Finding a place to eat while traveling with a pet is an obstacle many pet owners face. Plus, it might be risky to leave pets in cars, especially during the heat. No matter how adorable other customers or servers find your dog to be, no one wants their dog’s nose in their food or their leash wrapped around their legs or chairs.
Whether you have a young puppy learning his manners or are working with an older reactive dog, this article contains tips that will assist you in teaching your dog appropriate restaurant behavior.
#1. Teach fundamental obedience
It takes a lot of training and practice for your dog to behave in a restaurant. Therefore, your dog must be familiar with the basics before you start. All of the basic commands, including sit, stay, and down, should be understood by your dog. Even if your dog is already aware of these concepts, going through them again can be beneficial.
#2. Keep them close (Avoid Retractable Leashes)
A retractable leash may seem like a wise option when hiking or in a wide-open area, giving your dog more space to wander. However, experts urge you not to use these, particularly on patios, so that you can control your dog and its actions completely.
#3. Find The Right Restaurant
Visit restaurants that welcome pets because the staff will ask where your dog will feel most comfortable before sitting with you. They’ll be sympathetic if you ask for a shaded table or one that prevents your dog from seeing other customers. They might also bring your dog a bowl of water. Although some restaurants advertise that their sidewalk seating is pet-friendly, it would be challenging to fit even a tiny dog beneath your table away from the bustling foot traffic. Consider how comfortable your dog will be in your desired restaurant.
#4. Bring treats
A restaurant environment is a dog’s dream if they have a begging behavior issue. If it’s not resolved, consider bringing dinner with you and training treats to reward good behavior in requested command positions.
#5. Bring a portable water bowl
If your dog is thirsty, it may become restless or nervous, so bring a portable water bowl to ensure your dog is well hydrated. Pour some water into your dog’s bowl by asking a server to bring one and the dish as necessary, especially on warm days.
#6. Choose a peaceful area
Select a reserved seat at the restaurant if you know your dog is restless or easily distracted by food, people, or other dogs. Ensure it is off in a corner and away from busy streets.
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Leader of the Pack offers dog owners basic obedience and advanced training courses that deliver serious results. Through teaching methods that ensure long-lasting results, we can help ensure your pet is trained and prepared to go where you do this summer. Contact us today and sign-up for group or private in-home training sessions! For more information, please email our team at leaderofthepackdogtraining@yahoo.com.