Dating and Dogs: How Your Canine Can Make You a Casanova
If you’re caring for a dog, do you have time to date? Can dating and dogs coexist?
When you’re out looking for love, it’s always a good idea to bring along a wingman (or wingwoman).
But have you ever considered a wingdog?
Dog lovers everywhere are discovering that the best way to get a date is to let your dog do the networking. The new rage in dating is bringing Fido along to events and places that allow pooches.
After all, if your potential mate is smitten with your four-legged friend, chances are better for a match made in heaven.
Dating and Dogs
Singles are realizing that dogs are the perfect icebreaker. At a dog park or strolling with your dog on a walk, you instantly have something to talk about with every interested person you meet. All you have to do is let your friendly pooch nose up to the good looking girl or guy sitting on a park bench, smile and say, “Look at that, Fido likes you.” Now you can introduce your dog and start talking. All the awkwardness of introduction is instantly swept away.
It’s been said that every single person should have a dog. Need proof? A recent survey of more than 1,200 pet owners found that not only do dogs make people more attractive to the opposite sex (no surprise there), but also that women were less likely to date someone who indicated they didn’t like pets.
If you’re ready to enter the dating scene, bring your canine along for the journey. In all likelihood, puppy love soon awaits. Like a hound steadfastly tracking a scent, your determination will ultimately result in finding a significant other who considers you top dog in his or her world.
Here’s how dogs are changing the dating lives of their owners.
Dogs as Date Companions
First off, if you don’t have a dog, don’t go get one just for the purposes of being a doggie dating assistant. Not all dogs are good at mingling and all dogs deserve a full-time home. You should have time to spend, the right home for a dog, and the life-long commitment to loving your canine whether he helps you find that spouse of your dreams or not.
Not all dogs are perfect for a date companion, but almost any dog can do it if he’s well-trained. Most people like dogs, but remember that not everyone lives with them. If the first thing Rover does is run over and sniff your potential honey in the crouch, he or she might be offended, especially if your date doesn’t know that means “hello” in dog. So make sure your pooch behaves on a leash, knows how to sit, lay down, and stays as well as understands the rules about jumping on and sniffing people.
Be sure to start by setting up Rover for success. If you have a dog that may look intimating to your date, do a little something to soften his appearance and make him look more friendly. Try putting a bandana on him or provide him with a cute plush toy or ball to carry. Be sure to bring treats, both to help you remind Rover to mind his manners and to give your date the opportunity to make friends.
Use your pooch to help start the conversation. Let him make the first move to your date. If he isn’t interested in meeting another human, give him time or hand your date a treat to give him. Remember that just having a well-behaved dog will score you big points with most people, especially if you’re a man dating a woman. People who have great dogs might raise fabulous children as well!
Chances are as soon as your date is scratching Fido’s ears, he is going to want to know your dog’s story and how you ended up with such a wonderful canine companion. Don’t make up a story, but you’ll get bonus points if your pooch has a sad story. Even if he doesn’t have a heart-wrenching past, there is probably a good reason why you chose to have this particular breed. Did you have a great Labrador when you were a kid and couldn’t imagine your life without one? Start talking about your dog and your date might find out a lot of great things about you, like that you’re compassionate, kind, and a little sentimental.
Yappy Hours
Don’t feel comfortable bringing your dog on a date? Consider attending a “Yappy Hour” instead. After a long, stressful week at work, many people like to relax with a beer and some socializing at a club or bar. In the past this meant leaving your dog at home, missing his master. Now that trend is changing, and some clubs are opening their doors to man’s best friend. What could be better than talking about the weather with the hottie sitting next to you at the bar? How about complimenting your potential sweetie on the adorable, well-behaved dog at his or her side?!
Animals are one of the best “social-lubricants” amongst strangers. They are a fun and entertaining common interest amongst people of different backgrounds. Therefore, a venue, such as a bar, where people go to get to know one another is the perfect place for a dog to work his match-making magic. Why didn’t we think of yappy hours sooner?!
The pet-friendly nightlife is spicing up single pet-parents’ quests for their Mr. or Mrs. Right. Bachelors and bachelorettes can visit pet-friendly singles’ clubs to find that special someone who shares their love of animals. At a yappy hour, the dog hair or slobber that is complimenting your outfit will not disgust the person you want to ask out. Here your love of pets is not weird, it’s a turn-on.
Getting Your Dog to Like Your Date
For many, introducing a beloved pet to a new significant other is more stressful than taking him or her to meet the parents. But if your pet hates your latest crush, well … the pet was with you before he or she was, so bye-bye to another promising romance.
Getting a pet to like a new romantic interest can be challenging, but there are some dating and dogs tips that may swing things your way.
The first lesson is patience. Getting a pet accustomed to a new person takes time, and you shouldn’t try to force a friendship between man and animal. You can make things easier on yourself by picking a pet lover, maybe even a pet owner. Of course, if things really do work out, the next crucial step is introducing pets to each other. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Although you may interpret your pet’s actions as signs of jealousy, they are probably more related to disruption in their routine. So the first lesson is to maintain their routine as much as possible. This means keeping to your schedule of feedings, play time, walks, etc. Your new significant other can share in these happy chores as well, and your pet may start to see the him or her as an extension of yourself.
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