Dining Out With Your Dogs in Orlando? Keep These Etiquette Tips in Mind

Orlando is a Great Place for Pet Parents

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a delicious meal on a breezy patio on a summer afternoon. That fun is doubled when you can bring your furry friend along with you! Orlando is a wonderfully dog-friendly place, with many restaurants, bars, parks, and markets where you and your dog can stretch your legs and enjoy some snacks. Before you go, though, it’s important that you get to know the restaurant’s rules so that everyone can have a great time at their meal.

Even if a restaurant says it’s dog-friendly, or allows dogs in their outdoor dining area, the rules are different than they would be if you enjoyed lunch at home. It’s important to be mindful of the restaurant staff’s needs as well as the comfort of the other diners around you. 

Dog Dining Etiquette Tips

Be Sure Your Dog is Up For the Outing

You know your dog better than anyone else does. You know whether your dog is leash aggressive and nervous around other dogs or strangers. If your dog experiences any of these issues, it’s probably best to leave them at home. When you’re focused on your food, you might not see the warning signs that your dog is about to snap. What’s more, aggressive and explosive movements plus a table full of food and drinks equals a recipe for disaster. Putting your dog in a situation where they will likely be uncomfortable is unfair to everyone involved.

Everyone Else Might Not Love Dogs as Much as You Do

Every pet parent believes that their dog is the best dog in the world that deserves love and affection from every human that crosses his path. While we agree with you, not every human in the world is a dog lover – and that’s ok! Make sure that your dog is not encroaching on other people’s dining experience without their express permission. Keep a handful of treats with you to encourage your dog to return to your side if they start to wander. 

Try Not to Sit in the Center of the Dining Space

Going out in public with your dog involves a lot of extra equipment: leash, water bowl, treats, and beyond. If you’re situated right in the middle of the dining area, all this extra stuff may cause a tripping hazard for staff and other diners, and it also doesn’t give your dog much room to stretch out and chill while you eat. If it’s at all possible, find yourself a table at the corner of the patio so you can set up comfortably and your dog can maintain a personal bubble, should they need it.

Don’t Tie Their Leash to the Furniture

You may think it’s ok to tie your dog’s leash to the table or chair you’re sitting at since you’ll be right next to them, but it’s much safer for everyone if you maintain your hold on their leash. First of all, you’ll be able to react quickly if something should happen, like your dog starting to wander or someone needing to pass by. Secondly, even if your dog isn’t being reactive, there’s always the possibility that they could pull the furniture over when they move, which poses a serious safety issue to you, your dog, and those around you.

Don’t Let Them Sit at the Table

Your dog should stay by your feet during your meal. First of all, as you know from some of our previous blogs, human food is not always safe for dogs, and when you order it from a restaurant, you don’t know exactly how they’ve prepared it. It could include garlic or spices that will make your dog sick. Secondly, letting your dog sit like a human can reinforce begging behavior at home, and that’s a no-go for everyone. Finally, letting your dog eat from the plate might gross out other restaurant-goers, and we’re sure the restaurant staff doesn’t want to clean dog slobber from their plates and silverware.

Time Your Visit

As we all know, dogs can get bored after a while of sitting around, especially if there are so many new sights and smells surrounding them. According to Reader’s Digest, you want to leave the restaurant before your dog gets tired, bored, or has to potty. Be intentional with the time you choose for your restaurant trip, as well; it’s best to avoid visiting during peak hours. Instead, go when you know the crowd isn’t too big and you’ll be able to enjoy yourselves. 

Great Places to Eat and Drink With Your Dog in Orlando

As we mentioned above, Orlando is a wonderfully dog-friendly city! Here are just a few of our favorite places to bring our dogs for an afternoon: 

Barley and Vine Biergarten

This charming craft beer and wine garden allows dogs both inside and out on their expansive covered patio. They don’t serve food, but they do often have visiting food trucks, and you’re welcome to bring your own food from one of the many restaurants nearby!

Sideward Brewing

Sideward Brewing offers a huge variety of craft beers made in-house as well as delicious snacks and sandwiches. Their covered and fan-cooled patio space is frequented by local dogs who love tagging along with their owners for a pint. 

Pups Pub

This brand-new bar in Orlando is designed specifically with dogs in mind! Featuring turf flooring, designated play areas, and Paw Patrollers who make sure everyone is having safe fun and staying clean, Pups Pub offers monthly memberships so you can bring your dog for a pawty whenever you want. 

903 Mills Market

Looking for more of a relaxed environment for a great breakfast or lunch? 903 Mills Market is a quaint local eatery with some of the best breakfast sandwiches in town, and plenty of space to be comfortable in their outdoor eating area. They have plenty of water bowls on hand for your thirsty pups!

We’re always looking for the best places to bring our dogs along with us! Of course, we love bringing our dogs to the farmers’ markets with us when we attend every weekend. What are some of your favorite dog-friendly places around Orlando? Send us a message and let us know!