How to train your dog to relax in public? A step-by-step guide

1. Start with Basic Obedience at Home

Before you even think about venturing into public spaces, your dog should have a basic grasp of obedience commands. A well-trained dog, even in stressful situations, is far easier to manage. If your dog can sit, stay, or come when called at home, you’ve got a solid foundation to build on.

Basic obedience helps your dog know that you’re the one in charge – not the squirrels, not the other dogs, and certainly not the distractions around you. Here’s where you start:

• Sit & Stay: The core of any good training. Sit helps you get your dog’s attention, and stay ensures they don’t take off when distracted.
• Come When Called: This is crucial. It’s a command that will help keep your dog focused on you, especially when there are distractions around.
• Down: A relaxed, down position is often a calming one. It lets your dog know it’s okay to relax.

Once you’ve mastered these basic commands in a quiet, controlled environment, you can move on to more complex training in public.

Free e-book designed to improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you despite distractions, click HERE

2. Gradual Exposure to New Environments

The key to teaching your dog to relax in public is to slowly introduce them to new environments. Dogs are creatures of habit and can get anxious in unfamiliar places, especially if they haven’t been exposed to a variety of settings. Think of it like going to the gym for the first time – you’re not going to run a marathon on day one.

• Start Small: Begin by taking your dog to less busy areas like a quiet park or a calm pet store. These places are less likely to overstimulate your dog with loud noises and overwhelming crowds.
• Controlled Socialization: Introduce your dog to calm, friendly dogs and humans. This will help your dog get used to the idea that other people and dogs are not threats.
• Build Confidence: Take your dog to various locations, like the sidewalk or your neighbor's backyard. Gradually increase the duration of each outing. When you take small steps, you’ll build your dog’s confidence, and over time, they’ll become more relaxed in new settings.

3. Positive Reinforcement for Calm Behavior

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, and this will be your most powerful tool for teaching your dog to stay calm in public. Dogs that are rewarded for calm behavior are more likely to repeat it. This means no reward for the dog that’s barking at every stranger they see, but praise and treats for the dog that’s sitting quietly at your side.

• Praise and Treats: Reward your dog with treats, praise, or even playtime when they remain calm. For example, if your dog is sitting quietly at your feet while you're talking to a friend, give them a treat and lots of praise. This teaches them that calm behavior results in positive outcomes.
• Consistency is Key: Be consistent with your rewards. If your dog remains calm for 5 minutes at the park, reward them. Over time, you can gradually extend the time they need to stay calm before they get the reward.
• Avoid Punishment: Dogs don’t associate punishment with the specific behavior they’re being corrected for. Instead, it creates confusion and can increase anxiety. Focus on reinforcing positive behavior instead of punishing negative actions.

4. Teach a ‘Relaxation’ Command

If your dog tends to get overstimulated easily in public, teaching them a specific “relax” command can help. This command cues your dog to calm down and focus on you. It’s one of the most useful tools in your training toolbox.

• Start at Home: Practice the relaxation command in a quiet place with minimal distractions. Use a calm, soothing tone as you say “relax” or any word you choose.
• Reinforce with Treats: Once your dog is starting to understand the command, reinforce it with treats or praise. When your dog follows the command, they should be rewarded for staying calm and composed.
• In Public: Once your dog is responding to the relaxation command at home, it’s time to try it in public spaces. When they start to get excited or anxious, use the command and reward them when they calm down.

Free e-book designed to improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you despite distractions, click HERE

5. Desensitize to Common Distractions

Public spaces are full of distractions – loud noises, moving objects, other dogs, and people. For many dogs, these distractions are overwhelming, and they can struggle to focus on you. The key to helping your dog handle distractions is desensitization.

• Control the Environment: In the beginning, try to control as many factors as possible. Go to quieter places, avoid peak hours, and choose environments where you can control the noise level.
• Gradual Exposure to Distractions: Start introducing distractions slowly. For instance, you can start by walking past a dog park (but not stopping) or going to a pet-friendly café where there are some other dogs and people. Each time, reward your dog for staying calm as they encounter these distractions.
• Increase Challenge Gradually: Once your dog is handling smaller distractions, increase the challenge by visiting busier parks, shopping centers, or other dog-friendly places where there are lots of people and noises. Your dog will slowly learn to tune out these distractions and remain calm.

6. Teach Leash Manners

Leash manners are a crucial part of relaxing in public. If your dog is constantly pulling, barking, or darting off in different directions, both you and your dog will feel more stressed. Teaching your dog proper leash manners not only helps you maintain control but also contributes to their overall calmness.

• Loose Leash Walking: Work on teaching your dog to walk nicely on a loose leash. This helps to prevent pulling, which can escalate their anxiety when in public. Start training in a low-distraction environment, like your backyard, and then gradually move to busier places.
• No Pulling: If your dog pulls, stop walking and wait for them to return to a calm state. When the leash is slack, reward them with a treat and continue walking. This teaches your dog that pulling does not get them anywhere.
• Focus on You: Get your dog used to focusing on you instead of the environment. Whenever your dog looks at you instead of getting distracted by something else, reward them. This builds engagement and keeps their attention on you.

7. Managing High-Energy Dogs

Some dogs are naturally more excitable than others, which can make relaxation in public a bit more challenging. If you have a high-energy dog, consider the following:

• Daily Exercise: High-energy dogs need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Take your dog on long walks, runs, or hikes to burn off energy. The more tired your dog is, the easier it will be to get them to relax in public.
• Interactive Toys: Keep your dog mentally engaged with interactive toys like puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing balls. Mental stimulation can tire out a dog as much as physical exercise, and a tired dog is often a calm dog.
• Structured Outings: If your dog has a lot of pent-up energy, consider leaving them at home for certain trips. For example, if you’re going to a crowded place, it might be easier to leave them behind until they’re more comfortable in those settings.

8. Stay Calm Yourself

Dogs are great at reading human emotions, and if you’re anxious or frustrated, they’ll pick up on that and become more stressed themselves. It’s crucial to stay calm, patient, and consistent during your training. Dogs respond best when they sense that their owner is calm and in control.

9. Practice Patience

Training a dog to relax in public takes time, and it’s important to be patient. You won’t have an instant transformation, and that’s okay. Celebrate the small victories, whether it’s a calm sit at the café or a successful walk through a park. Over time, your dog will learn to associate public spaces with relaxation and positive experiences.

Free e-book designed to improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you despite distractions, click HERE

Conclusion

Training a dog to relax in public is a process that requires time, patience, and consistency. By starting with basic obedience, gradually exposing your dog to new environments, and using positive reinforcement, you can create a relaxed, well-behaved dog who can confidently handle any public outing. Dogs thrive on routine and positive experiences, so take your time, build their confidence, and enjoy the process. Remember – when your dog is calm and collected, the world becomes their (and your) playground.

Thanks for your reading.