Space Coast residents in Brevard County have plenty of great places to spend time with their pets, but one of the more popular options that has become a new opportunity for pet parents to get out and let their fur babies tag along is dog-friendly breweries. For dog moms and dads that want to bring their canine buds out for some socialization while they grab a drink, these dog-friendly breweries provide the perfect opportunity for fun and relaxation for both people and their pets.
However, if you’re a new pet parent or have a dog who isn’t quite the calmest or most comfortable in social settings, here are a few things you should know about preparing your fur baby for such an outing to avoid any difficulties with anxiety or behavioral concerns.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog
Socialization is a key part of raising a happy and healthy canine companion. Not only does this help avoid any altercations with other people or pets, but it also allows your dog to feel confident as they go through life beside you, not experiencing stress and anxiety due to feeling overwhelmed or distressed about unfamiliar situations. When a dog gets nervous or overstimulated, it can manifest in a number of different behaviors, whether this is lashing out at others or turning it on themselves and engaging in nervous habits like nail chewing and gnawing at themselves.
In great news, dogs of any age can be socialized and learn to adapt to busy settings and plenty of stimuli without much trouble. It’s easiest to familiarize your dog with a variety of people, places, and experiences when they’re little, but plenty of dogs adopted as adults can learn to be calm and confident in these scenarios as well.
Here are some of the ways you can work on socializing your furry companion and making them feel more comfortable when going out:
- Taking them on walks regularly
- Bringing them around a variety of different people (different ages, personalities, etc.)
- Enrolling them in some training classes for both training and socialization purposes
- Allowing them to have doggy daycare visits
- Going on visits to your local dog park
When first beginning to socialize your pup, it’s important that you remain cautious as well as maintain a demeanor of calmness so that your furry companion knows that the interactions you’ll be having with other pets, people, or animals that you come across while out are a positive thing. As with any canine training, it’s also wise to carry around some of your dog’s favorite treats to reward them for appropriate responses and good behavior.
It may not be quite as easy to socialize older dogs or those that are rescues since they will have already experienced so much of their lives not having been taught how to properly interact with others. Sometimes, especially for those who have experienced trauma before getting rehomed and finding their forever family, the task becomes even more difficult. Regardless of their past experiences, though, you’ll want to start small and gradually help your dog learn the right way to be friendly and calm when around other people or animals or visiting new places.
Rewarding them with their favorite treats is a great way to reinforce the behavior you want to see, but you’ll also want to be sure that adult and rescue dogs are provided with regular breaks from a lot of stimulation to avoid worsening any stress or behavioral issues they may be struggling with that stemmed from other negative situations they may have experienced.
In some cases, possessive behaviors and aggression may also be related to genetic factors or past experiences, and this can make socialization far more difficult. If this appears to be an issue for your companion, be sure to consult with your dog’s veterinarian regarding referral to a behavioral specialist or specialized trainer that may be able to help your best bud overcome such difficulties. If your dog is simply older and struggling to change its ways, just be patient and keep working at it. Keep in mind that they’ve spent a huge portion of their lifespan learning the world is one way, and you’re just now teaching them to have a new perspective—it might take them a little while to quit being anxious or fearful of new social situations.
No matter what the socialization situation may be for your dog, always make it the top priority during outings to show them how positive these public interactions are while also remaining observant about any cues your pup may give you that indicate stress, anxiety, or discomfort. With regular practice, your dog will learn in no time to enjoy going out amongst the masses while you get in some much-needed social time, too.
6 Dog-Friendly Breweries in Brevard County, FL
Carib Brewery
Previously known as Florida Beer Company, Carib Brewery is a well-loved, dog-friendly spot for those hoping to grab a drink with their best pal by their side. This venue offers a great selection of beverages, as well as their 321 Lime House providing patrons with tours of the brewery, live entertainment, food trucks, and plenty more to make the visit one you’re guaranteed to enjoy. With a schedule loaded with plenty of events for everyone to find something they love, Carib is a top dog-friendly spot for pet parents to visit in Brevard County.
Location:
200 Imperial Blvd
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
(321) 728-4114
Dirty Oar Beer Company
Dirty Oar Beer Company is another great location in Brevard County that will let your furry companion come along while you grab a drink and spend time with friends or family. This brewery in Cocoa Village boasts over 20 unique beers on tap at all times, and they also have an annual Brewer’s Bash festival each February. Those who have visited this brewery have said that the experience was wonderful, the beers were unique and tasted fantastic, and the staff could not be more pleasant. Overall, Dirty Oar Beer Company comes highly recommended, and your pet will always be welcome.
Location:
329 King St
Cocoa, FL 32922
(321) 301-4306
Beachfly Brewing Company
If a beach-themed brewery with a delicious food menu is more your style, you and your pup can visit Beachfly Brewing Company in Rockledge. This venue oozes fun and excitement, offering its patrons a large selection of beers, great meal options, and an entire calendar full of events to always have something fun to do. Whether you want to have a meal and a drink with your dog at your side or hope to catch a yoga class or art class, Beachfly has you covered.
Location:
513 Barton Blvd
Rockledge, FL 32955
(321) 305-6865
Charlie & Jake’s Brewery & Grill
Charlie & Jake’s Brewery & Grill is a great dog-friendly spot for those who love beer and love BBQ. Located in Melbourne, this brewery and restaurant combined has been a favorite for decades and brews their craft beers on-site. Your canine companion is guaranteed to love tagging along to their outside bar and patio, where patrons have consistently praised how much they were treated like regulars, even on their first visit to grab a drink and bite to eat. With over 20 years of great service, Charlie & Jake’s is definitely a Brevard County staple that pet parents won’t want to miss. *This location is temporarily closed due to renovations. At this time, we are unsure when they will reopen. We will keep this post updated as best as possible once we learn new information.
Location:
6300 N Wickham Rd, Ste 137
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 752-7675
Intracoastal Brewing Company
Also located in Melbourne, Intracoastal Brewing Company offers a constantly rotating assortment of brews for all craft beer fans. This dog-friendly brewery will not only quench your thirst while you’re out with your furry pal, but it also offers numerous events each month, including things like weekly yoga and trivia, as well as larger events like the Rocky Water Brew Fest. If your stomach gets to growling while you have a drink on the dog-friendly patio, Intracoastal keeps you covered with regular food trucks outside so you can grab a bite to eat.
Location:
625 West Eau Gallie Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 872-7395
Playalinda Brewing Company
Whether you visit the Brix Project or the Hardware Store, both of Playalinda Brewing Company’s brewery locations are perfect for bringing your furry pal out while you have a drink and socialize. With plenty of events, two locations, and a great food menu, as well as a rotating menu of drinks for different seasons and occasions throughout the year, Playalinda is a great spot to meet new people and have a great time with your canine companion in tow. For those who want to join in additional fun, there are also a large number of monthly events to keep patrons engaged and having a blast while they’re out sampling Playalinda’s custom brews.
Brix Project Location:
5520 S Washington Ave.
Titusville, FL 32780
(321) 567-5974
Hardware Store Location:
305 S Washington Ave.
Titusville, FL 32796
(321) 225-8978
Conclusion
Before taking your faithful companion out in public right along with you, always be sure to give them ample socialization opportunities to make sure they’re as comfortable and content as possible in a noisy, crowded, or overwhelming environment. Once your dog is ready, we hope this list of dog-friendly breweries in Brevard County provides a great list of pup-friendly opportunities to grab a drink and relax with your best pal at your side.
For Brevard County pet parents that want to visit some of these breweries before bringing their furry sidekicks along, we here at Space Coast Pet Services offer a variety of services, such as home checks and walks, for you to comfortably go out without worrying about your fur baby being left alone at home. If you need some peace of mind in those moments when you can’t bring your pup along, feel free to contact us for more information, and we’ll be glad to help!
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Charlie & Jakes Melbourne has been closed for quite some time. Initially they said they were remodeling but recent rumors seem to indicate they are not going to reopen.
Hi Beth, thanks for leaving a comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article! The post indicates it’s temporarily closed, and we’ll update once we learn more.