Taking your dog to a Nashville patio (and being invited back)

Patio season in Nashville has two good stretches: spring, and right now. The humidity has finally let go, the afternoons are comfortable, and plenty of places around town are happy to have your dog lying under the table while you eat.

Here are a few patios that welcome dogs, followed by the part we care about most as your vet: how to make the outing easy on your dog and on everyone sitting near you.

A few dog-friendly patios to try

Nashville has dozens of these, so think of this as a starter list. Dog policies can change, and patios sometimes close for private events, so give the place a quick call before you go.

• Edley's Bar-B-Que (12 South). A covered patio on a very walkable street, so you can pair lunch with a stroll and wear your dog out first.
• Fat Bottom Brewing (The Nations). Dogs are welcome on the back patio, and there is room to spread out.
• Tennessee Brew Works (near downtown on Ewing Avenue). Covered outdoor seating where dogs can join you, handy on a drizzly day.
• Drifters BBQ (East Nashville). A laid-back Five Points patio where leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables.

In all of these, dogs belong in the outdoor seating only. Indoor dining rooms are for service animals.

Is your dog a patio dog?

Some dogs love this. Some would honestly rather be home on the couch, and that is fine too.

A good patio dog can settle on a mat for a while, is not bothered by strangers walking close by, and can ignore other dogs at the next table. If your dog is nervous in crowds, reactive on leash, or guards food, a busy Saturday patio is going to be stressful for them. Try a quiet weekday afternoon first, pick a corner table, and keep the first visit short.

Puppies who have not finished their vaccine series should skip busy dog spots for now. If you are not sure where your puppy stands, call us and we can check their record.

Patio manners that keep everybody happy

• Walk first. A dog who has already sniffed, stretched and pottied will settle much faster.
• Use a regular leash. Six feet or shorter, held or looped around your wrist or chair leg. Retractable leashes and servers carrying hot plates do not mix.
• Four on the floor. Keep paws off tables and chairs, and keep your dog tucked under or beside your table and out of the walkway.
• Bring your own bowl and a mat. Shared water bowls are a nice gesture, but they are also a good way to swap germs. A small towel or mat gives your dog a "spot" and keeps them off hot or cold concrete.
• Ask before greeting. Not every dog (or person) on the patio wants a new friend.
• Bring bags. You know why.

What not to share from your plate

Those eyes are hard to resist, we know. But restaurant food is where a lot of upset stomachs start, and a few common items can be truly dangerous for dogs:

• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic (including in sauces, rubs and slaw)
• Chocolate desserts
• Anything sweetened with xylitol, which shows up in some sugar-free items
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol, including the beer that sloshed onto the ground
• Cooked bones, especially rib and chicken bones, which can splinter

Rich, fatty barbecue trimmings are not toxic, but they can cause vomiting and diarrhea and sometimes more serious trouble. The safest plan is to pack a few of your dog's own treats or a chew, and keep an eye on what falls under neighboring tables.

If your dog does grab something off that list, do not wait to see what happens. Call us, or call an emergency hospital if we are closed. Our post on when to call us and when to go straight to the ER has the details.

Know when to call it a day

Dogs tell you when they are done. Watch for heavy panting, yawning, lip licking, whining, pacing, or trying to hide behind your legs. Those are signs of a dog who is stressed or overheated, and the kind thing is to ask for the check.

Even in October, a sunny Middle Tennessee afternoon can get warm on a concrete patio. Pick the shade, offer water often, and be extra careful with flat-faced breeds, seniors and heavy-coated dogs.

See you out there

A well-mannered dog on a patio is one of the small joys of living here. If you would like to make sure your dog's vaccines and parasite prevention are up to date before they start their social season, you can request an appointment or just give us a call. And if you find a great patio we missed, tell us at your next visit. We are always taking recommendations.