Maybe you've heard and maybe you haven't. There was a new law put out in Finland that dogs are allowed in restaurants if the owner of the business is okay with it.
I'm sure it goes without saying - your dog must be well-behaved, not steal food, and not get in the way of others...but anyhow.
But of course, there is a catch. If the owner of the business says, "No sorry - your dog must be tied up outside (or not join you on the patio or outdoor seating area - now that it's summer).." then you have to respect that and leave.
And you would THINK that a service or guide dog would be exempt from these rules. However, there are some restaurant owners in Finland that are declining visually impaired/blind people who have guide dogs with them...
I totally support a guide dog being allowed to go anywhere its owner has to go - that's what they are trained for!
Now from the owner's point of view, I suppose if a blind person came in and couldn't tell their dog was stealing food from the other tables or from the counter of a caf� - then, yes, that could be an issue.
So if you are wondering, where can I take my pooch for lunch - have no fear.
There is a Facebook Group (in Finnish) called "Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Finland", where you should be able to find places that do not mind if you bring your well-behaved pup for a bite to eat!
In case you're wondering - Germany allows dogs EVERYWHERE it seems...bars, restaurants, shops etc. France allows you to bring your dog on the bus but they must wear a muzzle - not a halti to prevent pulling, but an actual muzzle to prevent the dog from biting or licking anyone else on the bus....
Canada? Well, I think it depends on what part but in NS - only guide dogs are allowed on the bus. They are allowed anywhere the blind person has to go...it's wise to bring a seeing-able person with you, in case your dog is possibly misbehaving by sneaking food off your plate or using the bathroom in the clothing aisle...I've seen it done - trust me, it can happen!
The great thing about Finland is that you can take your dog on the bus but of course, they have to be well-behaved and usually I take mine to the center of the bus, where there is a lot of space for my dog to lie down or sit. So far - I haven't had any issues.
One thing I will not do here - or at least haven't bothered trying, is to bring my dog to a caf� downtown. My dogs are pretty well behaved (lots of bribery is required sometimes) but they would sneak food, try and get other people's attention by rubbing or licking their legs or hands and if another dog walks by - possibly there might be some pulling....so it's just a happier occasion for both if I leave my dogs at home.
My friend and I met downtown recently and she brought her dog with her (a small one - King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and we decided to grab a bite to eat at a caf� with an outdoor eating area. We decided to go to Coffee House as I haven't been there in ages and had a pretty good time.
Her pup, was pretty calm and quiet once he settled down under the table with a bowl of water and when we were done - we left.
My friend later on met some other colleague with HER spaniels (2 of them) - and they decided to go back to Coffee House and enjoy the sunshine outside and have a coffee. *I wasn't there but was told of this situation after the fact.*
Apparently there were many customers, lots of downtown traffic and many of the staff coming and going to tidy up the tables outside and offer refills - and nobody had said anything about the dogs sitting quietly at their table.
I guess one waitress came out and asked them to leave with the dogs because they do not allow dogs at their restaurant, not even outside.
Which is interesting - because there isn't a sign anywhere saying "NO DOGS" (or a photo indicating this) and I was there with my friend about 2 hours prior!!
I really think all restaurants should clearly indicate if they are dog-friendly or not...for example, up the road by the University, is a bar named Sohwi - and they have a year-long outdoor eating area and there is a sign of a dog with a big "X" on it. Fair enough!
I'm not saying ALL restaurants or caf�s should allow dogs - it's totally up to the owner and the environment...obviously a bar might not be suitable for a dog if there are many noisy drunks for example...
But if you're going to say no - then make it loud and clear for everyone and I don't know...be consistent?
I recommended to my friend to file a complaint letter to the management...and I probably wouldn't go there again. I'm glad they take S-Bonus Card - but the chicken Cesar on a bagel was pretty crappy. The spinach was limp and the sandwich itself lacked flavour - just in case you were wondering.
I'm sure it goes without saying - your dog must be well-behaved, not steal food, and not get in the way of others...but anyhow.
But of course, there is a catch. If the owner of the business says, "No sorry - your dog must be tied up outside (or not join you on the patio or outdoor seating area - now that it's summer).." then you have to respect that and leave.
And you would THINK that a service or guide dog would be exempt from these rules. However, there are some restaurant owners in Finland that are declining visually impaired/blind people who have guide dogs with them...
I totally support a guide dog being allowed to go anywhere its owner has to go - that's what they are trained for!
Now from the owner's point of view, I suppose if a blind person came in and couldn't tell their dog was stealing food from the other tables or from the counter of a caf� - then, yes, that could be an issue.
So if you are wondering, where can I take my pooch for lunch - have no fear.
There is a Facebook Group (in Finnish) called "Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Finland", where you should be able to find places that do not mind if you bring your well-behaved pup for a bite to eat!
In case you're wondering - Germany allows dogs EVERYWHERE it seems...bars, restaurants, shops etc. France allows you to bring your dog on the bus but they must wear a muzzle - not a halti to prevent pulling, but an actual muzzle to prevent the dog from biting or licking anyone else on the bus....
Canada? Well, I think it depends on what part but in NS - only guide dogs are allowed on the bus. They are allowed anywhere the blind person has to go...it's wise to bring a seeing-able person with you, in case your dog is possibly misbehaving by sneaking food off your plate or using the bathroom in the clothing aisle...I've seen it done - trust me, it can happen!
The great thing about Finland is that you can take your dog on the bus but of course, they have to be well-behaved and usually I take mine to the center of the bus, where there is a lot of space for my dog to lie down or sit. So far - I haven't had any issues.
One thing I will not do here - or at least haven't bothered trying, is to bring my dog to a caf� downtown. My dogs are pretty well behaved (lots of bribery is required sometimes) but they would sneak food, try and get other people's attention by rubbing or licking their legs or hands and if another dog walks by - possibly there might be some pulling....so it's just a happier occasion for both if I leave my dogs at home.
My friend and I met downtown recently and she brought her dog with her (a small one - King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and we decided to grab a bite to eat at a caf� with an outdoor eating area. We decided to go to Coffee House as I haven't been there in ages and had a pretty good time.
Her pup, was pretty calm and quiet once he settled down under the table with a bowl of water and when we were done - we left.
My friend later on met some other colleague with HER spaniels (2 of them) - and they decided to go back to Coffee House and enjoy the sunshine outside and have a coffee. *I wasn't there but was told of this situation after the fact.*
Apparently there were many customers, lots of downtown traffic and many of the staff coming and going to tidy up the tables outside and offer refills - and nobody had said anything about the dogs sitting quietly at their table.
I guess one waitress came out and asked them to leave with the dogs because they do not allow dogs at their restaurant, not even outside.
Which is interesting - because there isn't a sign anywhere saying "NO DOGS" (or a photo indicating this) and I was there with my friend about 2 hours prior!!
I really think all restaurants should clearly indicate if they are dog-friendly or not...for example, up the road by the University, is a bar named Sohwi - and they have a year-long outdoor eating area and there is a sign of a dog with a big "X" on it. Fair enough!
I'm not saying ALL restaurants or caf�s should allow dogs - it's totally up to the owner and the environment...obviously a bar might not be suitable for a dog if there are many noisy drunks for example...
But if you're going to say no - then make it loud and clear for everyone and I don't know...be consistent?
I recommended to my friend to file a complaint letter to the management...and I probably wouldn't go there again. I'm glad they take S-Bonus Card - but the chicken Cesar on a bagel was pretty crappy. The spinach was limp and the sandwich itself lacked flavour - just in case you were wondering.
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