Choose the right table

If you want to take your dog with you when eating out, you have to make some compromises, even if it means choosing a table in a corner of the terrace. However, by having a corner table, your dining experience will be more pleasant not only because your dog won’t get anxious and overwhelmed by people around you (as obviously there are fewer tables around), but also because people won’t be bothered by your beloved furry friend.

Opt for a harness and a short leash, but don’t tie it to furniture

Many people choose retractable leashes when they take their furry friends for a walk in the park, but things have to change once you change the location. In other words, when you eat at a restaurant with your pet, try to opt for a harness and a short leash to keep your dog and other people safe.

According to Erin DeAngelis, a dog behavior expert with Pet Supplies Plus, “Dogs can easily slip out of collars, so a harness gives you more control if there is anything startling or when a dog is pulling at the table.”

In addition, another common mistake that people make when turning their dogs into restaurant dining companions is to tie their leashes to the table, chair, or other pieces of furniture. This mistake should be avoided not only because they can get hurt or ruin the furniture, but also because they can make annoying noises by pulling the furniture, which can bother people around you. Instead, “you can loop it around your wrist,” added Carbridge.