Hey everyone! I’ve got a big dog, Luna, and I sometimes wonder about playdates with smaller dogs. How do you ensure it’s safe and fun for both? Any tips?
Hey Evan!
This is such a good question. Cooper’s pretty big, and we’ve had some great playdates with smaller dogs. I’ve found that starting with parallel walks lets them get used to each other before full-on playtime. Also, keeping toys to a minimum can reduce any resource guarding. Oh, and lots of supervision, of course! It’s amazing how well they can adapt to each other with the right intro.
Hey! Diesel’s a big Rottweiler, so I know the challenge. When he’s around smaller dogs, I start with on-leash intros to make sure everyone’s comfortable. Once they’re good, I let them play but keep a close eye