One of my biggest adjustments to dog parenting was realizing that not everywhere is dog-friendly. Shocking, I know, given she’s absolutely perfect and is nothing less than a cuddly puddle most of the day. Knowing where you can and can’t bring your pup is always tricky; sometimes the “No Dogs Allowed” sign is strongly enforced, other times it’s more of a loose suggestion with some milk bones inside to reward bolder pups! Having a dog has taught me a lot about navigating the “no dogs” rule and just how far you can get when your pup is cute. My dog, Olive, has been invited into chiropractor’s offices and horse barns alike just because of her sweet demeanor and well practiced puppy eyes. While most of the “no dogs” rules we break are with permission (except that time I snuck her into Walmart), they have definitely kept us on our toes.
When you travel, it is important to do your research in advance if you are planning on bringing your pup to see what is and what is not dog-friendly. Maybe the hotel or Airbnb is dog-friendly, but be sure to check every destination you plan to see because those dog-friendly rooms usually aren’t okay with you leaving the dog unattended. Here are some of Olive and my best tips for navigating the “no dog” rules.
Assess the situation
While there are times when it’s fine to plan on bending the rules with permission, you need to know the situations where you need a firm and rule-following solution planned. Last summer I went to visit Irvine, California with my friend Jesse and of course, I wasn’t going to leave my dog Olive behind. It was the 4th of July weekend, a scary time for dogs because of the fireworks so it was important to have a plan. While there were other times during the trip where I was more reliant on the no-dog rules being soft, it was important that I made sure she could stay at the house when we went to watch the fireworks so that she wouldn’t have to be in a situation that was scary for her.
Kindness and some pleading go a long way
A little later into that same trip we decided to go to Dana Point for a few days and had booked an Airbnb. After pleading and paying an astronomical fee, we convinced the owners to let Olive stay in our room. There was a large field for us to play in, great running and walking paths, and a beach within walking distance. Considering we were given permission, we didn’t technically break the rule. But, it taught me that anyone who is a dog (or animal) person, understands just how much our dogs mean to us, and they’re willing to bend the rules if you ask nicely.
Know when to apologize and leave
Our first morning in Dana Point, we decided to go for a little walk on the beach. My friend Jesse assured me the beach was dog-friendly: “Oh yea, everyone brings their dogs! It’s SO fun.” Olive and I made it all the way to the beach and were walking up and down the sand looking for our friends, when she decided to… leave a gift in the sand.
I grabbed a poop bag and was bending to pick it up when I noticed a shadow looming closer. I look up to see the lifeguard telling me that this is a no-dog beach, all while I’m picking up Olives’s poop right in front of him. This guy was nice, but not nearly as easily swayed as the Airbnb owners. Probably because he didn’t want to lose his job. In this case, we knew to apologize and take the loss. The worst part? There were “no dogs” signs the whole way back home; I just totally missed them on the way down.
Befriend the owners
While I definitely have a list of my favorite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants, sometimes I find some who are more flexible with the “no-dogs allowed” rule than they appear. I decided to take Olive on a walk to a nearby cafe and because she was with me, I headed for the drive thru. I happen to know the owners, so when they saw us walking the drive thru, they invited both of us in. This was Olive’s first time in a totally not-dog-friendly coffee shop, breaking the rules, getting treats, and living her best life.
There were some nuances: specifically that the store was mostly closed to indoor customers because of COVID. So, nobody knew we were breaking the rules, which was probably the best part. In this case, I was friends with the owners, so they were more willing to be lenient with the no-dog rules for me and Olive.
Get used to the occasional disappointment
I’ve gotten used to looking for “no dog” signs everywhere I take her, but I’m still sometimes caught by surprise. A few months ago, I took Olive to a soccer game. At the gate, I asked if dogs were allowed. I was told they were, so I paid for my ticket and found my seat. Not five minutes into the game, we were kicked out because dogs are not, in fact, allowed in the stadium so we had to watch the whole game from the car.
In some cases, the rules make perfect sense, like the lifeguard just doing his job. But in others, like the soccer game, you have to accept that they aren’t dog-friendly and concede with grace. So, I’ve learned to do my research, and I’ve figured out which rules should be followed and which can be bent. The best solution I’ve found is to simply ask. Most people can’t say no to Olive. Because we often ask, we aren’t normally big rule-breakers, and when everyone wants to pet and encourage Olive, rules become a lot more flexible!
Ever broken the rules with your pup? Let us know your experiences! Send us an email at whatthepup@spotandtango.com!
