01 August 2016

Taking a Dog to the Drive-in Theater

How could we not take Mr. N to see "The Secret Life of Pets"? We made a special trip to the drive-in so he could see a double feature of "The Secret Life of Pets" and "Ghostbusters" with us.  It was my first time going to a drive-in and Mr. N has never been to see a movie either (despite going to numerous plays, concerts, and readings).

It turned out to be a much more tasking trip than I had anticipated and I was very proud of the way Mr. N handled it. From start to finish, we were gone for nine hours between traveling to and from the theater, waiting in line and watching the double feature.


The lines were especially long that day due to an employee shortage and movie popularity, according to the theater. When we got there, we saw a steady stream of cars waiting that stretched onward for several more blocks. We were worried if we were going to make it in or not. The theater had about 300 spaces but the line of cars was endless. We got in line about 6:45pm and we entered the theater around 8. We narrowly made it in as the cars behind us were being turned away.

Mr. N was a good ambassador for Yorkies and small dogs that night. All the training we had been doing regarding ignoring distractions and settling and having good public manners really came together. People so often expect small dogs to be yappy and ill-mannered. Several people told me that they didn't bring their small dogs because they would be barking and were impressed with how Mr. N conducted himself.


We did a quick walk around the grounds before the movie started and during intermission but for the most part, we were in the car. During the walk, he ignored all the children running around yelling and the other dogs that were there (including the barking ones).

He slept perched on the window ledge for the entirety of The Secret Life of Pets. For the record, Mr. N is totally a Max with a little bit of Snowball thrown in.


When Ghostbusters came on, he moved to the backseat and continued to nap there. It was a long and boring night for him but he handled it very well. 

I love bringing him everywhere I can and I am conscious that it is a privilege that is extended contingent upon good dog manners so we train to make sure we can keep enjoying that privilege. And I hope that seeing good dogs in public will silence the naysayers who like to complain that people bring their dogs unnecessarily everywhere. 

36 comments:

  1. Gosh, I haven't been to the drive-in in many years, but I have good memories of them. I can imagine it would be even more fun to have the company of a dog! It's impressive how well Mr. N behaved. Even though it might have been boring for him, it still had to be way better than being left at home alone. What a great idea to take him.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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    1. It was fun taking him. He'd rather be out with us any day even if it is boring.

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  2. That's so awesome and it sounds like you guys had a really fun night!

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  3. Never thought about this good idea to take our dogs to the movies! - yik

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    1. Do they have drive-in theaters by you? It was fun, you should try it!

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  4. Oooh, I drive-in is SO much fun!! I want to do that too, but we don't have them here!! It's like in the movies!! Well done Mr N, you're a well behaved gentlemen!!

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    1. Too bad! Maybe a movie in the park instead? That's funny. I always ask Mr. N if he is behaving like a gentleman.

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  5. I haven't been to a drive-in in years! We have one drive-in left in the city that I know of. I'm not sure what Edie would do if I brought her, probably be more interested in the people than the movie - at least until animals came on the screen, then she starts to cry or bark at them!

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    1. Mr. N has no interest in TV actually lol! Which I guess makes him a good candidate.

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  6. Dexter just told me he is jealous he hasn't gone to a drive in! I guess now we have another bucket list item.

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  7. Well done Mr. N on been a total legend at the theatre. What a cultured dog you are getting to go to all those events in the past as well. You must teach my Elsie a thing or two about keeping quiet in public. She's a gorgeous noise box!

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    1. I tell my boyfriend that Mr. N is more literary than he is because he goes to poetry readings and things.

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  8. Oh I bet Penny would love to go to the drive in... she'd be on guard looking for everyone to pet her for awhile, but then she'd end up taking a snooze too!

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    1. The dogs mostly stayed in the cab or car so they were pretty relaxed, I think.

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  9. I always loved seeing movies this way. There's just something so romantic about drive ins. Sadly not to many here in Toronto.

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    1. It was fun. We might try to again next summer with some friends.

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  10. I LOVE going to drive-ins! I miss doing it. There is one in my boyfriend's hometown that doubles as a flea market on Sunday morning and it is the BEST. All I need is a car and I'mm gladly start up again! :) I'm so impressed with Mr. N's behavior — Henry would be barking for sure!

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    1. Oh that one sounds fun. Mr. N's off switch has gotten a lot better than when we started.

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  11. Mr. N is a very good ambassador! My sister's dogs would be great at a drive in, but I'm afraid mine would not be.

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    1. Yeah, I don't think all dogs would enjoy it. Mr. N's philosophy is he'd rather go with me anywhere than stay at home so he goes out a lot.

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  12. Way to go Mr. N!! Sounds like soo much fun!

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  13. WOW Mr. N. you had a good sleep BOL, don't feel bad cos I sometimes fall asleep with Layla just watching TV. As for Drive In, oy vey am embaressed to say the last time I went to one was like umm errr in 1970 LOL

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  14. Good job, Mr. N! I so wish we had drive-in theaters around us. It would be so fun to take Ruby.

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    1. We had to drive a bit. This one is about 45 minutes away and there's another one that's about an hour.

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  15. You are doing such a wonderful job with Mr. N.

    I haven't been to a drive in since I was a teenager and that's been several decades ago.

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  16. You're so lucky to have a drive-in near you, I've never been to one. Congrats to Mr. N on his fine manners and excellent training!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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    1. Thank you. He's very pleased with himself. Yeah, there's not that many left anymore.

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  17. So fun! Lucky Mr. N.

    I find that I'd rather watch movies at home than go to the theater, so I can watch them with my pups.

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  18. I was just telling Doodle Dad that I would love to take the Boys to a drive in. I haven't been there in decades, but I can't find one! #bummer

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    1. Oh that's too bad. We have a couple but we have to drive a ways.

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  19. I just discovered a drive-in near us, but I know Barley would be bored out of her mind in the car for two whole movies! She's perfectly fine when the car is moving, but she can't see the point of sitting in the car if it's not moving (but popcorn might help her enjoy it momentarily). I can't imagine Mr. N being a Snowball! Barley's a Max-Duke hybrid, but Soth is definitely a Snowball!

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