dog in home depot

12 Dog-Friendly Stores in Boise (You Probably Didn’t Know About)

02/13/2021 | Valor K9 Academy® | , ,

Are you looking for dog-friendly stores in Boise?

Maybe you have a puppy who needs socialization, or an adult dog whose obedience you want to proof around distractions. While stores like Home Depot and Zamzows are well-known as dog-friendly, I wanted to find some hidden gems. I spent hours calling around every store in the greater Boise area to personally find out who allows dogs and who doesn’t.

Here’s a fresh, updated list of dog-friendly stores in Boise:

Dog-Friendly Stores in Boise

  • Dollar Tree* – 316 W State St., Eagle, ID 83616

  • Big Lots – 7001 W State St., Boise, ID 83714

  • Ross Dress for Less – 6720 N Glenwood St., Boise, ID 83714

  • Rite Aid* – 7020 W State St., Boise, ID 83714

  • Steelz Department Store – 280 E Corporate Dr., Meridian, ID 83642

  • Vapor Emporium – 2020 E Overland Rd., Suite 120, Meridian, ID 83642; 5205 Cleveland Blvd, Suite 103, Caldwell, ID 83607

  • Marshalls – 2020 N Eagle Rd., Meridian, ID 83646

  • Cattle Kate – 1533 N Wildwood Way, Boise, ID 83713 (dog-friendly for well-behaved dogs only)

  • Dillard’s ** – 350 N Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704

  • Macy’s ** – 370 N Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704

  • Nordstrom Rack ** – 534 N Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704

  • Sears ** – 460 N Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704

*Multiple locations in the greater Boise area
**Located in Boise Town Plaza

Other Dog-Friendly Stores You Probably Know

  • Home Depot

  • Ace Hardware

  • Lowe’s (some locations)

  • Northwest Pets

  • Petco

  • Petsmart

  • Sportsman’s Warehouse

Most employees told me: “We’re dog-friendly if the dog is friendly, well-behaved, and on leash.” That makes perfect sense! Aggressive or disruptive dogs aren’t allowed, and neither are dogs that make customers uncomfortable.

Etiquette for Bringing Dogs to Stores

Bringing your dog into a store is a privilege, not a right. Follow these tips to ensure access stays open for responsible dog owners:

  • Potty your dog in advance

  • Bring poop bags

  • Keep dogs off merchandise

  • Respect people who don’t want interaction

  • Buy something while you’re there and thank employees

By following these simple steps, you help maintain the privilege of having dogs in stores.

Making a Great First Impression

Several of the stores I called reported they rarely get dogs visiting. This is our chance to make a positive impression! If your dog is aggressive, poorly behaved, or not potty trained, don’t go in. Training can make a huge difference, and we can help you! A few private lessons or a board & train can dramatically improve your dog’s behavior, social skills, and confidence.

Stores That Are Not Dog-Friendly

For fairness, here’s a list of stores that only allow trained service dogs:

  • Walgreens

  • Marshalls

  • JC Penney

Remember, grocery stores and most food-focused stores follow the law and only allow trained service dogs.

Sharing this information helps dog owners in Boise know which stores are dog-friendly. I personally called every store on this list to confirm their policies, so you can trust this information!

Happy training, and happy shopping with your pup!

Written by Amy Pishner

 

About the Author: 

Amy Pishner is the Founder of Valor K9 Academy, a veteran-owned dog training company in Boise, Idaho. With over a decade of experience training thousands of dogs, Amy specializes in balanced dog training that builds trust, obedience, and lasting results.