Pet Love • Expert tips ensure your furry friend is restaurant-ready.

TAKING YOUR POOCH OUT TO EAT MAY SEEM LIKE A TREAT, BUT BEFORE LEASHING UP TO GO, IT’S IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER RESTAURANT ETIQUETTE WITH YOUR PAL IN TOW.

KNOW YOUR DOG.

Be honest with yourself about your dog’s personality and training. No matter how well-behaved your pup is at home during a meal, not all dogs have a temperament well-suited to dining out in public, says Sarah Wooten, a veterinarian expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance. Dogs that are aggressive, are easily startled, are territorial, don’t do well with strangers, bark a lot, are high energy, have special medical needs, or need a lot of attention are likely to have a difficult time in any public space but especially in close quarters like a restaurant. If there’s any doubt that your dog can’t handle dining out, leave him at home, Wooten says.

KNOW THE RESTAURANT.

Similarly, some restaurants are better suited to hosting dogs than others, says Jeff Carbridge, a certified animal behaviorist specializing in canines and a consultant to the website www.dogowner.co.uk/. Casual dining places—especially those with outdoor seating—are your best bet. Of course, it’s best to pick a restaurant known for being dog-friendly or one that allows for plenty of space between diners. Check out the restaurant’s website and read reviews online.

CALL AHEAD.

Even if you know that the restaurant you will be visiting allows dogs, it is still a good idea to call ahead to clarify its policies and make reservations for the patio. This is also the time to let the restaurant know if your dog will require any special accommodations, like a water bowl, Wooten says.

PICK A CORNER PATIO TABLE.

Location can make or break a meal out with your pooch. If at all possible, eat outside on the patio and in a corner. By having a corner table, your dog can be in a spot that isn’t next to other tables. That way, your dog won’t be overly stimulated and will have a better chance of relaxing.

DON’T TIE UP YOUR PUP.

A mistake owners often make when dining out with their dog is tying the dog’s leash to a table, gate or other furniture. Don’t do it, as this can cause injuries to yourself or others, or result in broken furniture, Carbridge says. “Always keep hold of the leash,” he advises. “You can loop it around your wrist, but don’t attach it to furniture.”

FEED AT HOME FIRST.

Resist the urge to feed table scraps or snacks to your dog when dining out, Wooten says. “Feeding your dog from your plate will reinforce begging at the table, and a lot of restaurant food is not healthy for dogs,” she says. “Restaurants are a cornucopia of tempting food smells for your dog.” Making sure your dog is fed before you head to the restaurant so he isn’t hungry, as well as bringing treats, will keep him from sneaking the fried chicken off your neighbor’s table, Wooten says.b

BRING EXTRA TREATS TO KEEP YOUR PUP FROM BEGGING—AND TO PRAISE HIM FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR.