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2011 05 27

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v08n11)

Right in my Own Backyard - Dining with Your Best Friend - by Brandt Carter

posted: May 27, 2011

Dining with Your Best Friend

We did it again. . . volunteered to be puppy raisers for Canine Companions for Independence. Our service dog in training, Trevor, is now six months old and ready to dine with us on the patios of Broad Ripple. Although he has access to indoor restaurants with his service-dog-in-training identification, the outdoor summer experience is the most fun.

If you haven't met one of our previous 10 service dogs, I'll catch you up. We have raised eight golden retrievers and two labs, one black and one yellow. We went to Delaware (Columbus), Ohio to pick up our 11th puppy, a yellow lab/golden retriever cross, in February. He has been a dream thus far.

As volunteers, we tend to the puppy's every need for 14-16 months: food, toys, grooming, training, and veterinary bills including neutering. Our time and expenses are our donation. We are then notified of a turn-in date at which time we return him to CCI for continued training by professional trainers, first as a novice and then an advanced service dog. About six-months later he is evaluated for service. If he makes the grade and matches with a person with a disability, he will go on to serve. The person may have any disability other than blindness, which requires a differently trained dog. The person and dog become an exceptional team.

So now that Trevor will be out and about in Broad Ripple, let me talk about dining with your dog in Broad Ripple. Check out the business and restaurant sections in the Gazette. If you see a paw print next to a restaurant's name, the patio is dog friendly. Before setting out to dine out with your dog, always check that a patio welcomes dogs. I also encourage you to practice with your dog before you go to a local patio. Don't ever leave a dog in a hot car if your plans have to change.

Some suggestions when dining out with your dog:

Always keep the dog on a leash.
Keep hold of the leash or tie it to a table or chair leg.
If you have to leave the table, do not leave the dog alone. Give the leash to another person at the table.
Tuck the dog under the table, and give it the down and stay commands.
If other dogs are present, service dogs ALWAYS have the right of way.
Don't let your dog sniff other dogs, especially service dogs. That's a no-no, and if they make locked eye contact, escalation of attitudes can happen. (A dog fight can ruin everyone's evening and threaten future access.)
Bring along a plastic bag and paper towels in case the dog has an accident. Clean up after it.
If your dog cannot maintain a long down/stay command (1 hour while you dine), don't bring it with you.
Never feed a dog from a restaurant table. If you have scraps to give the dog, save them for the car or food bowl at home.
If you want to dine out with your dog in the future but it is not yet accomplished enough, enroll in a local obedience school. Tell the school your goal. They will help you and your dog become ready for this experience.
Caution: Young puppies are susceptible to disease. They should not be exposed to lots of dogs until their vaccinations are complete.

Finally, remember that a dog reflects the care and training an owner has given to it. Dogs are like children - they have to be taught how to behave, and they have to practice the social skills involved with dining out. See you out and about!

Brandt Carter, artist, herbalist, and naturalist, owns Backyard Birds at 2374 E. 54th Street. Visit her web site www.feedbackyardbirds.com. Email your bird questions to Brandt@BroadRippleGazette.com

brandt@broadripplegazette.com

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