As a dog lover with my own fur baby, I always want to bring Lola to different places. This blog is written by Lisa Walker, a guest blogger of CoffeeWithJR.
Finding the perfect coffee shop in the neighborhood is a must for many people. It can be a nice treat before or after a long day at work. Many places have become dog-friendly, which has made hanging out at a local shop even more convenient for pet owners. However, you definitely don’t want to show up with your dog without being aware of some basic dog etiquette that can make time spent at a coffee shop with your dog enjoyable for you and the people around you. Below are some tips you can use to prepare for your trip, courtesy of Coffee with JR.
Call Ahead
Not every coffee shop is pet-friendly. Call before you take your dog with you to be sure of their pet policies. Find out which areas of the shop that dogs are allowed into, and what, if any, stipulations they might have on dog size or breed. And if the coffee shop has a no dog policy, respect their decision. Showing up with your pet and demanding they make an exception looks bad on you–and your dog.
No Dirty Dogs
Even the greatest dog lovers admit that pooches can easily get dirty and smelly. Before your next outing, consider having your canine friend groomed, as you don’t want doggy odor or muddy paws to ruin the experience for other humans. Since you probably don’t want to spend the time and money to have Fido professionally groomed every time you take him out, consider investing in some tools to spruce him up on your own, such as a dog hair dryer. Doctor Melody Aitchison-Steed offers some useful advice and ranks the best dog hair dryers, so check out her recommendations before your next pet shop visit.
Assess Your Pet
You know your dog better than anyone, so assess his ability to handle a trip to the coffee shop with you. Dogs that are socialized and obedient are best suited to accompany their owners on this type of outing. As Cesar’s Way details, socialization entails getting the dog comfortable around people and other pets he is unfamiliar with.
Getting your dog used to different people, animals, and places will take the fear and anxiety out of venturing to new places. A fearful dog can behave erratically or aggressively when put in new situations. Socialization can help ease that tension.
Pet-Friendly Vs. Friendly Pet
Make sure your dog is obedient and knows basic commands. If your dog is obedient and will sit, stay, or down on command, he is probably ready to go on this type of outing. You want to know that your dog will behave around other patrons and their children or dogs before you take him with you into a coffee shop.
Do not let your dog whine, bark, or beg for food. Other patrons are there to relax and enjoy themselves, so make sure your dog doesn’t bother people unless they come over to you and initiate interaction themselves.
At first, teaching your dog etiquette can be challenging, but it’s definitely worthwhile to stick with it. The earlier you train them, the better chance you’ll have of success. Regardless, teaching etiquette is important, and this is especially true if your dog will grow up to be big (you don’t want your large dog jumping on people). Curious to know just how big your dog will get? Online estimators can give you an idea of the size of your dog when he or she reaches adulthood.
A Treat For Both Of You
The key to keeping your dog calm and relaxed in this setting is to wear him out a bit beforehand. Take your dog to the dog park or for a long walk to let him do his business and burn some energy. He will get his fun in and be more likely to relax at your feet while you enjoy your coffee.
Bring a chew toy, some snacks, and your own water bowl to keep him distracted and content while you are there. Food and Wine has some fun tips for both you and your dog while you are enjoying your trip to the coffee shop. If you happen to forget a water bowl, ask for a plastic dish or a to-go container to put water in.
Don’t let your dog eat or drink from the shop’s dishes. That could be frowned upon by other patrons and you want to remain courteous.
Use A Leash
Keeping your dog on a short leash in public is a smart move, according to the Drake Center. In a coffee shop, this will keep him out of the way of staff and other patrons and close enough for you to control if a situation arises. Be sure to attach the leash to your person rather than to the table or a chair. If your dog does get startled or excited, the last thing you want is for him to knock over a table.
Bringing your dog to your local coffee shop is a privilege that should be respected. When dog owners follow good dog etiquette while out in their community, they allow the businesses to continue catering to their local clientele–and their pets–and fosters respect and friendship among your neighbors.
Image by JR Kuo
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