Kicked out of W@lmart due to puppy!!!!

Seeing as we live in the middle of no-where, we drive 2hrs. once a month to go to town and get supplies. We had to bring our pup Hali with us as the trip takes most of the day and we don't want her messing in the house. Our car is not air-conditioned, and the tempreature was near 40C. We visited the mall and many other stores where everyone flocked around and visited Hali (extra bonus - SUPER sociolization opportunity!!!).

So my husband and I are just through the check-out of W@lmart (over $200!!! worth of stuff), and the greeter woman comes over to my husband. Now, he thought that she wanted to pet Hali (the cutest 7mo. old dapple mini doxie EVER!), well didn't she tell him "Get that DOG out of the store sir! Animals are not permitted in W@lmart!! I should have never let you come in the store with THAT!"!~OMG~! :eek: My husband who is the kind of person who gets on with everyone snapped and asked "Why?! There are no signs on the doors?!! She is under my arm and not making any fuss at all... why every sales person we saw in the store petted her and cooed over her...??!!!" The woman didn't give up she insisted that "People are allergic to dogs sir, they can get very sick!", my hubby replied, "Do you kick people out who come in wearing perfume? I am VERY allergic to perfume...?". Woman replies "But sir, that's different - get out!"!!!

MAN were we ticked!! I missed the first-hand encounter as I was buying a very healthy lunch of McD's to go... is she EVER lucky I wasn't there!!! Let her go and sit in a car for 5 min. in 40C, with the windows cracked an inch and see if she gets sick from it - never mind a 5lb puppy!!!!

I KNOW, I know, we should have called a manager, but hubby does not like confrontation and begged me not to. Perhaps he was afraid what I might say to him/her... Anyways, he is going to write a letter, and I too will have my say in it. I'll post any reply here for all to see how this GIANT company feels about animal cruelty, and if they do support it as we now believe. :evil:

Sorry for yet another rant from me - but that is just the way things seem to be going lately!!!

Kisses and belly-rubs to all of your furries!!!

I hate walmart, I took my mom and nan in there when they came from england. While there I opened a drink and it went everywhere, associates just walked past me, didnt even ask if i needed help or put a cone around the spill some women nearly slipped.
I went to the toilet to clean up and they were absolutly disgusting, there was a women in there with a baby she refused to change the baby because it was so unsanitary it smelt like human feces in there. I called one lady over and asked her to get the manager as i wanted someone to clean the toilets she told me i couldnt see the manager and that someone would come, no one did.
At the check out I boycotted and put everything on the converyer and told the girl i didnt want it.

THen my nan couldnt find her purse, she was panicking, (seriously shes miles from home with a lost purse with $400 and a credit card in it!!) I rushed to the front desk and asked the lady if i could call the store that we had been at previously to see if it was there before we went to the police station to report it lost. The women asked me the number and i said I did nt know could she call 411. she refused saying she could not call that number. I lost it I was like " my 75 year old grandmother who is 3000 miles from home has lost her spending money and credit card, hes $2 now call 411 for **** sake!! she finally called and they were no help at all. I refused after that day to return to Walmart.

PS - In a speeding cab on our way to police station Nana found her purse in her glasses case, she was lucky there was nothing sharp near me!!! LOL

I understand your frustration. There was another thread on here about whether ppl thought it was appropriate to being animals to shopping malls.
I'm sorry to say that, dogs are not accepted in most places. They did have the right to say they were not permitted. HOWEVER, should have done so in a nicer manner. dog. As well, your husband was correct about the perfume comment. Most stores have policies that their sales associates cannot wear perfume, but its hard to enforce on shoppers.
Sorry for your bad day, we all get them :(

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=14207&highlight=walmart+shopping

It includes my evils with walmart and puppies too..

Safyre - ..."I'm sorry to say that, they were correct in advising you to leave the store with the dog."...

Could you tell me ???WHY??? rather than making a comment like this and not backing up your opinion?

Very interested in your opinion....

Well, I don't know about Canadian Law, but I do know that in the U.S., having live animals in a retail facility that sells food is a MAJOR health code violation. While the greeter was rude and tactless, she was (or would have been here) 100% correct.

If you must take your pup, there are carry bags that you can find that look like large diaper bags. My mom has one for her Chi, that has a hook on the inside that attaches to the ring on his collar so that he can stick his head out and look around, but can't jump out. Teach the pup to ride in one of them and lay down and take a nap when in there. That way, you aren't bringing attention to the fact that you have just smuggled your pup somewhere that, maybe, he shouldn't be.

I'm not safyre but if a store carries food it's a health risk to have an animal in the store. I love animals but I would be uncomfertable buying food from a store that permitted animals.

As far as allergies my cousin for instance if she is even in the same room with a cat or dog she has a sevear athsma attack. She once had to be life flighted to a hospital because of it, she nearly died.

I would suggest crate training your pup. since you only go once a month it's not like she would be in the crate all the time. It would keep her out of trouble at home this way. And if she would need let out maybe have a neighbor or friend come over to watch her for a bit. Worst comes to worst either you or your husband could take turns going and one stay with the puppy.

Stores have the right to not allow you if you have a pet, it's that simple. Even moreso we shouldn't expect that they would allow us into their establishment with our pets. In addition as LavR points out it is a public health issue as they serve food there as well.

Almost every retailer has signs posted and just because they don't doesn't give us the right to feel we can intrude in their store with our dogs.

I understand you situation but it's not 'their' situation. It may be a good idea to next time perhaps have someone puppy sit for you. That way you dont have to worry about this sort of thing, you can take your time and pup can have some fun at a friends :D

Ok I understand Your thing about your doxie but here is something. Why should you be allowed to bring in your little dog and i cant bring my well behaved pit bull or boxer? Its cause all stores clearly say no dogs unless they are seeing eye dogs.

And I agree with the perfume thing but its so hard especially when walmart sells perfume. there is also a problem with alot of shampoos and conditioners and stuff like that as they have alot of perfumey stuff.

Can you not have one of you stay home? or put her in a spare room?

Or even a crate? I know some people dont like crates but its a safe place for the dog and less area to clean up?

I'm sorry that my comment upset you. I feel that my comment has since been explained by other posters (thank you all)
I will repeat them, as you asked for me to respond:
It is a health concern for those who are allergic, or those with asthma. As well, since Wal mart doe sell food products, it would be a helath code violation.

You asked what I would propse you do the next time:
I would suggest leaving your dog at home. You have stated that she is 7 months, typically a 7 month old puppy can hold their bladder for 8 hours. If you do not want her left alone, I agree with the suggestion by Luba that you hire a dog sitter for that time.

I did not, nor would EVER suggest that you leave your dog in an unattended vehicle, regardless of the tempature.

Maybe you could leave some paper on the floor and sort of "train" her to use it so when you're gone the mess won't be everywhere. Make sure she's got some toys or chewbones to keep her occupied. Or if you don't want to leave your dog alone maybe just one of you could make the trip. Just some ideas until you can talk with Wal*Mart and maybe if you explain your situation (the long drive, the money you spend, dog's temperment, etc...) they would make an exception? (I wouldn't hold my breath) But it could be it's just a liability and people might complain they're afraid of being bitten. YOU know your dog but other's don't. So I kind of see both sides. I'm sure you were offended and shocked, I believe the greeter could have handled it more tactfully, but she was probably just doing her job. (Albeit rudely)
Where do you live, btw? Is there a Petco or similar pet store you could go to instead? Well, good luck. I have to say though that I've seen some people in stores that maybe should've been kicked out... :crazy: LOL. Sounds like your dog behaves better than my children sometimes!! Hope you can get this worked out.

This "greeter lady" certainly didn't have to be rude. A simple, "I'm sorry but pets are not permitted here" would have been enough.

"Do you kick people out who come in wearing perfume? I am VERY allergic to perfume...?".

Me too, especially in a restaurant when you have to eat someone's perfume along with your meal. :mad:

At least you can go back to the middle of no-where and get away from the idjits.

I'm jealous.

Hi all,

I understand the food-related concern. This particular store only carries a small food section, and it is all in boxes/pre-fab items (eg. ketchup, chips, bbq sauce, milk, cheeze slices, fruit roll-ups, etc.), so if there was going to be an iota of chance of contamination from ANYTHING it would have come from the factory where it was made. I am unaware of any legislation in Canada that prohibits pets from public places... actually I know the grocery stores where I used to live permitted even large dogs to accompany their owners through the store. Seeing the large dogs made me think "this isn't right", however (my luck) a tiny thing tucked under an arm ends up causing a stir.

When we have to buy groceries from the grocery store I sit on a bench in the mall, outside of the store with Hali on my lap. I would not take her into a place where open food is kept out of common courtesy... Even though she is a regularly groomed pup.

In the past we have always used the carrying bag smuggle manouver. However it was too hot for that today, so we opted to go with the bare-carry technique instead... my husband isn't too thrilled when he gets to carry the lepoard-print baggie... so I REALLY enjoy using it! Heeheehee...

Hali freaks out when she gets put in a crate. She barks and froths so much so that after 2min. she is soaked with slobber. I have tried getting her used to it slowly, and seems she just refuses to relax in there.

We just moved to this small town and are getting to know people slowly... mostly through my grooming. We don't know anyone well enough yet to intrust them with our baby, or trust to enter our home unsupervised.

We have really tried to think of alternatives here, but to no avail. I soppose we could have boarded her for the day in town, but then we are basically throwing away our money, on top of her being yet in another crate-like, freak out situation. There is always the option of drugging her and leaving her in the crate/boarding... but then I am REALLY not a fan of that.

So far one of us staying home is looking like the only viable option - and it would be me :( .

Please if you have any other ideas - do share!!! :fingerscr

p.s. I am sorry about your cousin Jackie, however it sounds like she'd have an attack if she walked by me or my hubby - I groom in the laundry room so there are always hairs on us, our clothes, in my purse, stuck in my skin like slivers, etc... sometimes I think more on us than the dogs I groom!

You may just get to know someone you really like and trust and then you'll have a great option.

She didnt need to be rude but in Ontario dogs are not allowed in most places,stores,restaurants,grocery stores,go transit.Service dogs are different.Safest bet is to assume unless it is a pet store that allows it, that your dog will not be allowed.And you will have to do what the rest of us do,and either crate,leave in a safe room in the house,stay home with the dog or make other arrangements.

The closest center is Timmins and unfortunately there are no large pet stores there.

lol @ db7!!! Ya, I love getting away from here... but today (for once) it was nice to get home again!

Thanks for the suggestion, but no go for the paper-training... I don't want my other 2 picking up deficating inside as acceptable!

And to Boxer... If your dog is walking around it has all of the opportunity to bother people by jumping up, sticking it's nose where it does not belong, licking, taking things off of shelves, etc. Now I am not saying that your large dog would do any of these things, however if you can put your dog in a bag or under your arm then they truly can not attempt any of this secnerios.... or god forbid deficate in the store!

And that would be unfair to only allow small dogs.

I am not sure where you are at, but I know that every wal mart I have been too and every mall I have been to have it clearly posted on the doors that animals are not permitted ( unless they are service dogs).
It is a health code violation and I think you did mention that you were getting food at Mc D`s which means that food was being served at that particular location. Unfortunately, that means that dogs,( other than service animals) would not be permitted.
I also agree that if they are to permit small dogs in the store then they would have to permit others. I would not consider taking my dogs into the mall or into the Walmart around here only because I know that it would probably would not be permitted or appreciated by others.
Not everyone shares our love of our pets, and some people can be really rude.
As for solutions to the situation, I would take the advice from the others here and either find a crate and a sitter, or have one of you stay with her. It isn`t the best solution but I am pretty sure it beats the alternative.

Sorry that the greeter was rude about the situation, it may have been her job I just don`t think she handled it correctly. If anything, I would write a letter explaining how she handled the situation.
Please check the doors on the wal mart next time you are there, I would be surprized if you didn`t find the signs there about not allowing pets other than service animals. Again sorry for the way you were treated. That was wrong.

DogueL - Please don't appologize for Walmart. I appreciate that everyone has encountered an outragously rude person at some point in their life, but please do not appologize for mine!!

And as stated in my first post - there are no signs indicating that dogs are not allowed.

The bit about McD's - Hali was nowhere near the restaraunt (like nearly a football field away) - hence my not being immediately present at the confrontation.

I really don't see how only allowing small dogs, at the very least contained would be unfair... Perhaps it's just something in my head but I would NEVER bring my larger dog (Petey) into a store - unless it's a pet-specific store. I guess if I got one of those new doggie strollers with the zipper screen closure thing - size large - I'd consider it...

...I change my stand - not small dogs, but "contained dogs" should be allowed in stores!!! Regardless of size - if the dog is securely contained in a carrier of some sort there should be no issue with it! AAAAaaaahhhh if only to live in a perfect world.... :rolleyes:

That is a joke right :confused:

:confused:

Dogs aren't allowed in stores. I really can't believe you don't know that and that you didn't know it when you brought her in. Like LL1 said other dog owners deal with it - crates, petsitters. I'm sorry but I have a hard time believing the greeter handled it the way you say she did. I don't think your letter will be effective because it's not even logical to say they support cruelty to animals - like the people here they will know that you could've left the dog at home or just had one of you wait outside with her. It was your choice to take your dog shopping.

I'm not trying to dog you but you sound like you feel you have the right to bring your dog wherever you want. The less considerate pet owners make it harder for all pet owners. Dogs can poo or pee when they're being carried. What if she threw up? Fine you have allergens on you but that's not an excuse to bring a dog into a place where people who are allergic, afraid of dogs, or who just don't like them have just as much a right to be there as you do. Walmart isn't a place for dog socializing or showing off cute puppies.

It seems to be that some small dog owners have a sense of entitlement, like they are above the rules, and I think it was inconsiderate to bring your dog into Walmart in the first place, and nervey to complain that you someone said something. People who walk to stores with dogs shop all the time and take turns shopping while the other stays outside with the dog. Of course you'd prefer to shop together but if you won't leave the dog at home then you can't. You yourself say you don't think the other poster's boxer or pitbull should be in the store. Sorry but I think that's hypocritical and discriminatory - laws and rules are there for everyone and no dogs allowed means ALL dogs have to stay outside.

lol... and if it's not...???

Consider it - a dog in a carrier poses fewer risks to an establishment and it's patrons than a dog that's just on a leash running around...

:confused:

I'm sorry but I don't think the issue at all here is the dog. You started off saying you were basically forced to bring the dog with you but it's pretty obvious that the real issue is you feel you have the right to bring your dog places dogs aren't allowed.

You don't have to like the laws or the policies of any given business but just because you think you should be allowed to do something doesn't make it so. Personally I can't believe you seriously can't see how you sound. You have an answer for everything and you don't even seem to be reading what you write. Now you're saying they should be allowed if they're "contained" (and how does that solve the issues brought up???). Hello?? Your dog was not contained, you just carried her in.

Thank you for attacking me Doggirl. Thank you for calling my husband a liar and both of us stupid. I believe that posters in this fourm are encouraged to be polite to one another.

My saying they support creulty to animals is straight forward - When it's 30C outside you do not leave your dog in the car.

I am NOT a "less considerate" pet owner. Thank you for your accusation. If you were familiar with my posts on this fourm you would realize this.

There are all types of people all places on earth - not just Walmart. This situation has nothing to do with "showing off a cute puppy.". It's all about the all around situation (refer to other posts for details).

I'd thank you not to attack me again. You are not "dogging on me"... you are attacking.

Doggirl, I am not going to grace your last reply with a response.
Pease don't post to me in this thread anymore.


ADDED BY MARKO ADMIN - This post should have been sent by PM.
To the OP - Posters do not OWN their threads, this is a forum and many people have different opinions and are free to post them as long as the rules are followed.

Like the Walmart greeter attacked you? It seems that anyone who stands up to you is attacking you. I said how I feel but you're the one who sounds out of control and hostile.

Saying you were inconsiderate to bring a dog into Walmart isn't an "attack".

I've been in public service long enough to have seen this many times. Some people are just difficult and think they're above the rules. Then when they are called on it they divert attention away from what THEY did to what the person who called them on it did, and blow it out of proportion, and make themselves out to be the victim.

You won't listen to anything anyone is telling you, and you're still saying they support animal cruelty, and still haven't said why one of you couldn't have stayed outside with the dog, and what I said still stands - this doesn't seem to be about the dog but about you thinking you don't have to follow the same rules everyone else does. I don't think you're ever going to admit you were wrong to bring a dog somewhere they're not allowed, much less understand it, so you keep doing whatever you want, and getting mad at the people around you when this doesn't work out for you.

:eek: You're telling me not to post???

I hate to break it to you but this is a public forum. If you don't want to know how people feel about your experience bringing a dog into Walmart then maybe posting the story on an internet forum isn't the best idea. You want the rest of the world to welcome you and your dog wherever you want to bring her but you can't even tolerate someone voicing a difference of opinion to you. Wow.

Gee, only Petsmart and other pet stupid stores allow pets in the stores too here. Wal marts will turn anyone away with a pet at the door and I agree with the policy.

Libility and health reasons. Humanize your pet, strap them into a child seat and take them shopping...do you really think they enjoy this?

Do you think other shoppers do? How would you feel if you cost some people their jobs? These people may have pets to feed also.

Think twice before you flaunt Fluffy.

Did anyone read the new anouncements section on rudeness to other posters? mod where are you?

Lorax is only venting and whether she is right or wrong is neither here nor there, Im sure we have all had bad days.

I think the point she is trying to make is that the greeter did not need to be rude.

I take my chihuahua to Wal-Mart with me all the time. She sits in the diaper bag with the zipper open. The greeters and employees all love her. However, we do not go into the food section with her or take her out of the diaper bag while we're there. Our Wal-Mart does not have a "no pets sign" - the sign simply reads "service dogs welcome". I figure she's doing her service as our companion :p Honestly though, if someone asked us to leave, we would and I wouldn't have the guts to bring her back in. So far we've been lucky.

My Brother on the other hand straps his chihuahua into the baby seat and walks right in. The greeters/employees love her too!!

And as for service dogs - I saw a border terrier with a "guide dog in training" vest on at Wal-Mart just the other day. Cute little guy, but made me wonder if they stole the vest from a lab puppy LOL.

Jenny

I brought Missie into Walmart once. Took me almost 2 hours to get out of there. Missie looked like a Gund plush toy and napped in my arms pretty much the whole time i was there. Every little old lady and kid wanted to see her. The Walmart greeter even thought she was cute. Our mall has a no dog policy also but security says if the dog is contained either in a carrier or a carry bag , no problem. As long as the dog does not touch the floor.
I see lots of small toy dogs in the mall and stores, but they are always in a carrier of some sort.

My saying they support creulty to animals is straight forward - When it's 30C outside you do not leave your dog in the car.


I went back with your posts and did not see where they suggested any animal cruelty.
Did the greeter actually tell you to leave the dog in your car?
If yes, then, that does need to be mentioned in a letter.
If no, she didn't say those exact words "leave your dog in the car" then, I don't believe they were promoting animal cruelty, and I don't believe saying so in a letter would be appropriate.

It all has to do with perspective, thats all.

in one of those 'puppy sacks' at the check-out. (Ancaster Walmart) No one booted her out. (tiny Poodle x Shi Tzue) But I did she a handicapped woman get booted out of Zellers with a small dog in her scooter carrier. 'Customer objection' said the store manager.

I would be calling the manager of that store. You are right! There are no signs on Walmart entrances to say "No Dogs Allowed". The greeter's tone & attitude sound very unprofessional & out of line. They could have taken you aside quietly & mentioned store policy. (if in fact it is store policy)

I have to check out the post above with the WalMart dislikes. I hate them myself. (Like what ever happened to their 3 items or less check outs, & their cash only cheque outs?!)

I was in Walmart @ Limeridge Mall last December & was stopped coming Into the store. During Xmas, Easter, Mom's Day, the 'alarms' advising you to 'Return to the store" go off several times a minute in all WalMarts. Which is the fishing expedition method of catching shop lifters, I guess...we are all suspects-?
So I guess they thought I was trying to smuggle stuff Into :crazy: the store? Anyway I went nuts about this & found that almost 5000 people had been stopped on a list that the greeters had collected. I don't know over what period of time this list covered but...
:mad: FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE stopped & checked for no real reason!!? :mad:

Having worked at a Walmart (ugh, worst job ever!) I do know that most Walmarts do not have a "NO PETS" sign, but they do have a "Service Animals Welcome" sign. Most people, however, leave their pets at home out of respect for people who do not have them.

I do feel badly for the greeter, I spent a large part of my day trying to keep people who went to Petsmart from dragging their animals into our store. Especially when they let them drink out of the fountains! (Despite the fact that we put bleach in our fountains to help clean them. And I told them that.)

Ultimately, it's a safety measure for other customers, for your animal, and for Walmart itself.

Hi All,
Just wanted to mention that the laws about dogs not being allowed in stores is pretty much only enforced in North America.
There are many other countries across the world where animals are treated with much more respect than North American countries do.(italy for one allows pets on leashes in open air markets, most stores except clothing stores for obvious hair reasons)
I feel very sorry that we North Americans havent learned that Animals are just as important on this planet as people are. Man is NOT the measure of all things after all.
However, we are a very very young continent, and perhaps when we reach the age of the rest of the world in a couple hundred thousands years we will grow up. :evil:

Before this gets out of hand again, we shall consider this conversation over.