As dog owners, many of us like to take our pets everywhere. This includes our favorite restaurants where our pets can be our dining companions. The experience can also be enjoyable for the dogs with new sights, smells, and maybe extra attention.
In order to dine out with your dog while still maintaining that enjoyable experience for you and other restaurant patrons, there are a few tips you can use to keep the experience stress free and make sure your dog is well behaved.
Tips for Patio Dining with a Dog
- Start Small – Like anything new you do with your dog, starting small is the best way to begin. Go during a time the restaurant won’t be very busy and stay for one drink or an appetizer. This keeps your dog from getting overwhelmed before you build up to full-on meals.
- Check the Restaurant Is Dog Friendly – Many patios do accept dogs, but it is best to check before heading out. Some will only allow service dogs on the patio, some may have certain days or times where dogs are allowed. Check their website, social media, or call ahead to confirm your dog as welcome.
- Keep Your Dog Leashed – Anytime you’re in public, keep your dog on a leash and close to your table to avoid tripping others or having your dog get into anything she should not.
- Bring Your Own Bowl – Even if a restaurant has a communal water bowl out, it is best to provide your dog water in a personal bowl. Shared water bowls can often contain bacteria or different germs you do not want your dog to come in to contact with
- Feed Your Dog Before You Go – A restaurant will have lots of good smells to a dog’s sensitive nose. If your dog has a full stomach before you head out, she is less likely to be tempted and distracted by all those smells.
Whenever you dine out, whether it is your first time or your dog is a seasoned dining companion, know when it is time to leave. The smells, people, and movement on a restaurant patio can sometimes be overwhelming and your dog may not have the patience. If your dog starts to get agitated and you cannot calm her down after a few minutes, ask the waiter to pack up your food. This prevents the experience from being a negative one and you can always try again on another day.
How Much Time Should You Spend with Your Dog?
No matter how much you love your dog, you cannot spend every minute of the day with her. Work, school, errands, and socialization will take you out of the house and your dog will have to spend a few hours by herself. Even when you are home, chores and family time can keep you from spending time with your pup.
But when you want your dog to be as happy and healthy as possible, making sure they get enough time with you is essential. Learn about how much together time your dog needs, how to tell if she is getting enough, and how much might be too much.
Understanding Quality Time with Your Dog
As a general rule, veterinarians and trainers recommend around 2 hours per day of one-on-one time with you and your dog. Some of these activities that count as quality time with your dog include:
- Feeding Time
- Bathroom Breaks
- Walks
- Play Time
- Training
- Cuddling
Just remember that time spent should be quality time. You want to choose activities that you know your dog enjoys, and ones that involve the both of you. Engaging in a game of fetch together for 10 minutes is far more valuable to your dog than sitting in the same room together while you are working for an hour.
It is also important to remember that 2 hours is only an estimate. There is no single right answer for the number of minutes you should spend each day with your pup. The number will depend on the breed, temperament, age, and health.
You can often tell if your dog requires more time with you if she appears bored and uninterested, starts showing symptoms of anxiety, or becomes destructive while you are away. These are indicators that your dog is trying to get your attention. Adding an extra walk or playtime, or looking into daycare or a daily walk in the middle of the day can help your dog get more of the socialization she needs.
Training Your Dog to Spend Time Alone
On the flip side, it is possible to spend too much time with your dog. As people return to work after Covid-19 restrictions, this is a particular concern. Dogs who have spent hours a day with you may experience separation anxiety when they are faced with alone time.
If you do have to change the amount of time your dog spends alone, be sure to start slowly and work up to the necessary amount of time. For dogs that will be alone for more than 6 to 8 hours, make a plan for a dog walker to take them out some time while you are gone.