A Pet Parent’s Guide to Mall Etiquette: Keeping Pets Happy in Public Spaces

There’s a fine line between stimulating and overwhelming, so here’s how to make sure your SM Super Pet enjoys every mall visit.

Taking your pet to the mall could be wonderful for their socialization and mental stimulation. However, there is a fine line between stimulating and overwhelming. In this month’s article, we’re sharing a few tips to help make sure your mall visit excites but doesn’t overwhelm your pet! 

Tip # 1: Don’t rush into elevators or escalators 

If your pet isn’t used to riding elevators, it can be an intimidating experience. Forcing them inside an elevator can also make an already scared pet more fearful. Our best tip is to gradually expose your dog to the experience, and practice beforehand if you can. Allow your pet to walk up to the elevator doors, sniff around, and reward any forward movement. 

And between an elevator or an escalator, we strongly advise that you opt for the elevator. Escalators pose a safety risk of your pet’s paws getting caught in the steps. Try carrying your pet up the escalator or using the stairs instead. 

Tip # 2: Do alternate calm and stimulating activities 

For pet parents that can go shopping for hours on end, your pets don’t have the same stamina. Your pet might especially need a break after going through very busy areas like the mall’s entrance or the food court. Take advantage of quiet spaces away from the crowds. 

Tip # 3: Do try people-watching 

Your pet doesn’t need to meet dozens of people to socialize. Watching people and the environment around them already stimulates them and even teaches your pet to be calm around strangers and new situations. 

Tip # 4: Don’t force greetings 

Staying calm around people is a great social skill as well. Your dog doesn’t need to say hi to every person they come across, or have every single person pet them. If your dog gets used to greeting everyone, they might get too overexcited every time they come across a new person. It’s valuable to teach your pet that people are safe but also that they don’t need to interact all the time. 

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