Dining Out with your Doodle
As the warm weather approaches, more restaurants with outside dining spaces are welcoming our furry friends to accompany their humans. Here are a few rules of etiquette to help your doodle be a welcome guest for those around you.
Before you even consider taking your doodle to a restaurant, it needs to know some basic obedience.
Don’t ignore your doodle while you dine
For safety reasons, your doodle should be kept close to you and out of walkways.
Barking and whining are big no-nos. Take a high value chew toy that will hold your doodle’s interest, even with all the distractions. If nothing quiets him, be polite to others and take your food home in a doggy bag. Keep in mind, when correcting your doodle – keep your voice down. Dogs have very good hearing and can hear your corrections even when whispered.
Don’t take the leash off
Most restaurants will require a leash at all times – simply wrap it around your chair leg (and stay seated). Don’t use a table leg in case your perfectly behaved doodle decides to jump at something, you wouldn’t want to topple the table. A restaurant isn’t the place for a retractable leash – I don’t think they’re appropriate under any circumstance, but that was a topic in a previous newsletter. Your doodle should not approach other diners or their dogs.
Paws down
For hygiene purposes, feet on the ground at all times. No lap sitting either.
Feed your doodle before you leave the house
If you feed and walk your doodle before you leave home, he’ll be more inclined to nap while you’re at the restaurant. His tummy will be full, he will have done his business, and had some exercise – the recipe for a quiet content doodle.
Take refreshment
Be sure to take a collapsible water bowl, and possibly a bottle of water for your doodle. You don’t want him sharing water with other dogs – the germs – ugh!!
Be a good doodle parent and clean up after your doodle
A housebroken doodle shouldn’t make THAT kind of mess at a restaurant. If he does, make sure you clean up and ask where to dispose of your baggie.
Be prepared to be interrupted
Let’s face it, you have a cute dog – hopefully a cute well behaved dog. People are going to come up to you. Just remember…you asked for the attention by taking this cute furry friend out in public – ha!