My Dog Won’t Settle in Cafés – Why and What You Can Do
- Perfectly Canine
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
These days, many people expect dogs to cope with all kinds of situations. From street markets and garden centres to settling in a café or pub garden, or walking calmly through busy parks full of dogs and people – it can feel like this is what a ‘good dog’ should do. But not all dogs are suited to these environments, and that’s perfectly normal. If your dog won’t settle in pubs, feels anxious in cafés, or struggles in busy public places, you’re not alone. This blog will explore why that’s the case – and why it’s more than okay for your dog to be different.
Should All Dogs Enjoy Cafés and Pubs?
When you scroll through social media, it can look as if every dog is calm, confident and perfectly relaxed in busy public spaces. While some dogs really do take this in their stride, many others don’t – and often the subtle signs of stress go unnoticed. That might look like a dog who won’t settle in a café, pulling hard on the lead through a crowded high street, or barking while you’re trying to enjoy a pub lunch.
The truth is, not all dogs are suited to life in busy public places filled with people, dogs and distractions. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them, or that they need to be ‘fixed’ simply because they can’t relax in a café or pub garden. In some cases, dogs can learn to feel more comfortable in these settings with patient training, but it’s important to ask whether this is really in your dog’s best interests – or whether it’s meeting human expectations instead.
So why is it that some dogs can happily snooze under a café table while others find the experience overwhelming? The answer lies in the individual dog – their breed, temperament and unique life history.
Breed, Temperament and History: Why Some Dogs Struggle in Public Places
Every dog brings their own set of traits and experiences, and these play a huge role in how they handle the outside world.
Let’s start with breed traits. In recent years, certain working breeds have become popular pets, including Working Cocker Spaniels, Hungarian Vizslas and Border Collies. These dogs were bred to be athletic and persistent, but also highly alert to their surroundings – noticing even tiny changes like a twitching grass stalk or a missing sheep. That heightened awareness can make busy environments overwhelming, creating a kind of sensory overload.
By contrast, dogs bred primarily for companionship – such as Shih Tzus, show or pet-line Labradors, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – may adjust more easily to bustling cafés and crowded parks.
However, breed isn’t everything – within each breed, there will be differences in temperament determined by genetics and early environment. Although Border Collies as a breed don’t tend to be highly sociable, some are nonetheless social butterflies; and some Shih Tzus may dislike being surrounded by people, despite being bred for companionship.
A dog’s history also plays a big role – for example, if they’ve had a frightening experience in a particular location or missed out on early socialisation, they may never truly feel at ease in a busy café.
Health factors, such as pain (e.g., arthritis) or impaired hearing and vision, can further affect how safe a dog feels in bustling environments.
Once you recognise the many reasons why dogs respond differently to the outside world, it becomes easier to step back and consider: is this the right setting for my dog, or would they be happier doing something else?
Thriving or Surviving? How to Know What Your Dog Needs
Once we accept that not all dogs are built for busy public spaces, it’s worth asking whether our expectations match what our dog actually enjoys – are they thriving, or just surviving? If you wish you could take your dog everywhere with you, whether that’s to the market, the pub or the garden centre, but it’s currently a bit of a struggle, these questions can help you reframe the situation:
Have I met my dog’s needs?
Outings are much harder for dogs whose basic needs haven’t been met. Check whether your dog has had enough physical exercise, rest and mental stimulation that suits their breed or personality (for example, gundog games for Spaniels or Labradors). If the answer is no, meeting these needs first can make a big difference to how they cope outside.
If their needs are met, is my dog excited or stressed?
Once their basic needs are taken care of, observe how your dog responds. Are they excited and happy to be out, or showing subtle signs of stress, such as whale eye, tension, or lip licking? Excited dogs might benefit from additional training to help them settle. Stressed dogs may simply be telling you that this environment isn’t enjoyable for them right now.
Do I really need to take my dog?
If your dog is stressed despite having their needs met, it may be worth asking whether an outing is necessary. Sometimes, allowing them to rest at home while you go out, followed by a rewarding sniffy walk later, is exactly what they need to thrive.
By working through these questions in order, you can understand what your dog truly needs and make outings more enjoyable – or decide when it’s better to leave them at home, without guilt.
Finding What Works for Your Dog
Not all dogs are built for busy public spaces – and that’s perfectly normal. By understanding your dog’s breed, history and temperament, and asking whether they are truly thriving or just surviving, you can make choices that suit them and you.
Sometimes that means quieter walks, leaving them at home for a bit, or introducing small, manageable training steps. The key is focusing on what your dog enjoys and needs, rather than squeezing them into a one-size-fits-all idea of a ‘perfect’ dog.
If your dog struggles in busy public spaces, I offer 1:1 behaviour support to help you understand and support your individual dog – with realistic, not picture-perfect expectations. Get in touch to find out how I can help.
