How to Date a Dog Lover

For many pet owners, dogs are part of the family. If you're dating a devoted dog owner, your relationship to your partner's canine companions can make or break the human relationship you're forming.

When I met my husband, one of the first things he told me was that I had to pass the "dog test." That meant that his dogs had to like me. As a dog lover, I knew this wouldn't be much of a problem, meeting the dogs did create a small amount of anxiety for me.

What if I accidentally let them out the front door when I came in? The prospect of meeting my man's dogs made me nervous as I was also meeting his mother at the same time.

Be Prepared

When you meet new dogs, it's best to be prepared for anything. The last large dog I'd encountered before meeting my husband's dogs actually bit me. While I had grown up with small dogs, I wasn't really used to larger breeds like the Boxer and American Staffordshire terrier that he owned.

I did my best to prepare, but I should have considered the situation more fully. I was wearing a skirt, pantyhose and a blouse since I wanted to make a good impression on the woman who would become my mother-in-law. However, this was not an appropriate outfit for two large jumping dogs with long nails. They nearly knocked me over.

Yes, the dogs could have been trained better--but I was a new person in their house and they also smelled my mom's dog on my clothes. They were clearly happy to see me and I easily passed the "dog test," but it was an overwhelming experience and my stockings were shredded.

Communicate Effectively

Before I met the dogs, I communicated my anxieties to my partner. He assured me that the dogs were friendly and would not bite, which assuaged some of my fears. I was sure to let him know that I loved dogs but was not used to larger canines.

Knowing my hesitation, he grabbed the dogs by their collars and maintained control until they calmed down and could greet me properly. After my second or third visit, the dogs greeted me in a calmer manner and let me walk into the house without so much as a bark from them.

Control Those Allergies

I hadn't been exposed to every type of dog breed and fur, but I knew I was allergic to some types of fur. To prevent an allergic reaction or an embarrassing runny nose during dinner, I took an over-the-counter allergy pill before arriving.

I'm pretty sure my date and his mother (the hostess) would have felt horrible if I'd had to sit through dinner with swollen eyes and bumps on my arms. Furthermore, it wouldn't have been very attractive.

As it turns out, I am slightly allergic to one of the dogs. My husband bathes and brushes him to prevent allergy problems, but sometimes I still require medication. It's a good thing I thought ahead about allergies when meeting the dogs.

Doggie Dates

Once I came to know the dogs, I really started to develop affection for them. Since we started living together, the dogs have been "our dogs" and now that we're married, I'm officially like a mom to the animals. It works out really well since there are two dogs. When we go out for walks, we each walk one dog.

One thing that really helped me bond with my husband and his dog was going on doggie dates. This included trips to the pet store and dog park, but soon I started helping out by assisting when it was time for veterinary appointments.

We also go on "doggie dates" with other friends and couples who have dogs. Since we're all animal lovers, it's a great way to socialize, and walking the dogs helps us stay in shape.

I'm sure my husband found it attractive and appealing as soon as I started caring for the dogs. Dog lovers are usually attracted to nurturers who like to care for other living beings, and that's certainly an aspect within me.