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Home Journal Dog Owners guide to Eating out with your dog

We’ve pulled together some handy tips that can help ensure that a trip to your favourite dog friendly restaurant with your four-legged friend can be a pleasant experience for you both;

Firstly, before heading out to any restaurant check they are dog friendly. It’s also worth asking if there are dog friendly tables both inside and outside. This way if the restaurant is small and tables are quite close together your dog might find it less stressful sitting outside in the open (that is as long as it isn’t raining!)

Feeding First

Make sure your dog is feed before you leave. It may sound silly but if your dog is hungry as they haven’t had their dinner or lunch, sitting in a place full of food is going to be very tempting and may cause the dog to act up, start begging and worse try and steal food.

A Good Walk

If your dog is full of energy when you arrive to eat, getting them to sit still is going to be a lot tougher. They have to get that energy out somehow, and it’s likely to manifest itself in barking, pacing, whining, or other bad behaviours.

Bring Distractions

Bringing distractions is a great way to make sure your dog doesn’t get bored while you eat. Chew toys and tough-to-chew treats can be fantastic ways to keep your dog distracted throughout your meal and elicit good behaviour.

Don't forget your lead

Make sure you keep your dog on its lead at all time. By keeping them leashed, you’re protecting not only others in the restaurant, but your dog as well as they feel safer connected to you.

Finally, and probably the most important of all is to know your dog. Some dogs are completely calm and in-control about eating out at a restaurant, but it sends others into a frenzy. Only you know your dog and the situations they feel the most comfortable in. If eating out with your dog causes them stress, it maybe best to leave them at home.

Main image sourced from Pinterest

Dog Owners guide to Eating out with your dog