According to statistics revealed in 2018, it was stated that there are almost 900 million dogs all over the world. Almost 80 million of these dogs are found in the United States only. Regarded as the most popular pet in the world, dogs have become a critical part of our daily lives.

Needless to say, owning one certainly has its advantages, and you will want to take the dog along with you wherever you go. However, what about Walmart? Are dogs allowed in places like Walmart? We see people taking their dogs along everywhere they go, but you should know that there are some places, like Walmart, where entry is not allowed.

About Walmart’s Pet Policy

Walmart started off back in 1962. The founder, Sam Walton, wanted to create a store from where people could buy everything they wanted in one go without having to go from one place to another. It wasn’t long before Walmart grew into a major enterprise, and for the past several decades, Walmart has become a global empire.

One of the things that you should know about the company is that they have a strict policy for not allowing pets. However, service animals are allowed in the store. Again, service animals cannot be classified as pets. The greeters, who are the first people you meet when you enter Walmart, have the responsibility of making sure to check whether you have a pet or a service animal.

The greeters are first going to verify the requirements and after exercising proper judgment, they are going to determine whether the animal is allowed inside. If you are verified, you will be allowed to enter the store with your pets. So, are dogs allowed in Walmart? Yes, but only service animals.

Types of Service Animals

You should know that there are several categories of service animals, and understanding the various types is important before you decide to take your dog there. Here are a few of the various kinds of service animals that you should know about.

1. Guide Animals

A guide animal is trained to help visually impaired people navigate with safety in public spaces. Guide animals have a very heightened sense of awareness, and they are even able to open doors for their owners. Not only that, but the guide animal is also able to weave in and out of crowds with their owners. They are able to read traffic signals too, allowing them to help their owners cross the roads too.

2. Mobility Animals

Many people who suffer from balance problems or mobility issues usually need a mobility dog to help them. Many disabled individuals keep mobility animals with them because it helps them when they are traveling outside of their own place.

3. Hearing Animals

Those who are deaf or impaired may want to make use of a hearing animal. These are specially trained animals that help impaired or deaf people. These animals are able to respond to sounds very quickly. They can easily guide their owners toward a ringing phone or doorbells too.

4. Psychiatric Animals

These animals are trained to provide deep pressure therapy. They are designed to help people who suffer from ADHD, autism, or even ADSD. These animals have special training, and you may need to carry a certificate with you to ensure that others know the importance of the dog.

5. Medical Emergency Dogs

Then, you have the medical emergency dogs. These dogs are trained to respond in case of medical emergencies and have special training to respond directly to medical emergencies quickly.

6. Individual Assistance Animals

These animals have received specialized training and are trained to help disabled individuals live an independent life. These animals can perform various different tasks on their own and make life easy for their owners.

What About Other Stores?

So, now that you know that Walmart will not allow pets inside their stores (only service animals), what about other dog friendly stores in the country? Thankfully, Walmart is not the only place from where you can shop, and if you really want to take your dog along with you, here are a few other stores that you should know about.

Home Depot

One of the largest hardware stores in the country, Home Depot has carved out a niche for itself among DIYers and others who want to buy any kind of hardware equipment. The store has massively spacious aisles, allowing you to walk around with your animal.

However, there have been reports where some people have been turned away from local Home Depots, so it’s important that you first call ahead and then verify with your local Home Depot before taking your furry companion along.

Lowes

Just like Walmart, Lowes also instituted a “service dogs only” policy back in 2012. However, there are plenty of local stores that still welcome pets inside, and it’s a great option for people who are interested in taking their animals along. But, you should know that the views differ, so it’s best to call ahead and find out what their official stance is in your area.

The good thing is that if you are going to visit the Outdoor Living section only, your dogs will be allowed everywhere, so that’s not going to be a problem.

Tractor Supply Co.

Tractor Supply Co. has become a very popular national chain, and the company takes great pride in its stance to welcome dogs throughout all of its locations across the country. In fact, the company has also posted multiple pictures on their Instagram handle, showing that they welcome dogs proudly at all of their locations.

Nordstrom

If you are going to go shopping for some clothes, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rock both allow dogs inside, though you have to make sure that your dog is on a leash. Otherwise, they have the right to refuse entry. There’s even an Instagram hashtag that they are running which shows their dedication to allow dogs inside.

Apple Store

This may come as a surprise to many people, but the Apple Store also allows animals in their stores. Again, this is subject to locations, so you have to first call ahead and find out the official stance of the local store in your area before proceeding further. You should know that not all of the locations allow dogs inside, so it’s best to check.

These are just a few of the many stores that allow dogs inside. One important thing that you should know about taking dogs to any of these stores is to make sure that your dog is well-trained. If your dog ends up causing any damage, you will be held liable, and that could lead to a significant dent in your finances.

These are just some of the things that you need to keep in mind before taking your dog to any store. If your dog can’t listen to commands, they may not allow you in.