An open letter to businesses with roaming “shop dogs”
Earlier this year I went to the dentist and was unexpectedly greeted by one of the doctor’s labradors. He was a super friendly pup—and looked adorable curled in a waiting room chair—but I had no idea a dog might approach me there.
I’ve had similar experiences at breweries, wineries, and a couple other stores.
A private business has the right to do almost whatever they want on their own property. If an owner or employee has a dog who genuinely enjoys being in the workplace (and doesn’t violate local health codes or regulations)? More power to them!
That said: I wish it was the norm to let visitors know ahead of time that there might be a loose dog present.
I say this as the owner of a fearful heeler who doesn’t want to be surprised, the friend of service dog teams whose safety can be at risk if they’re ambushed, and the loved one of people who aren’t comfortable around dogs.
Why letting visitors know about shop dogs ahead of time is important for safety and comfort
As much as I might enjoy being greeted by a shop pup when I’m out on my own—I was particularly in heaven when we met the cutest brewery pomeranian at one of our Harvest Hosts a while back—I recognize those interactions can cause real harm if there’s no chance to prepare.
Not every person is comfortable around loose dogs
We live in a world where memes about how “if you don’t like dogs I don’t like you” abound on the internet. (I admit I’ve laughed at variations myself before.)
But in all seriousness, it’s perfectly reasonable for someone to not enjoy an approach from an animal they don’t know. I’ve met people who are nervous around canines after getting bitten or watching someone they love get hurt. Some folks haven’t had many experiences around dogs at all. Others have had only frustrating, negative encounters. The list goes on.
While it was initially hard to accept as an over-the-top dog lover, I’ve come to realize that not everyone feels safe or able to relax around pets they’ve never met before—especially 1) if the dogs are running around loose, and 2) in environments that can be stressful on their own already (like waiting for a medical appointment).
Not wanting to be greeted by unfamiliar dogs does not mean someone hates animals. It does not mean they’re a bad person. It simply means they have a personal preference… like we all do about certain things.
Some people are allergic to dogs
Aside from general discomfort, there are medical reasons some people don’t want to interact with random dogs. Most allergic reactions to pets aren’t life threatening but they can still be serious (and seriously unpleasant). Knowing what to expect ahead of time can prevent intense symptoms from derailing someone’s whole day.
Not every dog wants to interact with other pets
Some of the places that seem most likely to have shop dogs are pet friendly across the board. It makes sense on the surface. In an establishment that clearly welcomes dogs, no one should be surprised to see a canine wandering about!
But issues arise when some dogs roam loose (and approach anyone who enters) while others are leashed (and don’t want to interact). This unnatural social situation can make pets feel trapped… and exacerbate fear- and frustration-related reactions.
One anecdotal experience with dog reactivity
My own cattle dog is uncomfortable around dogs she doesn’t know. Found as a stray around two years old, she was nervous to start with at the shelter—and then she was pinned to the sidewalk by an out-of-control dog shortly after I brought her home. All these variables stacked up to create some pretty intense fear-based dog reactivity. For years she’d defensively bark, growl, and lunge at other animals to “stay away”.
We’ve since trained a lot to help Scout feel better about the world around her. She’s passed her Canine Good Citizen test, successfully been a foster sister, completed group classes, and more. Reactivity isn’t our main focus today!
But the idea of being surprised by loose shop dogs on an outing still gets to me.
Scout is well trained and not disruptive. She has every right to enjoy public environments with us even if she doesn’t want to directly interact with other dogs. (I mean, I don’t want random strangers to hug me on the street, either.) If we go into a situation expecting there to be leash guidelines in place but then are ambushed by a shop dog? It can ruin that single outing and set our whole training process back.
Speaking of training: Pet-friendly stores, coffee shops, breweries, and so on have been integral environments for us to work on Scout’s confidence and impulse control. I’ve had some folks say things like “if your dog isn’t friendly / isn’t trained, you just shouldn’t take them out in public” to which I reply “how am I supposed to work on my dog’s behavior if there aren’t any safe pet-friendly places to practice with her?”
Dogs are differently social, and that’s okay
Not every dog wants to say hello to every other dog. Varying levels of sociability do not mean canines aren’t fit to be in public. Having a clear idea of what to expect can help handlers make good decisions for everyone involved!
Loose shop dogs can interfere with service dog tasks
Well-trained service dogs should be able to handle a lot of things. Seeing other animals is an inevitable part of helping their handlers through the world.
But it’s unreasonable to expect a service dog to completely ignore a shop dog running right up to them—especially if the greeting is intense and unexpected. While working dogs are incredible, they aren’t robots. There’s a reason we teach kids not to distract SDs from their tasks. The same etiquette should apply to our pets!
I think this is especially important in environments where handlers might already be on edge. While waiting for an appointment, a service dog team deserves to relax… not constantly scan their surroundings.
Why letting visitors know about loose dogs ahead of time is good for your business
Being clear about whether or not you have a shop dog present isn’t just kind to your patrons. It’s good for your organization’s reputation and ultimate bottom line!
You can show patrons you’re conscientious
As mentioned above, I’m not at all “against” shop dogs. But I am far more likely to support a business that takes care to make sure visitors have a good experience without unexpected encounters! A little forethought goes a long way.
You can ensure service dog handlers feel welcome
No business wants to be inaccessible. Considering the experience of service dog handlers—and setting up your environment to respect working dogs—can help everyone feel safe visiting your establishment.
You can avoid negative reviews or potential legal problems
Whenever I visit a place that has a surprise shop dog, I include it in my Google Review. It’s the kind of information I’d want someone else to tell me before visiting.
Some patrons may be more or less unsettled by an unfamiliar dog’s approach… so the exact tone of these reviews can vary. If a guest has a bad experience, chances are it’s going online for all to see.
And in some cases—like if your shop dog interferes with a service dog’s tasks or otherwise harms a visitor—you could face legal liability. It’s better to just avoid any of those outcomes outright.
How can you take a few simple steps to give your guests a better experience?
Low-effort actions could make visits more predictable and comfortable for everyone involved.
Let visitors know ahead of time if there might be a loose dog inside
Consider implementing:
A large, clear sign on your business’s front door
An email that goes out with appointment reminders
A short message on your website
A protocol to ask guests if they’ll be visiting with a service dog and let them know how you’ll accommodate their medical equipment under the ADA (especially relevant for any sort of medical offices like the dentist who initially inspired this post or other establishments with reservations)
Keep shop dogs tethered or contained behind a gate unless someone asks for a greeting
Perhaps the most foolproof way to be respectful to your visitors: Don’t let shop dogs approach anyone—human or canine—without permission.
Many businesses successfully gate employee dogs around the front desk, cash register, or in another separate area. You can set up a leash system where shop pups are available for greetings if people want them—but without forcing it. I think there’s a lot of flexibility here to find what works for your individual location!
