As dog owners, we tend to assume that we can’t take our dogs into stores and need to keep them tethered up outside. However, with many stores in the US this isn’t always the case, with some being very dog friendly. You might have heard that Lowes is dog friendly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can take your pet inside… the truth is a bit more complicated.
To help get to the bottom of what the Lowes pet policy is, I spoke to some of their employees on Twitter and what I heard was actually quite surprising. Here’s what I discovered about bringing dogs into Lowes.
Does Lowes allow dogs? The official Lowes dog policy states that only service dogs are allowed in the stores. However, many stores and employees have a relaxed attitude towards customers that take a dog into Lowes, rarely asking for proof that the dog is for service or disability support purposes.
An employee of the home improvement store told me the official policy was something like this with regards to any pet.
You might now be quite confused because I am sure you’ve seen lots spoken to people who have said they take their dog into Lowes or seen puppies and pooches in the aisles when you visit.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that many of the dogs you see in the store aren’t certified service dogs.
Can you bring dogs in Lowe’s?
Are you ready to be confused? The general consensus is that dogs are welcome in stores. However, as the National Canine Research Association of America reports,
What Happens If My Dog Misbehaves While Inside Lowe’s?
If your dog can’t be polite, then you’ll likely be asked to leave by store management. It’s not clear just how much bad behavior they’ll tolerate, and that answer probably varies depending on the managers in question.
However, if your dog does something truly bad — like biting someone — then the police may be called and you could be held liable for damages.
It’s unclear as to whether Lowe’s could also be held liable in such a situation, and the answer probably depends on the laws in that specific jurisdiction.
Lowe’s was sued in 2014 after a leashed Akita attacked a 3-year-old child, causing the boy to receive over 50 stitches as a result. The dog’s owner was charged with felony negligence and Lowe’s was slapped with a $25,000 lawsuit by the boy’s family.
We don’t know the results of that lawsuit, but however it ended up, it’s clear that it has not discouraged Lowe’s from continuing to allow dogs into its stores.
What Other Chain Stores Allow Dogs?
While Lowe’s has a famously dog-friendly policy, it’s far from the only store that lets customers bring their pooches along to shop.
Below, we’ve rounded up a few of the most notable chains that allow dogs, as well as a quick summary of their pet policy.
This list is far from comprehensive, and there are several other major dog-friendly chains. However, keep in mind that all of these companies require your dog to mind their manners; there’s not a store in the world that won’t kick you out if your dog refuses to straighten up and fly right.
