LATTE stands for “Look At That, Then Enrichment.” The goal is to give your dog time to decompress while providing structure. By following a predictable pattern, LATTE helps your dog manage emotions and stay engaged.
Setting Up the Environment
● Gather your enrichment toys. Lickable and snuffle mats work best.
● Choose an area with few distractions.
● Position the enrichment toys about five feet apart in a walkable circle.
● Make sure you have enough treats to reload as needed.
● You do not need a clicker or marker word for this exercise. The goal is to keep things calm.
How to Play
1. Begin by playing the Up-Down Game away from the loop to start the pattern.
2. Load the first station with treats. Lead your dog to the station and give them an opportunity to sniff and eat.
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Image courtesy of Hannah Brehaut, CDBC, CCUI, LSHC-S
3. Once your dog finishes, wait for them to look at you.
4. As soon as your dog makes eye contact, walk to the next station. Load that station with treats.
5. Repeat the steps until you complete the loop.
6. Add an assistant to increase distraction. Your assistant should stand far enough away so that your dog stays calm and under threshold.
7. If your dog takes more than a few seconds to look at you or does not turn toward you, reload the station.
8. If you need to reload the station, your assistant may be too close. Adjust the distance as needed by having them move away.
9. If your dog stays comfortable, you can slowly decrease the distance between your dog and the assistant.
10. Use the 1-2-3 Game between stations if it helps your dog stay connected to you.
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Image courtesy of Hannah Brehaut, CDBC, CCUI, LSHC-S
Tips:
If your dog does not know Look At That, you can still use LATTE. This version is often called “Decaf” because you are removing LAT out of LATTE. Your dog does not need any training background to benefit from the predictable structure of this exercise.
If enrichment stations are unavailable, such as when you are outside, sprinkle treats in the grass. Walk in a circle or another predictable pattern so it does not feel random to you or your dog.
LATTE with a Portable Licking Option
You can also play LATTE using a portable lickable tool such as a spatula, wooden spoon, peanut butter pouch, or lickable mat on a stick. This version does not require a loop of enrichment stations.
1. Play the Up-Down game with the portable licking tool to teach your dog the pattern.
2. Choose your starting location and direction.
3. When your dog looks at you, take a few steps and stop. Load the licking tool with peanut butter or another spread. If using a pouch, let your dog lick from it. Peanut butter works well because your dog has to lick it off the roof of their mouth, which helps them stay calm.
4. When your dog finishes licking and looks at you again, walk a few steps to your next spot.
5. Repeat this process.
6. Add an assistant to introduce distractions while keeping a comfortable distance.
7. This method works well in unpredictable environments where distractions are harder to control.
8. If using a spatula or wooden spoon, you can present the flat side as a target to guide your dog to the next location.
9. The 1-2-3 Game can also be used to move your dog between locations.
Ways to Use LATTE
LATTE is flexible and can be used in many situations:
• New people: Help your dog learn to work with shelter volunteers, veterinary teams, dog sitters, or guests.
• Socializing puppies: Introduce your puppy to children or new people in a calm, structured way. People can even be the stations; place people on chairs between enrichment stations so your dog sniffs, looks up, and moves to the next spot.
• Other animals: Help your dog stay calm around other dogs or animals at a distance. Set up LATTE where your dog can see the other animal while still engaging with the exercise.
• Guests at home: If your dog cannot settle when guests arrive, place enrichment stations around the living room.
• Building a relationship: For shelter dogs or dogs meeting new people, LATTE helps build a working relationship. Your dog can learn that looking at a person leads to good things, and they can choose if they want to engage or not.
When Not to Use LATTE
LATTE is not the right choice for every situation:
• If you need working attention: LATTE is designed to give your dog breaks from focusing on you. If you need your dog to stay focused, choose a different exercise.
• If you need to pass something quickly: Use Look At That or the 1-2-3 Game instead. These are better for moving past distractions.
• If your dog cannot eat or engage: If your dog cannot take time to lick, chew, or sniff, it is not the right time or place for LATTE. Increase the distance from the distraction or try again later.
Troubleshooting
● Always move forward when your dog looks at you. This keeps the pattern consistent and predictable.
● Do not stay at one station too long. It can disrupt the flow of the exercise.
● For dogs lacking leash skills or stressed, keep stations closer together.
● If needed, add verbal cues to help guide your dog. The 1-2-3 game works well for this.
● Remember: looking at you = moving forward.
● If your dog does not look at you after a few seconds, reload the station.
Latte is a great tool for dogs in shelters or new environments. The predictable structure helps fearful and anxious dogs feel more secure, even in unfamiliar places. The structure gives your dog something familiar to rely on while offering a flexible and effective way to help them manage their emotions, process the environment, and build confidence.
Pattern games are a way for your dog to learn what to expect. These games can be found in the book series Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt CDBC, CPDT-KA, MLA. She also has an instructor certification program.