How to train a dog to settle in a pub?
Hettie Armstrong
2025-07-22 11:41:40
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: 10
We built up a settle in the home environment on a specific mat that he has learnt to settle on at home where there are no distractions. We made an effort to visit pubs and cafes when they were QUIET and we usually opted to sit outside with him if at all possible. We made sure he had a huge walk before-hand so he was at least a little more tired and ready to settle. We would sit down and ignore Byron, until he would eventually lie-down. As soon as he was down, we would very CALMLY AND SLOWLY put some treats between his paws. We then started to reward when he wasn’t looking at us and when his head was naturally resting between his paws. We then left longer and longer between each reward.
Alexie Orn
2025-07-22 09:18:39
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You wouldn’t expect your dog to learn to sit, roll over or shake hands without a good grounding of training, and so the same goes for asking them to settle in the pub when you’re on holiday. Until they’ve learned that lying down quietly is the way to get rewards, they’re likely to keep pestering you or others around you for attention. At home, before you even brave a pub garden or a café terrace, get your dog used to lying at your feet around a dining table by asking them to do exactly that: stick their lead and collar or harness on, give them the down command while you sit at your table, and occasionally reward their passive behaviour from a stash of treats in your pocket. Reward fairly regularly to begin with, but gradually lengthen the gaps between rewards until you can go for several minutes without a nose nudge or a fidgeting dog. If you notice them disengaging from you (such as looking away, or resting their head on the floor) during these gaps, reward this too, as they’ll begin to learn that they needn’t keep all their attention on you. Once you’ve mastered this at home, it’s time to take it into the wild – head out alone so you can focus on the training and don’t order anything too involved, you’ll want to be able to keep one eye on the dog at all times while they’re still learning.
Arielle Bode
2025-07-22 07:57:39
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: 10
When introducing a new environment, it’s important to take things slowly, as too much too soon can be overwhelming. Instead, start by going to a quiet pub, for a short period of time, before gradually building it up. Remember, if your pup seems afraid, calmly take them away from the situation, as you want to avoid them developing a long-term fear. When socialising your dog at the pub, take some treats with you, so they can nibble on something nice while they’re there. This will help build positive memories of the pub, making it more likely that they’ll be happy to return in the future. Making sure that your dog knows the command for ‘leave’ before you head to the pub, can help you remove the item before it is swallowed and causes harm. A toy, treat or puzzle will help keep them occupied while you eat. Paying attention to their body language can help you understand when your dog is giving you the cue that it’s time to head home. Holding their ears back, tucking their tail underneath them, licking their lips, yawning and hiding away, are all signs your dog is feeling unhappy.
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