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Do dogs choose who they play with?

Now and then we bring Donna to a dog cafe to give her more chances to socialise with other dogs outside of walks and the dog run.

III cafe

But perhaps on this day, Donna was already tired out from all that excitement at the Pet Expo, so she chose to chill out under our table at III Cafe instead as we had our lunch. (Incidentally, this month’s Pets magazine has a picture of Donna as one of the dogs in the background attending the Pets Expo agility trial lesson!! It’s tiny but we’re there! LOL)

III cafe

At least, that was what I thought at first. But she did seem happy to move around and check out any new dogs that come into the cafe.

III cafe

But pretty soon, she goes back to laying in the middle of the cafe floor like she is the queen of the place.

III cafe
III cafe
III cafe

Sure, she takes note of all the activity around, but that’s about it. Seems pretty boring to me :P

One of the cafe patrons was so impressed by her being such a good, fuss-free dog she had to take a picture of her.

III cafe

And still she laid there.

Finally up she goes to check out another dog which turns out unfruitful.

III cafe
III cafe

She finally turns to check out the little dogs milling around her that she has been ignoring the whole time!! And then turns to me as if to say, “I tried, but they all ignore me!”

III cafe

Seems like same as for humans, it can be hard for dogs to make new friends, huh?

It seems like some people like to congregate around dog cafes with other humans with the same dogs. But for Donna, she doesn’t seem to be particular about just meeting other mongrels.

Rather Donna sometimes seem to be more excited about approaching dog breeds that she had a great time playing with before such as Westies. But more than that, I am starting to think that she has a size preference when it comes to making friends. Donna seems to like to approach dogs that are closer to her size, such as Shiba Inus, Huskies, Golden Retrievers and other mongrels.

Does that make sense? Do your dogs choose who they rather play with? And do you know why?
I would love to hear!

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25 Comments

  1. Torrey loves to play with other dogs. But recently we met a black lab that she wanted nothing to do with. It was odd for sure.

    • Odd, odd, I don’t mind her not playing really. It’s just she looked so bored :P and we took the effort of taking her there! Hah!

  2. Dog cafe – so jealous! We don’t have anything like that here.
    Moses and Alma both like to greet as many dogs as possible at the park, but after some sniffs, they just continue to do their thing.

    • Donna will sniff first before meeting any dog!! We don’t have enough dog cafes really… they get over crowded, especially on rainy days :P

  3. Mine are always more interested in hanging out with the humans than the dogs, but they are also choosy on who they play with. Some dogs they like, some they just don’t.

  4. Sue

    Interesting. I do think dogs can be choosey, just like humans. I see that in my own pack of three. Sometimes one or even two are just not interested :-)

  5. it totally makes sense to me!! Just as not all people get along why should we expect all dogs to get along. I think dogs are drawn to other dogs. Some they play well with and others not so much. As long as they aren’t fighting, it’s all good.

    And I too am jealous for the cafe. :-) Thanks for joining the blog hop!!

    • The cafes are great for rainy days ;) Making sure the dogs don’t fight is the responsibility of the patrons. Some dogs are friendly, some not, as you say. It’s like going to a dog run, just smaller in a confined shop space.
      Thanks for hosting!

  6. Westies are big dogs-in their own minds.

  7. Thanks for joining the hop. Or maybe Donna isn’t used to that environment as a place to play. It is different than being “outside” with other dogs. There is furniture and such so maybe she is worried she will knock something. I doubt our dogs would play in that environment. :)

    • She’s actually been there before and was running around the small dogs, but I guess she might just not be in the mood that day too. I don’t know. She seemed to be quite bored though. :P

  8. I’m convinced dogs have a scent/sight six sense that immediately tells them whether they want to be friends with another dog. We can be at the park with twenty dogs and Eko won’t play with a single one, or we can be there with just one dog and the two of them will immediately hit it off. I stopped trying to make sense of it long ago.

    • You have described exactly what sometimes happens with Donna!! Sometimes I wonder if having less choice makes the one dog standing in front of her more attractive!!! :P

  9. oh yes! I agree with you, I think they pick out dogs that look like other dogs they have had a great time playing with. Zeke prefers huskies to any other type of dog as a playmate. He also will go to a big, fluffy dog before a smaller dog or short haired dog. But he really enjoys small terriers as well (; They definitely have days of being more of a watcher than an active player. I think it shows how nicely balanced Donna is that she can calmly observe one day and run around playing another!

    • Terriers must make good playmates, Donna’s best doggy friends in the neighbourhood are terriers too! ;)

  10. Clearly those dogs don’t know what they’re missing out on. I think Donna is a lovely playmate. They’re just stuck-up. Their loss for sure. :D

    I think you’re right and they are like kids for sure. Each and every one of them have their own personalities and preferences. Simba prefers smaller dogs to play with. Beautiful shots of beautiful Donna. :D

  11. Yeah. I love to play with Golden Retrievers & Border Collies. Size obviously doesn’t matter!
    Woof Woof
    Roy

  12. Of course dogs choose who to engage with and what to do with these dogs exactly! Mine will choose who to play with, who to hunt with (at least they try, they’re not allowed to ;) ), who to sniff around with…

    • Wow what to do with these dogs exactly… yours must have great interdog-organisational skills!! :P

      • I’m sure yours does the same… Keep an eye on it and I bet you’ll see Donna has dogs she likes to run around with, and others she only sniffs for example. ;)

        Mine is a fear reactive former street dog, so we both are rather picky whom she meets and can engage with. That’s how we realized she prefers some dogs for some activities.

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