Does Lowes Allow Dogs

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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.

Lowes has an official dog policy, although it may be difficult for you to find. They state their policy is to allow service animals and other animals in the store. They allow you to bring your pets in the store as long as they are well behaved. They must also be on a leash, harnessed, or carried.

Clean Up After Your Pup

You’d think this one is common knowledge, but if your pup has an accident, clean up after them! If you need additional supplies, ask a Lowe’s associate. But as a better solution, avoid the situation altogether by giving your dog a potty break before heading inside. Woof to the wise: never forget your poop bags. They make extra trendy carriers these days.

We all like to take our dogs with use on outings, but it can be confusing trying to figure out where they are welcome. Beware of “dog friendly” lists online. While doing research, I found many companies that other sites claim are dog friendly, are not! For example, one site even claimed Bed, Bath, & Beyond had special dog shopping carts. I contacted the company and they had no idea what I was talking about regarding the carts, and said they only allow service animals.

Macy’s has a long history of being involved with pets. From donating window space at their San Francisco store to the local SPCA to their Petacular and Barkfast event held in NYC, they love pets. I took my puppy to Macy’s in Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA and was shocked at how dog savvy the manager was – he asked if he was friendly and then crouched low and to the side of my dog to greet him.

Lowes pet policy is not always enforced by management

So, why is the dog policy so confusing and applied differently from store to store? To find out, I spoke with some past and present employees to find out why the Lowes dog friendly policy is different depending on where you are.

Here’s what they told me in private messages on social media.

As you can see, many Lowes are very dog friendly, and it appears that not many of them will enforce the service dog policy.

FAQ

What is Lowes policy on dogs?

Service animals and pets are allowed in all US Lowe’s stores. In Canada, only service animals are permitted. According to their official handbook, being pet-friendly allows Lowe’s to reinforce their commitment to customer experience.

Are dogs allowed in Home Depot?

They explain that, “the official policy for Home Depot is that only service dogs are allowed in their stores. A service dog is a dog that is specifically trained to assist people, usually those with some sort of disability.” This all means that technically only service dogs are allowed, not even emotional support dogs.