Charlottetown’s welcoming community spirit extends to our four-legged family members, with many local businesses opening their doors to well-behaved dogs. As professional trainers at Spot On Dogs, we regularly visit these establishments with our clients for real-world training practice. Here are our top 10 recommendations for dog-friendly businesses where you and your pup can enjoy quality time together.
1. The Merchantman Pub
Location: 23 Queen Street
What makes it special: This historic waterfront pub welcomes dogs on their outdoor patio, offering water bowls and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for practicing calm settling behaviours.
Training opportunities: Excellent for working on “place” cue and calm behaviour around food and people. The outdoor seating provides controlled distractions for impulse control training.
Best practices: Visit during quieter afternoon hours when starting out, and always ensure your dog can settle calmly before the dinner rush.
2. The Fifth Wave Coffee & Espresso Bar.
Location: 145 Richmond Street
What makes it special: This popular coffee shop allows well-behaved dogs and often has water available for four-legged customers.
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing polite greetings, as many patrons will want to meet your dog. Great for working on impulse control around dropped food and busy foot traffic.
Training tip: Use visits here to reinforce your “leave it” cue and practice calm behaviour in stimulating environments.
3. Running Room
Location: 160 Great George Street
What makes it special: The Running Room is a great spot for dog-friendly errands and active social outings. Some locations welcome leashed dogs, which means you can turn a quick stop for gear into a confidence-building field trip for your dog. And hey, joining an active community like this will get you off your butt with your pup!!
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing loose-leash walking among distractions, staying calm around joggers and other shoppers, and rehearsing polite greetings in a busy retail setting.
Note: Policies can vary by location, so check in advance to confirm if dogs are allowed before your visit.
4. Home Hardware Building Centre
Location: 115 St. Peter’s Rd.
What makes it special: This hardware store welcomes leashed dogs and provides an excellent training environment with various surfaces, sounds, and smells.
Training opportunities: Outstanding for building confidence around unusual sounds (power tools, forklifts), practicing loose-leash walking on different floor surfaces, and working on focus despite distractions.
Hot tip: We love the Stratford location if you’re a fan of a one-stop-shop where you can get a “What’s the Scoop” Ice Cream, or a fancy coffee, some groceries, or a quick pit stop at Pet Valu all in one convenient spot just across the bridge.
Safety note: Keep dogs away from small hardware items and always maintain close supervision.
5. Charlottetown Farmers Market
Location: 100 Belvedere Avenue (Saturdays)
What makes it special: The outdoor farmers market provides excellent socialization opportunities with controlled crowds and interesting sights and smells.
Training opportunities: Ideal for practicing calm behaviour around children, working on “leave it” with dropped food, and building confidence in crowded environments.
Best time to visit: Early morning when crowds are lighter for dogs still building their social skills. Be prepared to “bail out” if the crowds become too much for your dog.
6. Doiron’s Garden Centre
Location: 2 Day Avenue
What makes it special: This family-owned garden centre not only welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs but also offers a sensory wonderland for curious noses. The seasonal flowers, trees, and gardening supplies create an ever-changing environment perfect for training practice with your dog.
Training opportunities: Ideal for confidence-building and practicing loose-leash walking around interesting smells and textures. The outdoor setting with friendly staff provides real-life opportunities for polite greetings while working on focus and calm behaviour in a busy environment.
Pro tip: Visit during weekday mornings when it’s less crowded to introduce your dog to new sights and smells without overwhelming them. It’s also a great spot to practice “settle” while you browse for your next garden project.
7. Blue Ribbon Pet Supply
Location: 420 Queen Street
What makes it special: A long-time local favourite, Blue Ribbon Pet Supply is proudly dog-friendly and offers a welcoming environment where dogs are not just allowed—they’re celebrated. The staff often greet canine visitors with treats, making every trip a positive experience for your pup. It’s also the home location of fantastic quality treat company, East Coast Pet Pantry. Check them out for some good eats!
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing polite greetings with people, impulse control around shelves full of tempting toys and treats, and building confidence in a real-world retail setting. The store’s open layout allows for loose-leash walking practice and focus work around mild distractions.
Pro tip: Stop by during quieter times if your dog is still learning to manage excitement in public spaces. End each visit with a short training game near the toy aisle to make outings both fun and rewarding.
8. Rodd Crowbush Golf & Beach Resort
Location: 632 Route 350, Morell
What makes it special: Just a short drive from Charlottetown, this luxury resort welcomes leashed dogs in designated pet-friendly rooms, making it an ideal getaway for dog owners who don’t want to leave their four-legged family members behind. It makes a great “staycation” for Islanders with dogs as the dogs experience a getaway without all the trip packing and long drives! With sweeping ocean views, a pristine golf course, and access to nearby beach trails, it’s a unique combination of comfort and adventure for both people and pups.
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing calm walking around resort foot traffic, building recall skills on the beach, and reinforcing “settle” while you relax on the grounds. The variety of sights, sounds, and surfaces makes it an excellent location for confidence-building exercises in a low-pressure environment.
Pro tip: Book one of the resort’s pet-friendly rooms early—availability can be limited. Plan early morning or evening outings for quieter training sessions, and use the golf course pathways for leash manners and use the beach for recall practice in a beautiful setting. Keep your dog leashed on a long line on the beach, to respect the rules.
9. Fin Folk Food
Location: 106 Beach Rd., Grand Tracadie, PE
What makes it special: This vibrant local eatery offers a dog-friendly patio where you can enjoy their creative seafood dishes while your pup relaxes at your feet. The welcoming staff often bring water for canine guests, making it a pleasant stop for both two- and four-legged foodies.
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing calm settling around restaurant sounds and smells, polite behaviour when servers come and go, and impulse control with food nearby. The patio atmosphere offers moderate distractions—great for dogs who are ready to level up their real-world manners.
Pro tip: Visit during quieter weekday afternoons for your first training trip, giving your dog a chance to succeed before tackling the busier weekend dinner crowd. Bring a mat for practicing the “place” cue and reward calm behaviour throughout your meal.
Bonus pro tip: If you don’t bring your own dog, make sure you cannot miss the wall of dogs that have been to Fin; their memory is captured on polaroids lining the walls heading to the washroom upstairs.
10.Founders Food Hall Patio & Doggy Treat Window
Location: 6 Prince Street
What makes it special: While dogs aren’t allowed inside the Food Hall building itself, the outdoor patio offers a dog-friendly space with a lively waterfront atmosphere. The real highlight? The Two Beggars Treat Window on the back side of the building, where the shop owner eagerly awaits her four-legged visitors to hand out homemade dog treats with a smile. It’s a little local secret that turns every walk into a tail-wagging adventure.
Training opportunities: Perfect for practicing polite greetings, calm settling on a busy patio, and impulse control when your pup realizes treats are coming their way. The lively environment offers just the right amount of distraction to work on focus cues while you enjoy your coffee or lunch.
Pro tip: Head to the patio during mid-morning or early afternoon for a quieter training experience before the lunch rush. Bring a mat for your dog to relax on while you order, and use the treat window as a fun reward after practicing good manners on the patio.
Making the Most of Dog-Friendly Outings
Preparation Checklist
Before visiting any dog-friendly establishment:
- Ensure your dog has basic leash manners and can settle calmly
- Bring water and waste bags
- Have high-value treats for positive reinforcement
- Keep visits short initially (15-30 minutes)
- Choose quieter times for your first visits
Essential Skills for Public Outings
- Loose-leash walking: Navigate aisles and crowds without pulling
- “Leave it” cue: Ignore dropped food, interesting smells, and other temptations
- Calm greetings: Polite behaviour when strangers want to pet your dog
- “Place” or “settle”: Ability to lie down calmly in designated areas
- Focus/attention: Ability to check in with you despite distractions
Etiquette for Dog-Friendly Spaces
- Always ask permission before allowing others to pet your dog
- Keep your dog close to you and out of walkways
- Clean up any accidents immediately
- Leave if your dog becomes overstimulated or disruptive
- Respect other customers who may not want to interact with dogs
Training Benefits of Public Outings
Real-World Application
Visiting dog-friendly businesses provides invaluable opportunities to practice training skills in real-world environments. These outings help dogs generalize their learning beyond home and training facilities.
Socialization Opportunities
Controlled exposure to different people, environments, and situations builds confidence and reduces anxiety in new settings.
Relationship Building
Shared positive experiences strengthen the bond between you and your dog while building trust and communication.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
If your dog struggles with any of the following during public outings, consider professional training support:
- Excessive pulling or inability to walk calmly on leash
- Reactive behaviour toward people or other dogs
- Inability to settle or constant attention-seeking
- Resource guarding around food or treats in public
- Excessive anxiety or fear in new environments
Building Charlottetown’s Dog-Friendly Community
Every positive interaction between dogs and businesses helps maintain and expand dog-friendly policies in our community. By ensuring our dogs are well-behaved ambassadors, we help create more opportunities for future outings.
At Spot On Dogs, we’re proud to help Charlottetown families build the skills needed for successful public outings. Our positive reinforcement training methods ensure that these experiences are enjoyable for everyone involved.
Ready to take your dog on public adventures? Contact our team to learn how we can help you build the foundation skills needed for successful outings to Charlottetown’s dog-friendly businesses. Together, we can help your dog become a confident, well-mannered community member.
