Don’t feed your dog from your plate
According to Sarah Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance, “Feeding your dog from your plate will reinforce begging at the table, and a lot of restaurant food is not healthy for dogs to eat.”
It’s important to remember that you are not the only one eating at a restaurant, so try to respect people around you as well. That being said, feeding your pet directly from your plate can be quite disgusting for other diners, as well as the restaurant staff. Plus, there are certain bacteria or viruses that can be easily transmitted to humans through the dog’s saliva. If you do this at home, try to avoid such behavior at a restaurant.
Nevertheless, restaurants can be like real temptations for your dog who is always hungry, right? So, try to feed your dog in advance and bring treats with you as well. In this way, your dog won’t bark at other diners to get some food.
Don’t force your dog to interact with other pets
One of the most common mistakes that many people make when dining out with their furry friends is to force their dog to interact with others or to feed other dogs. Even though they are adorable and make those ‘puppy eyes’ to melt your heart and get food, you should definitely avoid this! “Do not feed any dog you don’t know. Even healthy-looking dogs can have underlying health conditions that result in food restrictions,” DeAngelis says.
Nonetheless, forcing your dog to interact with other pets just because you want them to have another canine companion while you enjoy your meal is a huge mistake, as you risk creating a fight between them and causing them to adopt an aggressive behavior that could be dangerous for them and other diners as well.
Don’t place your dog at the table next to you
Of course your dog is like your child and your best friend, but it’s better for both of you if you seat them on the floor. Otherwise, they risk getting food off the table, as well as eating from your plate and being considered uncouth by other people. However, try to keep them away from walkways, doors and children.
