Taking Puppy Calmness Training To The Cafe
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The world outside is a exciting place for a puppy! From other dogs and playful children to fun parks and bustling cafes, there's so much to see, smell, and explore. As pet parents, one of our challenges is to bridge the gap between the calming techniques practiced at home and the exciting real world.
Lets start to prepare you to take your calmness training from your home out to the real world.
Planning for Success
Before venturing out with your pup, it's essential to consider the desired behaviour you want them to exhibit in each environment. At the park, a playful run around with toys might be acceptable, while a cafe setting might call for calmness on a mat.
Setting expectations and being consistent with them will help your puppy adjust to different scenarios and act accordingly.
Lets take going to a cafe as an example of how to teach calmness in a new environment.
Cafe Calmness: A Step-by-Step Guide
What You'll Need:
Settle Mat: Your pup's trusty calming zone.
High-Value Treats: Delicious rewards to keep them motivated.
Active Calming Activity: Choose a long-lasting option like a stuffed Kong or natural chew. Check out our active calming activity blog.
Strategic Location: Pick a quiet cafe where your pup can be tucked away from distractions.
Putting it into Practice:
Set Up the Chill Zone: Spread your puppy's settle mat on the floor next to you. Guide them onto the mat with a "mat" cue and ask them to sit calmly while you get settled yourself.
Engage Their Calming Senses: Offer their long-lasting chew or Kong, encouraging them to settle down as they enjoy it.
Reward the Relaxation: Throughout your stay, consistently reward your pup with treats for remaining calm on their mat. As your puppy is just laying or sitting nicely just watching the wold go by. you can give them their settle cue and reward them calmly.
Focused Calmness (Optional): If your pup isn't interested in their chew, practice "focused calmness." Have them lie down on the mat and watch you. Reward small moments of stillness with treats.
Polite Interruptions:
If your puppy gets distracted by passersby or starts to get restless, gently interrupt them with a "focus" cue, guiding their attention back to you. Remember to reward them for successfully refocusing!
Ending the Visit:
Wrap up the visit by giving your pup a clear cue that it's time to go, such as "all done." This signals the end of their calmness training for the day, and you can now let them have a little more freedom as you leave the cafe.
Teaching your puppy to be calm in public places takes time, patience, and consistency. It's about understanding the environment, setting clear expectations, and managing interactions. For many environment you want your puppy to be calm in you will need to practice several time.
With these tips, you can enjoy outings with your pup and help them navigate the world outside with calmness and confidence.
