6 Tips to Improve Your Dog's Bar Patio Etiquette

Summer is coming and I’m getting several requests from people to help get their dogs ready to hang out on patios at bars, breweries, and restaurants.  

In my world, dogs go everywhere with their people. It’s natural for the pack to stay together – unfortunately, that’s not reality for dogs in our world. Bars, breweries, and cafes are the exception to that rule – but only when the weather is nice.  

So more than likely, your dog is out of practice, or being in a public establishment is a skill they’ve never developed.  

Here are some tips to help your dog become the coolest guy at the bar.

How can I help my dog sit comfortably at bar and restaurant patios?

1. Address problem behaviors before you go – If your dog has aggression issues or leash reactivity, it's best to deal with the leash aggression first (and preferably meet with a trainer). If your dog can’t be cool on a walk or in other public settings, chances of success on a bar patio are pretty slim.  
2. Join a pack walk – I’m a big believer in pack walking with your dog and other strange dogs. Take this opportunity to get your dog used to NOT physically interacting with other dogs while on leash and in close proximity. Even a friendly dog can quickly turn obnoxious on a patio if they get too excited about the presence of other dogs and don’t have the experience resisting that temptation. Your dog should see another dog on a leash and know how to behave in a calm manner. A pack walk can be a great way to start. 
3. Take your dog to patios during slow times – Like anything in training, start easy and work your way up. Once you feel like you’ve got your dog pretty well balanced in most areas of public life, start going to bars when you think others won’t be there. This will give your dog (and you!) an easy introduction where there isn’t too much for either of you to worry about.  
4. Foot on the lead – When you get to the bar or brewery, confidently find a seat and put your foot on the leash and relax. Give your dog enough leash to sit and lay down comfortably and no more. This technique is good for so many things - patio training being at the top of the list. It requires minimal effort on the handler’s part and gets maximum results. Your dog shouldn’t be able to walk around or pace or fidget. Just let them learn to be calm and stationary. Feel free to bring their dinner in a pouch and feed it to them a little at a time when they are relaxed, calm, and happy. Bonus points if you reward them when they give you attention and look at you.  
5. Give your dog boundaries – You should set appropriate boundaries depending on how good your dog is with other people and other dogs. If you want your dog to be a cool cucumber, don’t let other people interact with him while he’s learning how to behave – like a service dog. Service dogs look so calm in public because their handlers and trainers have done a good job at controlling the people around them and the way they allow people to interact with their dogs. If your dog is excited about being pet and interacting, it is more likely that they will be excitable or eager to leave you and meet other people and dogs.  
6. Know your dog’s limits -  If a patio is too much for your dog. Back off and get back to the basics. Get professional help to accelerate learning. Don’t try to force your dog into a situation where he or she isn’t ready.  

My dog is still frustrating on bar patios - now what?

Hire someone. A professional can see the gaps in your training and help you get your dog over that training hump.

Did you know AWDT will meet you for a training session at your favorite bar patio? Contact us today to help get your dog summer ready this season!

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