Introduction
Dogs are definitely one of the most affectionate creatures in the world, yet not all are equally friendly. There are different reasons for this. The breed of the dog or how often it can be socialized can affect its relationship with other dogs or people. It is possible to make dogs more social by allowing them to spend more time with others.
If you are looking for a playmate for your dog, there are things that you should consider. It is difficult to pay attention to these in crowded areas such as dog parks. But if you are looking for a long-term friendship for your dog to play with regularly, then you should be careful about choosing the best playmate for your dog.
Playing with a random friend may not make your dog happy. You may think it doesn’t matter for your dog, but that’s not the case. Choosing the best playmate for your dog is important for your dog to enjoy playing. Otherwise, there is no point in setting up a playdate. In this article, we focused on how to choose a playmate for a dog.
Choosing the best playmate for your dog can be more difficult than you think. It’s not always easy for dogs to get along with each other. Even if they like each other, some situations harm them to play together. Let’s look at what you should pay attention to when setting up a playdate.
Important Factors
Size
Dogs vary in size depending on their breeds. Of course, size is not important for dogs to like each other, but dogs getting along well isn’t the only important thing to consider. It will be better if you find a playmate that is similar in size to your dog for safety reasons. Because their strength is not the same, larger dogs can hurt small dogs unintentionally.
The possibility of one harming the other can make the dog owners nervous during the playdate. If you have a small dog, you may worry that the larger dog can harm your dog. You may be afraid your dog might hurt the other dog if you have a large dog. This can cause you to be on the lookout and tense in case an accident happens.
Personality
Dogs can have different personalities depending on biological factors. Some dogs are too energetic. Therefore, they prefer games where they can run and jump a lot. Some dogs are calmer and like to play games that consume less energy. They can also get bored of playing games in a short time. These two types of dogs won’t be the best match for each other.
Especially calmer dogs may be uncomfortable with active dogs around them. Active dogs will always try to involve them in their games and play with them. The reluctant attitude of calmer dogs can cause active dogs to lose their enthusiasm toward them. When they get together later, both can show little interest in each other. They won’t have a very long-term and happy relationship.
Also, some dogs have aggressive attitudes, and it is hard to find playmates for them. If you have such a dog, you should slowly introduce the other dog to prevent any aggressive behavior. If the other dog shows a sign of aggression, you should pay attention to your dog’s reactions. Do not force it to play if it seems scared, hesitant, or uncomfortable.
Some dogs love to share their space and toys with other dogs. They can even give them gifts. On the other hand, some dogs hate any interference with their personal space and can get angry. If your dog loves to share, it can be confusing for it to see a hostile attitude from the other dog. So, you should find a dog which has no problem getting along with other dogs.
Age
Dogs can like each other no matter how old they are. But the fact that their ages can affect their energy level and the pleasure they will get from playing. Senior dogs may prefer calmer games, unlike younger dogs. They also have less energy to spend, so it can be difficult for them to keep playing for a long time. They may like to stop playing and get some rest after a short time.
They may not like to have a dog around them that is still full of energy and wants to play. They may react particularly harshly to puppies continuing to play with them. Young dogs will not be happy with this situation. They can get upset when their playmates stop playing. For this reason, finding a playmate for your dog of similar age will be better.
Breed
Every member of a breed does not have to be the same. However, there are certain traits that every breed developed and maintained evolutionarily. This may cause them to like different types of games and have different play styles. Your dog’s best friend may not be from the same breed, but those from the same breed usually get along well with each other.
Dog’s Reactions
Finally, even if you pay attention to all these, it is important how much your dog likes the other dog. You know dogs smell others’ scents to get to know them better. It can take time for them to get used to each other and have an idea about their friendship. Afterward, two dogs, which may not be alike at all, become inseparable. Then you have to give this friendship a chance.
On the other hand, if they find the other dog scary, they may avoid playing. You can easily understand this if you know your dog very well. You can intervene in any situation when your dog seems uncomfortable. Dogs are very smart and have very strong feelings, so you better not force them to play with the dogs they don’t like.
How to Find a Playmate for My Dog
Dog parks are one of the places where dogs interact most with each other. In dog parks, your dog can interact with different dogs, but it may not love all the animals here. Still, it can find a few close friends. You may set up special playdates away from the crowd by talking to the owners of these dogs.
Dogs which were able to socialize with others at younger ages can play more comfortably with other dogs. But it may not be easy for newly socialized dogs to enter the crowd of dog parks because they are unfamiliar with being with other dogs. So, setting up special play dates for these dogs from applications will be better.
With a short search on the internet, you can learn more about the applications that allow you to find playmates for dogs. You can find dogs near you. As you can learn about the age and breed of the dogs, you can also get an idea about their playing styles by contacting their owners. Getting information about the dogs will reduce your chances of having problems.
Apart from this, there are also special centers where dogs can be trained and also spend time with other dogs. In qualified centers, dogs are classified according to their specific aspects and learn to play with their peers. There is usually no age limit for such centers. Your dog can go to these centers at any age.
Conclusion
Dogs are very prone to socialization. There are important things to pay attention to ensure that they are socialized in the best way. Sure, if they have the opportunity, they can find some close friends easily, but if they do not have many friends yet and you are looking for them, this article will help you with what to look out for when finding the best match.
It is not very hard for dogs to get along well. Sometimes one just smells the other’s scent, and they like each other. However, the fact that they love each other does not mean they will be good playmates. They can have different preferences and expectations in terms of playing. This causes them not to like playing at the same level.
In this article, we talked about what you should consider when choosing the best playmate for your dog. Still, nothing is certain, even if you find the most suitable candidate. What matters is your dog’s reaction. You can’t be sure until they start playing together. However, you choose a playmate by paying attention to the important points and leaving the rest to your dog.
