Patio season is upon us! As more and more businesses welcome man’s best friend at their outdoor dining spaces, you might want to bring your dog along next time you go out. It’s a joy to have them with us! But there are a few things you should know first. Here’s the ultimate guide to visiting a pet friendly patio with your dog.

First: Will your dog enjoy being on a patio?

You might love the idea of dining alongside your dog. But does he? While some pets thrive in public patio environments, others would rather stay home — and that’s okay.

Ask yourself a few questions before grabbing the leash:

Have you ever been to this spot before?

Visiting a patio without your dog first can help you gauge whether or not he’ll enjoy the space next time you go. This might not be necessary — some dogs easily adapt to a wide range of situations — but it’s perfectly normal if your pet needs a little more guidance from you. When in doubt, scope things out by yourself ahead of time!

How busy will the patio be? Is there room to spread out?

Every patio is different. Some businesses create a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of space between tables. Others are well suited to large, loud gatherings. Depending on the time and day of the week, you might have an entire area to yourself or have to squeeze between other guests.

Before asking your dog to tag along, consider how chaotic the environment will be and how he’ll feel about the commotion.

How does your dog feel about people and other dogs?

If your dog is uncomfortable with strangers in his space, you’ll want to think critically about the types of patios you visit with him. While it’s perfectly possible to sit out of the way at a corner table, chances are you won’t be able to fully eliminate contact with other guests and their companions.

If your pet’s a little shy but enjoys being with you? A dinner out is definitely doable! Just go in prepared. If he’s terrified of children or hates the sight of other dogs, though? He might prefer resting comfortably at home.

Are you willing to divide your attention between your dog and your meal experience?

Even if your dog is a confident social butterfly, you’ll still need to keep an eye on him while you dine. It’s perfectly okay if paying attention to his emotions, behavior, and impact on fellow patrons doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend the evening! As much as we love our companions (let’s be real, to the point of obsession) it can be healthy to spend some time away from them, too.

What’s the weather like?

If it’s particularly hot, your dog might not feel comfortable sitting still outside — especially if the patio doesn’t have any shade. (Identifying spots out of the sun is another reason you might consider scoping out the patio yourself first.) Remember he can’t shed layers of clothing or express his needs verbally like we can!

And if it starts raining, he probably won’t be able to join you inside.

Not sure if your dog will enjoy a patio?

Quick tip: If you’re not sure if your dog is a good candidate for patio visits, test it out in a counter-service environment before bringing him to a sit-down restaurant. This way you can be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if necessary.

Pet-friendly patio etiquette

Confirm the business really is pet friendly

Just because you’ve seen a dog on a certain patio doesn’t necessarily mean the restaurant allows pets. You might have witnessed a service animal (a dog who is specifically trained to assist his handler with a disability and who has public access rights normal pets do not) or it’s possible the business has changed their rules.

Always check before bringing your companion to an outdoor dining space. It’s best to call ahead if possible — it can sometimes be difficult to find up-to-date information online.

Patio pups should be reasonably quiet

It’s no big deal if your dog barks at an occasional startling noise or whines once in hopes of getting a bite of food. Even the best-trained pets aren’t robots! If your table is the source of a cacophony, though, you might want to choose a different activity.

Use a leash at all times

You should keep your dog’s leash on — and either held in your hand or securely attached to your table — at all times when visiting a patio.

• You might know he’s well trained and social, but other guests don’t.
• Prey animals like squirrels can run by at any moment.
• We’ve all seen how much food kids manage to throw on the ground!

Ultimately, a visual tether keeps everyone — you, your dog, other guests, staff, and wildlife — safe and comfortable.

Your dog should stay within your own table area

In line with that: Your dog shouldn’t venture into another visitor’s table space. He doesn’t need to be under a strict command the entire time — it’s okay if he gets up to stretch — but make sure his leash is short enough that he doesn’t end up begging for food from the table next to you.

A good rule of thumb? Don’t allow your dog to approach within a few feet of any person or pet unless explicitly invited. We never know who might be uncomfortable around unknown dogs after a traumatic past experience (or who simply wants to eat their meal in peace).

Keep paws off of tables and chairs

Don’t let your dog jump up on patio furniture unless expressly allowed by restaurant staff or signage. It’s okay to ask if he can pose in your chair for a quick photo, but respect if the answer is no. Businesses want to keep their patios in top shape.

Stop and think before sharing food with your dog

While most restaurants won’t mind if you subtly slip your pup a bite of your meal as a reward for good behavior, you should take a minute to consider if it’s really in everyone’s best interest first. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Do not feed your dog with the business’s own utensils. (The exception is if they provide you with a water bowl or have a “pup menu” where dishes come specifically for your dog.)
• Avoid sharing food with your dog if he’s being rowdy. You don’t want to inadvertently reinforce whining, barking, or pacing behavior.
• Never give your dog alcohol or other harmful human foods. Generally speaking, small bites of meat are your safest option to share. When in doubt, stick with his own treats!

Offer a bathroom break before the patio

We all know accidents can happen — but do everything in your power to prevent your dog from using the bathroom at an outdoor patio (yes, even if he walks over to the flowerbed first). If he isn’t able to hold it, make sure you let staff know and clean it up immediately to keep the dining environment sanitary.

Make sure your dog is clean

Speaking of sanitary: While no one expects an outdoor dining area to be spotless, it’s polite to make sure your dog is reasonably clean before hanging out around other people and their food. A little dust from your recent walk at the park? No big deal. Caked-on mud or a strong smell from your last swimming adventure, though? That’s a little more serious.

If you’re not able to stop at home for a bath between activities, dry shampoo and deodorizing sprays like Legendary Canine’s Fur Fresh are great solutions on the go.

Training your dog for a patio visit

 

While some dogs are naturally more suited to patio visits than others, it’s possible to train your companion to better handle a public environment. Here are a few skills you can work on!

Confidence around distractions

It’s not uncommon for our dogs’ “bad” behavior — like barking and whining — to come from a place of insecurity. Outdoor dining can be particularly overwhelming for an animal whose hearing rivals ours! Strangers move quickly with large platters, silverware clinks against plates, unfamiliar children might jump or yell, banners blow in the wind, loud music echoes through speakers…

To set our dogs up for success, we need to gradually get them used to more intense sights and sounds. Start in calm environments and reward your dog for engaging with you.

Advocating for your dog builds their trust in you

Another way to increase your dog’s confidence around potentially scary things is to show him you’ll protect his space — so he doesn’t have to worry about it himself. Depending on your individual pet’s comfort level, this can look like a few different things:

• Politely saying no when someone asks to pet him
• Putting your hand or body between him and an approaching kid, dog, or other object (like a dish cart he seems uncertain about)
• Intentionally stationing him behind you so it’s easy to step in when needed

In short: Never force him to interact with something he’s afraid of. Help him learn he can dismiss it and pay attention to you instead!

Impulse control

At the same time patios can be full of frightening stimuli, they’re also home to a slew of temptations for our dogs like tantalizing smells, dropped food, and prey animals sneaking by. Building your companion’s impulse control is important to prepare him for these environments!

You can start small with simple leave it and focus games (like rewarding him with a higher value treat for leaving a lower value one) and work your way up.

Ability to settle in one spot

You might have a dog who loves nothing more than to sunbathe or sprawl out on the couch, regardless of how much exercise he’s had — or you might live with a pup who never sits still. Thankfully, even rambunctious dogs can learn to settle while you enjoy a meal!

There are a few different ways to do this:

• Teach a down stay or place command (your dog lies down or remains on a designated mat until released)
• Work on tethered decompression (you sit calmly with your pup on leash until he relaxes on his own, at which point you reward him by having some fun together and then repeat a few times)
• Practice switching between levels of arousal (like calming down between rounds of tug)

Whatever approach you choose, begin in easy settings first (like your own living room) before adding in more distractions. Make sure your dog is reasonably fulfilled so he isn’t bursting with pent-up energy.

Final prep before you go

Confident you and your dog are ready to enjoy a patio meal? Great! Here are a few final things before you head out the door:

Check the weather and business rules one more time

Make sure everything still looks as expected. Better to change your plan early on than be caught off guard after you’ve already arrived.

Fulfill your dog mentally and physically

Set your dog up for success by fulfilling him with a combination of mental enrichment and physical exercise before asking him to relax in a public environment. A few ideas:

• Play fetch or tug in between sniffing on a walk
• Feed his meal in a puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or food search
• Enjoy an upbeat training session

Pack the essentials to set your dog up for success

• Your dog’s collar and leash
• Treats or some type of reward for good behavior
• A portable water bowl (most pet-friendly patios provide these, but some dogs prefer drinking out of their own)

You might also consider bringing a towel or travel mat for your dog to rest on. This is especially helpful if the patio has an uneven surface like gravel — it’s easier for our dogs to relax when they’re physically comfortable!

Set reasonable expectations for your visit

Remember that dining with your dog should be fun for both of you. Things don’t have to go perfectly — your pet might get a little nervous, snatch a bite of dropped food, or desperately want to say hi to the other guests. That’s all okay as long as you have his back and stay respectful to the people around you.

And if things aren’t going the way you hoped? There’s no shame in leaving early. While it’s wonderful to relax on a patio with our dogs, it’s not the only way to spend time together!