According to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) updated list of food regulations for 2022, dog owners are now allowed to bring their fur babies to restaurants that offer outdoor seating. This is wonderful news for dog owners across the United States! Especially those who want more opportunities to spend quality time with their pups.
All the same, outdoor dining with your pooch can turn into an inconvenient, or even unpleasant experience, if you’re not prepared. What if your dog causes a ruckus and disturbs the other diners? What if they get anxious about sitting outside for too long in an unfamiliar environment?
To ensure that your first outdoor dining experiences with your pup go smoothly, here are four things you should keep in mind:
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Be Up-to-Date on State and Local Laws—and on Individual Restaurants’ Policies
Although the FDA has given a go signal to allow pet dogs into outdoor dining areas, your state or local laws may currently say otherwise. It’s in your best interest to read up on what your state, county, city, or town laws say on the matter before bringing your pup with you to a restaurant.
It’s also a good idea to read your chosen restaurant’s pet policies before dining out with your pet. This is because pet policies may differ from restaurant to restaurant. For example, some establishments require dogs of all ages and breeds to wear dog collars and be leashed at all times. Others might require dog owners to have their dogs wear pet diapers because their toilets are off-limits to pups.
To make sure that you’re following a restaurant’s pet policies to a tee, call the establishment beforehand and ask them about the particulars. Doing your research ahead of time will keep you from breaking any laws and receiving complaints from the restaurant’s manager or your fellow diners.
Teach Your Dog Basic Table Manners
If you’re bringing your dog out to dine, the restaurant staff and your fellow diners would benefit from your observance of proper dining etiquette. Dogs with good table manners will help maintain order in the restaurant. Which will allow diners to enjoy their food in peace as a result.
- Don’t feed your dog food off your plate. Otherwise, you are encouraging them to beg.
- Avoid placing your dog on your lap, or on the dining table.
- Feed your dog beforehand. Or bring treats to prevent your dog from stealing food from other diners.
Help Your Dog Expend Their Energy before Heading to the Restaurant
The outdoors is filled with stimuli that can easily excite your dog. From the crowded sidewalk, to the noisy cars driving up and down the street, there will be no dearth of causes for your dog’s senses to get fired up.
Unfortunately, these stimuli can also cause your dog to become restless. If your pooch is full of energy, they might not behave the way you need them to at a restaurant. Not only is it difficult to control a spirited pup, but a restless dog can be seen as a nuisance by the restaurant staff and other patrons. If you’re unable to keep your dog composed, there’s a higher risk of them figuring into accidents or property damage.
To avoid encountering these issues, make sure to release your dog’s pent-up energy before you head to the resto. Take them on a long walk. Or bring them to the dog park for some doggie playtime so that they can expend their energy in a healthy way. You should also make sure to give your dog a chance to relieve themselves beforehand so that they won’t have to go potty outside the restaurant. Once your pup has calmed down and done their business, both of you will be more relaxed and have a better time dining outdoors.
Make Sure Your Pup Is Properly Socialized and Warmed Up to the Environment
Dining out with your dog may easily seem like a lot of fun to you, but your dog may initially think differently. Bringing them to a brand-new location and exposing them to strangers may cause discomfort and anxiety in your pup, which in turn can trigger defense mechanisms like growling, barking, air snapping, and biting.
An aggressive and overly agitated dog may be met with trepidation from restaurant employees and patrons. That’s why it’s important to properly socialize your pup and make sure they’re ready to venture into a new environment before allowing them to dine out with you.
A socialized dog knows how to interact with humans and other animals and will grow to enjoy their company over time. Socialization in dogs normally starts during puppyhood, but older dogs can still be taught how to socialize with others through socialization training.
You can also give your dog a gradual introduction to the idea of dining outdoors, thus allowing them to warm up to the idea. Start small, for example by taking them with you on a short coffee shop run, and slowly work your way up to bigger and more crowded eateries. This way, your dog will gradually build up enough courage to dine out at a busy restaurant. Moreover, they’ll be able to associate outdoor dining with a positive experience and not feel too overwhelmed at the prospect of being outside your home.
Al fresco dining will surely be more fun when your fur baby can tag along. However, the onus is on you to make sure that they won’t cause any trouble or feel uncomfortable while you’re at a new establishment. Use the tips listed above to help your pooch be on their best behavior, and enjoy memorable new dining experiences together.
For more on this topic, check out the full Family Pet collection
