{"id":6745,"date":"2025-02-20T22:14:14","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T04:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/?p=6745"},"modified":"2025-02-28T22:23:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:23:57","slug":"are-dogs-allowed-in-ace-hardware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/are-dogs-allowed-in-ace-hardware\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Dogs Allowed in Ace Hardware?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ace Hardware is one of the most popular hardware stores in the United States, with over 5,700 stores across the nation. It is likely that you’ve had to go to Ace Hardware at one point to buy supplies or tools, as they are conveniently located, making Ace Hardware the neighborhood hardware store for many.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re planning to visit an Ace Hardware store but worry that they might not allow your dog, our article is here to guide you through the store’s pet policies. Read on to learn if Ace Hardware allows dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Ace Hardware?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ace Hardware is a chain of stores that sells hardware, grills, home improvement supplies, gardening equipment, and tools. The company is known as the neighborhood hardware store because most of the locations are owned by local business people and are conveniently located.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Ace Hardware, you can shop for home repairs, whether small or large-scale, duplicate your keys, repair screens, refill propane tanks, and rent equipment. All of these things make Ace Hardware the go-to shop for DIY, home improvement, and many other projects that require hardware and tools.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Ace Hardware’s Pet Policy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ace Hardware doesn’t have a nationwide pet policy, as most stores are independently owned by local business people. However, most locations allow customers to bring their dogs or other well-behaved pets inside while you shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although most Ace Hardware stores allow dogs, it is best to call ahead and ask if the store allows pets before taking a trip there with your dog. Most Ace Hardware stores have a phone number you can find on Google Maps to call.<\/span><\/p>\n

If pets are allowed at your local Ace Hardware, keep your dog on a short leash and navigate the store carefully while watching your dog, as the type of goods sold in Ace Hardware stores can pose safety risks if your dog gets into them. In fact, this can be the main reason why your local Ace Hardware store doesn\u2019t allow pets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

it is entirely up to the management of your Ace Hardware location to determine if pets are or are not allowed; franchise owners have the right to set their own pet policies. There’s usually a good reason why dogs aren’t allowed, so it is best to respect the store’s policies and leave your dog at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Service Dogs Enter Ace Hardware Stores That Don’t Allow Pets?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ace Hardware stores typically allow pet dogs, but it isn’t the same across all the locations. When it comes to service dogs, however, whether or not they can enter is different from pet dogs. In general, you can expect a service dog to be allowed into more public spaces than a pet dog would be.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Service Dog?<\/span><\/h3>\n

A service dog is a dog trained to perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability. The tasks these dogs are trained to perform are directly related to the owner’s disability. For instance, a service dog can retrieve objects from the ground or alert a hearing-impaired handler to specific sounds, such as doorbells. These tasks enable the handler to live more independently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service dogs are protected under the <\/span>Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/a>. This law grants them public access rights, which means that they are allowed to accompany their handler in public places where pets are typically not allowed, such as stores, including Ace Hardware.<\/span><\/p>\n

While this answers whether service dogs are allowed in Ace Hardware, it is important to note that service dogs must behave well in public and be under the handler’s control at all times. If the service dog behaves in a way that poses a safety risk, businesses can ask the handler to remove their service dog. We’ll cover the instances where a business, including an Ace Hardware location, may legally deny a service dog below.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to Expect Visiting an Ace Hardware Store With a Service Dog<\/span><\/h3>\n

When visiting an Ace Hardware store with a service dog, expect a positive experience, as most employees are trained to understand and respect service animals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will ensure that you’ll have a smooth shopping experience as far as the management at the store goes, but you’ll need to be extra careful while you shop. Some of the aisles can be quite narrow and have products on both sides that can be dangerous for a dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When navigating an Ace Hardware store, keep your service dog on a short leash and ensure that they are under your control at all times. If your service dog can’t be on a leash or a leash will interfere with the tasks they’re trained to perform, you can always ask for assistance from Ace Hardware employees, who will happily help you find what you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, expect a welcoming and accommodating experience when shopping at Ace Hardware with your service dog. To make the most out of this shopping experience, make sure your service dog is under control, and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when needed, especially when looking for items in narrow aisles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Ace Hardware Deny Entry to a Service Dog?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ace Hardware cannot deny entry to a service dog due to no-pet policies. Service dogs are exempt from such restrictions, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, there are instances where an Ace Hardware store may legally deny entry to a service dog or ask the handler to remove their service dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Ace Hardware store may legally deny a service dog if the service dog displays disruptive behavior, such as barking excessively or growling at shoppers. The service dog must also be under the handler’s control at all times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, the store may ask the handler to remove their service dog if the service dog walks away to explore the items on their own or doesn’t show interest in the handler (unless it is somehow connected to the task they’re trained to perform to assist the handler) and handler fails to recall their dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, there’s a standard procedure that all businesses in the US must follow when it comes to determining whether a dog is a service animal. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, only the following two questions are permitted to ask:<\/span><\/p>\n