dog friendly eateries on the patio (San Antonio, Austin: home, restaurants, law)

[ilmd]

Could some of you in San Marcos tell me about the law for restaurants letting you eat outside if a well-behaved dog is sitting with you? I know some say it is OK, while Palmer's says it is against the law. I would like to know ahead of time what the laws are- are they different 'in city limits' vs 'outside city limits'? I have come across several places that say they do not mind if you are on a patio. In San Antonio it does not seem to be a problem at all. San Marcos may be different. Thanks.

[Taterhead]

I don't have and answer, but I would like to know why dog owners bring the dog with them to eat out?

A couple of years ago I met 2 ladies for coffee and one of them brought her dog. We were outside on the patio at this coffee shop. The dog owner kept getting up in middle of conversion every 2 seconds to tend to the dog for one reason or another. It was VERY annoying to try and have a conversion with her. Another reason I ask is because some people are not comfortable around dogs, they are afraid of them. My friend Jan is one of those people. When we go play at our monthly card game at someones home, the owner has to put the dog in another room or outside. You have no way of knowing who is like my friend Jan at a public restaurant, so why would you want to make a person having lunch at the next table uncomfortable? some people just don't want and animal near by while their eating even.

Just curious as to why people bring the pet?

Debbie....

[love roses]

When we moved to Denver, there were many resturaunts all over that allowed Dogs on the patio. It's very animal friendly there as well. One of the main reasons is that on weekends, there are lots of festivals. People like to bring their dogs so they can socialize and get exercize. When people are at the festival or even afterwards, many times you get very hungry and want to eat. Doesn't make much sense to drive home, drop off the dog and then come back. I have absolutely no problem eating on a resturaunt patio with a dog present. Most of them stay by their owners anyway, and most people don't bring vicious dogs out as a rule, so the dogs that are out and about are most likely not going to hurt you. Of course, it's up to the individual resturaunt, but almost every resturaunt you go to that has a patio will allow it. This is one of the things I like about Austin. On the other hand, I don't think dogs should be allowed inside the main portion of the resturaunt (or the indoor part, I mean). I think it makes more sense to allow the dogs onto the patios than for people to have to leave them in the car or be tied up to a post on the sidewalk or in front of the building where the owner has no control over the animal. And in many cases (festivals, been playing at the park all day, etc) just leaving the dog home all day may not be an option.

[Taterhead]

So dog owners basicly don't care if the person at the table next to them might be afraid of the dog. Friendly or not doesn't matter to those people afraid of them. I personally don't like it when I'm eating and the dog at the table next to me shakes himself and pet dander and dog hair is all up in the air and maybe some is now on my food. Also my granddaughter (16 months old) tried to pet a so called friendly dog at a patio cafe once and the dog tried to bit her hand. My son had a few choice words for the owner needless to say.

We had dogs when the kids were little, but they only came with us to outdoor things like parks and lake events, never to a place to eat were other people were. And they were always tied to something so they couldn't bit people. Most of the time they were left home.

Debbie....

[love roses]

I wouldn't go that far. I think people would move the dog or try and be accommodating if you asked them. One could also request not to be seated by someone with a dog. I've eaten at places where I've heard people request that. As far as the resturaunts responsibility, it was labeled quite visibly in resturaunts in a few towns that dogs were allowed so if you choose not to go for that reason, you could pick somewhere else. We personally don't take our dog to too many places because he's initially shy with some people and can tend to nip if he gets too nervous. He's getting better now that he's coming out of his puppy stage, but I don't want to take that chance.

[atlanta hope]

I don't mind seeing dogs out on patios. I like to see people interacting with their dogs instead of leaving them locked up at home. My dog is nervous and runs like a grayhound if he gets loose -- so we leave him at home however.

[jimmyjack]

Originally Posted by ilmd

Could some of you in San Marcos tell me about the law for restaurants letting you eat outside if a well-behaved dog is sitting with you? I know some say it is OK, while Palmer's says it is against the law. I would like to know ahead of time what the laws are- are they different 'in city limits' vs 'outside city limits'? I have come across several places that say they do not mind if you are on a patio. In San Antonio it does not seem to be a problem at all. San Marcos may be different. Thanks.

In Texas, we usually leave our dogs in the back of the truck when we go in for lunch. I don't know that there is a law about it, it's just good common sense.

[ilmd]

Well, we like to include our dogs when we are out. They are well behaved, lie down beside us while we take a short break to get a drink or eat a snack. I don't think they need to be inside a restaurant- there needs to be a place for people who are afraid/don't like dogs, but outside should be no problem. No- a dog that will nip/bite should not be in public, but I then wonder if the dog was not correctly socialized when young. They need to start the social training as a young pup, so that it is no big deal. If you do not like dogs, I will certainly not push mine on you, but I appreciate a well behaved dog in any situation. My animals are better behaved than most kids I see. As far as putting the dog in the back of a truck, no thanks- first , my goal is to spend time with the dog/friends, here in Texas your animal is likely to be stolen- there is a large based theft dog ring in our area. It is also inhumane in the hotter weather. I was not asking for your personal feelings- only the law.

[jimmyjack]

This is all very interesting. I talked this over with my dog and he looked at me like I was crazy. If he came onto the diner patio with me, who would guard the truck? He also let me know that sitting on the patio watching me eat was not exactly a treat for him either. He already has his own social network out in the lot with the rest of the dogs which he much prefers to sittin around waiting for somebody to trip over him.

This was also news to us about this big time dog thievery thing! My dog assured me that should anybody try to take him down or mess with the truck they'd be in for a time. As long as I give him some off leash action everyday, take him out for a little tagging, and give him two squares he's as happy as can be!

As for the hot weather, how do you think dogs survived before they learned how to turn the AC on? Most days the back of the truck is fine and if you can't park in the shade, there's always under the truck.

I am glad you are a tolerant individual though. Your dog won't bother me none on the patio won't bother me none and I'm sure my occasional after meal cigar won't bother you.