Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has over 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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My pug, Charlie, is very friendly with other dogs when he is on a leash, but when we go to the dog run and I let him off the leash, he is interested only in the people, and avoids other dogs. The minute he is back on the leash and we start walking back home, he is friendly again. Why does he do this? It isn't exactly a problem, but I am wondering if he is missing out on the fun of the dog run.

I am glad you recognize that your pug's preference for people rather than other dogs is not a problem. The breed standard actually says that pugs' "reason for living is to be near their people."

There are many dog owners who would change places with you in a second. Their dogs pay more attention to other dogs than they do to the people in the family, and the owners would love to have a people-friendly pet.

Continue reading Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist - Why Won't My Dog Play With Other Dogs?

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