Lowes

[mheston]

Well today was a day. We had been out all day enjoying ourselves and we decided to stop at Lowes in Gadsden before we headed home. Well we went through the garden section 1st, then the bird isle and as we rounded the corner I was blocked by 2 Lowes employees. The 1st man said "You need to take your dog out of here now." I was caught off guard because it happened so fast and they were in my personal space, I said Excuse me. The gentlemen again in a unfriendly intimidating posture said, "We don't allow big dogs in the store they frighten people" At this point I was getting hot, this guy was in no way being courteous or even remotely professional. I responded by saying, but you do allow dog's? "He replied yes just not big dogs so you need to take your dog out now." The whole time this guy kept invading my space so I asked to speek with the manager, which he replied he was the manager of the store and that I need to leave now. At this point I told the man that I felt that I was being discriminated against if other dogs were allowed in but I could not bring mine in. At this point I seemed to have gotten his attention and he calmed down and back tracked saying "People just get frightened of big dogs and we are not discriminating against you or the dog we just don't let big dogs in. At that point my wife said can he ride in a buggy to which the Manager said yes that would be fine. I asked for the store manager information so I could contact him which put him back on the defense but he did give me the number and allow us to continue our visit.

O.K. So maybe I handled this right or maybe wrong. My problem is were is the professionalism these days? Was there any reason to block me at the isle, demand I leave now? Any Suggestions? I dont want to be a negative influence on the dogs, but I do demand the respect of being a person. I am sorry he feels people dont like big dogs, I personally cant stand the little dogs that are getting dragged across the floor while they are barking and trying to get me and the owner and others are saying oh look how cute. Anyway should I call and have a civilized talk with the manager or just drop it and never go back?

[loverocksalot]

Me personally I would not bother. Most stores I think have some kind of policy only dogs under 20lbs or something. I also feel dogs allowed or NO Dogs allowed. No in between.

[maryellen]

Every lowes /home depot etc is different, some stores allow all size dogs, some only small.. how big was the dog you brought? since the manager didnt say no pitbulls allowed but said no big dogs i would drop it and not call them to complain.. now, the next time you are there and if you see a big dog the size of the one you brought THEN complain..

[RealPitBull]

I agree with the above.....I don't blame you at all for having gotten defensive, you are right professionalism is just out the door these days, and rudeness is just the way of the world. I would have asked maybe for clarity as far as what a 'big dog' is (weight) so that 'next time' you won't make the same mistake, but since he didn't indicate breed was the issue here, I'd probably let it slide. The only thing, if you feel so inclined, is to call and lodge a complaint if you felt you were treated very rudely (which it sure sounds like you were - something tells me if these 'gentlemen' approached you differently, there wouldn't have been any issue at all).

Sorry about the crappy time you had, it always sucks to be blindsided.

[mheston]

Yes I think I am just going to leave it alone. After I had time to reflect on it, it is really not the big dogs not allowed it was the way they handled it a little respect goes along ways. With both of them blocking me and telling me to leave just pushed it over the edge. One person and a simple I am sorry sir but that dog is over the size limit we allow we wold appreciate it if you took him outside or put him in a cart. That would have solved the whole issue. Anyway other than that we went to Academy Sports, JBO Outfitters, Petco and Villa Fiesta Restaurant all pet friendly for large dogs. Macky had a blast and now after Lowes we know he will ride in a cart.

[tank]

I guess I don't have the same opinion as anyone else on this but I still see it as really rude. That's like saying "I'm sorry sir, you can't come into the store because you are too fat/tall etc..." If they allow dogs, they should allow all friendly, trained dogs on a leash. I am also an all or nothing type of person so that's probably why I think this. I just don't see the difference between a big dog and a little dog, they could both possibly cause the same amount of damage and/or fear in other customers.

[RealPitBull]

I think size discrimination for dogs is stupid, too, but I can understand the reasoning behind it. It's apparently easier to ban dogs of a certain size than to ban dogs who aren't well-behaved.