If you’re in the Glasgow area, you might have heard of a little initiative that took place late last year. The famed Silverburn Shopping Centre in Pollock, complete with multi-story M&S, spa, food court, and cinema, introduced a trial where dogs were allowed to wander the enclosed shopping centre – on a leash of course.
Sure, it was an attempt to allow dog owners more freedom to shop without leaving dogs alone in cars or homes, but “to the shock of absolutely no one” the trial didn’t last long. After four months, a range of complaints of dog dirt ignored and general chaos, and with only roughly a quarter of the store in the centre taking up the initiative, the trial was over and dogs were once again banned from Silverburn Shopping Centre.
Silverburn obviously isn’t the only leisurely place that allows dogs public spaces. With the sun out, it’s easy to see why you might want to bring your pooch with you on a coffee date, a beer garden, or even in the pub to watch the game or grab lunch.
But, thanks to a lack of training and consideration, the idea of allowing dogs in public spaces is controversial. We’re breaking down how to keep calm and well-behaved dogs in public spaces.
Start with Basic Obedience Training
It goes without saying that we should start with the basics. If your dog can’t be recalled, it shouldn’t be spending too much time around others. Make sure you have the essentials nailed down, like “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “heel”, and “leave it”, which are all essential for keeping your dog’s behaviour in line. Pawsitive Solutions can help get your dog to respond to basic obedience with ongoing training. Contact us to learn more.
Socialize Your Dog Early
That being said, you want to your dog to get used to other people and dogs in public spaces early. Introduce them gradually to different environments, so that they don’t get overstimulated. Start with quieter parks and walking down a local main street before upgrading to cafes, pubs and the busier high streets. This will get them accustomed to other dogs, people, noises and smells.
Teach Calm Behaviour in Public
The problem with sitting somewhere public to eat with your dog is that rarely do they want to sit peacefully with you. The world is simply too interesting a place – with scraps! You’ll need to make an effort to train your dog to settle under the table at your feet and not get in the way of others. You can start with a “settle” or “place” command to let your dog know that it’s time to relax. A treat when they settle nicely can help drive the point home. You can even bring toys to recapture your dog’s attention and keep them amused while they sit so that they don’t get fixated on something like a loud noise.
And remember that it isn’t just your dogs in public spaces you need to think about. Your dog shouldn’t be disturbing anyone else by barking or jumping, or begging in the cafes and pubs.
It’s Not Just About the Dogs
Dog-owners should remember that it’s not just the dog’s behaviour under a microscope here. Going back to our earlier example, the trial in Silverburn Shopping Centre didn’t end because people hate dogs. Complaints were coming in of dog waste left on the floor, and if you managed to witness it you probably saw crowds of people getting tangled up in leashes and dogs getting overstimulated in a peak traffic Saturday afternoon.
So, as a dog owner, you should remember a few pointers:
- Don’t assume all spaces are dog-friendly: Obviously, ask before you take your table. Don’t assume that your dog is welcome in any hospitality venue. Additionally, respect the rules of the venue as they are given to you. If dogs are only allowed in one area, that’s where you and your dog stay. If a staff member asks you to control your dog, do so.
- Always clean up dog waste: If you can’t walk down a country lane without the local newspaper getting letters about it, why do you think it’s acceptable in a café, a bar or a shop? By ignoring it you’re being inconsiderate to the people around you and giving dog owners a bad reputation. Carry waste bags with you wherever you take your dog.
- Discourage barking where you can: Barking at all is going to disturb someone, so you’ll want to keep that to a minimum. When it gets excessive, you’re going to hear about it. Use your training techniques to keep your dog from wanting to bark in stimulating environments. Use calming commands or ultimately remove them from the situation if you need to help them relax.
- Keep a distance: Remember that some people are not comfortable around dogs. It’s hard to remember when you look into those eyes staring back at you, but not everyone loves your dog the way you do. Be respectful of people’s space while you’re out in public.
Conclusion
Letting dogs in public spaces is a privilege put forward by the venue owner. Understand that it’s not a right, and it’s not the decision of the staff usually. Additionally, understand that your dog will probably not naturally fall into line and you will have to train your dog to behave in public spaces.