So You Want to Take Your Dog to a Restaurant
If you're anything like most modern dog owners, your dog is part of the family. Businesses everywhere are catching on to this trend and now most restaurants welcome dogs on their patios. Some establishments even have a dog-friendly menu so your dog can fully participate in the meal experience! Whether you want to bring your dog along to a four course meal or just to grab a quick coffee on the patio, below are four things your dog MUST be able to do if he is to come along:
1. Walk nicely on a leash.
By "nicely," I mean:
- at your side
- at your pace
- focused on you
As any dog owner knows, the walk is extremely important. But wait a second, I thought you said we were going to a restaurant. Why does the walk even matter? Because mastering the walk is not just about the activity of walking - it's about your dogs ability to focus on you, and your ability to lead him through the giant distraction we call life. If you are having trouble getting buy-in and holding your dog's attention on the way to the car, you're going to struggle to keep him under control at a restaurant.
2. Ignore distractions.
You've just arrived at the restaurant with your canine companion. The smell of delicious food is in the air. Their are children laughing and playing nearby. Everyone who walks by wants to talk to your dog and pet him.
What I have just described is essentially wonderland for your dog. But your ability to have a good time with your dog depends on his ability to take in and process all of these distractions WITHOUT reacting to them and possibly upsetting other patrons.
If your dog barks at strangers, or feels entitled to greet each and every new human who comes his way, then you are probably not ready to take him to a restaurant. Keep in mind that while you may love dogs, the general public may not. Some folks are scared of dogs, and their ability to have a peaceful meal depends on your ability to keep your dog out of their business.
3. Leave it.
Restaurants are full of food dogs shouldn't eat. Though they are part of a human family, dogs themselves are also opportunistic scavengers lacking the ability to make appropriate choices for their long term health. Hopefully before attempting a restaurant experience you will have worked hard on teaching your dog not to Hoover up dropped food. His life could depend on it.
4. Lie down and be quiet.
Last but certainly not least, is the extended down-stay. In truth, there are SO MANY things your dog can NOT be doing in this command. This one takes practice, though, and it all starts at home. Start by placing your dog in a down underneath the dinner table every evening. Have his leash and prong collar on so you are ready to correct should he make a mistake.
Make sure you are holding your dog accountable to both the spirit AND the letter of the law. Don't accept a dog who's in a down, but alert and ready to spring into action the moment someone drops a piece of food. Remember that the most reliable training addresses both state of mind AND physical position.
