Anyone who has traveled to Europe knows that pets there enjoy many perks — including dining out in restaurants.

U.S. restaurants have been slow to follow the trend, constrained by local health codes, which ban pets from enclosed restaurants. But a growing number of dog-loving restaurant-goers are demanding the opportunity to dine out with their pets. So, it's not surprising that restaurateurs across the country are beginning to cater to dog lovers by creating special seating areas specifically for guests who are dining out with their best friends.

A sampling of K-9 cuisine
In order to comply with health department requirements, dining with your dog is done "al fresco" at most eateries. While this means sidewalk seating at most eateries, some restaurants also open their patios, decks and gardens. At Sir Edmond Haley's in Charlotte, North Carolina (704-525-2555), patrons are encouraged to sit at the patio tables next to the grass so their pets have a cool, comfortable place to relax.

A growing number of restaurants are actually catering to pets and pet owners. For example,. Cafe J in San Francisco (415-970-2208) offers biscuits to canine guests, while Bridge's Café, in Portland, Oregan, provides water bowls so Fido can have a drink while you dine. In Chicago, Cucina Bella Trattoria and its sister restaurant, Cucina Bella Osteria (312-274-1119) have special "Doggie Dining" seating areas and offer special pastas and treats for pooch guests.

Some savvy restaurateurs are creating special "mutt menus" to entice pet-lovers. Offerings at Park Bench Café in Huntington Beach, California (714-842-0775) include: "Hot Diggity Dog," a beef hot dog cut into bite-size pieces; the "Wrangler Roundup," a ground-turkey patty; and "Chilly Paws," a scoop of vanilla ice cream. (The restaurant will also arrange Poochie Parties for your dog and at least six of his or her best friends.)

Doggy dining etiquette
Dining out with your dog does require some special rules of etiquette. Best Friends professional dog trainer Tammy Bochinski, from Charlotte, N.C., offers the following advice for getting your pet "restaurant ready":

• Make sure your dog is properly trained. He should respond consistently to commands like sit, down and stay.
• Socialize your dog. Take him to locations where there are other dogs so he learns to relax in those situations.
• Teach your dog a "place" command so he will sit or lie by your side while you are eating. This should be practiced at home on a regular basis before venturing to a restaurant.
• Bring along your dog's dinner, or a special treat - such as a Kong toy filled with peanut butter - to keep him occupied while you eat.
• Always keep the dog on a short leash that is tied to your chair. No matter how well trained, you don't want him to wander around and bother other guests.
• If your dog becomes excited by the presence of another dog at the restaurant, get him away from the situation for a few minutes. Take a short walk up the block or just move out of view of the stimulus.

In addition, restaurant owners offer the following advice if you want to be sure your favorite eatery remains pet-friendly:

• Don't bring your dog to a restaurant unless he is well-mannered and follows your commands.
• If your pet is large, choose a table where he can be comfortable and still be out of the traffic flow of the wait staff and other diners.
• Control your pet. Keep him at your side. Don't let him bother other diners - even if out of friendliness.
• If the staff brings water and/or a meal for the dog, make sure your tip reflects the extra service.

Finding pet-friendly eateries
The best way to find pet-friendly restaurants in your own community is to network with other pet owners. Ask at the dog park or at doggy day camp if anyone knows of restaurants that welcome pets.

Some websites also offer lists of pet-friendly eateries. Check out the "city guides" section of www.dogfriendly.com; and local dog-friendly websites like www.fidocarolina.org, www.sandiegopet.com and www.mycitydog.com.