Dogs in restaurants

For many dog owners it is a matter of course to take their dog in a restaurant because legally there are clear rules where dogs are allowed and where not.

However, there are also situations in which it is not clear whether the best friend is allowed to be present. In general, dogs are welcome in the restaurant, but in principle every gastronomy owner has the right to decide whether or not to ban dogs. What else you should pay attention to and how it will be a stress-free and pleasant experience for your four-legged friend, you can read in the following lines.  

Dog in a restaurant

Dogs are mostly welcome guests in restaurants or cafés. Like in any other area of society, given rules and regulations must or should be observed to make the coexistence of all participants as pleasant as possible. If you don’t want to leave your pet at home the next time you visit a restaurant, please note the following things:

Things to think about beforehand

• Find out in advance, by telephone or on the website whether dogs are welcome in the restaurant or not. Because restaurant owners have the right to say which dogs are allowed and which are not. Therefore it is advisable to tell us which dog (breed, size, etc.) will accompany you.  
• Make sure that your four-legged friend is physically busy before a visit, how mentally busy to be able to calm down in the restaurant.  
• Of course, your dog should have emptied himself sufficiently beforehand.  
• It would be good if your dog knows and can execute basic commands such as “place”. In this case you can practice “ceiling training” at home, so that your dog knows where his place is. Be patient and learn to lie on his blanket. It is also advisable to train the restaurant visit step by step by continuously increasing the time of stay. A trainer can help you with that.  
• Think also of the day and time of your visit. For instance on a Sunday rush hour, it could easily be stressful and uncomfortable for your buddy.  

Tip: You can design a travel dog bed here. This blanket you can use for training at home and take it with you to the restaurant.

In the restaurant

• Begging dogs are not a problem for some people or even find the unyielding dog’s gaze to melt away. But you should make sure that he omits this. Not only is it unpleasant for people, it is also a stress for your dog to wait for a possible snack. In general you should never let your darling eat from your plate first.
• Choose a seat carefully! If the dog takes a seat in the middle of the room, it can easily happen that the waiter stumbles over it. If you choose a place that may be too close to the kitchen, your dog will find it harder to lie still. Maybe youd’d like a place in a corner where your dog can rest. Do not allow anyone to pet or feed your darling. He should learn that the restaurant is not about him and he can relax.  
• When you take a seat in the garden, make sure you choose a shady place.
• Most waiters ask if they can bring your dog a water bowl. If not, please do so or take a transportable dog bowl or similar with you.  
• Always keep your dog leashed and secure the leash. But not at the table or the chair, it could end up like Beethoven in the movie.

A dog in a restaurant might be a challenge but once he knows it, everything is more relaxed.

Give your dog time to practice local visits. See if in some cases it would be less stressful for him to stay at home alone for two hours. If your darling likes to go with you, a good meal after a walk can be nice to finish off.