Dog-friendly hospitality: a practical guide.

More and more guests arrive with a dog. Welcome them well, and you gain loyal regulars. Here we collect what has worked for us on the lake promenade and for other businesses.

A dog on the grass next to deckchairs on the lake promenade in Pertisau

GuideFrom practice

The basics

Fresh water
A bowl of fresh water at the entrance or on the terrace is the simplest sign that dogs are welcome. Refill and clean it regularly.
Room at the table
Tables at the edge of the terrace or in quiet corners give dogs room to lie down without staff or other guests tripping over them.
Shade
In summer, shade matters even more to dogs than to people. A parasol or a tree makes the difference.
Lead hooks
A hook or ring at the table or on the wall helps owners tie up their dog safely.

Clear house rules

Guests with and without dogs feel more at ease when the rules are clear. A short note at the door or on the menu is enough: where are dogs welcome, where not, and do they need to be on a lead?

Phrased kindly, rules read as hospitality rather than prohibition. For example: “Dogs are very welcome here. Please keep them on a lead and off the benches.”

Hygiene and separation

Bowls, cups and anything dogs use should be stored and washed separately from guest tableware. Dogs do not belong in kitchens or storage areas.

If you offer a product for dogs, such as Molly, keep it clearly separate from what you serve guests: its own machine or hopper, its own cups, its own storage. Check the rules that apply to your business.

Small extras people remember

A treat to say hello
A dog biscuit with the bill, or on arrival at a hotel, costs little and gets talked about.
A menu for dogs
One or two things just for dogs show you thought of them. A cup of Molly, for example.
Towels on rainy days
A few old towels at the door please owners and protect your floor.
Tips for walks
Guests with dogs look for routes nearby. A short list at the counter helps.

Molly as part of your offer

Molly exists because we saw exactly this at our own counter: guests with dogs are happy to stay when the dog gets something too. An ice cream of its own for the dog is a detail that shows, visibly, that dogs are welcome.

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