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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dogs in cafe

42 replies

Borris · 27/02/2022 22:10

How do you train your dog to lie quietly under the table at a cafe? Today we went for a nice walk with a pub lunch. All the other dogs sat nicely under their owners table.

Mine was a nightmare! She jumped about, tried to chew the table leg, tried to chew her lead, tried to chew my hands when I petted her. The only time she lay down was when she spent 20 minutes raiding her treat bag.

I guess part the problem is that she's a lockdown pup (nearly 2) and so for her early months cafes weren't open to sit in. But at home she is generally super chilled.

Help! I never want to take her to a pub again but I know I'll need to!

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2022 22:13

You won’t “need” to.
Until your dog calms down enough to behave in a pub or cafe you shouldn’t take her.
I am not unsympathetic, I have a dog who behaves now but hasn’t always and I only take him places where/when I know he won’t be a pain in the arse.

Original poster

Borris · 27/02/2022 22:23

How do you train him not to be a pain though. I don't think he annoyed anyone but me as most of the bad behaviour happened under the table. But it wasn't an enjoyable experience for me. Yes I get what you mean. I won't need to but I expect the situation will arise when someone suggests dog walk with pub and it would be nice to be able to join in.

OP posts:

MsHampton · 27/02/2022 22:27

The only way to get them used to it is to do it.
You can practice calm games and activities at home though. Get them used to sitting nicely and treat lots.

Sit outside for a bit and get them used to calming down and being quiet.
Then choose places/times that aren't too busy and build up.

Some dogs just don't get used to it and don't like going to pubs and cafes. Ours always have because we've socialised them from puppies. Other friends never take their dogs out with them.

CovidCorvid · 27/02/2022 22:29

Snuffle or lick mat?

MsHampton · 27/02/2022 22:31

@CovidCorvid

Snuffle or lick mat?

Good idea, or a filled Kong. They need to associate it with a nice experience for them.

anotherheadache · 27/02/2022 22:34

Our was like yours, he's still not perfect! We go to a local garden centre that has out door seating every weekend. There space enough for him not to annoy others, but over the weeks (months!) last year until the weather got to bad to sit outside, we gradually got him used to lying down or sitting next to the table while we eat. We usually take something to occupy him like a yak chew. When we first braved going inside we took it in turns eating while the other kept him on a short lead and made him sit/lay down. Now he's ok so long as it not a very busy cramped place... because then he want to jump on everyone near him to be fussed!

Enko · 27/02/2022 22:35

we spent lots of time with treats and praise to teach ours to just lie quietly by the table but it took time and patience. (lots of patience)

We take some high value but long chew treats for him now.

Ncwinc · 27/02/2022 22:41

That’s like taking a toddler out to eat for the first time, choosing a very formal restaurant and expecting them to sit nicely through a three course meal.

Little steps. Can they sit and settle if you sit down on a bench in the park for a few minutes? Then, can they sit and settle outside a Costa while you drink a coffee? Work up to drinks inside and then to food.

Original poster

Borris · 27/02/2022 22:42

She's very good at home. We generally eat at a table and she settles fine. A lickimat or Kong is a good idea. She was quiet for the 20 minutes she spent trying to get all the treats out of her treat bag. I think the idea of lots of short visits and building up might be the answer.

OP posts:

maeveiscurious · 27/02/2022 22:43

Our pup sleeps under my chair when I eat so it's habit

Original poster

Borris · 27/02/2022 22:45

I think a bench would be tricky after a short while. I don't tend to stop when out walking. If we've stopped for a picnic then she would often dog a big hole by a bench when we stopped which I guess means that she isn't waiting nicely although she's not annoying me. She can't start digging up floors in pubs.

OP posts:

bumpytrumpy · 27/02/2022 22:49

@Borris

You need to not allow the destructive behaviour while you stop. Pup should sit or lay calmly and be rewarded for it. Take some treats and intermittently reward when they're calm. Short stops and build up the duration. Don't allow pup to practice behaviour you don't want.

MrsEricBana · 27/02/2022 22:52

What breed is your dog op? I can do this with my dog - I trained him from very early on that we do long walk then may meet someone for coffee. My friend said I had to tie lead to table leg and just ignore him and he would know to settle down and he always does. My other friend has a dif type of dog (spaniel mix) and even if we have done same walk her pup is very restless and she then tries all sorts of things e.g. offering water, treats, chews etc which I think may make it worse as her pup is expecting attention. Worth persevering as it gives you more options. Good luck!

Ncwinc · 27/02/2022 22:52

It’s something they have to learn just like ‘sit’ or ‘down’. You can link it to a long lasting chew or chew toy if they struggle to relax.

dollymuchymuchness · 27/02/2022 22:55

Our dog has always come to pubs and cafes with us. Our dog trainer at puppy classes advised us to make her lie down and if necessary put a foot on her lead to keep her down and praise her for lying still. This worked for us. I don’t know whether this is current thinking but our dog behaves beautifully when we take her anywhere now.

sallyjuliet · 27/02/2022 22:56

I feel your pain! My dog is 15 months and we’ve always made sure to take him everywhere with us to socialise him right from the start. He was really good at first but is going through a phase where he doesn’t like to stop anywhere so going out to a cafe or a pub or even sitting and having a picnic outside has become difficult. We’ve bought a licky mat so we’re going to try that. He took us by surprise today though and sat very nicely at an outside cafe whilst we had snacks and drinks. He has good days and bad days with this and there doesn’t seem to be a pattern at the moment. It’s just a matter of persevering until we get to the point where he’s really reliable I think.

Ncwinc · 27/02/2022 23:00

Just like with children, whenever yours decides to throw a tantrum in public there’s always someone nearby whose little darling is perfectly behaved

pumpkinpie01 · 27/02/2022 23:14

You are not alone Op , mine (14 months) seems to be getting worse in these social situations. Last summer we had lunch outside for over an hour and she just slept good as gold . Last week after a 6 mile walk stopped at Costa she did nothing but bark , same at an outside cafe today just didn't settle and demand barked at us😫

PermanentlyDizzy · 27/02/2022 23:48

I would train ‘Place’ with lots of practice at home, then outdoor pubs/cafes before attempting indoor again.

Essentially you buy a new mat, to be used especially for quiet, relaxed times. Lots of videos online on how to do it by either capturing the behaviour and rewarding it or luring and rewarding then increasing the time they’re on it. Eventually the mat itself becomes the signal to settle down and be quiet and you can take it out with you to pop under the table in cafes and pubs etc. Some people use the same thing for training a dog to go and lie down quietly when they have visitors.

PermanentlyDizzy · 27/02/2022 23:51

Kikopup’s is useful as well.

gleegeek · 27/02/2022 23:55

Oh God I've found my people!!! We've just got back from a few days away, lots of walking and possibilities to stop in a cafe or pub. Our 2 year old spaniel mix would not settle, he had wild eyes and was completely over excited. The first few minutes I could keep his attention with treats but then he just wanted to be anywhere other than sitting nicely by our table and started barking We had take away drinks so left but I miss having a leisurely cup of tea out somewhere! We tried 3 different days but similar results, he behaved perfectly in cafes and pubs before lockdown but didn't get the chance to really get the hang of it. Will try all the suggestions so far!

Original poster

Borris · 27/02/2022 23:58

She's a spaniel mix too. Lots of helpful advice here. Thanks. I think maybe practicing sitting on a bench with a chew might be the first step, and when she can sit there then move on to cafes. She seems to have quite a high chew drive. She has never chewed anything she shouldn't but spends most of the evenings chewing on an antler or nylabone.

OP posts:

Original poster

Borris · 27/02/2022 23:59

The place mat thing sounds a great idea too.

OP posts:

Urbanisation · 28/02/2022 00:00

Can't you just leave it at home? It's not like it's an essential developmental curve, for dogs. They don't need to go in cafés or pubs or anywhere because they're animals.

MsHampton · 28/02/2022 07:11

@Urbanisation

Can't you just leave it at home? It's not like it's an essential developmental curve, for dogs. They don't need to go in cafés or pubs or anywhere because they're animals.

Some dogs don't cope well with being left for hours so it's much better to be able to take the dog out with you. I wouldn't go out for a long walk without my dog and there's almost always a coffee or lunch at the end.

I didn't get a dog to leave him at home and not spend time with him so why shouldn't I include him in social stuff where I can?

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