In the same way people enjoy spending time with friends, so, too, do dogs. They relish the chance to socialize with others. As puppies, they played relentlessly with their littermates, and learned to pick up on social cues from each other. As adults, however, most canines are deprived of this opportunity. Instead, they stick closely to their owners, and rarely have occasion to enjoy the companionship of other pets.

Finding a playmate or two for your dog offers several benefits – for both him and you. It provides exercise and mental stimulation for your pet. This means he’ll be a more alert and engaging companion at home. He’ll also have a chance to use his bottled up energy before he can turn it loose on your furniture or garden.

Below, we’ll provide the four essentials to choosing suitable playmates for your pooch. We’ll also explain how to introduce him to his new friends.

1 – Choose An Appropriate Size

Ideally, your pet and his playmates should be relatively the same size. For example, if you have a Bernese Mountain Dog, think twice before matching him up with a Toy Poodle. Similarly, if your canine is a Dachshund, matching him up with a Beagle, Maltese, or Yorkshire Terrier is more appropriate than doing so with a Saint Bernard.

When allowed to play together off-leash, most canines get along, even when one is much bigger than the other. However, it’s better to be safe. Smaller pets can easily be injured since dogs tend to wrestle and nip at each other while playing.

2 – Match Similar Ages

Here, too, canines are similar to people. Teenagers and senior citizens rarely spend much time together. Likewise, puppies and senior dogs usually make less-than-ideal playmates. Puppies are energetic and naturally playful. Older canines tend to calmer and easygoing. The constant activity of a puppy may irritate them.

If your pet is a few months old, pair him with another that is a similar age. If he’s several years old, do the same. It will be easier for him to play with his new friends at a pace that accommodates his age.

3 – Match Males With Females

Two male dogs can become aggressive toward each other. So, too, can two females. For this reason, try to match your pet with another of the opposite gender. Even though doing so doesn’t preclude potential confrontations, canine playmates of opposing genders tend to get along and play well together.

4 – Match Similar Modes Of Playing

A lot of owners lump all dog play activities into a single group. In reality, different breeds enjoy certain types of play. For example, some like games that involve stalking; others enjoy activities that include chasing; and still others prefer wrestling. It’s unlikely your dog will be equally interested in all of them.

Like people, canines have their unique preferences. They also have their dislikes. It’s important when looking for a playmate for your pet to find one that enjoys the same types of activities. Your pooch will enjoy himself more, and look forward to the playdates.

Introducing Your Dog To His New Friends

When canines first meet, they are usually cautious of each other. They don’t know what to make of the other pet, or how comfortable they should feel. As pack animals, they’re naturally apprehensive among strangers, especially when they are near their territory and resources. You can ease the tension by planning the introduction on neutral ground, such as at a park or during a neighborhood walk.

Let them interact at their own pace, but limit their face-to-face exposure to each other to a few seconds at a time. Let them sniff to learn more about each other, but separate them to prevent a misunderstanding from turning into a confrontation.

Ultimately, let the dogs decide whether they want to be friends. If they seem to have no interest in one another, they may simply be ill-suited as playmates. While the tips above can improve the likelihood of a good match, you can’t force your canine to instantly like another.

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Category: Pets
Keywords: finding a playmate for your dog, finding a playmate for your canine, dog friends, dog park