Good dog! These Saskatoon businesses say opening up shops for pets is a treat

CBC

25-01-2025

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If Saskatoon's Broadway Avenue had a four-legged mascot, a four-year-old "good boy" named Rocco would be a strong contender for the role.
The spirited West Highland Terrier and his owner, Adam Wolf, make regular stops at stores in the neighbourhood, particularly those that dish out doggy treats.
"It's great to take my dog for a walk, visit local businesses and grab a coffee at a small cafe. I love my neighbourhood and it's a bonus to bring Rocco along," said Wolf, noting that during the summer he's also more likely to patronize restaurants that have dog-friendly patios.
Broadway Shoe Repair owner Jeff Wickstrom said that with nearby river trails attracting dog walkers, being a dog-friendly business means customers don't have to tie up their pets outside or return later to shop.
"You can just come right in and hang out," he says. "All the staff love dogs and they will give the dog a treat — after asking the owner's permission."
Wickstrom said he's never had a negative experience with a dog visiting the shop, but joked that certain pet behaviours do help boost his bottom line.
"We do get lots of dog-chewed shoes brought in. Just yesterday, a dog had chewed off all the pull tabs from a pair of Blundstones [boots], and I had to replace all of those, so dogs are good for business," he said with a laugh.
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A willingness to welcome well-behaved dogs is a common thread among business owners like Wickstrom. But you may notice a distinct difference between restaurants in Saskatchewan and elsewhere in the world.
Wolf mentioned a recent trip to England.
"Dogs were allowed in the pubs, and that was great — I saw a lot of them. It seems that other parts of the world have embraced [pets inside] a bit more."
We don't see Luna or Charlie (two of the most popular dog names in Canada) inside restaurants and bars in Saskatchewan due to provincial health regulations. The Saskatchewan Heath Authority (SHA) only permits service animals in public eating establishments, even if the business is a bar or a cafe that doesn't serve food.
That's also the case next door in Alberta; animals are not allowed in establishments where food is prepared, stored or sold.
But in Calgary, Four Dogs Brewing Company owner Vince Schaeffer allows in his brewery, because there's no kitchen on site.
"There's not a negative about it," said Schaeffer, who's originally from Moose Jaw. "Most people who bring their dogs in are very responsible."
In a walkable area like Broadway, allowing pet owners to come in with their dogs can be a selling point for businesses, Soul Paper employee Mia Christiansen said.
"I just had a woman … a couple weeks ago who said, 'Oh I would have come in but I had my dog with me,'" she said, adding it was easy enough to tell her to bring her pet inside.
"As a customer, as someone who works in a shop and as somebody who loves dogs, I think it's a win for everyone."
Not a fit for every dog
Christina Chandler, owner of Align Canine Training, said dog owners should know their pets before bringing them into dog-friendly stores or patios. Some businesses may opt against allowing dogs if they find them disruptive.
"Consider whether your dog is confident and comfortable around people of all ages and personality types, and how they behave around other dogs — even those not on their best behaviour," Chandler said. "Will my dog be disruptive or pleasant in this environment?"
She emphasized the importance of dogs making a good impression on business owners and customers, "because dog-friendly shopping experiences are limited and we want to ensure that they remain available to us — especially when dealing with Saskatchewan weather."
While Wolf said he and Rocco appreciate the city's off-leash parks and businesses that do welcome pets, he said there could still be progress.