Can You Bring Your Dog Into Target? Here's What You Need to Know
Many dog owners enjoy taking their furry companions along on errands, including trips to large retail chains like Target. However, it's important for pet owners to understand individual store policies before bringing their dogs inside.
Target stores across the United States maintain a clear and consistent policy regarding pets, grounded primarily in health and safety regulations.
Target's Official Dog Policy
Target enforces a strict
no-pets policy in all its store locations nationwide. This means that pet dogs, regardless of size or temperament, are not permitted inside the store. The rationale for this policy lies in public health concerns, especially considering the presence of food and consumable items in most Target stores.
Exceptions for Service Animals
The only notable exception to Target's strict policy is for
certified service animals, which are allowed in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the ADA:
- Service animals are individually trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities.
- These animals are not considered pets and thus are granted legal access to public buildings, including retail stores.
- Emotional support animals are not classified as service animals under the ADA.
Employees at Target are generally not permitted to ask for proof of a person’s disability or the animal’s certification. However, they are allowed to ask two limited questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What task or function has the dog been trained to perform?
Why Target Doesn't Allow Pet Dogs
There are several important reasons for this policy:
- Health and hygiene regulations: Retailers that sell food and beverages must comply with safety standards that limit the presence of animals in areas where these items are displayed.
- Customer safety and comfort: Not all customers feel comfortable around animals, especially dogs unfamiliar to them. Some individuals may have allergies or phobias.
- Preventing disorder: Even friendly pets may bark, relieve themselves indoors, or become agitated in crowded environments.
Emotional Support Animals Are Not Permitted
While emotional support animals can offer essential companionship and mental health assistance, they do
not meet the legal criteria required to gain access to Target stores. Emotional support animals lack task-specific training and therefore are not protected under ADA guidelines.
Introducing an emotional support animal into a setting where they are not legally permitted could lead to complicated situations, both for the shopper and employees tasked with enforcing store policy.
Best Practices for Dog Owners
If you are considering whether to bring your dog shopping, here are some general best practices — even if not directly applicable to Target:
- Call ahead to confirm the pet policy if the information is not readily available online.
- Only bring dogs that are well-trained, leashed, and socialized to public environments.
- Avoid passing off your pet as a service animal—doing so can discredit those who rely on real service animals.
- Clean up after your pet immediately if they relieve themselves or shed excessively indoors.
Retail Stores That Welcome Dogs
For those looking to bring their dogs shopping, consider visiting more pet-friendly alternatives:
- Petco and PetSmart: Always welcome leashed or crated domestic pets.
- Tractor Supply Co: Known to be dog-friendly in most locations.
- Bass Pro Shops: Permit dogs in many areas, except food courts.
- Lowe’s and Home Depot: Some locations permit leashed pets at the discretion of local management. Call ahead to verify.
Stores Where Dogs Are Not Typically Allowed
In addition to Target, the following retailers generally enforce strict no-pet policies:
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Costco
- IKEA
- Menards
- REI
Summary
In conclusion, dogs are not permitted inside Target stores unless they function as certified service animals. Bringing a non-service animal into Target may lead to being asked to leave. For the well-being of your pet and the comfort of other shoppers, always double-check a store’s pet policy and opt for pet-friendly alternatives when planning your retail outings.
By being a responsible pet owner and respecting store policies, you ensure a more welcoming environment for everyone—including those with legitimate service animals.
