Go to a restaurant with your dog
Going to a restaurant with your dog, is it possible? Can I go to a restaurant with my categorized dog? All my dog friendly advice and addresses!
Summary
Holidays are synonymous with pleasure, so we often take the opportunity to eat at a restaurant. Is your dog allowed to come with you to the restaurant? How should he behave there? What accessories should you provide for the comfort of your dog? So many questions that this article will answer.
In a restaurant, there is a lot of traffic: children playing, waiters passing between the tables… Let's remember here that not everyone likes dogs, and some people are even afraid of them. Proximity to others in restaurants therefore implies rules that must be respected so that everyone can have a pleasant and convivial time. I suggest you read these few tips and special instructions “I take my dog to a restaurant”.
A quick legal note to start: dogs are prohibited in food establishments for hygiene reasons, but the law is silent on this point regarding restaurants. It's entirely up to the establishment's owner. How can you tell if a restaurant is dog-friendly ? The first option is to consult the list of restaurants on the website. Dog lovers from all over the world, like you and me, share their favorite dog-friendly spots online every day. In fact, if you've tried and loved restaurants with your dog, share them on the website too ! You can also check the restaurant's sign for a sign indicating whether dogs are allowed or not. Or, you can always call ahead and ask directly before making a reservation.
Booking with a dog & details
Dog-friendly restaurants are happy to welcome your dogs and are very understanding. Remember to call ahead to make a reservation, specifying that you will be accompanied by your dog and indicating whether it is small or large. This information is important because it allows the restaurant to arrange seating so that you and your dog have enough space and can be comfortably seated. The larger your dog, the more "intrusive" you are... If the restaurant is crowded, unfortunately, you will be less likely to be accommodated than if you had a Yorkshire Terrier . This prevents dogs from being too close together if there are several of them, or from disrupting the service.
When you call, you will be asked how your dog usually behaves. If he is calm, if he is sociable… Likewise, if you arrive with him in front of the restaurant, the waiter will determine in a few seconds if your dog seems good or not. If he is agitated, pulls on his leash, barks, jumps on the waiter… there is a good chance that you will be refused access to the restaurant. For the moment to be friendly for everyone, your dog must know how to be discreet and wise. A young puppy who wants to party everyone will be more complicated to take to the restaurant.
Below, I've listed some of the best QUALIDOG-certified restaurants recommended by the EmmèneTonChien.com team. You can also find the complete list of dog-friendly restaurants here!
P.S.: And if you're a restaurant owner and already welcome dogs, find out how to get this welcome recognized and promoted in the article " Pet-friendly label for restaurants: more customers with QUALIDOG".
And if you don't find what you're looking for on the site, you can also check out TheFork.com . Discounts and a wide variety of cuisines await you, something for everyone! Remember to check the "Pets Welcome" filter in the "Services" section for a better welcome for your dog. However, these restaurants are not QUALIDOG certified, so I can't guarantee that your furry friend will be woof-friendly.
Two essential accessories: the collar and the leash
It is very likely that other dogs are already installed in the restaurant with their masters. The restaurant is not a canine meeting place. You will not be able to let your dog go to greet his congener. In addition, you know, some dogs are less sociable than others: no need to start a fight in the restaurant! And it also avoids a fall of the server which could (unfortunately) end up on your knees (and this in the best case!).
Your dog must remain tethered to your feet with its leash . I often bring a microfiber dog towel with me. It's discreet to slip into my bag and allows me to create a designated space for my dog. It's a bit like "his rug" at home. Musher lies down on it and doesn't move. When I arrive, I watch how the servers move between the tables to determine where Musher can rest peacefully. The servers appreciate it, and it prevents Musher from being stepped on during service.
What about categorized dogs?
Remember that only you know your dog. Category 1 and 2 dogs are often victims of discrimination based on appearance (yes, it happens even with dogs) and can frighten people who don't know them. It is very important to wear a muzzle in public places, especially if you go to a restaurant, and to keep your dog on a leash.
Is it possible to travel with a dog classified as dangerous ? To find out, read or reread the article dedicated to the subject.
To each his own bowl!
Some restaurants are happy to welcome dogs, but they haven't necessarily considered that each dog size requires a specific bowl size. If you have a large dog, it's best to bring their own bowl, as this prevents them from having one that's too small and not being able to drink properly, or even spilling their water. Some dogs lap up water like kittens—it's so cute! Musher drinks like a fish and sprays everything around. It's a mess. Again, my microfiber towel saves the day. It allows us to leave a clean place when we go out. It can also be used to wipe their paws in winter, for example. That way, we can enter the restaurant without leaving any marks.
Restaurants are public places where we should respect the people around us. To be welcome in a restaurant, your dog must be educated. Your dog will therefore have to know how to stay calm for an hour or two, not to jump on the waiter each time he approaches your table, not to cry to ask for food, not to bark if another dog settles down at a table. close to yours… he must know how to be discreet.
Following these few tips will ensure that this meal is a moment of relaxation and not of stress.
Musher's seasonal advice
One last tip
One last piece of advice: do not feed your dog leftovers from your plate. Your dog may ask for more, maybe drool or have a slightly aggressive reaction if someone approaches him at this time...
A little tip for lunches or dinners on the patio. Birds often get into the habit of pecking at crumbs that fall to the ground. Keep an eye on your dog's reaction… It happened to a friend of mine who has a very large dog, a 60-kilo Landseer . She was eating peacefully when she suddenly found herself on her bottom. Her dog jumped on a bird and chased it across the patio. Her dog was tied to the chair. When he jumped, the chair followed him… So much for discretion! Luckily, no one was hurt, not even the little bird…
Of course, we avoid going to a restaurant with our female dog in heat, otherwise there will be a riot if male dogs have lunch/dinner with their owners and/or a dog in the middle of shedding. I am thinking in particular of dogs with long, thick hair that loses it in large clumps during shedding...
organize your holidays
Read also
- The checklist for going on vacation with your dog
- The list of dog-friendly restaurants
- Going on vacation with a categorized dog
- Book a table at a dog-friendly restaurant
Traveling with a dog
Book accommodation
Book among the QUALIDOG-labeled accommodation for your holidays
Search for a hotel or accommodation “ok dog” on Booking- 🛖 Find unusual dog-friendly accommodation on Abracadaroom
- (I.e. Find an “ok dog” campsite for this stay
(By booking your places and stays via these links, you will support the site since we will receive a small commission which is very useful to finance the many pending projects!)
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I often look for places to stay and restaurants that accept my dog, a very calm little Jack Russell who doesn't bark.
Little relaxing week = restaurant that accepts dogs.. bravo for your site