Although your pet may spend most of its time in your house, that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t have a social life. Lots of communities and neighbourhoods have pet-friendly parks that allow your furry friends to interact and socialize. This is why it’s important to set up playdates for your dogs.

Preparing for Your Pup’s Playdate

Unfortunately, not all dogs are comfortable with strangers. They may act scared or hostile, even if other dogs just want to play and get to know them. Investing in playdates is necessary if you need to send them to a pet boarding school or doggie daycare if you’re traveling. Thankfully, you can train your furry friends to develop better manners by knowing how to prepare for their playdates.

In this article, we will share three tips to prepare for your pet’s first playdate.

1. Understand your dog’s wants and fears

Some dogs can be very particular about who they play around with. They can have an irrational fear of a particular breed or have trauma interacting with one. It’s not best to bring your dog to a playdate if they act aggressively against other dogs. However, just because your dog isn’t the most sociable pup around doesn’t mean they can’t meet up and make new friends.

Knowing your dog’s habits and fears will be a long process. When setting up a doggie playdate, it’s best to find a dog that’s the same size as yours and has similar energy and temperament. Like humans, dogs tend to be more friendly when they share the same qualities with who they’re interacting with.

2. Find a compatible playmate dog through their owner

After finding a new furry friend for your dog, you should figure out what they both have in common. Besides their size and their eating preferences, you should check if there are some activities that they both enjoy. Team up with the other dog’s owners to learn about what they’re like. Ask them about their favourite games and potential pet peeves. The more you know from their owner, the better chances you can make an enjoyable environment for both your furry friends.

3. Set your playdate’s venue on a neutral area

Your chosen playdate venue will play a huge part in how your dog will behave. Bringing another dog to your pet’s personal space can make them act aggressive and hostile. The reverse is also true if you go to the other dog’s home. This is why it’s best to choose a neutral meeting ground to keep things casual between the two of them.

Talk to the other dog’s owner and invite them for a short walk around the venue. Let them sniff each other and get to know their scents. Observe their body language if they’re acting hostile against each other. Let them approach and retreat at will so that they won’t feel forced about the meetup. It’s best to keep them leashed for now, especially if it’s your dog’s first playdate.

Conclusion

Sometimes, an “okay” playdate can be the best outcome, especially if you have a typically aggressive pet. Your dog’s first playdate doesn’t have to be a landslide success. Like humans, they need to understand their new friends and spend more time with them to become more comfortable. After a few more follow-up meetings, your pet will become more open about their personal spaces, and you can let them play off-leash with their new friend.

The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre is a paw resort in Brandon where tails are waggin’ and pets are braggin’. We ensure our clients that their furry friends are in capable hands because, in our eyes, they’re family too. Book your pets with our loving and capable attendants today!