So we’ve already covered taking your dog to the pub – with plenty of tips on how you and your four-legged friend can get the best out of the experience, plus some handy pub recommendations, too.
Well, now we’re turning our attention to cafés!
The advice we give in this article is not just applicable to cafés in Darlington, but cafés everywhere! Every dog owner deserves to sit and enjoy a warm cup of tea or coffee with their dog by their side (and a cake, too, of course.) By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to do just that. And we’ll also reveal our favourite dog-friendly cafés in Darlington too.
And don’t worry, even if you’ve never considered taking your dog to a cafe before or thought that cafés and dogs don’t really mix, please know that you absolutely can take your dog to a local cafe. There are lots of dog-friendly cafés in Darlington (and the UK in general) where you’ll both be welcome.
But now, the difficult part, if you haven’t been to a café with your dog before, you might be nervous about giving it a try. That’s completely understandable. I know you wouldn’t want to put yourself or your dog in a situation that might stress either – or both! – of you out. And I know from my own experience with a reactive dog that sometimes it seems like the easiest thing to do is stay at home.
But then you’ll miss out on a lovely shared experience. Not to mention the hot chocolate and brownies! So I hope my tips will help you prepare for a visit to a café in Darlington with your dog – and there’ll be lots of café visits to come!
TAKE A WALK
What’s this – new territory? Yes, as soon as your dog arrives at a café, they’re likely to want to explore the place. I'd recommend going for a walk around the area first so your dog can have a sniff around - that way, they're more likely to settle when you sit down.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It’s a good idea to feed your dog before going to a café. They'll be less likely to eye up all the tasty morsels– though the same probably can’t be said of you as you head for the cake counter!
You might want to take some doggie treats with you to distract your dog and keep them occupied.
PICK YOUR TIME
If you and your dog aren’t used to going to a café together, it may be best to choose a quieter time for your first trip. So perhaps avoid the lunchtime crowd and peak afternoon tea slot.
Talking of crowds, you might want to visit a dog-friendly café in Darlington that does table service. Self-service cafés can get busy with people queuing up and coming and going – plus, when you’re with your dog, it will be a whole lot easier to order from your table.
STAKE OUT A SPACE
Don’t you just hate it when you’re stuck in a cramped corner in a café? Or people are constantly knocking your table on the way to the loo? Well, dogs like a comfortable space, too! If you can find a spot where you and your dog feel settled, you’ll have a much nicer experience.
KEEP YOUR DOG CLOSE
While we recommend a 5 metre lead for walking, on your first few café visits, you might want to keep your dog on a short lead. You won’t have the worry about them wandering off and being disruptive, and your pooch will feel safe by your side.
I’d avoid tying the lead to a table leg or chair – you don’t want the furniture to go flying if your dog makes a sudden move!
WHY VISITING A CAFÉ IN DARLINGTON WITH YOUR DOG IS SO GOOD
Well, aside from the cakes – did I mention cakes?! – it’s so lovely to spend more time hanging out with your favourite furry friend. You don’t have to feel guilty leaving your dog at home. And if you’re out and about in Darlington, you don’t have to rush back.
What could be nicer than a leisurely pit stop at a café?
And how great would it be if you could have regular meet-ups with friends and their dogs at one of the dog-friendly cafés in Darlington?
OK, so I bet you can’t wait to go! But what if you’re not sure if you and your dog are ready? Feeling confident is so important, isn’t it? That’s why so many dog owners attend our dog training classes here at Dogwood Adventure Play.
When you come to us, we’ll look at what training your dog needs, and if there are any specific behavioural issues to work on, then we’ll create a customised programme. Our aim is to make every single dog owner (and dog) feel comfortable, happy and settled wherever they are–whether that’s a pub, cafe or on a walk!
After all these years, I still get a huge buzz seeing the fantastic progress our canine clients make. And I can’t tell you how happy I am when I see the confidence-boosting effect it has on their owners! For many, it’s the first time they’ve felt excited about going out with their dog rather than dreading what might happen when they meet other dogs and people.
So if you think your dog isn’t ready just yet – don’t worry; we will help you set goals and work through a training plan together. You WILL get there. And when you do, these dog-friendly cafés will be waiting for you!
DISCOVER DOG-FRIENDLY CAFES IN DARLINGTON
And these are the winners! Here are our favourite dog-friendly cafes in Darlington. . .
Hatch, Darlington
Location: 32 Blackwellgate, Darlington
Overview: Dog-friendly cafe open for breakfast, brunch and lunch!
Food on offer: Healthy breakfast and lunch as well as your full breakfast too! Speciality coffees and homemade cakes
Google rating: 4.7
Echo 3 Coffee House & Roastery
Location: 11 Clark’s Yard, Darlington
Overview: Dog-friendly café with quirky Star Wars décor and memorabilia.
Food on offer: Homebaked scones and cakes, including their best-selling cornflake tart and custard!
Google rating: 4.9
Location: 74 Skinnergate, Darlington
Overview: Dog-friendly café and bistro
Food on offer: Savoury dishes, breakfast options, homemade cakes and their signature ‘hot sand’ coffee
Google rating: 4.4
Caffe Nero
Location: 8-9 Horsemarket, Darlington
Overview: Dog-friendly café chain great for people watching by the window.
Food on offer: Full range of savoury options (soups, salads, paninis etc.) plus cakes and muffins
Google rating: 4.4
Location: 29 Grange Road, Darlington
Overview: Small, cosy dog-friendly café that also sells homeware and hand-crafted chocolates.
Food on offer: Menu includes seasonal and themed specials like chocolate Guinness cake and Valentine cupcakes.
Google rating: 4.7
Location: 4 Tillage Green, Darlington
Overview: Dog-friendly café that serves up puppicinos!
Food on offer: Sweet and savoury surprises – like their sticky toffee pudcakes and Yorkshire pudding wraps.
Google rating: 4.5
Location: South Park, Darlington
Overview: A dog-friendly café in a park.
Food on offer: Breakfast baps, toasties, ciabattas, sandwiches, cakes and cookies.
Google rating: 4.3
WANT TO GET YOUR DOG CAFÉ READY?
Find out more about our dog training, or if you’re wanting help from home, we also have an online dog training and support membership club too!