Orange County offers plenty of eateries, cafes, and restaurants that welcome pups and pet parents. These establishments are popping up everywhere as a favorite trend among parents who consider their canine a vital family member with whom they want to participate in various activities.
Over half of US homes include a pet, per “The American Pet Product Association,” and dogs are favored. With an increase in dog ownership, food establishments want to attract this target consumer by making their environment pet-friendly.
Aside from the extra time you can spend with your pup, the canine gains socialization skills with other dogs and people. This is vital for emotional and mental wellness.
The stimulating atmosphere of different sounds, sights, and smells is exciting. It’s an ideal opportunity for behavioral training. Visit https://www.rd.com/article/dog-restaurant-etiquette/ for tips on dog etiquette when dining out with pet parents.
The Advantages of Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Dogs are loyal, faithful companion pets. For the longest time, pups endured alone time at home while pet parents went out for food. The trends are changing, with restaurants in Orange County beginning to cater to the vast pet parent audience by allowing dogs to visit their outdoor spaces.
Not all establishments participate, and some patrons are less accepting of eating alongside a puppy on the patio. What are the advantages and downsides of bringing canines into the business landscape? We’ll weigh the pros and cons of dinner with puppies.
Pros
As a restaurant, cafe, pub, or another establishment trying to attract new business, allowing dogs into your business is the ideal way to expand your reach with a different demographic. At the same time, you’ll create a unique brand with many advantages. Here are a few.
- A young crowd will patronize an establishment that allows pets
The food service industry is greatly influenced by the millennial audience. It’s also suggested that pet ownership is increasing with the young population who prefers to have the pups participate in activities with them.
When restaurants set up areas outside for dogs, they expand their customer base to include pet parents. Catering to this demographic is essential once you draw them to your business. The menus should have items specifically for puppies and treats and water bowls should be made available for the dogs. Click to find dog-friendly hangouts in Orange County.
- People walking their dogs will take a break
Pet parents in cities take their dogs on walks each day. When passing by businesses offering a pleasant break from an extended stroll, pet parents will take full advantage of the opportunity to stop in for a cool drink or a snack and refreshing water for the pup.
When the parent has a positive experience, they’ll share that with other dog owners who might follow the same walking path, increasing the business volume considerably. The customer base not only expands but also improves your bottom line.
Cons
With any goods or services, there come downsides as well as advantages. Here are a few cons of having a dog-friendly restaurant.
- Inadequate training
Without adequate training, dogs can potentially be disruptive in a restaurant setting. That’s especially true with young puppies, who tend to get excited, jump, and lunge in overly stimulating situations. People who are not pet parents will be less than understanding about being disturbed with their meals.
As a pet parent, you must make sure your pup burns their energy before arriving at the restaurant. If the dog is tired, they’ll be less likely to act out. Having the animal on a short leash is important to gain the greatest control. This will help to avoid lunging and jumping on tables or possibly at a person or another dog.
Before planning to go to a new place, call or check the website to review the establishment’s protocol for bringing a dog for dinner.
- Trading one business for another
When allowing pets into the restaurant, the idea is to expand the customer base, draw a new audience, and increase your revenue. In fact, you could discourage non pet parents who don’t like dogs or might be allergic from coming to your place.
As a rule, a majority of people favor puppies as the most popular pets. Still, that’s only true of some. You could be trading one audience for another when creating a space for these pets.
- Staff’s responsibilities will increase
Employees will become more responsible with their duties, such as ensuring pets are on their best behavior and that pet parents are policing their pups.
While some messes are to be expected from nervous or stressed dogs in an overwhelming circumstance, barking will happen around other people, kids, and dogs, and you should leave when this becomes excessive.
As a rule, staff will ask that misbehaving dogs be removed if pet parents don’t leave when the pup becomes a handful. Pet parents must recognize that not all dogs are prepared for a social situation, particularly if the canine has not been socialized.
In this case, the canine must undergo a step-by-step socialization training program before being tossed into such a highly public setting. Socialization, behavior training, and learning commands – teach your dog to stay, sit, and lie down – training sessions that should be taught in the puppy’s early ages.
This will ensure the canine is prepared for virtually any circumstance, including sitting through a meal in a pub, cafe, or other restaurant.
Final Thought
As a business owner in Orange County preparing an outside space to accommodate dogs, you should cater to the pet parents and the dogs in certain ways to make the most of the audience. This can mean holding themed events where dogs come in on a specific day during the week and include specialty items for them on the menu.
Weigh the pros and cons of bringing dogs into your business and also, as a pet parent, how this will affect your pup. Dogs should have adequate training before being brought into such a highly public setting, and as a business owner, you should make this a requirement.