Make sure your dog has appropriate company

Facts

• Dogs are sociable animals who need and enjoy company.
   
• If dogs are treated well as puppies, they learn to see people as friends and companions.
   
• A dog may suffer if he/she is left without company and has nothing to do for long periods of time.
   
• If a dog has appropriate contact with other dogs early in his/her life, he/she can become more sociable and enhance his/her quality of life.
   
• Many dogs will either chase or be afraid of animals with whom they are not familiar.

Things you should do

• Make sure that your dog has opportunities to interact positively with appropriate companions so that he/she does not become lonely or bored.
   
• Make sure your dog is never left alone long enough for him/her to become distressed. Read our FAQ on leaving dogs on their own.
   
  
• If your dog is friendly towards other dogs, allow him/her to interact with them on a regular basis.
   
• Never leave your dog unsupervised with another animal or person who may deliberately or accidentally harm or frighten him/her.
   
• When you are away, make sure your dog is properly cared for by a responsible person.
   
• If your dog is fearful of, or aggressive towards, other dogs, avoid the situations that lead to this behaviour, and seek advice from a vet or clinical animal behaviourist.
   
• If you have more than one dog, house them together if possible, but make sure they have enough space and can get away from one another if they want to. Introductions should be done carefully. The same applies if you have dogs and cats. For more information see our factsheets
  Introducing dogs (PDF 100 KB) and
  Introducing dogs and cats (PDF 307KB)