How to Have a Patio Pooch
One of my favourite things to do with my dogs is hang out on a patio on a beautiful day.
It is a great way for us to spend some quality time together, and it is also often a wonderful opportunity for some socialization and some practice in being chill and focused around other dogs and people.
I really value the “relax and hang out” skills as they allow me to safely and enjoyably bring my dogs more places.
To begin, I need to be well prepared. I almost always bring a dog bed with me (the exception being the places I know are nice grassy areas). Particularly on a warm day, it’s nice to have a comfy bed vs the hot ground.
I always bring a bowl and some water (lots of places offer to provide this, which is awesome, but I am always prepared). For some dogs, I will bring a chew along for them to focus on. I don’t usually bring chews, or at least not high value ones, if I am bringing multiple dogs - that can lead to competition over who has the nicer chew, haha.
I come prepared with a bag of treats (often just their kibble) so I can reward their good behaviour.
Before we arrive, I ensure they have had a walk to be able to relieve themselves (and take the edge off their energy).
My goals for a new dog are different than my goals for a seasoned patio pooch. For a new dog, the environment of people, other dogs, new smells, food, etc, can be really exciting!
When I begin working with a new dog, my goals for our first trip will simply be to focus on me as opposed to climbing on the table or pulling towards other patrons. I will ask for their attention and reward promptly. This is a challenging environment and when I start working on these skills it is usually with a puppy with a short attention span. Literally a moment of focus will be rewarded.
I will then ask them to sit or lay down on their bed and reward when they do. For a young dog, the chew treat can be helpful in encouraging them to settle.
As we go more places they begin to get better at focusing on me and relaxing versus paying attention to everything and everyone else. As they are successful, I begin to increase the time I expect them to be laying down before I give a treat. I will often treat them when I ask them to lay down, then again in say 30 seconds if they have remained down and relaxed.
As we practice this more, I introduce longer intervals between rewards. Like anything, I work with a variable schedule of reward. So they may get a treat as soon as they lay down, or it may be a few minute wait, or it may be 15 seconds. Bouncing around on times helps solidify the behaviour without teaching them that it is always increasing in time (which weakens the behaviour).
Very soon, I have a dog who will begin to offer a down on their bed for a treat. I will ALWAYS mark and reward this choice! Then I will continue to ping pong back between shorter and longer intervals.
If they get up, I will ask them to lay down or just ignore them (assuming they aren’t causing trouble in some other way) and wait for them to resume laying down.
It really doesn’t take long for them to learn to lay down, relax, and be rewarded. Then they become a dog that is a joy to take places, is a great ambassador for their breed, and is a credit to your efforts!
Have fun with your patio pooch!
