At Charles Sturt we welcome confident and sociable dogs in our community and actively encourage owners to incorporate their dogs into their everyday lives. If you take your dog to the café with you, there are a few tips you can use to ensure they are feeling safe and comfortable throughout.
- Pick a table away from a busy thoroughfare, and with enough space around to ensure your dog isn’t going to be stepped on, or to worry that they might be stepped on
- Take his mat and ensure he has some access to water (and even take a chew or a stuffed food dispensing toy to help keep him busy while you’re eating)
- Ensure he is set up in a place he feels comfortable – some dogs enjoy being under the table or chairs, others will prefer a slightly longer lead so they can lay a little to the side
- Watch your dog closely to ensure they are not exhibiting signs of stress or fear (if your dog does show signs of discomfort, start with shorter coffee catch ups, in a quieter location and slowly build up to a lunch date)
If you notice a relaxed dog sharing some time out with his parents at a café – it is best to leave him to settle and share the time with his parents. While many dogs that are out and about are cute, cuddly and keen to make new friends, some prefer to be left alone, or some may simply be having a bad day. There are many ways you can approach and interact with dogs walking in public (ask the owner, and then let the dog approach you if they want to say ‘Hi!’), but a dog that is settled at a café is not one of those times. Some of the reasons for this include:
- You may cause the dog to become excited and make settling and relaxing at the café harder for him and his parents in the future
- He may not want to be approached when he’s tied up in a calm setting
- His parents may prefer to have their lunch or dinner without interruption
Dogs in public spaces aren’t public property. We want our dogs to have polite manners in our community, but we should respect their space and quality time with their parents too.