
Does your dog like to tear things up? What happens if he tears up some insulation or carpeting at Lowes? Well, you’ll have to pay for any damage your dog has done.
And if your dog has a potty accident in the store, guess who cleans it up. It won’t be the Lowe’s employees. You will have to clean up any mess your dog makes while in the store.
Stories of Misbehaving Dogs in Lowes
Back in 2014, Lowes was sued after a leashed dog, an Akita, attacked a three-year-old boy. As a result, the boy required over 50 stitches for his wounds because of the dog attack. The dog’s owner was charged with felony negligence, and Lowes was also faced with a $25,000 lawsuit from the child’s family.
After this type of story, people wonder why all Lowes stores don’t enforce their service-dog only policy. Comments in a forum may explain why Lowes allows dogs in their stores:
“I would guess it is because they have done a market survey and found that the minimal risk and increase insurance costs are offset by customer satisfaction and loyalty. I hate most of the practices of Lowes and avoid the place whenever, but I support their allowing of dogs in their stores.”
Another commenter in the same forum remarked, “My guess is that my store allows leashed dogs because corporate caters to veterans with discounts, special publications oriented toward veterans, even designated parking.”
The Lowes Service Dog
While we’re on this topic, there’s a story that back in 2016 a Lowes store made news after hiring a military vet and his pet dog. The veteran was disabled and was supported by his service dog, Charlotte, a Golden Retriever. During his job interview, the vet asked if this would keep him from getting the job at Lowes.
In the end, the Texas Lowes store hired the veteran and his dog. Charlotte was made an “official employee” right down to her Lowes branded vest!
Tips for Taking Your Dog to Lowes
Here are some tips for taking your dog to Lowes or other dog-friendly venues:
Call ahead: this is a great idea because you’ll know for sure whether or not your dog is allowed in the store. Just about Lowes pet policy and see what they say. Calling ahead also means your dog will be welcome if pets are allowed.
Keep your dog on a leash & harness: dogs that wear a harness and leash are easier to control than dogs that wear a collar and leash. The harness allows you to have more control over the dog’s upper body, which means you control where he goes and what he does. At least that’s the theory. If your dog doesn’t behave on a leash, then it’s not a good idea to take him into a store.
Clean up after your dog: be ready to clean up if your dog goes potty in the store. This means you should carry some tissues, a bag, and some antibacterial wipes into the store with you and your dog. If your dog has a poop accident, then clean it up as soon as possible. Don’t leave it for other people, dogs, little guys, and more to walk through. And be sure to alert a store employee about where the mess happened. They will need to sanitize the spot.
Stay with your dog: it’s not just a good idea to have your dog on a leash when you enter the store, it’s also a good idea to keep your dog close by. If your dog sees something that he wants to investigate, then don’t let him get away with it. Make sure he doesn’t get distracted and that he stays with you.
Be considerate of other people: this is the biggest thing to remember when taking your dog into a store or other venue. It’s important that you stay on the safe side of the lines so that other people are not disturbed by your dog. Dogs bark, they sniff, they try to get attention, and so on. Make sure you don’t make other people uncomfortable or get too close to them.
Finally, only consider taking your dog into a dog-friendly store if he gets along well with other humans and animals. If he bites or hurts someone or another pet, then you’re responsible for the damage done. A dog that doesn’t behave well around others should simply not be taken into the store.
There you have it! While many Lowes stores do allow dogs, it’s always best to call ahead to the store you’d like to visit and ask about their policy.
And if you can take your dog, only do so if he’s well behaved. Otherwise, leave him home or with a sitter. You’ll both be happier for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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