It’s Me or the Mutt: The Keys to Dating With Dogs
Have you ever met “the one” only to bring him or her home to meet your dog and they don’t get along? What do you do? Most would chose their longtime companion over their latest flame (and rightfully so!), but things aren’t always black and white when it comes to love and pet ownership. Dating with dogs — what do you do?
First things first, dogs are consistently considered good judges of character, so if Rover refuses to play nice, pay attention. But sometimes, the dog-significant other relationship just needs a little work. Here are a few tips for making the perfect introduction and fostering a dog-significant other bond that will last as long as the relationship does.
1. Take it Slow. No matter how you cut it, your dating life is going to cut in on the quality time you once spent with your pooch. While some relationships may spark an instant connection, being conscious of the necessity to remain a devoted dog parent will go a long way. Dogs can be quite perceptive, so when your new significant other comes over and takes you away from Fido for extended periods of time, they’re not making friends fast. It’s a good idea to tailor your new dating itinerary to maintain the schedule your dog is used to, gradually working up to extended away periods if needed.
2. Know Your Dog. Each dog personality is a bit different and each will handle a major life change, like the addition of your new significant other, in their own special way. For example, skittish dogs that don’t typically enjoy visitors, will require a slow and steady introduction plan that might even take weeks to months before they are comfortable with one another. Other happy-go-lucky pooches will bond to anyone that has a pulse. These dogs require far less planning and perhaps even a single meeting will establish a strong bond. In most cases, the typical dog-significant other introduction period will fall somewhere in between these extremes.
3. Involve Your Dog. If you’re looking to make them inseparable, here’s a foolproof plan. Incorporate your dog as an integral part of date night. Taking Fido and your new significant other to the lake for a picnic, going for a hike together, or even brief games of Frisbee are great ways to interact with these two. In the process of spending quality time with your favorites, they’ll be forming a bond that lasts and lasts.
How to Bring Your Dog on a Date
Using your dog as your wingman may seem unconventional, but your pup could be the perfect icebreaker or, at the very least, give you something to talk about on the date. And while not all dogs are perfect for a date companion, almost any dog can do it if he’s well trained. Most people like dogs, but remember that not everyone lives with him. 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 stay, and understands the rules about jumping on and sniffing people.
Be sure to start by setting up Rover to succeed. 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. Trying 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, and if it doesn’t, do you really want to get into a long-term relationship with someone that can’t stand spending time with your dog?
Dating With Dogs — 6 Ways Your Dog Can Boost Your Dating Life
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 having trouble in the dating scene, maybe it’s time to 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 are a few ways your pooch can benefit your dating life.
1. More Chance Public Encounters. One of the best ways to succeed with dating is to put yourself out there in public more often, and your dog represents the perfect partner-in-crime for this initiative. It’s a simple numbers game — the more people you interact with, the better your odds of finding “the one.” Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, a visit to your local dog park, or an afternoon on a pet-friendly restaurant patio, your canine will be with you every step of the outing, charming prospective partners on your behalf.
2. Evaluation of Dating Candidates. You can learn a lot by bringing your date home to meet your ever-loyal pooch. Does your dog take kindly to your date? How does your date interact with your furry family member? Does your canine’s reaction to your visitor elicit any red flags? Your dog’s intuition can help with evaluating the situation. When you’re on the fence regarding whether a fellow member of the dating pool warrants a second or third date, let your trusty canine help you decide.
3. Better Physical Fitness. Let’s face it — being physically fit affords you a certain appeal with the opposite sex. Moreover, when you’re fit and healthy, you’re bound to be brimming with dating confidence. Yet you don’t need to hire a personal trainer to enjoy that feeling. By taking your dog on twice-daily walks and enjoying his company for various other forms of regular exercise, you’ll have a leg up on garnering attention from fellow singletons.
Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places?
You try the bars. You try the laundromat, even though you have a washer/dryer at your house. You hope to bump into true love at the supermarket, maybe in the produce department as you nonchalantly decide between iceberg and romaine lettuce.
Perhaps you’re looking for love in all the wrong places. According to recent scientific studies, walking your dog increases your chances of meeting other people. That’s one more reason (besides keeping your pets happy and your carpets clean) to take your dog on morning and evening walks.
Dog owners also have set up “play dates” for their pets as a non-threatening way to meet people. Two people may feel more comfortable arranging play time for their canines, assuming the dogs get along, because it’s not an actual “date” with all that implies — it’s more relaxed and natural.
Another option that’s gaining popularity is “Yappy Hours.” Friends + music + beverages + dogs = YAPPY HOUR! 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 is a turn-on.
Yappy hours are not the only place pets are also helping singles find their significant others. Online dating sites have also caught on to the trend. You can advertise yourself through your pet on sites such as datemypet.com. Here you can let your pet catch the eye of your true love.
Resources for Dating With Dogs
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