I was so excited to find a local pet store in State College, until my experience. First, I will start off with the positives. I like how they have a few healthier options for dog food. Example: Fromms, Logic, and Stella and Chewy's. The store layout is nice and they have a huge treat selection. They also sell non pet related items as well. I experienced 1 genuinely friendly employee there. Not the conditional type of friendliness that is the majority.
Now, the not so positives. I walk in like a normal customer and start shopping. As I'm looking at doggy apparel I over hear an employee refer to a man sitting at a table, with his dog on a leash next to him, as dr. so and so. The man's sweet dog sniffs my dog, which was fine by me. My dog then turns his head to check out the dog. Both were and are very peaceful. The employee rudely and frantically puts her hands on my dogs leash and YANKS my dog back while saying NO NOSE TO NOSE WITH THE DOGS! I was shocked! And honestly felt violated. My dog is an elderly dog and I thought to myself all this women had to do was tell me. Her yanking reaction could have caused a serious problem when there was none to begin with. There was no need for this. She didn't yank dr. so and so's dog leash, she yanked mine- without taking anything outside of their "rule" into account. Not good. I really wasn't going to ever step foot in there again due to this women's lack of respect and judgment.
I went home feeling very upset. I really wanted to call the owner, but took a deep breathe and gave myself some time to cool down. When I went back I opened the door and the employees yelled wait! We have to put our dogs away! I guess they have the owners dogs there during business hours without a leash (which is fine by me! I love dogs!) but do not allow their dogs out when customers come in, with their dogs. They then told me that they have a sign on the door that says you have to ask before coming in with a dog, which is annoying, but ok I guess. I respect that, but when I see they are stressing out scrambling to put their dogs away, I feel stressed.
Ok, now once I got the nose to nose rule down and the asking before you come in with your dog rule down, I tried to just think positively turning a new leaf. Until today- I simply asked why they get so frantic about putting their dogs away when people come in. They said, "well, it's because the one is a puppy and the other may feel the need to protect it plus it's like their home and we don't allow nose to nose."
In my mind why create this frantic scenario with the dogs, making customers ask before coming in, waiting outside in the cold while they put their dogs away. Either they are ok out or they are not. Why all of this at the customer's expense. Just doesn't make sense. Do you or don't you want customers at your store spending their time and money? Personally, I think no nose to nose is absolutely fine and I respect that, but can't say asking before coming in creates a welcoming feeling or environment.
Finally, after they explained why they always act so frantic about putting their dogs away, I said I understood and that I also have a rule, which is no hand to nose with my dog. One employee said, why? Will your dog bite? And I said no, but it is a boundary I set to protect my dog that most people respect and understand ( common sense ). And she thought it was ok to talk to me the way she did saying " Well I wouldn't bring my dog out in public if he didn't like being touched by people (challenging me instead of saying ok, no problem!)(I shouldn't have to explain to you in the first place)." I said it isn't about that. It has nothing to do with my dog being aggressive, it's MY boundary. As I walked away I heard her making a snotty comment.
You see MY dog isn't public property (though he is the sweetest and smartest) just because he's in public (and no, that doesn't mean he should trust everyone). So whether it's my hair, or my purse or my dog, I expect you to get consent first. Simply ask. This is the 21st Century. You working with dogs should know this.
It makes me cringe to think this place would negatively label any person or dog due to a common sense boundary set. I'm there to shop with my dog and to hopefully have a pleasant experience not to have my "ask first" rule to be downed or questioned the way it was or be violated in anyway(aka don't ever physically yank my dogs leash again).
Listen you have your rules and I have mine and I ask you respect them. I may or may not give this place another try, but if I do I ask you please respect my personal space and boundaries. You will have to earn my continued business. And if you feel you are too good for my business that is very sad-I will share my experience accordingly. Your establishment owes me an apology! Thank you read more