Is Michaels Pet Friendly? Michaels Pet Policy Explained [Updated for 2023]

If you are an active pet owner that loves to take their dog to the craft store with them, then you might be wondering: “Is Michaels Pet Friendly?”

Michaels is one of the best craft stores out there, but is it a dog-friendly store? Can you take your dog on a craft run to Michaels with you?

We are the experts in pet policy, and we are going to walk you through the Michaels pet policy–what we know and what we don’t regarding the crafting giant’s retail store pet policy.

Michaels is a pet-friendly store, according to company policy. However, there have been conflicting reports from shoppers who have, at times, been unable to bring their dog to the store. While Michaels is a dog-friendly store, there is more information that you’ll need to know to effectively know whether you can bring your dog to your local Michaels.

So, follow along as we unpack the Michaels pet policy and determine what steps you need to take if you want to take your dog to Michaels!

Michaels Official Corporate Dog Friendly Policy

When trying to determine if you can bring your dog to your local Michaels store, there are a few different ways that you can learn the policy. The best way is to see what the company has said regarding their pet policy. Getting this information right from the source will help to make sure that you don’t make a meaningless trip to your local Michaels, when it turns out you can’t bring your dog!

Unfortunately, Michaels hasn’t been very clear on this policy, outside of a few isolated incidents. They don’t usually have a pet policy posted in their store.

About 5 years ago, the Michaels social media team was asked if they are a pet-friendly store. Their initial response had some people confused, but a follow-up question prompted them to answer that they are a pet-friendly store.

Still, this didn’t satisfy everyone, since many people report having been turned down from bringing their dog to Michaels. As you can imagine, this is frustrating for many people who simply want to know if they can bring their dog to their local Michaels location.

If you take a look on Reddit, most people are confirming that they have been able to bring their dog inside their local Michaels.

Still, there have been reports of Michaels locations not allowing dogs, so it is best to verify that you can bring your dog to your local Michaels before doing so.

Rules for Bringing Dogs to Michaels Stores

Even though Michaels is considered a dog-friendly store, that doesn’t mean that there are no rules. If you are going to bring your dog to your local store where there are dogs allowed, then it’s important to make sure you learn what rules you’ll need to follow when you bring your dog shopping. Here are some of the basic rules that you should follow if you are going to a Michaels dog-friendly location.

Leashed

Dogs entering Michaels stores must be kept on a leash at all times. This rule is important for a number of reasons.

Most importantly, it ensures the safety of all customers and their dogs. Keeping your dog on a leash eliminates the possibility of them running away or getting into something they shouldn’t. It also helps ensure that other shoppers are comfortable with having dogs in the store and don’t feel threatened by an unleashed animal.

Additionally, leashes help to keep our pet friends from potentially ruining merchandise in the store or knocking items off shelves that could injure themselves or someone else.

Furthermore, with dogs being held on leashes it limits distractions that can take away from other customers shopping experience. Allowing dogs inside the store gives pet owners peace of mind knowing their furry best friend won’t be home alone while they shop, but it’s vital that all patrons follow these guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Potty-Trained

Having a dog that is potty-trained is an important rule to follow when bringing your pet to a Michaels store. While it may not seem like an essential rule, having a potty-trained dog can help minimize the mess created by pet owners in the store. Not only does it ensure that there’s no unsightly mess on the floor for other shoppers to see, but it also helps promote a clean and comfortable shopping environment for everyone.

Potty training teaches dogs general rules of etiquette and quickly builds their understanding of where to go when they need to do their business. Also, since most dogs tend to become very excited when they are out and about, having them trained prevents them from relieving themselves on the store shelves or any other area inside the building. Not only would this be extremely unhygienic and hazardous but can also lead to some serious damages that would need to be addressed immediately.

Additionally, potty-trained dogs are more likely to stay calm in public places like stores due to their knowledge of what is expected of them which makes it easier for both pet owners and other shoppers alike. Not having your dog run around or bark incessantly helps promote an atmosphere conducive to enjoying the shopping experience without feeling as though you’re being disrupted or bothered by someone else’s pet.

Lastly, ensuring that your dog is potty-trained before you bring him/her into Michaels ensures that all shoppers have the same enjoyable experience regardless of whether or not they own a pet themselves. It provides a sense of security knowing that everyone visiting the store can feel safe from any potential messes or safety hazards caused by untrained animals.

Responsible Pet Owners

As a pet owner, you should be responsible when it comes to things like making sure your pet isn’t interacting with anybody that is uncomfortable with them being around and cleaning up after any messes that your pet makes.

As a pet owner, you want the stores that you visit to be friendly to having dogs and other pets inside. The best way to ensure that store owners are comfortable doing this is to continue to make sure that you and your pet are courteous when you enter any establishment.

Types of Dogs Allowed in Michaels

Since Michaels has liberal pet policies, many types of well-behaved dogs are allowed in addition to the regular service animals that must be admitted. Here are the types of dogs that are allowed in Michaels stores.

Pet Dogs

As we’ve told you earlier, Michaels (most stores) allows pet dogs. This is great news for pet owners, but be sure to still follow the rules that Michaels has put out regarding their dog-friendly policies. This makes them one of the best crafts stores and one of the few examples of a retail chain that allow dogs, but to keep it that way, you’ll have to make sure that your dog is on its best behavior.

Service Dogs

A service dog is specially trained to assist people with disabilities. They provide physical, sensory, psychiatric, emotional, and other assistance to people. They are legally required to be admitted in retail stores since they are trained to perform a specific function and are needed by their owners.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are another type of dog that is protected by ADA guidelines. They help blind individuals function in their everyday lives, and are thus allowed in Michaels and other retail stores.

Other Small Pets

The pet-friendly policy of Michaels doesn’t just extend to dogs. Many types of animals are allowed, provided they are well-behaved. It’s important to remember that a store manager can ask you to leave at any time if your animal is unsafe, disruptive, or not well-behaved.

How to Bring Your Dog to Michaels

Since there is some question as to whether all locations are pet-friendly, it’s not just a matter of bringing your dog to Michaels whenever you feel like it. If you want to bring your dog to Michaels, it is highly recommended that you call ahead.

By calling ahead, you can hopefully speak to a store manager or someone else that knows the policy and get their permission. After you call ahead the first time, you probably will not need to do it again for future trips.

It’s best to call ahead and make sure that you are able to bring your dog to your local store rather than end up in an awkward situation once you arrive with your dog.