6 Ways Your Dog Improves Your Social Life

Moving to a new country is never easy: there are visa struggles, social adjustments, and often language barriers to navigate. So when Taylor Prinsen, a photographer from Texas, moved to Paris, France in 2024, she was grateful to have one built-in friend: Her ten-year-old rescue dog Phoebe. “I truly could not have made this move without her,” Prinsen says.

Whether living in a new city or just getting out more with your new pup where you already live, experts say having a dog can reduce anxiety, create catalysts for human interaction, and overall improve your social life. 

"We often see how having a dog naturally strengthens both social connection and emotional wellbeing,” Becky Reiter, a licensed professional counselor supervisor specializing in therapy for social anxiety, stress, and other mental health concerns. “Humans are wired for attachment, and dogs offer companionship, routine, and a sense of purpose.”

Here are some of the many ways experts say having a dog improves your social life. 

More frequent (and friendly) interactions with strangers

As anyone who has walked a dog can attest, the world around you changes a bit when you have a furry friend by your side–with strangers often smiling at the dog or asking to pet them. Experts confirm that walking a dog increases the chance of casual interactions. 

“From a mental health perspective, people with dogs tend to engage more with the world around them,” Reiter says. “Walking a dog increases the chances of casual interactions. Neighbors may smile, other dog owners stopping to chat, even small moments of humor when a dog does something funny. These encounters build connections, which are protective for mood and anxiety. Over time, the connections often grow into genuine friendships or community ties.”

Studies have long supported this theory, with a 2000 study published in the British Journal of Psychology finding that people accompanied with dogs substantially increase the frequency of social interactions, particularly with strangers. And often, those relationships can deepen over time: One 2019 study found that 82% of participants reported they met more people in their neighborhood after getting a dog, and 35% said they made longer-term friends due to their dog. Such was the case for Prinsen, who said she met one of her good friends in Paris after their dogs began sniffing each other at a bar in her neighborhood.  

“Dogs make a great entry point if you're shy and don't know how to approach people,” she says. “Sometimes, Phoebe will go up to strangers and make the introduction for me. Having a dog is a great way to interact socially.”

Creating a buffer for social anxiety

In addition to provoking more interactions with strangers, a dog can give pet parents with social anxiety an easy script for interacting with strangers, says Tim Kleinknecht, a licensed clinical social worker. 

“Having a dog means there is a buffer between you and awkwardness that can arise when speaking to someone new,” he says. “Now instead of you being the focus, the dog is and that can help people approach and open up. Other dog owners may come over, too, and start conversations as there is an instant connection. Dogs are a universally positive and safe subject that bring people together.”

One study found that 54% of people with dogs believe having their pet improved their confidence and ability to talk to strangers. Having a dog can also create an easy out for caregivers who feel overwhelmed in various situations, or simply don’t want to talk anymore, Prinsen explains. 

“If at any point you have social anxiety and you want to leave, you can always blame it on the dog,” she says. 

Visiting new places

Reiter notes that dogs “naturally pull people into social settings.” From dog parks, to training classes, groomers, and community events there are all kinds of ways your dog can serve as a catalyst to going to new places and meeting new people. 

“These environments provide built-in conversation starters (“How old is she?” “Where did you adopt him?”), which can feel helpful for people who find it difficult to initiate conversations,” Reiter says. 

Many cities offer doggy-parent meet up groups, or breed-specific events like the recent dachshund parade in Paris, France or the San Francisco area Corgi Con for corgis. 

Building routine in your community 

Having a regular exercise routine is key for your dog –and good for your social life, it turns out. Experts say dogs force pet parents to establish themselves as regulars in their neighborhoods, which is great for community-building. 

“Walking your dog makes you a familiar face in your community. You'll start chatting with neighbors, shopkeepers, and other regular walkers you'd otherwise never meet,” Kleinknecht said. 

Prinsen echoed this view, stating that she and Phoebe became such regulars at certain Paris bars in her neighborhood that servers would welcome them with a bowl of water and – because it’s France – a small piece of cheese for the pup. 

Improving your private relationships 

While it is clear dogs can be an important catalyst for talking to strangers and making deeper connections in your community, studies show having a dog is also great for family bonds. A 2023 study found that 77% of the 118 co-habitating couples surveyed reported that having a dog improved their romantic relationship, through benefits like shared love for the dog. 

Reiters says couples she has worked with often report that having a dog gives them routines and a sense of teamwork, and families say they talk more when walking the dog together. “A dog can become an emotional figure around which people connect,” she adds. 

Creating a grounding and calming effect 

Socializing is always easier when you are already in a good emotional state, and experts say dogs help with that, too. Science shows that petting a dog lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin, the hormone involved in bonding–offering emotional benefits to those of us who get to live with them. 

“When someone feels calmer and safer in their body, social interactions feel much easier,” Reiters says. “For people who struggle with depression, grief, or anxiety, a dog’s presence can be grounding to make connection possible again.”