Dogs are social animals. As much as they love their people, they are happiest when they are with other dogs. They understand each other. They teach. They learn to give and take. But most of all, they have fun together. They can play rough. They can get dirty...the other dogs don't care!
If you are one of those people who scoff at the idea of your dog going to a doggie park, it's unfortunate. Get over it! You are depriving your pet of essential learning and playing experiences. They get to interact with something other than you! They get to be a dog!
Let's put it this way. Reverse roles with your dog. You are now under their management. They only associate with other dogs. They drag you everywhere you go, but you have no one like you, to interact with. You don't have a clue what they are saying. You have to sit calmly at their side for hours on end sometimes, being a "good person."
Back in the doghouse, there are no books you can understand. No TV you can understand. They don't keep a people computer in the doghouse you can jump on to check your e-mails. Oh that's right, you don't need to check your e-mail...you have no friends! The phone doesn't mean a thing to you. They may throw a few toys down on the floor for you to amuse yourself with. Unfortunately the only time you leave the doghouse is so your owners can be with other dogs.
When you do leave, you can see other people out there. You want so badly to be with them. Sometimes you get so excited, you don't know what to do with yourself. You call to them! You may wave, wiggle and squirm. You pull on your leash. POP! Next thing you know, your person is making a corrections! "Calm down!" they tell you. "Behave!"
It's so hard sitting there being good. You think, why doesn't your owner see how important it is for you to make contact with other people?
Right there, in front of you are lucky people playing with other people! Their owners recognize how important it is for their people to network "with their own kind." The owners of those people realize their person has to "play" with other people, if they want their person to be a happy person.
An empathetic person owner understands, yes, if they take you to a "people park" you may get germs. So what, you got all your shots. How else are you going to build up your immune system? They know there may be people there that play rough. Or say something that will hurt your feelings. That's all a part of being a person. They know you will learn how to deal with it. Besides, they are right there to protect you if need be.
They know you look forward to going to the "people park." They understand how much you look forward to intermingle with your people friends...and how important it is for you to make new people friends.
They also see, after letting you play with people for a few hours, you will go home tired, and happy! They tell all their dog friends, "We go to the people park all the time. A tired person is a good person."
OK, so maybe your person owner isn't too keen on "people parks." There are always other places you can go to mix with other people. Your owner can get together with a few of their dog friends and arrange play dates for their people. Everyone can take turns having all the people come over to their house, and romp around in the backyard. They may set up a little pool, or have the sprinkler running. There may be toys for you to play with. The important thing is, you have each other to play with!
If the people owners don't want to get that involved, then there are people camps and resorts. A thoughtful people owner could sign you up for a couple of days a week at a local people camp or resort, so you could play with other people. It would sure beat sitting around the doghouse alone all day, waiting for your owner to come home. A smart person owner knows, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop!" They know leaving you home alone too long, with nothing to do, will surely mean you will either get into trouble, or become depressed.
Finally, there is always the option of people obedience and socialization classes. A knowledgeable person owner realizes you can always teach an old person new tricks. Signing you up for a positive reinforcement, punishment-free obedience or socialization class would be a terrific way to spend quality time with you, and still let you interact with other people and dogs! Again, you would go home tired and happy!
Do you get the picture? Do you now realize how important it is for your dog to have other dogs to associate with?
Bottom line: Dogs need dogs. Take them to a doggie park, doggie resort or doggie camp. Let them be a dog! They will love you all the more for allowing them every now and then, to be what they were meant to be...a dog!
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