As the dog days of summer have us panting, it's time to start prepping your patio for pets! 

Have you considered how being pet-friendly could boost your business? It might be time to start wagging your tail — according to research, pet ownership in the U.S. has risen by about two million households since 2019. And data shows Yelp searches for establishments that allow dogs shot up nearly 60% from 2021 to 2023.

Let's face it, dogs are becoming more akin to children than pets — so rather than sleeping outside in a wooden house, Fido's now prepared to dine out with the family over a top-notch steak (uh, mid-rare, please!)

While this can mean a lot of fun and creative possibilities at play, some serious safety measures and regulations should be followed for a successful doggy-dine-out.

Do Your Dog-Diligence

The first requirements to check off the list are with your local and state governments. While "pet-friendly" is increasingly popular, currently only 23 states legally allow dogs (aside from licensed service animals) on restaurant patios.

Check your local regulations and zoning as well, just to verify you've got your bases covered (and hopefully not with pet hair!). You might need to fill out a proper application, pay a fee, and get an extra inspection from the Health Department.

Set Up the Space

Next, you want to ensure that you have the patio space properly set up for your furry guests. Much like child-proofing a home, there are things you should consider while making space for dogs to co-mingle in the dining area:

• First, make sure there is a gate or separate entrance to the dog-friendly patio, so pets are not passing through the food establishment.
• Ensure no food or drink will be prepped in the space.
• Set tables and chairs further apart than you normally might to allow for some breathing — er, panting! — room. Bigger dogs will need to stretch out, plus you want to avoid a potential hazard if guests or dogs get too close for comfort. A lot of dogs with different personalities and triggers will need to be thoughtfully managed while in a smaller space.
• Bring in a lot of umbrellas or an awning to provide adequate shade under the hot summer sun.
• Have enough water bowls, so each table can have its own when a dog is present.

Learn These Commands

Make sure your staff is properly trained on the following guidelines:

• All dogs must have a collar with a rabies vaccination tag present.
• All dogs must remain on leash and controlled by their owner at all times.
• Dogs cannot be allowed on furniture or allowed to lick off plates or utensils.
• Staff cannot pet or nuzzle animals while serving food. (I know, it's SO tempting!)
• Any accidents must be cleaned up with animal-friendly chemicals immediately.

Play Nice

If you're fortunate enough to have some yard space, offer a few lawn games for a little fun before dinner — it'll help burn some of the pup's energy and even make them a calmer patio guest once the main event arrives!

Stock the lawn with some soft Frisbees, herding balls, and chew toys. Hot day? Consider a kiddie pool or splash pad for the dogs to romp in — just make sure they shake off before the meal comes!

Upgrade the Doggy Bag

Now for the fun stuff (and the real reason your pup is pumped for patio time) — the food! These days, traditional Doggy Bags won't cut it. Scraps?! Gen Z's dogs would never! In 2025, breweries and restaurants around the country have adopted their own specialty menus — that's right, just for our best friends. Serve up Paw-cuterie boards smeared with peanut butter and cream cheese, then surround with cubed cheeses, sausages, and fruit (no grapes, please!)

Look to the West Creek® Gourmet Cheese Cube Variety for a pre-cubed selection you can easily throw together (better save the pepper jack for the humans, though.) Serve with a pint — okay, better pour it into a bowl — of "brown ale." Stretch your food cost even further by cooking down your beef bones into a broth that'll go far on your human menu, while also providing an extra boosted add-on for the pups (skip the onions though!). Bone broth is packed with nutrients and minerals and great for joint health, skin and coat health, and more. Added bonus? It's hangover-free!

Other options are serving easy-to-prep, fun "puppetizers" like a few hunks of fully cooked West Creek Turkey Burger Patties, made with 100% white meat, a safe choice in moderation for your fur babies. And even dogs have room for dessert — especially on hot summer evenings. Mix up a blended batter of bananas, plain unsweetened yogurt, peanut butter, and blueberries and pour into freezable molds for a delectable treat that will have every dog on their best behavior.

Doggy Do’s and Don’ts

While creating a pup menu is exciting and fun, please conduct careful research on harmful and poisonous foods for dogs. Make sure you do NOT include any of the following in your doggy dishes: Chocolate is a well-known no-no, but other dangers for dogs include xylitol, grapes and raisins, avocados, onions and garlic, nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamia), rhubarb, mustard, hops and alcohol (no beer!), and caffeine.

While there are folks who give their dogs bones, it's best to steer clear at your establishment — especially cooked bones, which can more easily splinter and potentially damage the digestive tract.

By utilizing a combo of creativity and safety, you can add some barks to your bites, perhaps gaining a little well-deserved pup-licity in the process from social media. Make your Pawsome Patio the place all dog parents will head to when they want to treat themselves — hand in paw, with their best friend by their side!