We all love to take our dogs with us! It is great exposure training for them. Here are some lovely dog friendly places you can explore. Check the list for some indoor dog friendly places and patio spots around the Mississippi Mills and Ottawa West Area.
TIPS:
- Have a training plan! Come prepared with training tools. Food reward training, sit, down, heel, place etc. Teach focus, engagement, confidence building, manners etc.
- Teach leash manners before going on a field trip so you have those foundations in place.
- Start on less busy days/times/places, and then work your way to peak times i.e. Tuesday midday vs Sunday lunch rush.
- We typically say no to on-leash greetings by people or dogs to teach neutrality (some exceptions apply).
- We offer a Patio Pup Group Class and Private Training Lessons
Please do not be that person that pretends to have a fake service or therapy dog though! This is very disrespectful to those that need a service or therapy dog and have a real one. There have been cases when a fake service dog has interfered with a real service dog doing their job and caused delay in a medical emergency. I even heard a case where a service dog was attacked at the airport. And it is disrespectful to the establishment you are bringing them to who have health/safety polices prohibiting animals. Follow the rules and find the places that all dogs are allowed and have fun there! You can always crate in the car (weather permitted) if you need to quickly grab something from a store etc.
Other Great Spots! Indoor Options Too!
- Winners
- Indigo (Chapters)
- Home Sense
- (Most) Home Depots, Home Hardware, Canadian Tire
- Pet Stores – Pet Valu, Rens, March Road Pet Store, Simply4Paws
- Tanger Outlet Mall Kanata
- Honey Cafe, Stitsville (dog friendly indoors & patio)
- Cold Bear, Arnprior (dog friendly indoors & patio)
- Braumeister Carleton Place (dog friendly indoors & patio)