Need to shop for home improvement tools – or car tools? If you’re about to run to the store and wonder if Harbor Freight allows dogs, the answer is yes!
As we always mention, the store manager has discretion and local regulations may be in effect. So, as we suggest (repeatedly), always call first!
Your dog will need to be on a leash or leash when shopping at Harbor Freight.
Take your dog to the cargo port
Founded in 1977, the family-owned Harbor Freight has over 1300 stores across the United States, making them a good choice for shopping with your dog when you need to get stuff.
TIP: If you’re traveling alone with your dog, this national chain is also an address we often refer to as a toilet stop for you. Like stopping at a dog-friendly pet supply store for a restroom break, you can bring your dog indoors with you to the toilet – just remember to buy a little something on Way out to support the store and keep them dog friendly!
The key to having a good time shopping with your dog – and making sure dog friendly shop REMAIN is dog-friendly – taking a few extra steps before and during your shopping tour.
Before your trip
- Pack a leash no longer than 6 feet. This will help keep your dog from getting tangled up on display and minimize tripping risks for other shoppers. You’ll want your dog to be by your side throughout the shopping process.
- Leave a retractable leash at home. Retractable leashes can actually pose a tripping hazard in stores (not to mention the potential for tipping over who knows).
- Call your local store quickly. If you haven’t been to this particular port cargo destination recently, use online store locator and give the store a quick call to confirm that your dog can go with you when shopping just to be safe.
- Pack a cleaning kit. Along with the poop bag, pack some tissues and hand sanitizer. You never know.
- Pack a small blanket or throw for the stroller if your dog will be traveling in the car. If you have a small dog that will be riding in your cart, PLEASE pack the throw to give him a rest. This will prevent his feet from going through the bottom of the cart’s mesh. I was at a store once and heard dogs in two aisles wailing in pain. I went over to help; His foot has completely fallen to the bottom of the cart and his owner is having trouble getting his foot back through the cart. (The story ended well – but this is definitely a cautionary tale!)
During your trip
- Stop the potty before entering the store. Even if your dog pees before he leaves the house, take a few minutes to visit the trees in the parking lot. With all the dogs visiting Lowe’s on a given day, your dog will be inspired to add to the scent collection at the trees – and there’s much better there than at the store.
- Keep your dog close. For the safety of both your dog and other shoppers, keep your dog by your side when shopping. Harbor Freight is packed with large equipment, and shoppers don’t always have good visibility – or expect dogs in the aisles.
- Get any accident right away. If your dog is in an accident, pick it up immediately. Especially if you have a male dog that loves to mark, pay special attention. Increase your walking speed when passing those people or distract your dog with a treat.
Share your #HarborFreight photos on social media
You’ll find photos of the dogs in the Harbor Freight store on social media using the hashtag #HarborFreight:
Take a picture of your dog while at Harbor Freight!
Should You Take Your Dog to the Airport?
Okay, we’ve determined that most Harbor Freight stores will allow dog walking – but SHOULD you take your dog shopping with you?
Well, the answer depends on your dog.
On the scale of dog-friendly stores, I rank Harbor Freight somewhere in between when it comes to noise and the fear factor for dogs. It’s not as noisy as home repair shops like Lowe’sbut it’s not as quiet as home decor stores like Tuesday morning.
If you’re not sure how well your dog will do in the store, visit during off-peak times — and a time when you don’t have to be fully focused on your current shopping duties.
And, as always, if your dog shows any form of aggression — with people or other dogs — a dog-friendly store isn’t for your dog.
Can Service Dogs Transport Goods At The Port?
Yes, a trained service dog needed to assist you is allowed into any store in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Service animals are defined as dogs that are specifically trained to do work or perform duties for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or duties include instructing the blind, warning the deaf, towing a wheelchair, warning and protecting a person having a seizure, reminding a mentally ill person take medication as prescribed, calm a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or perform other tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The job or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Please note that this includes trained service dogs ONLY; It does not include emotional support dogs.
If your dog is not a trained service dog, do not try to misrepresent your dog as a service dog. Depending on where you live, misrepresent your dog as a service dog may be fined up to $1000.
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