Be mindful of the need for special care in an unusual environment
In her early 20s, Jessica Benoit (Animal Health Technology ’10) adopted a dog, along with a new mindset. As she watched it get used to its new home, she realized she didn’t know how it felt, which struck her as essential to its care.
“I needed to figure out how her brain worked,” says Benoit. “How could I tell if she was happy or not happy or worried?”
That question has guided the registered veterinary technologist ever since. In 2020, Benoit became a specialist in behaviour – one of just two Canadians to achieve the veterinary technician designation. And she’s applied that to her roles as a certified trainer and co-owner of Companion Veterinary Clinic, a south Edmonton facility focused on care without causing fear.
That expertise has also influenced her perspective on dogs in public, whether at parks, little league sports or – ever since Alberta Health Services amended regulations in 2022 – accompanying their owners to dine outdoors at a local restaurant. What are those animals thinking and feeling as their humans snack, drink and socialize?
Benoits’ own thoughts and feelings on that shape the advice she’d give those considering bringing their pooch to the patio.
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Consider the canine perspective
“I want people to ask themselves, ‘What's in it for the dog?’” says Benoit.
That is, does the dog want to be in an environment filled with strangers, possibly other dogs, the scent of food, and little to do?
Benoit knows the answer, as does any realistic pet owner. But the experience needn’t be entirely negative, depending on the disposition of the dog, if it has been trained for the experience, and if it’s looked after as well as a human during the outing.
Practise for the patio
Like its human, a dog needs to be able to relax on a patio. Unlike its human, it needs to learn how. At home, teach the animal to stay calm on a mat, says Benoit, increasing the duration from session to session. Introduce distraction by relocating to other rooms or the backyard. (Treats will be necessary.)
“Once the dog can do that fairly consistently and comfortably, maybe that's the behaviour that you would take to a patio,” she says.
Things to bring
“We need to consider how hot patios are,” says Benoit. While you soak up the sun, a dog may soak up the radiant heat from the concrete underfoot. Bring a mat along, perhaps even one designed for cooling. A dish for water, too.
Don’t forget to also bring some form of entertainment to the patio, “because it’s boring,” says Benoit (for dogs, at least). Chews and puzzle toys can help pass the time, and a frozen chew toy can do double duty by providing relief from warmer temperatures.
Reward Fido for sitting so calmly. Treats are necessary here too, to ensure the training isn’t forgotten. “Otherwise, the behaviour will extinguish,” Benoit warns. That is, if not reinforced, it can disappear.
Take a break
If you need a bio break, chances are your dog does too. When you return, extend the courtesy with a walk to a nearby patch of grass.
“Let them have a little sniff or a pee,” says Benoit, “or just a break.”
Be cautious around other dogs
Yours may not be the only dog at the patio, introducing the possibility of conflict. As one dog passes, another might get protective of those chews and toys – “which would be completely normal in that context,” says Benoit, “but not a behavior that people are going to take well to.”
Being on leash (required by AHS, if not a carrier or some other restraint) can also make a dog defensive by default on a patio, leaving it feeling unable to escape a negative encounter, Benoit adds. Stay aware.
Watch for signs of stress
“Most people can recognize a tucked tail or ears that go back,” says Benoit, but there are other signs that a dog has had enough. Watch for excessive lip licking, yawning, panting, restlessness, or a deliberate averting of your dog’s gaze from other people or nearby dogs. If so, it’s time to get the cheque.
Work your way up
If teaching your dog to comfortably accompany you to the patio is on your summer to-do list, take it slow. An hour of seltzers in the sun shouldn’t be an early expectation. Be prepared to start small – even just a 10-minute stay, says Benoit – and try to build.
“Don't expect a dog to be a robot and just lay still for 60 minutes.”
Avoid punishment
If a trip to the patio doesn’t go well, Benoit (as always) recommends avoiding punishment. It will create a negative association with the activity. What’s more – with the local patio not being the dog’s preferred habitat nor first choice of destination – missteps are, in a way, natural.
Be patient, practical and kind
“It’s a tricky situation,” says Benoit. While people want to bond with their animals, doing so over drinks at the patio may not be the time and place.
The dog that barks at other dogs or regularly strains on the leash isn’t going to be the best patio pal, Benoit points out. The lapdog that loves to curl up and be pet may do just fine. The rest may be good sports if properly prepped and treated.
No matter what, says Benoit, being mindful of the animal’s well-being is essential. It will strengthen the relationship you share with them, whether that’s enjoyed during a walk in the park or a stop for a quick snack and a drink (preferably for both of you).
“You just want to ensure their needs are met emotionally and that they're healthy physically.”