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Tips For Visiting Dog Friendly Places

There’s nothing better than taking your four-legged family members to a dog friendly restaurant, cafe, or pub. We have so many available to choose from on Dog Furiendly, but of course, we want you to be able to enjoy with your pooch free of embarrassment and frustration.

Here’s a couple of tips for visiting dog friendly places and how to make your trip a pleasant and fun experience for you both.


Consider Your Dog’s Temperament

Nobody knows your dog better than you. Some dogs are calm and in control when out and about, while others can be sent into a frenzy. Firstly, make sure your pooch is trained in basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down”. We love the Dogo app for this, a great tool for reaching those training milestones.

Some dogs are not great with other dogs, humans or situations. Be sure to run through different scenarios that could occur while visiting dog friendly places. If you have difficulty controlling barking or nervous behaviour, then we suggest looking into further training.

Read our blog to weigh up whether or not you should take a nervous dog to a dog friendly place.

Anxiety and Woofing

Not all dogs are good with big crowds of people. If a dog friendly place looks too busy and you know your dog gets anxious in that situation, either find a quieter place or wait for it to calm down.

The odd woof now and again is fine but if your dog is barking excessively, or growling this may disturb other customers. If you’re in the middle of eating take five to go outside to see if they want the toilet. Still barking? It may be better to ask for a takeaway box and head on home. If this happens often extra training may be a good option.

Being forced to sit still and do nothing can be boring for your dog, so why not bring something for them to do? Chew toys and treats can be fantastic ways to keep your dog distracted throughout your meal and elicit good behaviour.

Exercise

Our top tip for visiting dog friendly places! Take your dog for a nice long walk before visiting somewhere indoors. This will ensure that your dog has released all that pent up energy and toileted before arriving. This walk should keep the barking, pacing, whining, or other bad behaviours at bay too.

There’s usually a nearby park you and your dog can enjoy. Some places like Garwnant allow you to do both, with a dog friendly cafe area onsite too.

Water and Food

Your dog needs to eat and drink too. Take a water bottle, travel dog bowl and some food or treats with you in case the pub or cafe doesn’t have any. Of course, it’s always a bonus when a dog friendly place offers all this stuff. Minimise any food envy in your dog by feeding them before you head out so that they arrive with a full belly.

Don’t forget the lead

Even if your dog is well-behaved, you never know when a surprising incident might set them off or if you’ll have to pull them out of harm’s way. By keeping them leashed, you’re protecting not only others in the restaurant, but your dog as well.

Also, try not to cause an obstacle course or block walkways for other customers or staff by letting your pooch wander around with the lead on. Keep them close by, on a short dog lead at all times.

Tips For Visiting Dog Friendly Lead

Wet Dawwwg

You can never predict the Welsh weather. Some places are happy to welcome muddy paws and wet dogs, but we always suggest taking a towel. This way you can pat down your dog out of respect for the venue. 

Furniture 

As tempting as it is to let your pooch on the furniture to cosy down, don’t do it. It’s frowned upon by many dog friendly establishments. Not only will it annoy customers around you, but it can also affect those with allergies who use the same table.  You might like to put your dog on your lap however not every establishment will allow that either so check first. We suggest taking a blanket with you or putting down your coat for your pooch to cosy into.

Tips For Visiting Dog Friendly Places Furniture

Other Doggos

If there’s another dog inside already then ask if it’s okay for them to do some quick introductions. Once they’ve got aquatinted, sit at the opposite side of the dog friendly place, not to distract while eating or drinking. If it’s a small establishment and you think it may be a problem, then it’s probably best to find somewhere else nearby.

If your dog isn’t great with other dogs or a little anxious read advice on how to deal with dog friendly environments. 

Tips For Visiting Dog Friendly Places

Common Sense

Of course, we know that all of this stuff is pretty much common sense. We just want you to get the best experience you paw-ssibly can, so that you and those around you feel comfortable.


Share Your Top Tips

Do you have any tips for visiting dog friendly places? Leave them in the comments below.

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