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Susie wants to see more and more dog friendly restaurants where she can be with her daddy especially on road trips. In order to accomplish this she wants to get the word out that without proper canine etiquette this cannot happen.
First – Susie wants to get the word out that every dog should have formal obedience training. The classes are not only to instruct the dogs, but their human handlers as well. These are the first steps to developing proper canine etiquette. After three class sessions, Susie was proud to receive her Canine Good Citizen certification from the AKC.
Canine Restaurant Etiquette is actually very simple, but requires a trained and disciplined team between the dog and her handler. Foremost the dog should be in the handler’s control throughout the restaurant visit. The dog should be on a leash (4’ preferred) and always beside their human. Usually this will be in an outside area of the restaurant as most restaurants are prohibited by ordinance from having any animals inside except trained service dogs. Therapy dogs are also prohibited in these cases.
The dog should not be allowed to pester the other guests, but if there is interest to meet your dog, and it has been trained to meet curious strangers, then go ahead. You should know your dog.
If by some chance your animal makes a mess, be sure to clean it up. Carry along bags for an accident and for other matters ask the restaurant for cleaning supplies – then take care of the problem yourself.
The main word for proper etiquette is control. A well-mannered and considerate human-canine team will be welcome and will pave the way for others to do the same. Susie says “Be a good ambassador for canine-human relations.”
May 28, 2023
Love Susie