It’s February and love is in the air! While us humans fret about our potential Valentine’s, we mustn’t forget that our furry friends need companionship too! And while dogs surely love their humans, it’s nice to set up playdates with their furry pawtners in crime as well. Dogs, for the most part, are social animals; they enjoy playing with other dogs! Not only is it good for their psychological well-being, it’s a great way for them to get exercise as well. Below are some great tips for setting up a puppy playdate!

Assess your dog’s overall personality. All dogs have unique personalities– that’s what makes each of them so special! Is your dog more serious? Fun and frisky? Meek and shy? The better you can assess your dog, the easier it will be to find a friend for him or her. It’s also important to consider your dog’s size and age before letting them play with another dog. A tiny maltese and a giant German Shepherd probably wouldn’t be the best matchup for a playdate!

Pick a neutral spot for the playdate. While it’s a nice idea to bring your dog to a friends house, or vice versa, it can be tricky territory. Rather than have your dog encroach on another’s turf, it’s better for them to meet on neutral ground. Dog parks and other fenced in areas (tennis courts) are excellent places for your doggy playdates.

Keep watch on the interaction. While you don’t want to hover over your dogs, you shouldn’t leave them completely alone either. If your dog just isn’t hitting it off with his or her date, that’s ok! A dog’s personality is just as unique as ours– we need to acknowledge that not all dogs will hit it off from the start.

Don’t be a helicopter dog parent. Even though I just mentioned that you’ll want to keep an eye on your doggy playdate, be sure not to stand in their way. Let the dogs run around and get to know each other– don’t panic over their silly butt-sniffing ways! Once you find the right match for your dog, they’ll be going mutts for playdates all the time!

Want your pup to make a great first impawsion? Stop by any one of our four Puff & Fluff locations in Arizona for a nice haircut and shampoodle. We’d love to meet your furry friends and get them playdate-ready!