Doggy destinations: Fun Connecticut hangouts to take your furry friend

Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant
·5 min read

As you sit down and plan a night out with friends, your dog stares at you with its big brown eyes, pleading to not be stuck in the crate for another night. With school out and summer beginning, it’s the perfect time to bring your family friend out shopping with you or hanging out at a local winery or brewery.

The first thing dog owners wonder is where their pet is welcome or if their dog will behave while they are out and about. Taylor Lima, a trainer with dog training facility Tails U Win in Manchester, said the biggest thing is starting the training at home so your dog knows what to expect once they get out in public.

“Whatever you want them to do out and about, practice at home, in the yard and on walks,” Lima said. “Sitting, walking nicely on leash and staying at your feet are important.”

Lima suggested starting your dog with small field trips since what the dog only does at home, he or she may not do somewhere brand news.

“Keep it short and sweet,” Lima said. “Can you walk nicely with me and pay attention? Then move on to more complicated things like sitting down and staying at your feet.”

For younger, more energetic dogs Lima said you want to tire them out before they go places.

She also suggests bringing high value treats since your normal training treats may not be interesting enough when out in public.

Once you are out at that brewery with your friends, make sure to bring a bed, blanket or mat, she said.

“You want busy work. Bring a frozen Kong with peanut butter or a bully stick. They need something to do while laying there,” Lima said.

She also suggests bringing a treat pouch with lots of treats, water especially if it’s warm out and a favorite toy that can also be something to do for your dog.

If you’re going somewhere crowded, pack a 4 foot long short training leash. Retractable leashes are a no go as they can break, they are clumsy and take up one of your hands.

Here are some local places you can travel to with your pup this summer:

Shopping Plazas

The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk

501 Evergreen Way, South Windsor, CT

Many stores at Evergreen Walk are dog friendly! They include Anthropologie, Appleseed’s, Brighton Collectibles, Brookstone, Destination Maternity, Eddie Bauer, Francesca’s Collections, Gap, J. Crew, J. Jill, Kirkland’s Home, Lady Foot Locker, Leaps & Bones, L’Occitane, New Balance, Papyrus, Pottery Barn, Shoe Explosion, Soft Surroundings, Talbots, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Chico’s, Clarks, Coldwater Creek, Country Curtains, GapKids, Green Tangerine Spa & Salon, Sparkle and White House | Black Market.

Old Mistick Village

7 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT

Many of the stores in the Old Mistick Village are dog friendly. Dogs can walk around the village and it is suggested to ask at each store if dogs can go inside.

Wineries and breweries

Arrigoni Winery

1287 Portland-Cobalt Road, Portland, CT

Dogs are allowed outside in the grass areas at Arrigoni Winery.

Labyrinth Brewery

148 Forest St., Manchester, CT

Dogs are allowed inside and outside at Labyrinth. Inside, they even sell doggy merch including leashes, bandanas, cookies and dog toys! Rules include no continuous barking, dogs must be leashed and they ask if your dog becomes aggressive, over excited or anxious that they leave.

Brignole Vineyards

103 Hartford Ave., East Granby, CT

Dogs are welcome at Brignole Vineyards as long as they are leashed, well behaved and you pick up after them.

Firefly Hollow Brewing

139 Center St., Bristol CT

At Firefly Hollow Brewing, dogs are welcome!

Hog River Brewing

1429 Park St., Hartford, CT

Dogs are welcome at Hog River Brewing.

Alvarium Beer

365 John Downey Dr., Suite B, New Britain, CT

Alvarium Beer is extremely dog friendly! No barking in the taproom, though, is allowed.

Shopping

Home Depot

With locations all over Connecticut, make sure to call and double check before you bring your dog!

Lowe’s

Be sure to call and confirm that your nearby location is dog friendly.

JOANN Fabric and Crafts

JOANN Fabric and Crafts has locations all over the state including Newington, Southington and Manchester. Dogs are welcome in the stores! Just be careful - your dog may want to pick out their favorite fabric for a new coat!

Michaels Arts and Crafts

Bring your dog to pick out your next art project at Michaels Arts and Crafts. The stores are all very dog friendly!

Cabela’s

475 East Hartford Boulevard N, East Hartford, CT

Planning a fishing or camping trip with your pup? Bring them into Cabela’s!

TJ Maxx/Marshalls

Don’t leave your pup in your hot car or at home when you want to go shift through the racks. Both TJ Maxx and Marshalls are dog friendly! Just be sure to not lose them in the racks of discount clothes!

Old Navy

With locations all over, make sure to call and confirm. Stores attached to malls are most likely not dog friendly.

Crate and Barrel

48 South Main St., West Hartford

Get a new dog dish or something for your house at Crate and Barrel and bring your pup along with you!

Barnes & Noble

With stores all over the state, make sure to call and confirm. Dogs are not allowed in any café areas around food.

Pet stores

The following stores are all pet friendly and have multiple locations throughout the state! Bring your dog in to pick out their new leash, some tasty treats or a comfy bed.

  • Petco

  • Petsmart

  • Pet Supply Plus

  • Leaps & Bones

  • Tractor Supply