Originally posted by popcornbird
Well, you CAN take pets to both Petco and Petsmart, but I personally hate when people bring their dogs there with them because it totally freaks me out.
Popcornbird, I think I understand what you are feeling. However, Petco & Petsmart are petstores that really cater to dog owners (as opposed to rabbit/bird/cat/etc. owners). I think that is what makes them very popular stores, and I personally *love* to take my dog into one of them. It's kinda like a dog park, it's a safe place where my dog is welcome. It's a great place to socialize them, to get him used to a different environment, and to teach him that even though it is *so* exciting, he still has to listen to me. I also love dogs, and most of them don't freak me out (though a few can & do).

For a person like you who gets easily freaked out by dogs to go there, is kind of like me going to a theme park where there are _only_ roller coasters, and then turn around and say, "well I enjoy going there, but the rides really freak me out. I hate roller coaster rides!" Well, why do I go there? If you are that freaked out by having dogs around, maybe check around to find a petstore that doesn't welcome dogs the way Petsmart & petco do.

I wish people would be more considerate about taking their dogs INSIDE the store and especially at the cashier line, because no all people shopping at pet stores are used to dogs. Many people shopping for their birds, rabbits, cats, hamsters, rats, fish, and other pets aren't used to dogs, and it really freaks them out when one goes after them or even tries to go near them in the store. It always makes me so scared that I forget to buy the birds a new toy, or something I need to see before buying.
Please keep in mind that with dogs, they get so easily excited when there is something new. With our dog, we can keep him pretty well behaved throughout the store, but at the cashier it's different. There, I have to not only concentrate on him, but on concentrating on my transaction also. It's very difficult to keep Malone "in line" because he invariable wants to be "over there" and starts pulling, and meanwhile my hands are full trying to pay the cashier.

I hope I haven't offended you, Popcornbird, this is only my $.02.