November 2008
By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
There was a time a dog was considered a pet, but more recently it has become more of a must-have accessory. Tune into nightly entertainment news or open the pages of tabloid magazines and you’ll see a bevy of thin, beautiful celeb-types, all with oversized bags and miniature pooches tucked under their arm on the red carpet to a movie premiere or opening of a Hollywood hot spot.
They pose (I am referring to the celebrities, not their pooches) with the paparazzi snapping away, probably blinding the little pups who must be freaked out by this bizarre ritual. It makes me wonder what the “celebutantes” need such large bags for – they are in fact diaper bags for their doggies.
These pampered pets are too good to do their business like pedestrian dogs. Oh no, they are treated to special diapers until they are potty trained on a puppy pad, which can be used anywhere and anytime your dog has the urge to do some business.
For some bizarre reason, dogs as accessories have gone mainstream and if you don’t have the hottest ‘model’ with the hottest accessories, you are just not in. Not only has this caused a rush on Louis Vuitton doggie travel cases and the skyrocketing launch of pooch clothing boutiques, designers and fashion shows, it has more importantly created a new set of dog and dining etiquette problems.
Just a few years ago, no dog owner would ever imagine bringing their pet into a restaurant. Today, however, dog owners think it is okay to bring their dog inside, remove it from its fashionable case, and to feed it from the table as if it was a baby bird. Let’s be very clear, it is illegal in Rhode Island, and most all other states, to have animals inside a food service establishment, no matter how well behaved the little guy is. The only exception is service animals who help those with a disability.
With the preferred tiny size of today’s most popular pooches, it is easy for a patron to sneak the little rascal into your establishment. But, once you discover the illegal animal, you need to promptly and pleasantly inform the guest of the law (not your rules) and ask for him/her to remove the dog from the restaurant.
In Rhode Island, outside seating areas are considered part of the establishment and it is therefore illegal to offer doggie dining outdoors unless you seek a variance with the Department of Health. However, in the warmer months, if you do choose to allow animals in your alfresco dining area, and you have received the appropriate approval from the Department of Health, there are a still a few pitfalls you should be aware of, as well as a few etiquette pointers for your guests and their pets to have an enjoyable dining experience. Those include:
By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
There was a time a dog was considered a pet, but more recently it has become more of a must-have accessory. Tune into nightly entertainment news or open the pages of tabloid magazines and you’ll see a bevy of thin, beautiful celeb-types, all with oversized bags and miniature pooches tucked under their arm on the red carpet to a movie premiere or opening of a Hollywood hot spot.
They pose (I am referring to the celebrities, not their pooches) with the paparazzi snapping away, probably blinding the little pups who must be freaked out by this bizarre ritual. It makes me wonder what the “celebutantes” need such large bags for – they are in fact diaper bags for their doggies.
These pampered pets are too good to do their business like pedestrian dogs. Oh no, they are treated to special diapers until they are potty trained on a puppy pad, which can be used anywhere and anytime your dog has the urge to do some business.
For some bizarre reason, dogs as accessories have gone mainstream and if you don’t have the hottest ‘model’ with the hottest accessories, you are just not in. Not only has this caused a rush on Louis Vuitton doggie travel cases and the skyrocketing launch of pooch clothing boutiques, designers and fashion shows, it has more importantly created a new set of dog and dining etiquette problems.
Just a few years ago, no dog owner would ever imagine bringing their pet into a restaurant. Today, however, dog owners think it is okay to bring their dog inside, remove it from its fashionable case, and to feed it from the table as if it was a baby bird. Let’s be very clear, it is illegal in Rhode Island, and most all other states, to have animals inside a food service establishment, no matter how well behaved the little guy is. The only exception is service animals who help those with a disability.
With the preferred tiny size of today’s most popular pooches, it is easy for a patron to sneak the little rascal into your establishment. But, once you discover the illegal animal, you need to promptly and pleasantly inform the guest of the law (not your rules) and ask for him/her to remove the dog from the restaurant.
In Rhode Island, outside seating areas are considered part of the establishment and it is therefore illegal to offer doggie dining outdoors unless you seek a variance with the Department of Health. However, in the warmer months, if you do choose to allow animals in your alfresco dining area, and you have received the appropriate approval from the Department of Health, there are a still a few pitfalls you should be aware of, as well as a few etiquette pointers for your guests and their pets to have an enjoyable dining experience. Those include:
- All pets must be controlled by their owners and must be on a leash at all times. This is the law.
- It’s a good idea to suggest that the guest “take the dog for a walk” before heading to the table. Other guests’ dinners do not need to be interrupted by the odorous offerings of a pet.
- While it may not be illegal, it isn’t appropriate or sanitary to have a dog sit at the table and be fed like a guest.
- If the guest did not bring his/her own doggie bowl, suggest to the waiter that he/she offer a paper or plastic bowl for water if necessary. Pets are not permitted to eat or drink out of restaurant glasses or dishes, unless they are disposable.
- Remind guests to tie their dog to their chair and not a table. A dog tied to a table can result in spilled drinks or food if he or she is strong enough to make the table move.
While the onus of pooch etiquette is on its owner, as a restaurant owner or manager, you are responsible as well. It is just as important to train your staff in proper and legal behavior.
- First and foremost, your staff should not pet the animal.
- Do not provide food items served on tableware designed for people.
- And, most important of all, your staff should be respectful to all customers, dog lovers, dog haters, and people who may love dogs from afar but break out in hives within six feet of the dander producers. If a customer is not comfortable being seated next to a dog, your staff should find a way to accommodate all your guests, even for the four-legged, furry kind.
