Teaching your dog to ‘settle’
Lots of people think about the joys of having a dog. Long country walks, a new best friend to share your food with and a nice relaxed Sunday lunch at the pub. However, more often than not, these behaviours are put to the test when it comes to real life. Taking your dog to the pub can be stressful. One moment they’re eating something off the floor, the next moment, a group of rugby fans start cheering at the tv and scare your little one – not to mention that staying still for so long can be frustrating when there is so much commotion!
It is surprisingly common for people who understand their dogs to decide to leave them behind when out socialising – and it doesn’t make you a bad owner! With over 70% of dogs experiencing some form of anxiety, the pubs and restaurants that we frequent can be stressful. Understanding your dog first is key. Imagine going to a brand new place, with such strong smells, tons of people wanting to chat to you and play with you, all whilst being expected to sit still? It’s tricky, right?
There is definitely a balance when it comes to taking your little (or big) one out and about. Reading your dog’s body language is the first step before we decide to do anything. Are they panting, yawning, pacing or showing any other signs of stress? If so, it might not be restlessness that is the issue. Bad experiences, overwhelming environments and a lack of desensitisation can all play a part in a dog not settling. But don’t fret, we have outlined our best method to enable your dog to relax in the pub.
(please remember that these tips are not for everyone. If your dog is showing extreme anxiety, fear or stress in these environments, it is probably best to leave them at home for the time being. Consult a qualified ‘force-free’ behaviourist to help your dogs)
Starting off at home
Starting off at home is the key to setting your dog up for success. Make sure to stay consistent and patient with rewarding your dog when they do a great job!
- Start at home! Teaching your dog to settle at home is really setting them up for success. Begin with asking them to lie down on their bed and dropping treats on to it to encourage them to stay there.
- Pick a blanket or bed that is easy to carry with you to the pub – dogs translate words and actions on to specific objects so may find it tricky if you use a new bed.
- Consistency here is very important. Introduce a command such as “Settle” and start increasing the time and your distance to the bed. This is great progress whilst all the time showing them that the best things happen whilst they are lying here!
Small doses
When learning new behaviours, think of the 3 D’s – Distraction, Distance and Duration. Increasing these slowly as you work through this command will make it easier to translate to a real life setting!
- Start small. With reservation lengths and crowds hugely limited, use this as an opportunity to take your dog to the pub and slowly desensitise them to the atmosphere.
- Don’t forget to read their body language. If your dog is stressed, anxious or struggles to settle, keeping them in this environment can cause more issues in future. Take a step back and start smaller.
- Training for too long can cause your dog to get bored and frustrated. Working in 5 minute sessions with loads of reward can keep this journey super exciting!
Translate it to the Pub
Begin by taking your dog to pubs and restaurants on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These days are much quieter than the rest of the week and give your dog an opportunity to understand the environment without all the usual commotion.
- Remember that blanket? Take the same blanket you use at home to the pub. It may be a burden to carry to begin with but it lets your dog know that its ok to have a kip here!
- End on a positive. Don’t wait until your pooch is over-tired, frustrated and desperate for a wee before you go. This can negatively impact their associations with the place, and teach them that they have to become restless to leave. Wait until they’re all tuckered out and nice and relaxed. Give them a big treat and take them home for a well deserved cuddle.
Slow & steady
Above all, we’re big advocates of going at your dog’s pace whenever it comes to training. While some dogs will pick up behaviours super easily, they might take longer to adjust to more substantial changes and vice versa. Patience and understanding are key.
And don’t forget to be kind to yourself! There’s no rush to tick training off the list, the most important thing is that you and your dog can navigate their training journey with confidence.