HOT DOGS AT PICNICS

It’s a heatwave – which means everyone is sitting out in the park having picnics and drinkypoos.

My greedy pug Boris has to be kept on the lead because he sees it as his landowner’s right to snaffle everyone’s sausages. Doggie behaviour guru Rachel Rodgers from Nose to Trail has tips on how we can all share the space nicely.

If you’re going to an area where you know people may be having picnics, keeping them on their lead will help you control where they go. This doesn’t mean they won’t get their exercise, dogs can have just as much fun on a lead. If you’re in a wide open area, you could try a static long line (20m) but practice in the garden first.

Caravanners are often very familiar with screw-in stakes for keeping dogs in a certain area. These can be great for keeping them away from the BBQ. Simply screw into the ground and attach your dog’s lead and a harness.

Use a mat (or even cool mat) to teach them settle behaviour. This is where they are rewarded for lying down nice and calmly without needing any attention from you.

It can be really tempting to use picnic tables and benches as something to encourage our dogs to jump up on during walks. It can get you some great photo opportunities! However the family eating their picnic with your dog in their face won’t be happy! Our BBQ and picnic food smells fantastic to dogs but isn’t always safe. Chopped onion and garlic in burgers can make dogs sick. Plan ahead and bring them a long-lasting chew like an antler or pig’s ear. Use smaller treats to throw onto their settle mat to remind them it’s a yummy spot.