How to Make a Play Date for Your Dog

There are lots of easy ways to procure a play-date for your dog. Join online networking sites like PlayDateBuddy.com as well as specialized group forums on Craigslist and Myspace to get connected with dog owners in your area. Here are some other ways to fill your dog's calendar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone
• Dog treats
• Leash
• Coat in the winter (optional)
• Computer
• Internet

1. Join a doggy daycare center. Doggy daycare centers can care for your dog full time while you're at work, or you can just join a play group that meets for a short period of time during he week.

2. One of the easiest ways to meet other dogs and their owners is at the dog park. There's at least one in every city. This also gives you a chance to see who your dog plays well with in his own environment. If your dog is always playing with a certain dog or group of dogs, talk to their owners about setting up a time to play outside of your trips to the park.

3. Call a friend. If you have friends with dogs set up an activity with them that includes your dogs. A day at the park, beach or even in your backyard can be fun for you, your friend and your four-legged pals.

4. Talk to other dog owners in your neighborhood or apartment complex and see if they'd be interested in a play date. This can also help you find people who might feed and care for your dog while you're on vacation or even take your dog out when you're not at home. Offer your services and friendship as well.

5. Arrange a play date with your pooch and his doggy daycare buddies outside of daycare. Ask the daycare workers who your dog gets along with during most of the day and then talk to those dogs owners about setting up a time to play on the weekend.

6. Join Dog Scouts of America. They arrange hikes, outdoor adventures and other fun activities for dogs and their owners.

7. Take your dog to the local dog friendly venues in your area. PawSpot.com has updated listings on all the local events from Halloween Parties and outdoor outings to spa days and dog friendly concerts.

8. Throw a birthday party or wedding for your pooch. Invite the dogs and their owners from your local dog park and doggie daycare center and have a little party complete with treats and games for both dog and human.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've secured a play-date make sure to exchange phone numbers and email addresses with the owner in case something comes up.
• Always be on time to a play-date to ensure that you'll be invited again.
• Make sure your dog gets along with the dog with whose owner you're setting up a playdate.

Resources

• PawSpot.com
• PlayDateBuddy.com
• Craigslist
• Myspace
• Dog Scouts of America

[diggitydogg]

on 3/16/2008 Wow. Lots of new ideas.