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If you’re a regular reader of this column, by now you know that I’m a great believer in taking my dog along when I go places. I feel genuine pangs of guilt if I have to leave Joey alone when I’m away from home. I can’t help but wonder why the U.S. isn’t more like many European countries where well-behaved dogs are welcomed pretty much everywhere humans congregate, including restaurants.

Even here in California, where people tend to be a whole lot more laid-back about most things — marijuana, purple hair, body piercings or the right to make a total fool of yourself running the Bay to Breakers in a purple thong — the question of whether dogs should be allowed in restaurants can generate arguments as heated as mid-August in Death Valley.

But if you’re one of those people who believe it’s not a question at all, since there’s a federal law prohibiting dogs in restaurants, think again.

The Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code banning all except service animals in retail establishments where food is served is merely a recommendation, not a law. It’s the prerogative of each state to choose whether to adopt those guidelines, and local health departments have the right to choose whether nor not to enforce them.

In 2014, California added amendments to the Retail Food Code permitting restaurant owners to allow dogs in their outdoor dining areas, subject to some restrictions including that dogs may not sit at the table in a chair. We’re one of 17 states with such dogs-allowed laws.

While some object to animals even in patio dining areas, on the whole, peoples’ concerns can be narrowed down to wanting to be sure a dog won’t make us sick, won’t bite us and won’t generally disrupt our dining experience.

Health-wise, the majority of dogs pose little or no health risk to restaurant patrons, since most of us won’t come into contact with the dog’s bodily fluids or waste. Restaurant workers are also required to wash their hands after petting a dog.

Beyond health concerns, it’s the responsibility of pet owners to insure that their dog acts appropriately in outdoor dining areas.

First, don’t just assume that if a restaurant or café has a patio, it means they allow dogs. Always ask first.Related Articles Improve your home’s curb appeal by removing the lawn | The Real Dirt When bulb time passes you by | Sow There! Birdy and back-to-school cookies | Sweet Basil and the Bee Table Mountain gets wacky | Tee to Green Rocketry’s ups and downs | The Biblio File

Second, if your dog is rambunctious, untrained, aggressive, or unsocialized, don’t take him or her to any public place. Period. Get thee to an obedience class.

If your dog does something inappropriate, apologize to the staff and other patrons, and then leave. Don’t be like the parents of the unruly child who just smile and shrug when he screeches endlessly or lobs soggy Cheerios onto people at the nearest table.

Remember that just because you’re in a pet-friendly restaurant doesn’t mean that every other patron loves dogs as much as you do. Wait to be invited to visit other people.

Most importantly, make sure your dog has done its business before you get to the restaurant, and then pick up after it.

For some suggestions on dining establishments that permit dogs, check out DogFriendly.com, BringFido.com, PetFriendlyTravel.com, Dogtrekker.com, Petswelcome.com or just do an Internet search for “dogs-allowed restaurants” and the name of the city. By the way, all those sites I mentioned are great resources for finding general pet-friendly places and activities.

One last thought: don’t hesitate to ask your favorite restaurant if they’ll allow your dog on their deck or patio. If so, remember that you and your pooch are ambassadors for other dogs and their people: a good experience could lead the restaurant owner to adopt a permanent dog-friendly policy.

Joan Merriam lives in Nevada County with her golden retriever Joey, her Maine coon cat Indy and the abiding spirit of her beloved golden retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com. And if you’re  looking for a golden, be sure to check out Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.

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