The Dunedin City Council approved the bylaw in November and it came into effect in the past week. It is already proving popular at central dog-themed cafe Gary and Lola’s.
Co-owner Sam Sinclair, who owns Lola, said they had seen the effects of the bylaw already.
"So many of our customers have responded to it as well.
"You can obviously see with our dog wall — a lot of people are coming in wanting to bring their dogs down the street.
"I would say out of 10 people, maybe one person isn’t happy to see a dog, right?"
Co-owner Katelyn Waugh, who owns Gary, said such was the response they were thinking of adding doggie treats to their menu.
"We’re still just getting over the rush of the summer and the cruise ships and all that kind of stuff.
"But eventually, we’ll have a merch shelf with doggy treats and all that kind of stuff for people."
Ms Waugh and Ms Sinclair said they were looking forward to letting their dogs stroll around the Octagon during their breaks.
"They’re such loyal creatures," Ms Sinclair said.
"You don’t actually have to care for them in the way of a child, but we get all the characteristics and all the fun things and just how much they love you, I suppose."
The bylaw changes include allowing dogs on-leash in the Octagon and sections of Princes and George Sts, as well as allowing dogs off-leash in certain areas of Ross Creek Reserve, the Frasers Gully Recreation Reserve track and unformed legal roads in Woodside Glen.
