A Coffee Date with Your Dog

Sitting with your family at a local cafe, your favorite canine pal lying calmly at your feet, is a dream of many dog lovers. As with many dreams, however, things don’t always go as planned. If your dog brings chaos to every outing - barking, knocking over staff, lunging at passing dogs, stealing food from the table - you may need to go back a few steps. 

Consistency in routines, training, and expectations is key.

If you do bring your dog along for a cafe outing, set them up for success. Bring a mat for them to lie on, as well as a tasty chew so they have something to keep them occupied (if they’re prone to guarding, leave the chew at home). Aim for quiet times of day and keep sessions short. Rather than sitting down for a long and leisurely brunch, start with a coffee - you could even bring a takeaway cup so you can make a speedy exit if needed. Build duration over time and keep an eye on your dog’s body language throughout - if they’re restless, trying to hide and vocalizing, it’s probably time to call it a day.