A successful outing with your dog is one that’s safe and enjoyable for both of you. As natural and easy as that sounds, it often doesn’t happen unless you prepare for and practice it. Here are some tips for making the most of your time with your favorite companion.
- Preparation is half the battle. Before you go anywhere, think about the challenges you’re likely to encounter: bins full of goodies in a pet store, other dogs, people who want to pet your dog, people walking by you at an outdoor café, kids running around in a park, trash on the ground. Decide how you will handle each challenge. Will you move away to create distance? Use treats to keep your dog’s attention on you? Use cues your dog is well practiced at (settle, watch, leave-it) to help guide his behavior?
- Be on the lookout. Actively scan the environment so you can respond proactively to challenges rather than reacting when the distraction is already too close.
- Work at your dog’s level. Is your dog ready to settle comfortably for the full duration of a café lunch or should you start with a shorter visit like a trip for coffee? Has your dog noticed the chew bones in a lower bin at the pet store? A leave-it, let’s go, or watch from several feet away is more likely to work than when he has his nose in the bin.
- Set your dog up for success. If your outing was not as enjoyable as you would like, spend some time at home working on the behaviors your dog struggled with. Then pick an easier outing, such as the park during the morning lull instead of the afternoon rush. Bring tastier treats and go before your dog’s mealtime, not after.
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