Top Three Dog Friendly Businesses in Norman, Oklahoma

1. Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital
   
   As someone who ocasionally finds herself at the vet with a client dog, I’ve become somewhat of a connoisseur of vet offices! Ocasionally I need to run a dog to a vet for a tummy ache or rash checkup, and it’s not feasible for me to get them to their normal vet. In those instances, I want to take them somewhere local.

   Here’s what I love about Rose Rock:
   
   Large waiting rooms! I can’t count the number of dog fights I’ve seen go down at the vet, and it’s usually because the waiting room is too cramped. When you put a bunch of dogs together in one room, it increases the pressure on all dogs. If one of them is sick, in pain or medicated, you could very well have a fight on your hands. Rose Rock has a nice open space, with wide automatic doors so you can easily make room for your dog, or leave if the pressure is too much. There’s even a separate waiting area for cats, so everyone can feel safe and comfortable. I have never seen a dog fight there!
   
   Educated, friendly staff! Some dogs can be nervous of strangers talking to them and handling them, and prefer a more businesslike approach. If that is the case I just give a little notice to the tech handling my dog and they are more than willing to be accommodate and talk to me instead of the dog. In addition to this the staff behind the desk are bar none some of the most helpful and cheerful I’ve ever encountered.
   
   Beverages! Yes that’s right, Rose Rock has an entire fridge and full coffee setup. It’s nice to be able to pop a cold one while I wait to see the vet. In 2019, it truly is the little things that make the difference.

2. Neighborhood Jam
   
   I just absolutely love this place. Their coffee/food is delicious, and their outdoor seating is semi fenced, meaning you can easily back tie your dog if needed. The waitstaff are respectful of not petting the dogs in training, which I really appreciate, and it allows the dog to get a taste of real world training. One caveat: there are usually children playing on the patio with the Jenga blocks, so if your dog is unnerved by that kind of action, might want to leave him home.

1. Lowe’s

   If you follow my social media, then you’ll likely see a lot of Lowe’s videos! Why do I love this store? Let me count the ways…The aisles are nice and wide, enabling you to make space if your dog is nervous. There’s a bunch of different sounds, sights and surfaces for socialization and exposure. From automatic doors, to whirring floor waxers, to heavy pallets being dropped on the floor, it’s quite a dog trainer dream! It’s definitely a more challenging environment for dogs, and I use Lowe’s specifically for proofing commands. It is not a place I would take a first day dog, not until they’ve had a little more structure and command proofing.
   
   Take a tip from me: since it is an indoor place, make sure to arm yourself with poop bags in case your dog does the deed right there in the middle of the floor. I even take a small spray bottle of cleaner, so I don’t have to bother any staff members to clean up any messes my dogs make. We have to think about it this way: the generosity of a private business to allow dogs is a privilege that could very well go away if we abuse it. It’s so important to have your dog well under control, not barking at other dogs or people, and not pulling on the leash before you try an indoor trip like Lowe’s. And of course, clean up after yourself.