7960404094?profile=originalOcean Ridge resident Luke Smith eats lunch at Hurricane Alley in Boynton Beach with Healy, a Labradoodle he was petsitting. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Arden Moore

You’re familiar with signs posted in restaurants that declare, “We have the right to refuse to serve anyone.” In Boynton Beach, look for restaurants to post a new sign that welcomes well-mannered dogs to be part of the dining experience.
    The new law, passed by a 3-1 vote by city commissioners in early September, permits leashed dogs in outdoor areas of restaurants with certain stipulations. Canines are not allowed to perch on laps of diners nor are they permitted to lap up leftovers on plates. Patrons are required to promptly clean up any doggy deposits. Don’t count on your dog being allowed inside the restaurant unless he or she is a service dog. Finally, look for the addition of hand sanitizer stations in place for staff and patrons.
    Happy with the law is the pet-friendly staff at the Village Tavern on North Congress Avenue.  The eatery has been a draw for dogs at their outdoor patio for many years. They regularly serve up grilled chicken breast (sans any seasoning) for pampered pooch patrons. And this restaurant has earned high marks from pet-loving patrons on restaurant review sites.
    “We don’t have a pet menu — yet,” says Shannon Zwicker, one of the restaurant’s managers. “On Saturday nights, we feature live music. Some people enjoy bringing their entire families to listen and that includes their dogs.”
    The law does not mandate that restaurants must cater to canines, but it is viewed as another way to drum up business and boost the bottom line. It also reflects the growing trend that in the 21st century, pets are full-fledged members of the family.
This opportunity caters to friendly dogs with good table manners. I urge you to candidly size up your dog’s mastery of basic obedience commands and his temperament, especially outside your home. Does he get easily stressed in new places or unleash a barrage of barks at new dogs he meets? This type of dog would be best left home.
I also urge restaurant owners to invite professional dog trainers to give talks to their staff on canine behavior and body postures. The goal is to keep the staff safe while serving food and interacting with canine guests.
Sadly, a waitress was mauled by a Mastiff at a restaurant in Miami Beach recently and need more than 300 stitches to close the wounds on her face. The large dog had been irritated by a pair of barking dogs at the eatery, according to a witness. When the waitress bent down to give the Mastiff a bowl of water, her body loomed over his and she was inches from his face. Sensing this as a threat, this leashed dog responded by attacking. This incident is causing some restaurants to re-think their pet policies.
    Think safety first — for everyone — when it comes to offering pet-welcoming opportunities. With Boynton Beach taking a lead on this issue, l saw the need to dish up these tips to make the dining experience pleasant for all patrons:
    * Rein in your dog. To prevent your four-legged friend from begging or bothering patrons at neighboring tables, please keep him on a short leash — 4- or 6-foot — and definitely, do not tether him to a retractable leash.
    * Exercise your dog before heading to the restaurant. To increase the chances that your canine companion will be mellow while you enjoy a meal, take him out for a brisk walk first. The aerobic exercise will benefit the both of you and make him more apt to nap under the table while you dine.
     * Scope out the scene before sitting down. Request to be seated in a corner or away from the patio’s entrance to minimize your dog from barking or wanting to rudely sniff other patrons and their dogs. Keep your dog from being overheated by finding a table that offers shade and bring a portable water bowl.
     * Paw it forward. By that I mean to be courteous to the restaurant staff, bring only dogs who star in social settings and certainly leave a generous tip. These actions can boost the dog-welcoming movement.
    For this column, I visited several social media sites and discovered plenty of people are yapping about this new law. My informal research shows that people are in favor of pets parked under tables by a 2-to-1 margin.
    Here’s a sampling of the range of response to the new doggy dining law:
    “In 10 years, I’ve never seen a dog do anything unpleasant at dinner. Owners have always been responsible and polite.”
    “My son is allergic to dogs. I love dogs, but do not understand why people think they have to drag them around everywhere they go.”
    “I’d rather have a dog next to me than a crying kid!”
    And, here’s my personal favorite: “I have a pet pig that is very well behaved. Can I bring my pet pig?”
    Leaders in neighboring cities are keeping close tabs on this move by Boynton Beach.
So, where do you stand on this new law? Is it long overdue or will the city law motivate you to eat elsewhere?
Send your comments to arden@fourleggedlife.com.  
    Bone appetit!

    Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid instructor. She happily shares her home with two dogs, two cats and one overworked vacuum cleaner. Tune in to her Oh Behave! show on PetLifeRadio.com and learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.

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Comments

  • From: DS3520@aol.com [mailto:DS3520@aol.com]
    Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 8:37 AM
    To: arden@fourleggedlife.com
    Subject: "Restaurant Etiquette Applies to Dogs, Too"

     

    Thank you so much, Arden, for helping to publicize the new law passed by Boynton Beach City Commissioners, welcoming well mannered dogs to be a part of the dining experience.  Why has it taken so long???  At long last, we are following the European example, where pets dining at restaurants in the company of their owners has been a perfectly normal sight for many years.  For far too long, we have permitted the "anti-pet" crowd to dominate discussion on this subject!  Pets, particularly dogs, have come to be seen as "the enemy," and are banned from restaurants, stores, condominiums, any public gathering area, unless, of course, they are an officially certified "service dog."  In a country where fully 65% of the population are pet owners, it is absurd NOT to allow well-mannered pets to accompany their owners!  The key to success for this law is that the animals be "well-mannered," and it is now clearly up to the owners to show their appreciation by seeing to it that their pets behave correctly.  Kudos to the Boynton Beach City Commissioners who voted FOR this law!  They have chosen to employ progressive thinking for their town, rather than allowing it to founder in the backwash of antiquated and illogical thinking on the subject.   Hopefully, in the not too distant future, this new law can be expanded to permit dogs to accompany their pets INSIDE the restaurants, as well.  I don't see these eating establishments falling apart when my "service dog" accompanies me inside.        Sincerely,  David Shapiro.

  • From: Lydia Fox [mailto:lbanquero@bellsouth.net]
    Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 7:36 AM
    To: arden@fourleggedlife.com
    Subject: new Dog law

     

    I think it’s great.  If the Dog is well behaved and the owner is responsible and makes sure to keep the dog under control. 

This reply was deleted.

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