Fido and Friends: Introducing Your Dog to a Friends’ Dog
Dogs have long been man’s best friend, and with good reason. Dogs and people have a lot in common! We are each unique, have defined personalities and love to enjoy life (whether that involves a good run or a good nap). Dogs like to meet new canine friends, but like people, their first impressions often define the relationship. When you follow rules of canine manners and prepare for play dates, you’ll be more likely to inspire playtime instead of fights.
Know your dog.
Dogs have a wide range of personalities, and not all personalities mesh as well as others. Puppies, for example, will have a lot more energy and be excited to bounce and play, whereas older dogs may appreciate canine company but not want to be active as long. Matching your dog’s personality with a similar one will lead to the most harmonious relationships.
Learn about your friend’s dog.
Ask questions about your friend’s dog to find out more about their history. Is the pet aggressive, playful, shy, fearful, or fearless? Has the dog ever been attacked, or attacked another animal? Make sure both pets are current on all dog vaccinations—if not, call us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals and our animal hospital and pet clinic will take care of you. Also make sure you’ve handled pet spaying and pet neutering, since it only takes a moment to make a litter!
Listen to your instincts.
Sometimes the pressure to please other people can override your feelings about whether a situation is positive or possibly unsafe. Plan play dates ahead of time, and agree that if things don’t go well at any point, your dogs should be separated.
Communicate with the other owner.
Let the other dog owner know what you expectations are before you let your dog interacts with theirs. Explain whether your dog is shy, has a ton of energy, etc., and be sensitive to when either animal might need a break from interaction.
Remove food and toys.
Dog fights are most common when animals compete for resources. Don’t introduce treats or toys to the equation until animals know one another better and are friends.
Meet on neutral territory.
When talking to a friend about arranging a doggie play date, consider starting at a park or on the street outside your home as the first meeting point. Dogs can be territorial, and taking them off their home turf will remove a major level of competition. On neutral ground, dogs are free to focus on each other, not prove they are in charge in the yard.
Watch body language closely.
If you notice growling, lowered ears, stiff tails, or tucked tails, give the pets some distance from one another. This helpful article from Modern Dog magazine illustrates eight major dog moods through body language so you can learn to read signs and ensure the play date goes well.
