Updated for 2026 with current store policies verified through corporate sources and in-store visits.

Dog-Friendly Stores: Where to Shop With Your Pup

One of the unexpected pleasures of traveling with a dog is discovering which stores welcome your four-legged companion inside. Over the years, I have developed a mental map of dog-friendly retail chains that has become invaluable during road trips — whether I need hardware supplies, a new pair of shoes, or just somewhere air-conditioned to browse while my dog gets socialization practice.

This guide catalogs the major national chains and store types that allow dogs, organized by category. A critical disclaimer upfront: corporate pet policies and individual store policies are not always the same thing. A chain may have a corporate dog-friendly policy, but a specific franchise location may prohibit dogs due to local health regulations, landlord rules, or manager preference. The golden rule is always ask at the door before walking in with your dog.

National Chains That Allow Dogs

Home Improvement Stores

Home Depot Home Depot is the most reliably dog-friendly major retailer in America. While the company does not have an official, published corporate pet policy, the overwhelming majority of locations welcome leashed dogs. The wide aisles, concrete floors, and warehouse atmosphere make it one of the most comfortable stores to browse with a dog of any size.

• Policy: Unofficial but widely practiced; leashed dogs welcome at most locations
• Verified at: 40+ locations across 15 states (personal visits)
• Tips: Enter through the garden center for the widest aisles; large dogs are common here

Lowe’s Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s has an unofficial but widely practiced dog-friendly policy. Most locations welcome leashed dogs, and the shopping experience is nearly identical to Home Depot in terms of space and floor surface.

• Policy: Unofficial; varies by location
• Tips: Check with the greeter at the entrance; most will wave you through with a smile

Ace Hardware As a cooperative of independently owned stores, Ace Hardware policies vary by location. However, many Ace stores are dog-friendly, particularly in dog-loving communities. The smaller format means fewer dogs at once, which can be an advantage for reactive dogs.

Outdoor and Sporting Goods

Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s Both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s officially welcome leashed, well-behaved dogs. These stores celebrate outdoor culture, and dogs are very much part of that culture. The massive store layouts provide plenty of space, and employees are generally enthusiastic about canine visitors.

• Policy: Official corporate policy allows leashed dogs
• Special features: Some locations have dog wash stations, dog-friendly events, and even fish ponds that fascinate dogs

REI REI has an official dog-friendly policy at most locations, though some mall-based stores may be restricted by the mall’s rules. Freestanding REI locations almost universally welcome dogs.

• Policy: Official; leashed dogs welcome at most locations
• Tips: Great for trying on dog gear (boots, packs, harnesses) with your dog present

Tractor Supply Co. Tractor Supply is one of the most explicitly dog-friendly chains in America. They not only allow dogs — they celebrate them. Many locations have treat jars at the checkout and host pet adoption events.

• Policy: Official; dogs encouraged
• Tips: This is the most dog-enthusiastic retail chain I have visited

Clothing and Fashion

Nordstrom Nordstrom has a corporate policy that welcomes well-behaved, leashed dogs in their stores. This makes them one of the few high-end department stores that officially allows dogs.

• Policy: Official corporate policy
• Tips: Use the elevator rather than escalators with your dog

Free People Free People stores are generally dog-friendly, though policies can vary by location and mall restrictions.

Anthropologie Most Anthropologie locations welcome small, well-behaved dogs. The boutique-style layout means less space than big-box stores, so small dogs are more practical here.

Pet Stores (Obviously)

PetSmart Dogs are explicitly welcome and encouraged at all PetSmart locations. The store is designed for dogs, with treats available throughout and staff trained to interact with canine customers.

• Policy: Official; all dogs welcome
• Services: Grooming, vet clinics, training classes, adoption events

Petco Same as PetSmart — dogs are welcome and encouraged at all locations.

• Policy: Official; all dogs welcome
• Services: Similar to PetSmart with grooming, vet services, and training

Bookstores and Specialty

Barnes and Noble Barnes and Noble’s corporate policy is not officially dog-friendly, but many locations — particularly freestanding stores not inside malls — allow leashed dogs. This is highly location-dependent.

• Policy: Unofficial; varies significantly by location
• Tips: Call ahead; stores attached to cafes may have restrictions due to health codes

Pottery Barn / West Elm Many Pottery Barn and West Elm locations welcome dogs, which makes sense given that they sell dog beds and pet accessories.

• Policy: Unofficial but common
• Tips: Keep dogs on hard flooring and away from upholstered display items

Apple Stores

Apple Stores are generally dog-friendly, which is consistent with Apple’s overall company culture. Both mall-based and freestanding locations typically welcome leashed dogs.

• Policy: Unofficial but widely practiced
• Tips: The open floor plan and lack of merchandise on low shelves make Apple Stores comfortable for dogs

Stores That Do NOT Allow Dogs

For clarity, here are major chains where dogs are generally not permitted:

Store	Reason	Exception
Grocery stores (all)	Health code regulations	Service dogs only
Target	Corporate policy	Service dogs only
Walmart	Corporate policy	Service dogs only
Costco	Corporate policy	Service dogs only
CVS / Walgreens	Health code (pharmacy)	Service dogs only
Most restaurants (indoor)	Health code	Service dogs; patios may allow pets
Most clothing stores in malls	Mall policy	Varies by mall

Service dog exception: Service dogs are legally permitted in all public businesses under the ADA, regardless of pet policies. This applies only to trained service dogs, not emotional support animals.

Shopping Mall Policies

Shopping malls add a layer of complexity because the mall management sets building-wide rules that may override individual store policies. A store that is dog-friendly as a freestanding location may not allow dogs inside a mall.

Dog-friendly mall operators:

• Simon Property Group: Some Simon malls allow leashed dogs in common areas and stores. Check individual mall websites.
• Westfield: Policies vary by location; some Westfield malls are dog-friendly.
• Outdoor/lifestyle centers: Open-air shopping centers (like The Domain in Austin or Easton Town Center in Columbus) are more likely to be dog-friendly because there is no enclosed building.

Tips for mall shopping with dogs:

• Call the mall management office before visiting
• Open-air lifestyle centers are almost always more dog-friendly than enclosed malls
• Visit during off-peak hours (weekday mornings) for the most relaxed experience
• Keep your dog on a short leash in crowded areas

Why Dog-Friendly Stores Matter for Travelers

This information is not just about shopping — it is about practical travel logistics:

1. Emergency supplies. When you realize at 9 PM that you forgot your dog’s food and the nearest pet store is closed, knowing that Tractor Supply or Bass Pro Shops allows dogs means you can grab what you need without leaving your dog in the car.

2. Air conditioning. On hot road trip days, a 30-minute browse through Home Depot with your dog is a free way to cool down while stretching your legs.

3. Socialization. Dog-friendly stores provide controlled socialization environments with novel sounds, surfaces, and people. For puppies in their socialization window, a calm walk through a hardware store is valuable exposure.

4. Rainy day entertainment. When outdoor plans are rained out, wandering through dog-friendly stores provides mental stimulation for your dog and something to do for you.

5. Avoiding car time. The less time your dog spends alone in the car during a road trip, the better. Dog-friendly stores let you run errands without the anxiety of leaving your dog behind.

Etiquette for Shopping With Your Dog

Dog-friendly store policies exist because dog owners have historically been respectful. Maintain this standard:

1. Always ask first. Even at “known” dog-friendly stores, a quick “is it okay to bring my dog in?” at the entrance sets a respectful tone.

2. Keep your dog on a short leash. A 4-6 foot standard leash, not a retractable. Your dog should walk beside you, not explore independently down aisles.

3. Do not let your dog sniff or mark merchandise. This is the fastest way to get dogs banned from a store. If your dog lifts a leg near a display, you need to be positioned to redirect before it happens.

4. Clean up accidents immediately. Alert store staff if your dog has an accident so they can clean the area properly. Carry your own cleanup supplies.

5. Respect other shoppers. Not everyone wants your dog to approach them. Keep your dog close and do not assume everyone wants to pet them.

6. Leave if your dog is stressed. Whining, pulling, excessive panting, or cowering means your dog is not enjoying the experience. Cut the trip short.

7. Do not put your dog in a shopping cart. This is a health code issue in many jurisdictions, and it is unsanitary for the next person who uses the cart.

8. Tip well. If store staff goes out of their way to accommodate your dog — bringing water, offering treats, helping you find dog supplies — acknowledge their effort.

Regional Differences

Dog-friendly store culture varies significantly by region:

Most dog-friendly regions:

• Pacific Northwest (Portland, Seattle) — Dogs are welcome almost everywhere
• Colorado — Dog culture is deeply embedded in the outdoor lifestyle
• Austin, Texas — Self-described “most dog-friendly city in America”
• Northern California — Dog-friendly retail is the default, not the exception

Least dog-friendly regions (for retail):

• Southeast (outside major cities) — More conservative attitudes toward indoor dogs
• New York City — Space constraints limit which stores can accommodate dogs
• Strict health code states — Some states have more restrictive health code interpretations

A Note on Service Dogs vs. Pets in Stores

The ADA requires all public businesses to admit service dogs regardless of any pet policy. However, the increasing problem of pet owners misrepresenting their dogs as service dogs threatens both the rights of legitimate service dog handlers and the willingness of businesses to maintain dog-friendly policies.

If you have a pet (not a service dog), respect the distinction:

• Do not claim your dog is a service dog to gain access to non-dog-friendly stores
• Do not buy fake service dog vests or identification online
• Thank stores that voluntarily allow pets by being a model canine customer

Legitimate service dog handlers face enough access challenges without pet owners blurring the line. Be honest, be respectful, and patronize the stores that genuinely welcome your pet.

Final Thoughts

The list of dog-friendly stores is longer than most people realize, and it continues to grow as retailers recognize that pet owners are a valuable and loyal customer demographic. During travel, knowing which stores welcome your dog transforms errands from stress points into shared experiences. An afternoon browsing REI with your dog, picking out new gear for your next adventure together, is one of the small pleasures of the dog-friendly travel lifestyle.

Keep this guide bookmarked for your next road trip. And when in doubt, always ask — you will be surprised how often the answer is yes.

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