Nothing’s cuter than seeing your furry kid hanging out with other friends in the neighborhood or at the dog park (Fitchburg Dog Park coming soon!). But what if your dog doesn’t seem to have any buddies? Here’s what you can do to help your sweetie make fur-ever friends.
First, start slow. If your pup hasn’t been around other dogs, don’t expect her to immediately become a social “mutt”erfly. Start with a short playdate with one friendly dog on your home turf. One-on-one is a lot less scary for her and will give her a better chance of a fun experience!
Next, take a step back. While you want to be alert to what’s happening, don’t be too fast to jump in if things aren’t progressing. Fight your inner helicopter parent and let the dogs take the lead. Of course, if you sense aggressive behavior, step in quickly! Take a break and then try again another time.
And don’t give up your visions of doggie birthday paw-ties. It may take a few dates with the same pet before they start to connect. That’s okay! BFFs aren’t made overnight. Give them a chance to get to know each other. Take them on walks or other outings together, and let them build their friendship at their own pace.
If you’re worried your pet isn’t socializing properly, you can bring in a paw-fessional. Some dogs will need a little more support in learning doggy “petiquette.” At Gina’s Family Pet Sitting, we can help. Call us for more information!