Is Love A Walk In The Dog Park? Dating with Dogs.

How Do Our Dogs Affect Our Love Lives?

We are busy researching and writing our script for our film “Pippy Love” and looking at how dogs can affect dating. Can puppy love in the dog park lead to more? We think so.

Pippy Love

Pippy Love is our scripted romantic comedy Movie about an uptight lawyer Anna, who reluctantly babysits her sister Emma’s mischievous little rescue puppy for a couple of weeks. Anna’s hectic, but highly organized life gets turned upside down. After a few bumps, twists and training classes, she develops a genuine affection for her new dependent, as well as a strong attraction to a hot guy from the dog park. Romance does not go smoothly, but hopefully all ends up happily ever after

 

Must Love Dogs

According to Dogster.com, studies have found that men and women that own dogs tend to be more social, active and thoughtful. These are all valuable traits when it comes to the dating world. Owning a dog teaches you how to care for another being and take responsibility. In fact, choosing to own a dog can also uncover an underlying personality preference to spend one’s “alone time” in the company of a social, curious and loving creature. I don’t think I could have dated someone who did not love dogs.

A research study conducted by the American Kennel Club confirms that dogs can be magnets for mates. According to the study, 46% of women said they’d stop and talk to anyone with a cute puppy, and 58% of men said a puppy was a “foolproof babe magnet.”

Dogs are social, attractive creatures who enjoy playing in groups and exploring with friends. They need daily walks. Owning a dog naturally makes you more social. Whether it means doggie play dates at the park, walking or bringing your pup to dog-friendly events, dog owners stay social and more active, and connected with their communities.

Busy dog parks are a probably a more ideal setting for meeting new people than a loud crowded bar or restaurant.  At the dog park or a dog-friendly event, you are in the company of others like you. Ceasar Millan suggests, “If your park allows dogs off-leash, untether your pooch and see which dog he or she picks as a playmate. If your dogs get along, chances are you may have a match. However, if your dogs don’t like each other, you’re probably wasting your time.”

Meeting A Potential Match At The Dog Park- How Common Is It?

A recent survey (2014) called “The Truth about Pets and Dating” was recently conducted by PetSmart Charities and Match.com

The survey  conducted amongst 1,000 singles revealed what men and women think about singles who own cats and/or dogs.

“This survey has confirmed that pets play a significant role in making or breaking a relationship,” says Todd Cramer, senior programs manager at PetSmart Charities. “The key is knowing how to successfully introduce your adopted pet into a budding relationship and to make your pet a priority in your dating life.”

Highlights From The Survey’s Findings:

·         Pet Adoption is Hot:  59 percent of singles agree that finding out your date had adopted rather than bought their pet would make them seem more attractive.

·         Bark Off: 66 percent of men and women would not date someone who didn’t like pets

·         Paws Turn Heads: 27 percent of women find photos of pets in an online dating profile a turn-on

·         Puppy Bait: Men are almost four times more likely to use their pet to attract a potential date than women (22 percent vs. 6 percent).

·         Vetting it Out: 70 percent of singles think their date’s reaction to their pet is important.

·         Animal Attraction: 35 percent of single women have been more attracted to someone because of their pet.

·         Hot Dogs: 72 percent of single women say that a dog is the “hottest pet a guy could own.”

·         Time to Meet the Pet: 46 percent of singles would bring their pet to a walking trail on a first date.

Dog’s are naturally good judges of character and protective. You know you can trust them to make an unbiased judgment based solely on their gut instinct. So why not let your dog help choose your significant other? Considering they will be spending a lot of time together, getting along IS a must.

Finding That Animal Attraction

“Dating can be a dog-eat-dog world, so one way to get a leg-up on the competition is to adopt a dog – especially if you’re a guy,” says Whitney Casey, Match relationship expert.

And like the movie, 66 percent of single pet-owners agreethat their date “Must Love Dogs” (or cats) – whatever their pet may be, they’re more likely to find a compatible match if they share the same animal attraction.”

As more singles flock to online platforms to find relationships, connecting dog owners has become a new niche dating sites are taking advantage of.

Sites like PetsDating.com, DateMyPet.com,  YouMustLoveDogsDating.com, MatchMakerPet and PetPeopleMeet.com help turn your animal attraction into a real human connection.

These sites encourage users to bring their dogs on first dates not only to help break the ice but to see the canine chemistry. There are even pet-friendly mixers hosted by PetSmart Charities, Woofstock, Match.com and others where you can attend to meet like-minded singles.

“Dogs on first dates are amazing icebreakers,” said Kris Rotonda, the founder of YouMustLoveDogsDating.com who started up the site last year that now has 2 million members. “You find out right off the bat how everyone in a relationship will fit in.”

Read more of the dailymail.co.uk’s “Must love dogs: The new breed of pet-friendly dating sites that match up people AND their pooches”

Is Your Dog Not The Best Representation Of You?

Like Pippy in the movie, Kilo isn’t exactly the poster dog for obedience. He would likely be more of a comedic relief than anything on a date. Although he does like to dance.

But should you hide your dog’s true nature? Your partner should accept you for you…including your best friend AKA quirky dog. And is your dog a better judge of character than you?

One woman interviewed told the Daily Mail when she signed up with a dog-friendly online dating service a few years ago, she was honest about her difficult Chihuahua— he likes people more than other dogs, craves attention, steals food and can’t stand to ride in the backseat of a car. Although she admitted her chi stealing food may have been the reason for no third date, having a common interest such as pets helped with her search for love.

Fox news shared a story about a man who clearly chose his dog over his girlfriend when he put a hilarious ad on Criag’s List. Her original breeders (parents) took her back apparently.

Under the title, “Free to Any Willing Home,” the man said that “my girlfriend doesn’t like my beagle Molly, so I have to rehome her.”

“She is a purebred from a wealthy area and I have had her 4 years. She likes to play games. Not totally trained. Has long hair so she’s a little high maintenance, especially the nails, but she loves having them done,” he wrote.  And on he went…

“Stays up all night yapping but sleeps while I work. Only eats the best, most expensive food. Will NEVER greet you at the door after a long day or give you unconditional love when you’re down. Does not bite but she can be mean as hell!”

How has your dog affected your love life or the love life of a friend?  Do you know of a happy tail or a disaster date? Share your stories below.