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Just a heads up that Canadian Tire no longer allows pets inside the store unless they are muzzled "due to recent events". I am not opposed to any dog being muzzle trained but I know very few people do it. A loss to the pet community as we have very limited places to socialize our dogs.

Take your dog to a dog park or doggy daycare. I don’t think Canadian Tire is a place to socialize your dog.

I don’t think anyone is taking their dog to Canadian tire to socialize. Nor should they

Socializing a dog is more than letting your dog play with other dogs. Among other things, it allows the dog to be in a variety of places and to observe different humans/animals without actually being forced to interact. I do not socialize at dog parks because years ago my young dog was attacked in a park (not in Brandon) and had to have stitches just below her eye. The owner took zero responsibility and left the park with her dog. I find that people are more inclined to be on their phones or socializing with other humans than watching their dogs to ensure appropriate behaviours.  
 
I like to take my dog to Winners, Home Depot and pet stores around town. Here's a list of things I found that I try to do with my older girl, and now with my puppy. https://ultimatepuppy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ultimatepuppy_social_schedule_NEW_02.pdf  
 
Edited by Trustfall, 2023-09-15 13:04:21

I have lived in many countries and traveled to many more. I am in awe of the dog culture in Canada (and US) and find it so particularly perplexing how offended people get when situations, such as this, comes up… Same idea as if I say “I don’t really like dogs” people look like I’ve grown a second head…. Can someone please explain to me the seemingly vast obsession that people have with dogs here? It’s really does blow my mind.

i also don't understand what the "obsession" is and why non service dogs aren't being left at home

Having only lived in Canada and travelled in North America, I can't answer why we are "obsessed" with our dogs. I just know that I like a well trained dog and socializing is part of that training. I have no desire for a "guard dog" or to have to ensure that my dogs are never around people or other dogs. My older dog is a bit dog reactive since her dog park attack so I'm extra careful to not let her interact with dogs we do not know or have not been properly introduced to. It's for her safety and the other dogs' safety.

There is legitimately no reason for a non-service dog to be in a store. The dog isn't buying anything.  
 
I have a legitimate discomfort around dogs because many owners don't control them, ignore bylaws, let them off leash to chase and jump on me only for me to be told "don't worry, he/she won't bite you"  
 
Yeah, ok... So you say. But I don't want your dog scratching me, chasing me, or frankly anywhere near me.  
 
I don't get North American dog culture one bit. All animals are potentially unpredictable and should be under the absolute control of their owners at all times. Period. I wish all stores would simply ban non-service dogs.

I hear your concerns which are valid of course but many people form a strong friendship or bond with their pets considering them to be family, admittedly I am guilty but I also wouldn’t take my dog into a store in Brandon. Of course there has to be limits and if someone is uncomfortable with a dog around then that is an issue.  
On the other side of the coin animals can indeed be unpredictable but increasingly I think other humans are even more unpredictable, not acting responsibly around others and just as likely if maybe more likely to present a risk. In most cases of animals attacking humans it is human actions one way or another (poor owners or people putting themselves in a poor position) that cause the attack. The adage (“if my dog trusts you then I can too” indeed rings true. They have a remarkable sense of such things. What do you think?  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2023-09-15 14:31:26

I believe Home Hardware has a sign at the entrance that says dogs are allowed, I understand your concern is about Canadian Tire just thought I'd share a possible alternative for you.  
 
I have no opinion for or against dogs being allowed in stores in general, just wanted to share.

I do go to Home Hardware. Thank you for  
reaching out!

I can totally appreciate your concerns and I have been places where people are not comfortable with dogs. I never allow my dog to approach anyone unless they ask to pet her. She is trained to keep all 4 paws on the floor and she is kept on a short leash beside me. I always keep an eye on people and if I notice someone who looks like they are ready to find an escape, I find one myself so they can continue on. I like to have the ability to take my dogs places where I have control over them. They are never allowed to leave my side (except in pet stores where I allow them to browse for their own toys). I know it sounds nutty!

It sounds like you are a very responsible dog owner. If more people were like you, I'd have no issues at all. Too many people have a sense of entitlement with their dogs and feel absolutely certain that their dog would never ever hurt anyone.  
 
If all dog owners were like you I'd have no discomfort.  
 
Sadly the number of times dogs, especially large dogs, have sprinted toward me and then scratched me as they jump on me has made me really uneasy around them. It's really tough to gauge an unknown dog's intention as it runs toward you, and I feel like not enough dog owners understand it's actually painful to have them claw even when it's playful to the dog. The experience can be especially terrifying for young children, and a lot of dog owners can't seem to grasp that concept.  
 
A lot of people also don't appreciate the risk they are creating for their beloved dog. I almost always err on the side of the dog probably won't really hurt me... But if someone perceives things differently and defends themselves that's on the owner.  
 
Just because someone loves their dog and "knows" it would never hurt anyone, doesn't mean it should ever be outside their control or that anyone else wants to be chased or touched by it.

or another other animal unless they are a real service animal should not be allowed in any store other than maybe a pet store.  
Real service animals are the only animals that should be allowed in stores. Real service animals are well trained and doing a needed service. They are not the animal that is wearing a fake online ordered vest to try and pretend that they are a working animal.  
I was in CT in Selkirk last week and there where dogs in the checkout line sniffing and poking at food in the alley to the tills. not very sanitary  
I personally tend to avoid stores that allow animals. I will try other stores first, maybe others should do the same.  
 
While shopping I do not want to be wondering if that dog is going to jump on me, scratch me, bite me etc. I am in the store to potentially spend money and wondering about dogs makes me less likely to spend money in that store.  
 
I know there will be people that say my animal is always under control and behaves etc. Well you are in the minority. LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS AT HOME.  
 
Edited by floyd2, 2023-09-15 15:31:30

I agree 100%. There are enough bad dog owners that it's makes sense to disallow dogs most places. I'm a dog owner, and while my dog is well-behaved and reasonably well-trained, I also would never dream of taking him someplace like a hardware store. We tried the pet store (Pet Warehouse) a few times and it was enough to teach me that it isn't a good idea.  
 
Most dog owners are like drivers- we all think we're better than average, when really a full half of us, by definition, are worse than average.

Statistics is my weak spot, but I'm pretty sure that's not the definition of average

I find it amazing-and annoying-how people think their dogs should go everywhere with them. Had a friend in the US who got abusive to anyone who disagreed with her that her dog should be allowed even in restaurants.  
 
I have dogs but they are farm/guard dogs. I do not take them to stores to socialize them-I teach them to ignore dogs unless one comes on my property, and I expect them to be unfriendly to everyone who is not immediate family. They are not aggressive, but they are also not friendly and that's the way I like them. They stay home watch the place when I go shopping.

A few months back my daughter and I were enjoying a shopping trip to Winners, until a woman carrying her little dog in her jacket came into the store. After continuing to bark incessantly in the skincare spot, the owner put it down and it crapped right there in the shampoo isle. It stunk and an employee of the store was the person who picked it up and had to spot wash the floor. Certainly took away from our experience there, but worse, I felt for the employee who cleaned it up. Why can’t people just leave their pets at home, really? You can still be a good pet owner without having to take them shopping with you. Personally, I fully support and appreciate the fact that Canadian Tire isn’t willing to put up with this “crap” anymore.

I’ve never understood this, aside from working dogs of course. Who decided it was okay for dogs but not cats? Why not bring your pet snake? Pet bird? Does your pet frog want to go on an outing too? Just so odd to me why dogs are the “chosen” ones lol  
 
Don’t even get me started on dogs that are allowed to be loose in the vehicles….I don’t even have or really like dogs but even I can see how dangerous that would be for your fur baby! Makes no sense to me…but that’s becoming more common these days haha

Guy today had his two little poodle type dogs all bundled up with a mat as a bed in one of the small shopping carts doing his shopping. He walked in right in front of me and I kinda thought it was strange. I agree, leave your dogs at home. I understand loving your pets but don’t expect everyone else to love them being everywhere.

Yeah, I guess it's your weak spot. That's not a technically correct definition of average but it's pretty much correct, most of the time. Or at least close enough to be practically true. To be precise, it's the definition of median. But most people don't use that word. 'Average' is a general term that refers to several different measures but people mostly mean 'arithmetic mean' which is not the same as 'median' unless the distribution is symmetrical, which means there are about the same number of cases above the average as below it - i.e. half and half. Meaning you can pretty much think of average as being in the middle. Yeah, more than you wanted to know, I'm sure. I can't help it.

In my view, service dogs should be the only animals allowed inside retail stores. Socializing with dogs is great, but keep it to open spaces, and dog owners can deal with risks of dog disagreements on their own terms.  
 
I like animals and love to befriend them, but I never impose my view of animals (pets) on others, and certainly never in tight spaces.

We were camping this summer at Bird's Hill and went to PineRidge Hollow and they have a minimall there with shops selling slightly above average priced goods and there were two women, one with a dog(not a service dog) and at each store the one without would go in and ask if it was ok for the dog to come in. I was shocked that all the stores we were in when they came would allow the dog, which was no poodle, think it was more of a black lab in size. One swipe with it's tail and there goes a few hundred dollars smashing to the floor! I couldn't understand why not leave the dog at home instead of bringing it to a place like that. I like dogs, but as someone said, they aren't shopping nor paying, so why be in the store?? Also, who knows what might set a dog off in a store, there are so many things that could irritate it and make it be aggressive.

In my industry, people are more likely to say median than mean, so average would be assumed to be mean. It's good to know that it is ambiguous, and I should probably start using mean more, though I've never seen it used as a verb.

As it seems this thread has evolved out of the original scope of your question.  
 
For everyone with strong opinions about keeping dogs out of stores, I will provide a retail employee's perspective. Dogs are allowed in stores because we can not actually tell whether an animal is a service animal or not. It is a legal liability for the store (especially corporate chains) to tell people they cannot bring an animal into the store. We can not request to see documentation or papers, and there are unmarked service animals, therefore all dogs are permitted. I'm not sure how Canadian Tire is going to enforce their new policy.  
 
I'd argue that the discussion about poorly behaved dogs as well as people's inability to take criticism about their terrible dogs are separate topics of discussion.

Wow...this thread has been awesome in explaining why people are not always on board with dogs being in stores. I wil continue to take my dogs to places but only because I don't let me dog interact with another human (unless they ask) and I never allow my dogs to interact with another dog regardless of whether their human asks or not. And I never take both dogs at the same time so I can ensure I have full control over the situation. I can appreciate that no everyone likes dogs and it is always okay for you to ask someone to keep their dog away from you (however, I think it's their responsibility to ensure their dog is close to them and within their control).  
 
I also heard that it was a store employee that was bitten and I hope that person is okay. I've been bitten once by a stranger's dog and I know it hurts a lot!

It's true, an employee was bitten. They are doing fine now, but this is the chance you take with stuff like this. It only takes one cowardly idiot to ruin it for everyone.  
 
Edited by Simonwalcal, 2023-09-18 22:01:18

I can feel for Canadian Tire if an employee was bitten as they are probably required to fill out forms with workers compensation, safety, etc. and maybe facing fines for unsafe workplace.  
 
The owner of the dog should be facing some repercussions as well. 40 years ago we had an excessive amount of nosey people going through our farm yard checking out storm damage and a new building being built and our dog finally lost it and bit someone. They went to the hospital and hospital had to report it to RCMP. RCMP came out and told us we either had to keep dog tied up or destroyed. We had to destroy it because this dog had never been tied up in her life.  
 
If kids can't take peanut butter sandwiches to school because of allergies so same could be said about people with dog allergies in public places. Unless the dog allergy is an excuse for people to not get a dog .

As a policy writer myself, it can be difficult for an organization to draw a line with a store policy and be able to stick with it fairly.  
 
When it comes to allowing pets, a store has to be careful with establishing rules, because not all dogs are the same. And if you set a store policy allowing dogs you run the risk of having a situation where your small shih tzu has a run-in with an aggressive Pitbull.  
 
As soon as you start excluding certain breeds in favor of others you run the risk of being labeled as discriminating. It's just easier to disallow pets all together to avoid both a battle between pets, and with pet owners.

My daughter has a year & 1/2 old st.bernard! He is a WONDERFUL guy! Unfortunately he has separation anxiety so we take him with us whenever we can. He loves everybody & everyone loves him! He regularly visits at a care home, peavy mart, pet smart & used to at Canadian tire. It is truly unfortunate that someone was bitten at Canadian tire! A very irresponsible dog owner! If your dog is not socialized well, you shouldn't be putting people in harm's way & ruining it for everyone else! If anyone has info on who this woman was, Canadian tire would like to know.