Visiting Dog-Friendly Businesses: My Guide
In case you missed it, I just published a MASSIVE list of dog-friendly businesses in Connecticut, and you definitely want to check it out if you love bringing your pup with you on adventures. It’s yours FREE when you enter your email address! This is an extremely comprehensive database of dog-friendly places that welcome your dog in our state.
What’s Included?
Dog-friendly breweries
Dog-friendly wineries
Dog-friendly bookstores
Doggy swimming pools
Independent pet stores
Since I’m sharing these awesome local businesses with you, I want to also make sure I mention some important information about bringing your dog out with you to other people’s businesses.
Planning ahead for success
Items to bring on an outing with your dog: Water jug and portable bowl (shown: Bivy Bowl by Ruffwear), cute bandana, tote bag, extra poop bags, leash, toy, frozen treat (shown: frozen Honest Kitchen in a West Paw toppl), treats (shown: Bixbi Pocket Trainers), bed or blanket (shown: Mt. Bachelor portable bed by Ruffwear), cute doggo.
Call ahead! Make sure you double check that the location you’re heading to is dog-friendly and that it’s okay for your dog to join you on whatever day you’re planning your visit (sometimes there’s events). Especially during this pandemic, things can change quickly, and you want to be respectable of the business you’re visiting.
ALWAYS have your dog leashed and under control
Bring extra poop bags and ALWAYS clean up thoroughly after your dog. Also make sure you properly dispose of it. If there’s no trash bin on the premises, bring it home with you - it’s your responsibility, not theirs.
Bring a water bowl and PLENTY of water. Especially if you’re planning to spend a few hours or more at a location like a brewery or winery, make sure to have a large jug of water in case your dog is thirsty. (I always bring my 64oz jug)
Bring snacks - lots of them, and a good variety. I usually have a bag full of kibble (usually a whole meal for Oats) that I can occasionally throw to her to keep her engaged. I also bring a frozen toppl, which usually lasts her about 40 minutes.
Bring a small/portable bed or blanket so they have a “spot.” Dogs do well when they have a clear boundary, so bring something easy to carry that you can set on the ground for them. I use a Ruffwear travel bed, but you can use a blanket or even a towel if you’re in a pinch.
Bring a friend because many breweries, wineries and outdoor restaurants or coffee shops that allow dogs only allow them outside, so if you need to use the restroom or order a drink, you’ll need a friend to stay outside with your dog.
(Links to my favorite items for traveling with your dog are all listed below for your convenience)
Should my dog go to a public place?
Derby at RJ Julia Bookstore in Madison, CT.
Only bring your dog to breweries, wineries, farms, stores, etc. if they are:
Friendly with other dogs and people (this includes children)
Well-behaved
Comfortable with crowds
Quiet (they should not be barking at other people and dogs)
Other things to consider:
NEVER leave them alone, so make sure you have another human to stay with them if you need to go inside for food/drinks/restroom
It’s best to have 1 human per dog, so things stay under control
If there are limited spaces for dogs, service dogs take precedence
Be aware that some dog-friendly businesses may have their own brewery/winery/store pets and your dog needs to be respectful of them and their spaces
If there are limited spaces that are dog-friendly, don’t stay forever if others are waiting. Often there are only limited areas that are dog-friendly, so be kind and share!
Remember that the businesses I listed are local and independently-owned, meaning that they are not only someone’s pride and joy, but also their bread and butter. Please always be respectful, clean up after yourself and your dog, and only bring well-behaved, friendly dogs to other people’s businesses and to public places. Connecticut is already extremely limited on the amount of places dog owners can bring their dogs, so let’s all do our part and keep these wonderful places dog-friendly.
One of the big reasons I’m so proud of this database for dog owners in Connecticut is because the list contains all locally owned small businesses, and it’s vitally important that we ramp up our small business support during this extremely challenging time. Running a small business is hard enough without a pandemic, so it’s never been more important to keep your money in your communities than it is now.
I hope you’ll consider visiting some of these wonderful businesses that have found ways to reopen safely and are still willing to allow our sweet pups at their locations. Please be respectful and patient, tip well, and leave kind reviews. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. Show them love now and always! ❤️
Banks from Alvarium Brewery.
My Favorite Items for Traveling With Your Dog
I strongly encourage you to always shop locally first for anything and everything you need and want. My Ultimate Guide to Dog Friendly Connecticut lists all the independently owned pet stores in the state, so PLEASE go there first. However, if you’re unable to purchase an item locally, I have provided links below for you to purchase online. If you do want one of these items, I am grateful if you use these links because that supports my small business!
Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ruffwear Bivy™ Collapsible Dog Bowl
Fuel your adventures with the ultralight, durable, and collapsable Bivy dog bowl. Welded, single-wall construction keeps the bowl simple and clean.
Ruffwear Mt. Bachelor Pad™ Portable Dog Bed
The Mt. Bachelor Pad is a low-profile, portable camping dog bed that gives a sense of home in different environments. Rolls up easily and neatly for portability to and from all your adventures!
ruffwear Front Range® Dog Harness
The Front Range Harness is a padded everyday dog harness that is easy to put on and comfortable for dogs to wear.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Please let me know if you have any questions about bringing your dog with you on outings and to dog friendly businesses, or about the products I recommend. I look forward to hearing from you!
