4 Tips for Dining Out with Your Dogs

My husband and I recently moved to a new city and state. In the middle of unpacking all of those boxes, we weren't really in the mood to cook. At the same time, we didn't want to leave our pups Sadie and Oscar alone in their new place while we went out to eat. So we needed to find a restaurant that would allow us to bring them and eat outside with them.

Because we were new in town, we had no idea where to even look for a place that was dog-friendly. Thank goodness for the site BringFido. It's like TripAdvisor for dog families looking to travel or dine alfresco with their pets.

I spent about five minutes on the site and found a nearby Italian restaurant that welcomed dogs. A quick phone call confirmed that they would reserve a table outside where we could enjoy a meal with our dogs. The fact that we ended up enjoying spaghetti there had me thinking about that classic scene from the movie Lady and the Tramp.

Even though I am not a millennial and neither is my husband, it seems we like to dine out like millennials. According to Zoom Room, a national indoor dog gym and training facility, millennials are always on the lookout for new patios to dine at with their furry friends. Of course, bringing your dog along comes with a lot of responsibility. To ensure the safety of both your pet and fellow restaurant-goers, here are four tips on dining outdoors with dogs, courtesy of Zoom Room:

1. Know your dog

Dogs who are fearful of other dogs, strangers, loud noises or crowds shouldn’t be brought to restaurants until they are properly socialized. You want your pet to feel comfortable in this kind of environment. Also, dogs that have the tendency to bark and jump on tables or people can disrupt other patrons' meals. And it goes without saying that if your dog bites, keep him home. When we called that aforementioned Italian restaurant before booking a table for two humans and two canines, the restaurant did ask us about our dog's behavior, including if they were friendly.

2. Tether your dog

Bring a leash that can be secured to the leg of a table or chair. Tethering your dog to stay within a few feet of you will prevent them from wandering to other tables and disturbing other diners. This tethering advice is only as good as the table is heavy, however. Since the tables where we sat were lightweight, wrought-iron tables, we each looped a dog's leash around our ankles to keep them extra secure.

3. Check the weather

If the weather is too hot, consider leaving your dog at home. Pavement and cement soak up and retain the sun’s heat. If it’s too hot, your dog’s feet or skin can burn. Check out my recent story on how to keep your dog cool on a hot day for more tips on this topic. To make sure your dog stays hydrated on warm days, it’s important to bring a water bowl along as not all dog-friendly restaurants provide them. Lucky for us, the lovely Italian restaurant where we dined had water bowls waiting for each dog.

4. Make your dog feel comfortable and secure

Bring along a lightweight travel mat for your dog to settle down on. This will help your pup stay put and feel more comfortable. Also, bring along long-lasting treats for them to chew or work on so you can eat in peace. Our dogs always enjoy Kongs filled with peanut butter or a new Nylabone.