Are Apple Stores Dog-Friendly? Apple Store Pet Policy Explained (Updated for 2022)

Are you an Apple product lover? If there are two things we are hardcore about–it’s our technology and our pets! If you are thinking on taking a trip to your local Apple Store, and your pup is asking to come with, you might be wondering: “Are dogs allowed in Apple Stores?”

These days, stores aren’t very good at publishing guidance to tell you whether their stores are dog-friendly. That’s where we come in! We’ve done the research to be able to tell you whether you can bring your dog to your local Apple Store–and other dog-friendly stores!

Let’s get right down to it. Most Apple Stores are pet and dog-friendly. They should allow your furry friend to come along, as long as they are well-behaved, leashed, and not causing a disturbance. Well-behaved dogs are allowed in most Apple retail store locations.

As with many stores (including grocery stores), there are nuances and rules when it comes to Apple’s pet policy. If you want to know which dogs are allowed, what the rules are for dogs, and how you can successfully bring your dog to your local Apple Store (one of the most dog-friendly stores), then keep reading! We’ll go into detail and tell you everything you need to know when bringing your dogs indoors to an Apple Store.

Apple Pet Policy Explained

Okay, let’s get into more detail. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t published a policy that tells customers whether they can bring their dogs to their local location.

Instead, they like to leave it up to the store manager of that particular location to decide whether they are going to allow dogs inside the store and what rules will be imposed on the animals and pet owners that enter the store.

So, whether your store is pet-friendly or not will depend on the store manager of your particular location. However, most stores allow dogs inside as long as they meet certain rules while inside the store. Many locations allow leashed dogs, and are therefore a dog-friendly store.

The best way to know if your local store is pet-friendly is to call ahead and ask them! Keep in mind that the policy may change according to local health codes that Apple must comply with. These typically apply more to stores that serve foods. Food serving establishments typically don’t allow dogs, but you shouldn’t have a problem bringing a leashed dog to Apple.

Rules for Dogs Inside Apple Stores

If you are going to bring your dog to an Apple store, then you need to know the rules that you and your dog will need to follow. Here are some general rules that you should expect to follow when bringing your dog into an Apple Store:

Dogs Should be Leashed

First, all dogs should be leashed while inside the store. This is for the safety of both your dog and the other customers in the store. When a dog is leashed, it won’t be able to get away and cause mischief as easily. It’s important that dogs are always leashed before you enter the store.

Dogs Must be Well-Behaved

All dogs must be well-behaved while inside the store. This means that they shouldn’t be barking excessively, begging for food, or jumping on people. If a dog is acting out of line, then the store manager has the right to ask you to leave the store.

Dogs Must be Potty-Trained

All dogs must be potty-trained before entering the store. This means that they shouldn’t be urinating or defecating inside the store. If a dog has an accident, then the store manager may ask you to leave the store. The best way to avoid an issue with this is to let your dog go potty before they get into the store.

Owners Should Clean Up After Their Dogs

All owners should clean up after their dogs while inside the store. This means that if your dog has an accident, you should take care of it immediately. If you don’t have anything to clean it up with, then you can ask a store employee for help.

Types of Dogs Allowed in Apple Stores

These days, it simply isn’t enough to say “dogs are mostly allowed in Apple stores”. There are many different types and categorizations of dogs, each with their own set of rules.

Next, we are going to go through each type of dog that you may find yourself wanting to bring inside an Apple store and tell you whether they are allowed, what rules are in place for those types of dogs, and any other information you need to know about bringing that dog to an Apple store.

Pets

Pets, in general, are allowed in Apple stores. This includes dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and other small animals that can be easily carried.

If you want to bring a pet into an Apple store, then you need to make sure that it is leashed at all times and that it is not causing a disturbance.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals, also known as service animals, are allowed in Apple stores. These are dogs that are meant to help people that have trauma or another experience that is comforted by the presence of a therapy animal.

Some people use emotional support animals and service dogs interchangeably, but they are quite different. Emotional support animals don’t have to go through any sort of training to be considered an emotional support animal. They are also not afforded any protections by the ADA.

If you want to bring an emotional support animal into an Apple store, then you need to make sure that it is leashed at all times and that it is not causing a disturbance, which are the same rules that apply for pet dogs.

Service Animals

Service animals are a whole other category of animal than pet dogs and emotional support animals. Service animals are specially trained to perform certain tasks for their disabled handlers such as helping them with balance, opening doors, or picking up dropped items.

Service animals are protected by the ADA, which means that they are allowed in all public places, including Apple stores.

There are not really any rules that the Apple store has that would apply to service animals.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs, also known as seeing eye dogs, are a type of service animal that is specifically trained to help blind or visually impaired people.

Guide dogs are allowed in Apple stores and are not subject to any special rules.

How to Bring Your Dog to an Apple Store: Step-by-Step

If you’ve determined that you still want to bring your dog to an Apple store, that’s great! Here are the step-by-step instructions for how you can successfully bring your dog to an Apple store!

Step 1: Call Ahead

The first step is to call the Apple store that you’re planning on going to and ask them if they allow dogs. It’s always best to call ahead just to be sure because store policies can change at any time, especially if you have never been to that location with your dog before.

Step 2: Prepare for Travel

Once you have confirmed that the store does allow dogs, the next step is to start preparing for your trip. This means getting all of the things that you’ll need for your dog such as food, water, toys, and anything else that will make them comfortable.

You should also make sure that your dog is up to date on all of their vaccinations and that they have a current ID tag.

Step 3: Potty Break!

Before you go into the store, one of the best and most proactive things that you can do is to let your dog have a potty break! This will help to ensure that your dog avoids any potential accidents while in the Apple store. Store managers and fellow guests will appreciate you taking that extra step and continue to allow well-behaved dogs!

Step 4: Clean Up After Your Dog

If your dog does have an accident in the store, make sure to clean it up. Have some paper towels and a doggy waste bag on hand just in case. Many stores have been known to change their pet policies to steer away from dog-friendly shopping if there are too many accidents. That’s why it’s important to only bring behaved dogs on leash to stores, if you are planning on bringing your non-service animals.

Let’s Recap

In conclusion, the Apple store does allow dogs in the store, but there are a few things that you should know before bringing your dog.

The first step is to call ahead and ask if dogs are allowed in the store.

The second step is to make sure you have everything that you need for your dog such as food, water, and toys.

The third step is to take your dog for a potty break before going into the store.

And finally, if your dog does have an accident in the store, make sure to clean it up!

Dogs are allowed in Apple stores, but it’s a privilege, not a right! Make sure to keep your dog well-behaved in the store and you will be just fine!