By Rhiannon at Raintown Dog Training

Dreaming of relaxing on a sunny patio with your pup by your side while you sip drinks with friends? Now’s the perfect time to start training so your dog can be the perfect patio companion.

Fisher, a black lab, sits calmly on a trail.

Tip 1:
Teaching a Settle

One of the most useful skills for patio outings is teaching your dog to “settle” calmly beside you. To do this, try a method called capturing—which means watching your dog closely and rewarding calm behaviors as they happen naturally.

Start with your dog in a down position next to you. Keep an eye out for signs of relaxation: lowering their head, shifting onto one hip, or displaying an overall calm demeanor. When you notice these behaviors, reward your dog with a treat! Over time, you can gradually reduce how often you treat, helping your dog maintain the behavior on their own.

A mat or blanket can also be a game-changer. Use it as a consistent cue—when the mat comes out, it’s time to settle. Begin by practicing at home, then slowly introduce more distracting environments as your dog improves.

A calm dog looks at their owner outdoors

Tip 2: Management

Sometimes training just isn’t practical—maybe the environment is too overwhelming, or you’re simply not in the mood. That’s where good management comes in. Be prepared with activities that can keep your dog occupied, like long-lasting chews (bully sticks, yak chews) or enrichment toys (snuffle mats, Kongs).

Management helps prevent unwanted behaviors, such as barking or overexcitement, from becoming habits. It’s an essential piece of the puzzle, especially in busy public spaces.

Thought of the month

Don’t Just Throw Them In!

It can be tempting to bring your dog along to your next patio dinner and hope for the best—but that’s not the best training strategy. Most dogs need preparation and practice before they can handle a bustling patio environment, especially for long periods.

Use quiet times when you can give your dog your full attention to work on training. When that’s not possible, stick to management tools to set your pup up for success.

Need an extra hand preparing for patio season? Check out our Basic Manners group classes!

Group Training Classes