Dog Community

Doggie Dining...what do you think?

Posted : 1/25/2007 12:59:04 PM

Soon Dallas will allow dogs to dine at outdoor patio restaurants.
There are some rules, one of which is for the restaurant to clean up
after the dogs every 30mins. I can see how that is ultimately the
restaurants responsibility but shouldn't the owners do that?
I was wondering what u all think about allowing dogs at patio restaurants. For those of you that live in areas where this is already allowed...what is your experience with it? Many problems?

huskymom

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:02:32 PM

Clean up what? I don't think my dogs would potty there, so are we talking food slop? If its the former I definately think the owners should be responsible...

My dogs won't go on my patio, so I can't see why they would go on someone elses...

jones

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:06:28 PM

Sounds great to me. In Boston the only place I knew of that allowed dogs on the patio was Starbucks. No, wait, I had him on the patio with me at Au Bon Pain as well. I don't know of it ever causing problems... very few people took advantage of it in fact. We never left a mess - my dog wouldn't potty in an area like that and I wouldn't make a big food mess.

seashell

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:12:15 PM

Some of the places around here allow animals in outdoor seating areas as long as the animals can get to the area without walking indoors to get there. I only do it when it is really slow so that my dog doesn't disturb anyone's meals- she needs to say hi to everyone and expects that everyone should give her attention.
Unfortunately summer is way too short around here. Also, I have never had to clean up after my dog, but if it was needed I do believe it should be my responsibilty.

jode88

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:39:44 PM

I do believe they mean cleaning up animal waste as well as food. I dont see any food being left behind though. [

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My dog wouldn't relieve himself on the patio either but I can assure you many do. Every day I see poop on the sidewalk when grass is
just a step away. I dont get why people just leave it there either...but that's another subject.
The other rules include a seperate entrance and the dogs cannot
touch the wait staff. I'm curious to see how this works.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 1/25/2007 1:46:34 PM

I've seen poop on the bikepaths here too, even though the grass is only a couple of feet away. More than once I've seen a poor dog pooping on the run because his owner was dragging him along on a bike ride or jog and wouldn't stop for him. And of course, if the owner won't stop long enough to let the dog poop, he's not going to stop to pick it up, either.[:@] I think that given a choice, a dog will always go over to the grass or a planted area. If you're going to be going to an outdoor eating area with a dog, it only makes sense to take him for a little walk first and make sure he doesn't have anything to "do."

Joyce

Cita

Posted : 1/25/2007 2:53:18 PM

My dog has been trained to go in the "dog run" by the side of the house (a bricked area with some sand), so he would most definitely relieve himself on a patio if he felt the need. I agree that picking up pet waste should be the owners' responsibility. (Perhaps a Purell dispenser next to a doggie walk bag dispenser?)

As far as food mess... I would think having a dog around would make the area much cleaner in that regard! Hooray for canine vacuums! [

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snownose

Posted : 1/25/2007 3:17:16 PM

If dogs are not trained enough to not poop while people are eating, then they should not be there.

Caryl Peters

Posted : 1/25/2007 3:36:09 PM

Places that allow animals on the patio are great I love taking Bronx to one every chance I get (we alway manage to get every kid in the place at our table... Bronx loves those pint sized lollie pops![

]) and I deffantly think that you should clean up after your pup if he is a little messy with there food (Bronx tends to be a bit messy and I have to wipe his mouth with a napkin every few minutes). I think that if you know that your dog might go on the patio area you should not bring them or if there is an accident than absolutly the owner should be the one to clean up the mess. Bronx will not go on any thing other than grass and I always clean up after him. Though I have seen the same here in TN, were people just dont want to or are just to lazy to clean up after there dogs. Which gives the rest of us a harder time to get bussinesses and parks to let dogs in.

rwbeagles

Posted : 1/25/2007 3:46:18 PM

I saw that...I don't think it will go well...lol.

It's a great "idea" but "in practice"...well. My experience with the average joe and their dog, say at Petsmart...and also those that have dogs at shows and that know better..people get to talking and in this case, eating...and they pay absolutely no mind to what exactly their dog is doing, sniffing, or eating. What will you do with your leash while you eat? I guess you tie it to the table or your leg/foot? Here's to hoping no lunging happens lol.

Food, eating, and such does stimulate a dogs bowels..as does excitement or new places in general, the sight and scent of other dogs will also encourage marking in many dogs.Nerves or excitement in new places or rides in the car to new places etc.

IF a dog is used to car travel..being in crowds, is well disciplined, and listens regardless of situation I think they'd do great. But I don't know many dogs like that...lol. Just like people and their kids...I would not want to be seated outside near a dog and owner that percluded me enjoying the meal I am paying for. "No...sit...No leave it...Sit, sit SIT!"...I can see a lot of that sort of thing.

And just imagine if someone's food aggressive dog was there and the waitstaff didn't know it? You give your dog a piece of steak...the waiter comes over to clear, or another dog owner combo walks by, and "grrrrrrrr..."....lol.

IMO this would work a lot better if they'd issued a "pass" meaning owners would need to pay a small fee and demonstrate that their dog is stable by completing a small OB demo prior to issuance. Then restaurants can post "PoochPass accepted here!"...that'd be nice. It'd also be a way to track how many people are interested...and have a way to track people in case incidents of aggression occur or complaints from waitstaff or patrons occur...back to the source and compare notes.

Caryl Peters

Posted : 1/25/2007 3:49:51 PM

Hey you may have some thing there with a pooch pass! That is a great idea!

Cita

Posted : 1/25/2007 4:32:43 PM

IMO this would work a lot better if they'd issued a "pass" meaning owners would need to pay a small fee and demonstrate that their dog is stable by completing a small OB demo prior to issuance. Then restaurants can post "PoochPass accepted here!"...that'd be nice. It'd also be a way to track how many people are interested...and have a way to track people in case incidents of aggression occur or complaints from waitstaff or patrons occur...back to the source and compare notes.

That's a super idea!! It'd be great if it would extend to other places, too, like the bank or post office. But one step at a time

labcrab

Posted : 1/25/2007 4:43:22 PM

I live in a city that allows it (NYC) and it's fantastic. I have never encountered ANY of the issues mentioned (elimination, aggression, etc.) Although, dogs in general are extremely well socialized here and people are used to the idea. I think once you guys get the hang of it, it will be a good thing for your city!

cairnterriers

Posted : 1/25/2007 5:44:43 PM

I like the idea of taking your dog to a restaurant with you, but I agree that the owners should clean up after their own dogs. It's just their own responsibility...

cairnterriers

Posted : 1/25/2007 5:51:33 PM

Now that I think about it...there is a 99.99% chance that Riley wouldn't go to the bathroom while at one of these outdoor patios. He has only pooped on the sidewalk once in the entire two years I owned him, and it was in the wintertime when the sidewalk and grass seemed to be blended together. [

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