Is Five Below Dog Friendly? Are Dogs Allowed In?
If the question, “are dogs allowed in five below?” has ever crossed your mind, the answer can depend on who owns the store, but the short answer is likely going to be no.
Some stores will post their pet policy on the door of their store, but if you don’t see one, be sure to ask the manager about their pet policy.
As Ajay Khakat commented on Quora, “Generally, dogs are not allowed in Five Below. But you should ask your local Five Below store if dogs are permitted as there were cases when visitors were allowed to enter with their dogs. Service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities in Five Below.”
The answer will also depend on whether you have a support dog or a service dog. Support and service animals are not one and the same.
According to a post on Indeed.com, “Only task trained service animals who help those with mental or physical disabilities. Not emotional support animals or pets.”
Tips For When Going to Five Below With A Dog
If you have a service dog for a physical or mental disability, you can take your dog to Five Below.
Just be sure to have your dog clearly marked with a bright-colored harness or coat to avoid any misunderstandings on account of the store’s employees.
It also saves you from having to explain to everyone that your dog is, in fact, a service dog, and you are not trying to sneak Fido into the store. You may be asked to provide additional certification as well, so it doesn’t hurt to bring it, just in case.
To ensure a successful trip to the store together, you will want to be sure that you set yourself up for success.
In other words, you want to plan ahead a bit so that you have what you need to keep your furry pal comfortable so that you don’t have to rush out of the store on account of your miserable sidekick.
If you have a small dog or puppy, you can bring it along in a nifty and fashionable pet carrier backpack or handbag.
If your dog is too large to be carried around, you will want to keep it on a leash or harness. This way, if it gets too excited or nervous, you will be able to keep your pet under control at all times.
Having your pooch on a leash can also make other shoppers feel safer. Even if your dog is a complete cream puff, they don’t know your dog like you do-unless you explain that to them.
But unless you want to tell everyone in the store how sweet and harmless your furry pal is, it’s just easier to keep your dog close by and on a leash or harness.
What to Bring to Keep Your Dog happy
If you are planning a long day of shopping, you may want to bring a snack for your dog and a collapsible bowl, and a bottle of water.
Don’t forget to bring a few doggie bags as well, just in case. You may find doggie bag dispensers in the dog park, but they are much harder to find elsewhere.
To help avoid a nervous accident, be sure to let your doggie have a potty break. This is especially important if your dog is small since they have very small bladders and frequent potty breaks are a must.
You could also bring your dog’s favorite toy and some treats to use to reinforce good behavior. If your dog hasn’t really shopped with you before, you may find that it is a cause for a bit of nervousness or anxiety for your pooch.
That’s because shopping centers can sometimes be loud, busy, and just overstimulating. If your dog is used to a much more calm and serene setting, this could be a hard adjustment.
Some puppy owners will bring a portable noise machine to play in their dog’s carrier to help promote feelings of peace.
Or, just hearing your voice and some reassuring words may be enough to put your pooch at ease. If your dog is naturally energetic, you could try going on a walk or letting your dog run around in a dog park before going shopping.
It could just be that your dog needs to burn off some energy before being able to stay more reserved.
Eventually, your shopping trips together should become enjoyable and even something that your dog looks forward to.
However, if you have been on a few outings and your dog still doesn’t seem to be as much of an avid shopper as you, you may want to consider a few professional dog training sessions.
It might just take a few lessons, and it is well worth being able to go pretty much everywhere together sans all the stress and awkwardness that being around strange people can bring.
Try to avoid shopping at the busiest times as well, such as rush hour (before or after the 9-5 workday) or lunchtime.
Final Thoughts
So, if the answer to “are dogs allowed in Five Below” may mean you cannot currently bring your dog with you unless it is a service animal.
If you love to shop there, be sure to let the owner or manager know how you feel. If they get enough backlash about their pet policy, they are more likely to change it.
If you start to ask your local businesses whether or not they permit dogs in their stores, you may find that there are many other places that do.
Plus, you can still take your trusty dog with you to the park, and some stores do allow dogs, even if they are not considered to be service animals.
If you are ever unsure, just call ahead of time or talk to the manager before shopping their store.
