Could you hold my dog while I go inside?
'Tenermi' = teh-NER-mee. 'Cane' = KA-neh. 'Mentre' = MEN-treh (while).
Asking someone to hold your dog outside a shop or building where dogs are not admitted.
'Tenermi il cane' (hold my dog for me) uses the indirect clitic 'mi'. 'Mentre entro' (while I go in) uses the present tense for simultaneous ongoing action. In Italy, dogs are commonly welcomed in outdoor restaurant terraces, gardens and many shops, but not in food preparation areas or some public buildings. Asking a fellow patron to watch your dog briefly is socially acceptable.
Il cane è buono — non morde.
The dog is good — it doesn't bite.
Reassuring the helper — important for nervous people.
I cani sono ammessi in questo negozio?
Are dogs allowed in this shop?
Ask before bringing your dog inside — rules vary.
C'è un posto dove posso legare il cane qui fuori?
Is there somewhere I can tie my dog outside?
Asking for a fixed point — lamp post, ring or 'doggy parking'.
Italy is a dog-loving nation with approximately 9 million pet dogs. Many Italian towns allow dogs in outdoor market areas and on public transport (on a lead, muzzle may be required for large dogs). Under Italian animal welfare law (Law 281/1991), abandoning an animal is a criminal offence. Italy also has strict leash laws (guinzaglio obbligatorio) in public spaces.