bringing goats too petsmart?

[Dar]

Quote:
I take my pets to stores for socialization BUT only when I am going to the store to buy them something like a coat or leash ect.. and toys especially because if the toy does not interest them in the store why would I waste my money on it but if the toy does catch their attention with all the distractions of being in the store then i bet there will be a lot of play with it.

you can measure your pet 100 different ways but nothing can take the place of trying a garment on your dog.

 

[Goat_Walker]

I like taking my pets out because :

Helps socialize them
I get to share them with other people
Other people get to enjoy them
I like to have my animals with me since they are like my kids


There are other reasons but these are just a few

 

[agnes_day]

well, animals usually ARE better behaved than kids most of the time anyways, in my opinion

 

[Haviris]

My bottle raised goats are very well socialized and not in the least bit stressed going in stores. I have one little girl right now who'd load up to go for a ride everytime I opened the door if I'd let her. I, personally, would prefer my goats do lose their fear of dogs, nothing will set a dog off quicker then a goat running from them.

If I didn't feel I had control over my dogs in ALL situations, I wouldn't have them out in public, and that includes if we incounter a goat, chicken, horse, rabbit, etc. And I think anyone should feel that way. It's true not all do, however, I have encountered very few out of control dogs while out in stores, and in all cases the dogs were leashed or carried (most were little purse dogs) and the people managed to hold them until they got them outside (and not a one was in reaction to any animal other then another dog).

Think of this, Atwoods has rabbits, chicks, ducklings (prey animals), etc. in water troughs, an out of control dog could easily jump in and wipe them all out, but I've yet to hear of it happening. The year before last my baby Pot Bellied Pig went along w/ me for all my Christmas shopping. A few years ago I went to a pet festival, dogs EVERYWHERE, and they had a miniature horse, some baby goats, a porcupine, some pet rabbits on leashes, and other then a few minor incidences between two dogs, there were no problems!

PetSmart and Petco are PET stores, I don't think it would be fair to exclude one kind of pet, or only allow one or two kinds, most likely (and other then my own that was in a carrier I've never seen a cat in Petco) they will also have to ban cats, because you know not all dogs like cats, and I guess if someone doesn't control their dog it's all on the cat owner. And where would it stop? Once the only animal allowed are dogs weighing less then 20lbs?

As for why take your pet. Socialization is very important for pets, the more people, places, and things they meet the better, and having somewhere that allows them, like pet stores, is such a big help (the dog is not shopping). I like to take my dog anytime I can, she's a great traveler, she climbs in the back and goes to sleep, I can't tell you how many times I've almost forgotten I brought her. She may not even get out of the car depending on where we are going, I like to try and stop by Atwoods (I love shopping there), and like I said they ask about her if I don't bring her. She's perfectly well behaved, and I don't see her as something that needs watched/handled, the only down side to bringing her is all the people that stop me wanting to pet her. It is more work w/ a pup, but that's just one of the steps to having a well behaved dog, and very worth it in the end!

Every year out Petco and Atwoods put on a Halloween contest, and there are a variety of animals that attend, I've not yet entered anything, but the last time I went to the one at Atwoods, they had a goat, some ducks, some horses, a donkey, and even some little monkeys. My poor dog (she wasn't entered, just watching) did get bit on the nose by a dog dressed like a skunk, but that's all I saw happen.

 

[Haviris]

I don't know if this really needs mentioning, but since so many say, when they want to buy them something, or what ever. I actually rarely buy anything in Petco, maybe some fish. Most their stuff is way over priced anyway, most my pet supplies are ordered. And really I'd rather my pets not expect something everytime they go. I'm more of a window shopper when I go in Petco.

 

[allanimals21]

Quote:
Thats my point exactly. You should be able to control your dog no matter what.


I wouldn't want to be responsible for my dog attacking someone's goat at Petco when a dog is a predator and goats are prey.

If you feel your dog would actually attack something strange or prey like in public like that your dog should not be in public. If your not sure how your dog will react to something and are afraid it would do damage in my opinion that would be a big problem.

And by owning a dog it is your responsibility to make sure it doesn't act out and hurt/destroy anything else. You as the owner are responsible to teach your dog how to behave. If you can't call your dog off of something that is not good thing.

Thats kinda like if your not sure if your dog is potty trained or house trained and you are worried it would make a mess or destroy a couch would you bring it to someone elses house? I certainly wouldn't

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Do they sell goat stuff at Petsmart? That may be asking for trouble if there is a dog there that thinks goats are tasty.

 

[allanimals21]

Quote:
I noticed that too. I shop petsmart more than petco.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
This made me giggle a little. Never have I considered that people take their dogs to Petsmart for the enjoyment of shopping. I guess some people would look at it that way. I do take my dogs, and my clients dogs to Petsmart/Petco for the training atmosphere. Lots of good opportunities for manners training, socialization and distraction proofing.

Someone did mention how there are a lot of dogs in those stores that have bad manners (or would that be bad owners?). I always keep a close eye on the dogs in the store and people too. Its a good idea to bring a dog in with a vest that says "im in training" so it makes the dog look more official and you get more respect from everyone and therefor an easier time meeting your goal for that session.

Goats in Petsmart? Well personally I wouldn't, but Im not opposed to it as long as I'm not forced to pick the "raisins" off the bottom of my shoes.

 

[allanimals21]

Quote:
This made me giggle a little. Never have I considered that people take their dogs to Petsmart for the enjoyment of shopping. I guess some people would look at it that way. I do take my dogs, and my clients dogs to Petsmart/Petco for the training atmosphere. Lots of good opportunities for manners training, socialization and distraction proofing.

Someone did mention how there are a lot of dogs in those stores that have bad manners (or would that be bad owners?). I always keep a close eye on the dogs in the store and people too. Its a good idea to bring a dog in with a vest that says "im in training" so it makes the dog look more official and you get more respect from everyone and therefor an easier time meeting your goal for that session.

Goats in Petsmart? Well personally I wouldn't, but Im not opposed to it as long as I'm not forced to pick the "raisins" off the bottom of my shoes.

Well I myself can honestly say that I picked every single last raisin off the floor from Billy. What you said made me think of this time just a couple of years ago. My vet had just opened his clinic and was having an open house. I brought my boxer over there. We were standing there talking and this lady walks by with her scotty and it went nuts on my boxer. My boxer ended up bleeding and was pretty shook up. As this lady is "apologizing" she proceeds to tell me that this happens alot. Her "poor" dog got attacked a few years back by a bigger dog and ever since it would attack any big dog it saw. Now as a responsible pet owner WHY would you bring your dog into a situation like that knowing very well what it will do? I personally have a dog that doesn't leave the property except for vetting. He is just to protective of me and gets somewhat aggressive with other dogs he doesn't know. For that reason I do not put him in a situation where he could injure another animal, me, or someone else. Not saying he would intentionally hurt a person. But I take the precautions I feel are necessary. There are alot of irresponsible dog owners out there. I chose to not be one of them.