Signs Your Pup is Enjoying The Patio
Friends and Neighbors,
Summer season is finally here in Chicago! As the entire city defrosts, patio season is in full swing. Most neighborhoods have a variety of dog-friendly patios for folks to enjoy. How do we know when a pup is actually enjoying this type of social interaction? We’ve left some tips for you below!
Body Language
Pay attention to your pup’s body language. A comfortable dog will have a loose, wiggly demeanor. They will allow themselves to get comfy, have a seat and even lay down. The key here is to take note of any intense reactions. Dogs aren’t the same as humans! What appears to us as common behaviors can actually be a red flag for our dogs. Signs of anxiety to look out for are:
Yawning
Open mouth panting
Pacing back and forth
Leash reactivity
Jumping on your lap or the table
Red/flushed eyes, tongue and skin
Refusing their favorite snack or treat
Social Limits
Does your dog typically enjoy interacting with people? More importantly, does your dog typically enjoy interacting with strangers? If so, the patio is a fine place for your pup! Signs that your dog enjoys socializing are:
Wiggly waggly tail!
Taking initiative to greet others
Leaning in asking for cuddles
Welcoming the hands extending to pet them
Not turning away from greetings
No mouthiness
What can seem like an over-excited lick or nip can actually be a frantic reaction
Post Party Behavior
Funny enough, a great way to determine if your party animal is patio ready is by watching what they do once they’re home. Pay attention to:
Their water and food intake. Surely, they will be hungry and thirsty once they get home. If you notice them consuming an extremely abnormal amount of water once they’re home, they were likely a bit anxious during their time on the patio. Similarly, if they turn down their dinner, they’re probably reeling from a bit of stress.
Just like humans, everyone needs a post-party nap! But for our pups, pay attention to if they are over-sleeping after their social interaction. If it appears that they don’t want to get out of bed, it’s likely that they partied a bit too hard - happens to the best of us!
Nose goes! Next time you’re out on walk, see if your pup has any interest in revisiting the patio. If you find that they pull you right back to the action, it’s safe to assume they are interested! If you find that they have no interest in going back, well, you have your answer!
We hope you find these tips useful and that they help keep your pets happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We’re always here for you and your pets.
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team