Dog friendships

Your furry friend has become a good play buddy with Sparky, your sister's dog. Each time Sparky comes to visit they play chase and romp around the yard for an hour until they are both exhausted from their fun interaction.

Just like us, dogs are social animals, and many enjoy spending time with each other. Remember that they are descendants of wolves, who ran in packs.

They enjoy interacting with people, other dogs and yes, even other species, such as cats and farm animals. But just as humans relate better to another human, so will a dog relate better to another dog. Your furry friend can form a fast friendship with another dog, or he can take an instant dislike to another dog, just like we do with the people we meet.

If your pooch is a social butterfly who seems happy rather than afraid or aggressive when hanging around with other dogs, it's a great idea to give him regular opportunities to play and romp with his canine buddies.

Play with other dogs helps keep Fido's socialization skills polished, wears him out mentally, tires him out physically, and is a lot of fun.

Dogs learn from each other, and they can form strong friendship bonds with other dogs. Allowing Fido the freedom to choose some canine friends is just good pet parenting.

Animal behaviorists agree that dogs need environmental stimulation, just like humans.

Stanley Cohen, Ph.D., in an article for Psychology Today said: "In the thousands of years since humans first domesticated dogs, we have genetically manipulated them to socialize easily and to show friendliness almost indiscriminately. Dogs that have been properly socialized will happily approach virtually any animal, regardless of its species, and unless they receive hostile signals, they will attempt to establish a good-natured relationship."

It's wonderful to watch two dogs running around together, wrestling and chasing each other, but not all dogs enjoy playing with other canines.

Some might fear or dislike other dogs because they didn't get socialized enough during puppyhood, and some dogs who enjoyed playing with canine companions as puppies, might rather relax by themselves as older adults. Some dogs simply seem to prefer the company of humans. So before you try to find friends for your furry friend, make sure he truly seems to want playmates.

Take Fido on walks and watch his body language when he sees or meets other dogs. You can usually tell if your furry friend wants to interact with another dog. He might whine or bark with excitement, bounce around wagging his tail and play bow (lower his front end while keeping his rear in the air) and of course he will want to circle and sniff the other dog.

You can also tell when he'd rather not interact, he might try to avoid the other dog, become stiff and tense looking, show his teeth, growl, snap, cower, tremble or even try to hide behind you.

If you notice that your pooch is really friendly around other dogs, there are several options for finding him playmates, such as dog parks and doggie daycares. If you have friends or family with dogs, you can arrange "play dates" at home. You can also look for playmates while on walks in public places. If you and your dog frequent a local park, for example, you'll likely see other dogs and their pet parents on a regular basis. So if your pooch repeatedly meets and likes another dog, consider arranging some off-leash play in a safe, enclosed area, such as your fenced yard.

If you have a puppy, it's important for him to have plenty of socialization with other puppies, but it's also crucial for him to learn how to interact with older dogs, too. Enrolling your little furry friend in a puppy class that includes off-leash playtime might be a good start.

Many dogs learn to play gently with smaller or more delicate friends. However, it's best to seek similar-sized playmates for your dog.

Above all, pay attention to what your pooch wants. When you introduce him to potential pals, notice which ones he seems most excited to see, and which ones he plays with the longest. If Fido consistently ignores another dog or tries to stop play by leaving the area, hiding or growling, listen to what he's saying. He might prefer another playmate.