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i would absolutely not bring my dog to a restaurant.

Sure...if I was BLIND.

I was eating in D.C. on Sunday morning, and I noticed A LOT of people eating outside at restaurants with their dogs parked next to them. It's mean!

It's pretty popular in NY to see small dogs parked under the chairs of outside diners during the warm weather. The waiters usually get them a bowl of water and a treat to snack on while the humans dine. I am a cat owner, so I guess this whole concept is a little foreign.

i eat al fresco with my dog occasionally. i could care less what anyone else thinks as long as the other diners are not bothered. and my dog loves it. and yes ill even sneak her stuff from my plate.

When I was in Paris, plenty of people were bringing dogs into restaurants--indoor ones--and no one raised an eyebrow.

My dog is a healthy dog and I absolutely love him. I love to bring him everywhere, he even has his own car seat. Yet, not in a million years, would I even think to bring him to a restaurant. Let's face it, dogs think the world is their toilet.

My neighborhood is community wifi connected and dog friendly, so it's common to see people with their dogs and/or laptops sitting at restaurants with outdoor patios, boutiques, galleries, etc. I have yet to take my dog to a restaurant, mainly because she is only a year old and gets bored very easily. My cat doesn't beg when we eat. I'd take my cat to a restaurant if he wasn't so scared of going outdoor.

I've sat at a restaurant where parents changed their diaper at the table. As long as a cat/dog/monkey/child/adult isn't unruly, I don't care.

@salpico, in Paris dogs are also permitted to poop on the sidewalk and owners are not expected to pick up the mess. I wouldn't be citing the Parisians for dog etiquette tips.

I don't care for dogs. I'm also a bit scared of them, mostly when it comes to jumping, biting and chasing. They seem unpredictable. I don't like the way they smell, either. I wouldn't make a big deal about it if there was one at an outdoor patio, but I might choose to go to another restaurant if there were several dogs present. I'd prefer to dine without anxiety.

@hamkracker - you can read dog minds? sweet!

I think that if a restaurant is touting itself as being dog-friendly, that's one thing. Those who don't want to dine around dogs can simply avoid those places. But for a regular restaurant, it's not cool. Personally, I'm allergic to dogs to the point that if a dog is at the table next to me, it can trigger my allergies. But once I'm seated, I don't have any control over who is sitting next to me (human or animal).

@lexophile - I don't think anyone would want to cause people who are afraid of or allergic to dogs suffer by their pet's presence ... but, that said ... restaurants are public places. Assuming we're still on the topic of pets on a patio and not inside a restaurant, someone who is afraid of or allergic to dogs should probably not eat on the patio at a place where they know what will be the scene.

I'm really not trying to be super insensitive, but if it's that big of a deal, check with the restaurant about their patio/pet policy. If a pet owner brings a pet to an establishment that allows or even encourages that, it's not really a case of "dog lovers imposing their preferences on other people."

yes... oh yes if kids are allowed so should pets.....

I have 2 dogs...one who is a therapy dog and very well behaved. I bring him many places to continue his socialization. If a restaurant allowed dogs, I would bring him as he has wonderful manners. I do realize that not all people enjoy the company of dogs and I respect that and don't allow him to greet anyone without their consent.

The only dogs that are appropriate in a sit-down restaurant setting are assistant dogs. I can see bringing a dog on your daily shopping to the farmers market or a deli (if you ask ahead of time). A restaurant, though, has people sitting who could be allergic or very afraid of dogs. (Unless the restaurant is "pro-dog", like, we love dogs, and would love to see yours. Then I guess I might...)

And in no way do I recommend leaving your dog in the car when you go to the restaurant... animal abuse is not cool. just plan ahead.... or do take out.

I once took my Goldendoodle to a dog bar in Charlotte.

@pooch - because sometimes they're dumb enough to love it. I know mine does. Ah sweet, stupid lab mix of mine.

@ bobbob - You "couldn't" care less.

@ wookie - HI!!!!

My guys LOVE to sit outside at the coffee shop in the cool of the morning with me. They are very well-behaved, and the nice folks at the coffee shop bring them a big bowl of ice water, which the dogs consider to be high luxury. The dogs get petted, and they are a great conversation starter.

I wouldn't take them to a regular indoor restaurant, though.

how lame- comparing dogs to children.

ridiculous

We used to bring our beloved and much-missed dog to the pub from time to time, but never indoors and always on a lead the whole time. She was pretty content to curl up in the sun, or under the table outside.

We used to go to a breakfast place when on holiday, and they'd cook up an extra batch of bacon and sausage just for her. She loved it.

I would definitly bring my dog to a restaurant if it was allowed. But I would bring proper food for my dog in case she got hungry.
My question would be, why bring your screaming kids to a restaurant when they don't appreciate the food? Leave your kids at home with their Playstations and let us enjoy our dinner.

Only if I was blind.

@Pavlov - yes, and my bf's nephew pulled poop out of his diaper and smeared it all over a wall inside a store, whereas my dog has yet to do anything nearly as disgusting.

If it's appropriate to bring a child to a certain restaurant, do so. If it's appropriate (and acceptable under restaurant policy) to bring a dog onto a patio, there's nothing wrong with that either. If other people don't like it, that's their problem and they can make choices about which restaurants to patronize accordingly.

I would, will and have brought my dog to restaurants - where I know dogs are welcome. I've been to several in Clearwater, Key West and other cities. If a person does not want to be subjected to dogs, he or she should not frequent a restaurant that welcomes them. If one is so annoyed and has the wherewithal to do it, write the restaurant a letter and complain. I'm sure it will be filed with the dozens of other letters praising the restaurant for allowing dogs.

I've experienced doggie-dining that was quiet and uneventful. I have had the misfortune to experience toddler-dining experiences where mommy and daddy have LOOOONG since taught themselves how to tune out their little bundle of joy while diners in every direction must suffer through tantrums and screaming.

I would hope the owner of an unruly dog would do exactly as a responsible adult should do in a case where a child is carrying on - remove the noisemaker from the area long enough to calm down before returning to his or her seat. If it's one of those "tantrums of no return," pay the check and leave. This goes for a dog owner as well as a parent.

@Pavlov - it's not about valuing animals over people, it's about not having other people sit around and lecture others about how their values are superior. Just because one thing is more tolerable to you doesn't mean whatever you happen to prefer is objectively right. Saying children=dogs *is* stupid, but there's enough shared elements (unpredictable; potentially loud, smelly, disruptive, etc) that the comparison is reasonable in some situations.

You may not mind "a little crying" ... but the sound indoors is actually like nails on a chalkboard to me. Therefore, I don't typically go to 'family restaurants' - why put myself in a situation I won't like? Likewise, you may not prefer to be around dogs because of their grooming habits, so don't.

I never said my dog didn't have those typical canine grooming habits, I just pointed out that children can be as potentially inappropriate as dogs (and I don't let my dog lick my face). And if toddlers were able to lick their own butts, I bet they would :P Also, the nephew *was* wearing pants, the episode involved him digging around with his little digits.

I'd be far more worried that the chef didn't wash his hands before preparing my food than a dog in a restaurant licking one of his orifices. What do people think this thread is suggesting--that dogs become chefs a la Disney and prepare food with their mouths?

@chiff--I agree 100%, and most restaurants that I go to have always posted their policy (usually 'no animals allowed,' which is fine, and which of course I respect).

My toy poodle goes to the office with me every day. He has a pillow bed and is quiet
when he wants go outside, he growls quietly and scratces the door. If weather permits, he also goes "out" for lunch. At one place, they always bring water and a"bittie burger", at no charge.

Another Night-tme eatery has several bowls of water out and people are encouraged to bring "friends" if out walking and stop for a libation. I'm more than thankful that the only comments I've ever gotten were friendly

I must say - my little guy is well-trained, cute and easy-going.

I don't eat outside often, but if I were doing so at a restaurant and somebody near me had a dog under their chair, I wouldn't like that very much. I'm not a huge dog fan myself, but I understand that many people are very attached to their pets. I think that, if a restaurant decides to allow dogs, they should be clear about that (perhaps by a sign) from the moment a customer enters the patio area. Then, any customer can choose to dine inside instead if that policy bothers them.

I'm not anti-dog, I just feel that allowing dogs at a restaurant is unusual enough to the point where people should be notified about it.