Are Dogs Allowed in Harbor Freight? Your Full Guide

Harbor Freight is a total paradise for DIY enthusiasts. From power tools and tile saws to paints and sealants, the popular retail store offers practically everything you could possibly need for your home projects.

Of course, as any frequent Harbor Freight shopper will know from first-hand experience, 10 minutes at the store quickly turns into an hour… Then a few hours… And then a whole day trip. While you can find a friend or dog sitter to look after your pup for the day, this isn’t always possible, especially if you plan your trip on short notice.

But did you know that many large retail stores in the US actually allow pet dogs? Today, we’ll find out if Harbor Freight is one of them! 

What Is Harbor Freight?

Harbor Freight is a leading retailer that stocks tools and equipment at affordable prices. Some of the products Harbor Freight sells include tool sets, heat guns, blowers, welders, and hardware. As of 2024, there are currently more than 1,500 Harbor Freight stores across the US.

Does Harbor Freight Allow Dogs?

Good news for pup parents! Harbor Freight does allow pet dogs into their stores! While this information isn’t readily available on their official website, we contacted their support team directly. They gave us the following response:

“Customers with pets are welcome if they do not present a risk to our customers or associates or disrupt our store operations.”

We wanted to find out whether this policy applied to all stores or specific branches, so we asked for further clarity regarding this matter. They cleared things up, telling us that this policy is “the case in all our stores.”

This means that pet dogs are always welcome into Harbor Freight stores as long as they behave politely and don’t exhibit aggressive or destructive behavior. 

While at the store, you must also supervise your pup at all times and ensure they don’t chew, knock, or move any of the products on display. They also shouldn’t get in the way of staff carrying out their day-to-day duties.

Keep in mind that your dog can always be removed or denied entry at the store manager’s discretion, and any federal or local laws regarding breed restrictions will still apply. Your dog should also be housebroken and up to date on vaccinations; a “risk” doesn’t just refer to out-of-control behavior, it also refers to health and safety.

Does Harbor Freight Allow Service Dogs? 

A service dog is a type of working dog that is prescribed to individuals with diagnosed disabilities. They perform specially trained tasks that help ease symptoms of their owner’s disability and help make their daily life more manageable.

Service dogs can be trained to perform any tasks though the tasks must relate to their owners’ disabilities. Some common service dog tasks include deep pressure therapy, mobility assistance, crowd control, room search, and medication retrieval.

Service dogs are exempt from breed and size restrictions outlined in federal and state laws. 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal laws, service dogs are also granted the following legal privileges, which must be upheld in all states and by all businesses:

  • Public Access Rights: Public spaces and businesses must grant service dogs reasonable accommodation and can not deny them entry (unless extraordinary circumstances apply)
  • Travel Rights: Airlines must allow service dogs to fly in the cabin at no additional charge (enforced by the Air Carriers Access Act)
  • Housing Rights: Landlords must accommodate service dogs and can not treat them as pets. This means pet security deposits, pet rent, and pet restrictions do not apply (enforced by the Fair Housing Act)
  • Workplace Rights: Employers must allow service dogs at the workplace and make reasonable adjustments to the environment for them

Since service dogs are granted public access rights, they are allowed in all stores — even in stores that have no-pet policies in place. This means you can legally take your service dog with you to every Harbor Freight branch. 

Harbor Freight’s customer support team also confirmed this: “We make every effort to accommodate all our customers. Service animals are always allowed”

Service dogs in training are also typically allowed in Harbor Freight stores. However, be mindful that service dogs in training are not protected under the ADA, and only a few states have created additional laws that grant service dogs public access rights.

Can Harbor Freight Deny Service Dogs Entry?

In general, Harbor Freight stores can not deny service dogs entry. However, there are some rare instances where a service dog may be removed from the premises, including:

  • The service dog is aggressive and is endangering other customers at the store
  • The service dog is destructive and disrupting store operations significantly 
  • The service dog isn’t housebroken or is out of control

These situations shouldn’t ever occur if your service dog has undergone proper training and been prepared for public environments.

Can Harbor Freight Ask for Proof That My Dog Is a Service Dog? 

Harbor Freight staff aren’t legally allowed to ask for proof that your dog is a service dog. They can not request to see your service dog perform their commands, nor can they request to see evidence from a healthcare provider.

Under the ADA, staff can only ask customers two very specific questions about their service dogs:

  1. “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?”
  2. “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Any other questions are a breach of your rights, and you should contact the store manager immediately if a staff member tries to ask you any personal questions about your disability. You can also get in touch with the team of experts at US Service Animals, who can provide you with legal support and advice.

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Harbor Freight 

Emotional support animals are often mixed up with service animals. While they do assist people with disabilities, they have a different role and receive different legal protections. Instead of performing trained tasks, emotional support animals offer therapeutic support solely through their physical presence and companionship. 

Emotional support animals are not considered working dogs as they aren’t required to perform tasks or undergo special training. Due to this, they aren’t protected under the ADA and do not receive public access rights.

Harbor Freight is not legally obligated to accommodate your emotional support animal. However, since they do typically welcome pets into their stores, they’ll likely accommodate your emotional support animal too, provided they’re housebroken and well-behaved.

Do note that Harbor Freight’s pet policy is specifically related to dogs. If your emotional support animal is another species, you’ll need to contact your local branch directly and find out whether they’ll accommodate them. 

What Other Stores Allow Dogs in the US?

While many stores don’t disclose their pet policies on their official websites, many are pet-friendly and accommodate well-behaved pooches! Below, we’ve gathered a list of popular stores that are typically pet-friendly in the US:

  • Petco
  • Old Navy
  • Ross
  • Michaels
  • Lowes
  • Tractor Supply Co
  • Marshalls
  • Barnes & Noble 
  • Hobby Lobby 
  • Macy’s
  • Pottery Barn 
  • Home Depot
  • HomeGoods 
  • TJ Maxx 
  • Homesense 
  • PetSmart

Be mindful that the specifics of the pet policy can vary depending on the store branch, as well as local and state laws. Always contact the store you plan to visit in advance to find out if they accept pets.

Tips for Taking Your Dog to Harbor Freight


Before heading to Harbor Freight with your companion, you need to make sure they know their basic obedience, are housebroken, and are polite around strangers. You should also ensure they’re comfortable in busy environments. Some dogs find busy environments overwhelming and would feel distressed in a store setting.

While it’s not always easy to identify when your pup is feeling stressed, there are a few telltale behavioral signs, including:

  • Excessive yawning 
  • Licking (particularly around their lips)
  • Panting
  • Pacing 
  • Ears pinned back
  • Tail tucked between legs
  • Trembling

Familiarize yourself with these signs and monitor your pup’s behavior closely. If you notice that they’re exhibiting signs of stress, redirect their attention with a trick and then take them to a quieter area to help them calm down. 

Make sure your dog knows their leash manners and is kept on a short leash at all times too. A short leash gives you full control over your pup and allows you to keep them close if they ever get distracted or begin to wander. 

Bring Your Pup to Harbor Freight Today 

Harbor Freight fortunately does allow pets in virtually all their stores, as long as they’re well-behaved, housebroken, and don’t disrupt staff operations. 

While shopping with your pup is no doubt an exciting experience, always remember to prioritize their needs first. Familiarize yourself with common signs of stress, and if you believe they’re getting overwhelmed, remove them from the premises immediately. 

You should also make sure your dog is brushed up on leash manners and can reliably perform basic obedience commands before your first shopping outing. 

Service dogs are always allowed in Harbor Freight stores because they’re protected under the ADA. However, they still need to be housebroken and kept under control.