Doggie Play Dates

Dogs are naturally pack animals and fare better from being with their own species. If you only have one dog at home, you may want to set-up a doggie play-date. Although I don’t know of any dating services for dogs, it’s not always that difficult to find a canine play-mate. If you don’t have any friends or family with a similar sized dog to play with, considered looking for local dog parks where you can bring your dog for free. Usually there are other dogs running around looking for one of their own kind to run with.

If that is not feasible, check the yellow pages for dog day-care centers or grooming locations. Some of these places offer play time for a small fee. One such groomer/kennel in my area charges a nominal fee to bring the dogs in their “obstacle course” for a couple of hours. It’s a fun time not only for the dog to meet other pups, but also for people to socialize and talk about their furry friends.

Here are some reasons to have play-dates for your dog:
-Tires the dog out, so that they aren’t as hyper
-socializes them at a young age. Dogs who are exposed to many different people and pets at a young age are less likely to be aggressive or fearful in unfamiliar places which will lead to fewer behavioral problems.
-allows them to be a dog – to run, jump, dig, chew. These are the dogs natural instincts…all things humans don’t want them to do!
-great exercise for a longer, healthier life.
- The exercise releases the dogs stress and energy.
- A bored dog can become a “bad-dog” where as an exercised dog leads to a well-behaved dog.