Dining Out with Your Dog

Let’s face it.  We love to be around our dogs, and they are just like family to us!  Few things are better than taking your furry friend to a restaurant to enjoy a nice meal with you.  That is, if you are visiting a canine-friendly establishment.  There is a thing called “doggie etiquette” which must be observed if you plan to dine out with your pup.  We are here to help you learn more about some of the things that you can do to ensure that you, your dog, and the restaurant all have a pleasant experience.

The first thing that you should do is feed your dog first!  Think of all the delicious-smelling foods that they will encounter in a restaurant.  If they arrive on an empty stomach you may be asking for a recipe for disaster.  Just because you feed them prior does not mean that they cannot enjoy some of the tasty foods at the restaurant.  This will help them behave.  It is also a good idea to wear your dog out before heading out to the establishment.  You do not want them to exploit all of their energy at the restaurant, do you?

Bring distractions!  You will thank us later for this.  Grab your dog’s favorite toy and or treat!  It is also important to bring a small bowl for water.  Many dog-friendly restaurants will be happy to provide this for you and your pup, but do not assume that it is common.  Most importantly, you need to know your dog!  Some dogs are completely calm and in-control about eating out at a restaurant.  Others are not as ideal!

Ensure that your dog knows the basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and so on.  Keep in mind that there will be a lot of distractions.  The last thing you would want to do is ruin someone else’s meal due to a wild dog!  With proper patience and training, you should be good to go though!