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Yes lets boycot them. Whats wrong with Bulldogs anyway? Mine is a cool dog. Down with PetSmart!

Omaha NE humane society has a special application you have to fill out in order to adopt a pit bull. They do background checks on the applicants, a home visit, criminal history and then you have to wait until a "suitable" dog comes through in order to adopt from them. Otherwise they put most pit bulls down when they come in there.

I posted a reply to a comment earlier and kept reading so had to say something else. Someone posted saying any dog can be a "bully" and they are right. We have 7 dogs.....4 which are dachshunds. My oldest, who is female and almost 4, I would not trust around anyone. I would believe if I were not around and someone walked up to her, she would attack them. She has bitten my husband a couple of times, once to the point she drew blood. This is a 18# dog. We have a newfoundland/chow mix and a boxer that I would let anyone walk up to. My dachshund, no way. She goes on the road with me and I have to watch her so that she does not go up to someone without me knowing. So my point is that any dog can be a bully dog, the laws they're trying to pass are rediculous.

The Pit Bull reputation is here to stay, apparently. I feel sorry for responsible owners of these breeds, but as long as you have criminals breeding pits for fighting, the problem will persist.

I think thats its stupid and a little sad. If they get along with other dogs then they are fine. Seems like they would be taking the same risks by playing one on one with them. Makes no sence to me.

why is this?? It's a pet store for ALL pets-isn't it??
Just curious and I have heard about this.

Renate

The choice is obviously each person's own. I would not choose this, as each business has the right to include or deny who they serve. Those decisions are often not based on the individual store's policy, but rather a much higher policy board. A boycott by several hundred individuals will not resolve your issue - but some good research on the area to determine why and what led to the decision is important before making this type of decision. Then you could address it with the higher level of management. Your local store is only trying to serve the animals in their community while also following the store policies and guidelines.

I have one very powerful, alpha German Shepherd who has taken down three large, unleashed dogs at one time that were running towards her. We were cross-country skiing. (I didn't want to be in the middle and immediately dropped my leash.) The three dogs went on their backs right away and no one was hurt. It has happened several times along trails where I'll be shouting to leash their dogs and will receive the reply, "Don't worry. My basset hound/corgi/sheltie won't hurt your dog." Dogs are dogs and people are sometimes pretty thick headed. I have a large breed who could hurt another dog, someone's beloved pet. Since I own two German Shepherds (one's a puppy), I need to be especially attuned to their instincts and their power. I have to keep in mind that some people are scared of German Shepherds (my sister-in-law was bitten by one as a child). Because of this, I take simple precautions such as sticking to hiking trails because there are fewer people and dogs than at a dog park, for instance. Leaving them at a doggie camp sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I can easily appreciate Petsmart's position on this.

Guys, it's NOT the PetsHotel. It's STRICKTLY the Doggy Day Camp program, which just happens to be run at all the locations with the PetsHotel, and some locations that do not have the Hotel. All breeds are allowed in the Hotel as overnight or daily guests, as long as they show no agression at check-in. The insurance that PetSmart has will not allow the "Bully-Breeds" participate in the group play time. If a "Bully-breed" dog is checked in for day-care, they are given sessions of playtime through-out the day, alone with an employee. If PetSmart were to expand their insurance to allow them in group, it would make the program way too expensive for the average customer. Blame the insurance companies, NOT PETSMART!

Sounds to me like they want to petsit for stuffed animals. I totally agree with the vaccinations, that is a valid concern but Petsmart is really limiting their clientelle a bit. This means our Maggie is NOT welcome there, so I guess this means I'm not either, my money will go elsewhere where Maggie and all my family will be welcome.

I own 2 male pit bulls and a male Fox Terrier, they all are in my house ( I don't like dogs left outside on chains or in kennels ) But even though they behave well at my home I can't say they would in strange places. I think it should be up to the owner! Because the owner is the only one that knows thier dog and should know somewhat of how they would act! I love my dogs but I don't ask anyone to come into my house to take care of them unless it's family, only because I know my dogs do protect my home! I don't think they would do any harm to friends they know but I still don't ask! That's just part of owning a bully breed!

I happen to love American Staffordshire Terriers. My cousin's husband was a New York City cop and he rescued one from the streets. Sam was the sweetest dog you'd ever want meet and was wonderful with the children and other animals. They are now on their second Amstaff because they loved the breed so much. I do not agree with breed specific legislation either. I've heard that they're trying to pass laws in some areas forcing people who own a bully breed to muzzle their dogs in public or to have a sign on their property advertising the fact that they own a bully breed. It's ridiculous!! Unfortunately, as many other people have commented, Petsmart may be in a tight spot with insurance companies as well as with other clients who may not want their dogs to mix such powerful albeit loving dogs. The sad fact is that all dogs have potential to bite regardless of their breed. Unfortunately, the potential for serious damage from a dog bite is much greater when you're dealing such a powerful dog even though we all know that most would much rather drool you than bite you.

This prob has to do with some states trying to make ownership of pittbulls illegal. But Ive seen many pitbulls that are much nicer then my Lhasa! lol

Aggressive dogs come in all shapes and sizes. But I can understand where Petsmart is coming from. I'm sure it has to do with liability issues.

What is this pethotel exactly?

Thats not fair, Those are great breeds, and do not deserve to be treated that way.

I wonder what Cesar Millan would say to this. Maybe that's why Petco sponsors his show and not Petsmart...

My guess is they either had a problem, or their insurance company threatened to raise their insurance rates if they allowed "bully" breeds. PetsMart does a lot of nice things for our community and our local shelters, so I cannot boycott them when they do give a lot back locally.

Keep in mind that why this may be the rule, you got to wonder, how often is this really enforced?

I know many will not like my comment, but I have to agree with Petsmart. Even though you may have one of these breeds and it has never shown aggression to your family, friends, strangers or even babies, animals don't always behave as expected in unexpected circumstances. I had a very loving pet once that I never expected to behave badly, but bit someone unexpectedly. Luckily it wasn't serious but it did happen. Just like babies, people always think their pets are the best ever and could do no wrong. But if one other dog (or person) gets seriously hurt, then everyone is going to jump on Petsmart wanting to know why they didn't restrict that type of animal and lawsuits will begin. Not to mention the animal or person that gets hurt in the situation having to suffer. So Petsmart really can't win for losing in this situation. Therefore, I find it hard to blame them for trying to protect themselves.

I go to Petsmart all the time and have a very wonderful passive Strafford Terrier.
I didn't know she wasn't welcome at Pet's Mart.
Looks like I will be visiting Petco from now on.

I am dissappointed in this. I am a special events leader for the local animal shelter and lead a Petsmart Adoption day twice a month at our a Petsmart location. They always allow us to bring our fixed, dog-friendly, people-friendly bully breeds to the store to meet potential adopters. Very dissappointing. As the owner of the biggest mush of a mixed bully breed, this makes me sad. Very unfair.....

Yes I think we should boycott Petsmart, but not because of this, If you want more info use the link below,

blog.peta.org

I know that my mother in law also had trouble with her home insurance because of the type of mix her dog is. And I leave my kids there with them to be babysat and we have NEVER had any trouble seems silly to me. Also, when we were looking for a dog, the humane society wouldn't even let us look at any pitbulls because they said even if they seemed nice they are too unpredictable and can turn at any time. I know this was because we have small children. But it makes you wonder.

the petsmart near me does not have a pet hotel in it. I don't think we should boycot them though because every week the local animal shelters go there and have adoptions going on. I think they probley don't want any "bully breeds" because they don't want anything to happen to their other dogs. To bad they don't allow even the well behaved ones though.

I have a Husky mix and when we bought our house they questioned giving us insurance because of my dog. How ridiculous is that??!!! The owner knows best about their own dog and they clarify to the 'Petshotel' about problems or issues (as everyone likes to call it), I think it is ok for all types of dogs. It's like kids......some are bratty while others are perfect angels. Brattier ones have 'special' instructions.

no u should not it realy doesnt matter

I agree with the insurance comments. That's too bad. Even though I would never leave my pit bull baby with anyone but family (I trust her completely, it's people I don't trust), I'm sure there are many responsible owners with well-behaved dogs who would like to use this service, but are being discriminated against. What a shame.

I have nastier toy breeds. That's not fair to dogs that know how to behave properly. I have worked in a kennel that had pit bulls and they got along great with other dogs.

I have to agree with Kevin on this one. I have owned several of these "bully breeds" and they were excellent family members, but when spooked or protecting you they may act unexpectantly, and even a quick snap to an ear (blood or no blood) could cause problems with an upset owner.

I volunteer at a shelter and I spend every Saturday at PetSmart working adoption events and I have to say I agree with PetSmart. Insurance is probably the driver here, but dominant breeds such as the "bully-breeds," boxers, Doby's and Rotts do often behave unexpectedly under unpredictable circumstances. As one who loves these breed and do my best to save them as they are discriminated agains by the media and ignorant mass public, I do know that these animals require a handler experienced with them and how they react.

I too think it is probably an insurance problem. I'm not sure what the answer is.

Other alternatives besides a boycott (which, in and of itself is somewhat of a "bullying" technique) would, IMHO, be preferable.

Why not provide the main number for PetSmart, which is 888-839-9638 and may be called 24/7, or phone the manager of your local PetSmart store (or do both!) and express your concerns?

I did misunderstand the concept of PetsHotel, thinking it was for people who are traveling with their pets -- not for people who are dropping off their pets.

While it's nice that this new service is available, I cannot imagine leaving my dear Wiggles in anyone else's care!

I used to be an Assistant Manager at a PetsHotel. The rule is STRICTLY for day-camp/group playtime. The dogs are allowed to stay at the hotel, and can have either individual playtimes with an employee or if they came in with another dog, they can have playtime with them. It is an insurance problem.

It's a sad time when companies have to exclude whole breeds but I think the insurance companies are the real problem. For PetSmart to get insurance for Bully Breeds they would have to raise prices for everyone.