Have you recently adopted an adorable puppy or rescue dog? Congrats on the new addition to your family! After a long and tiring day at work or school, there’s nothing better than coming home to their cheerful personalities and wet kisses.
But, as excited as your dog around you, it’s also good for them to be around other dogs every now and then. Just like humans, they’re social creatures who enjoy meeting and spending time with friends!
Not sure how to meet other people with dogs? No sweat! Here are five fun ways to help your pal find a dog buddy.
1. Neighborhood Park
The first and easiest method is heading to the local park. You’ll most likely find other dog owners there letting their furry kids run free. Spark up a conversation about pet groomer or veterinarian recommendations (this is also a clever way to meet your neighbors). If they come to the park often, your pup can get to know theirs and eventually form a friendship!
2. Apps and Websites
In this digital age, there are plenty of websites for pet owners to network and plan meetups. There are also apps that cater specifically to finding local pet activities and pet-friendly events. A few notable ones include Pawmates, Meetup, and Meet My Dog.
3. Dog Training Classes
Humans aren’t the only ones to befriend someone at school. From puppy preschools to obedience training sessions, your dog can meet and engage with other dogs. The best thing about dogs is that they’re not shy! They’ll enjoy the socialization, and you can ask other dog owners to meet outside of class for playdates.
4. Animal Shelters
If you enjoy volunteering in your community and love dogs, local animal shelters are a great place to get involved. More often than not, shelter staff are very busy and can use an extra set of hands. You can offer to help feed and walk shelter dogs around the neighborhood, and have your dog tag along!
5. Pet Sitting
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a dog hotel or have someone watch your pet for you while out of town. To help, let your neighbors, friends, and co-workers know that you’re open to pet sitting for them. Doing so not only gives your pup and playmate, but also creates an opportunity for someone else to return the favor!
Once you’ve met and established a rapport with other pet parents, let the playdate planning begin! You can download and use these free pet playdate invitations here.
About the Author:
Ashley R. Cottrell is a freelance copywriter, chess enthusiast, and animal lover. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her trying out a new vegetarian recipe or exploring the many beaches of Puerto Rico.
