Building Dog Friends in Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby, and Surrey
- Lexie Bargen
- May 3
- 5 min read
Discover how to build lasting, meaningful friendships for your dog in Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby, and Surrey. Learn why real social bonds matter and how to foster them through training, parks, and dog-friendly outings.
Do Dogs Really Have Friends?
When we arrive at a client’s home for a private session, one of the first questions we ask—after the initial assessment—is:
“Does your dog have any friends?”
Most people light up.
“Oh yes! Max sees Ruby and Bella in the elevator all the time!”
“My dog plays with any number of dogs at the park.”
That’s a lovely start, but what we’re asking is a bit deeper. These are social interactions—more like dog acquaintances. True friendships go beyond friendly passing greetings.
Think of it like your work life. You might get along great with your coworkers, but they’re not necessarily your closest friends. You wouldn’t spend your weekends together, and that’s totally okay. Our dogs experience the same: polite, surface-level interactions aren’t the same as deep, trusting relationships.
Why Dog Friendships Matter when Building Dog Friends in Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby, and Surrey
Dogs are naturally social animals. While some are introverted and others the life of the party, all dogs benefit from secure, consistent friendships.
Despite what social media might suggest, never allowing dogs to meet on leash isn’t always helpful. Especially in the Lower Mainland, where on-leash walking is the norm, avoiding all greetings can create frustration and even leash aggression.
Want to learn more about leash behavior? Check out our post:
Meet Indigo: A Dog With Real Friends
My dog, Indigo, has over 20 dog friends. These aren’t random park encounters—they’re dogs she:
Regularly hikes with
Shares training sessions with
Visits dog-friendly patios alongside
Builds trust and plays respectfully with
Each friendship is different. Some are high-energy wrestling buddies, others are quiet trail companions. Indigo adjusts based on who she’s with—just like we do with our own friends.
A Dog Day Out at Main Street Brewing
Recently, we gathered with some of Indigo’s friends at Main Street Brewing. https://www.mainstreetbeer.ca/The dogs chilled calmly under the table while we enjoyed their new menu and a seasonal beer. Seven dogs, no chaos. Most patrons didn’t even notice them.
That’s the power of good training and solid friendships. It’s not about harshness—it’s about trust, confidence, and emotional regulation.
Dining Out With Dogs: Vancouver’s Patio Scene
Another of our favorite places is Electric Bicycle Brewing. https://electricbicyclebrewing.com/ Their smash burgers are incredible, and the vibrant street life offers excellent training opportunities. Indigo and her friends can practice staying settled despite crowds, dogs, and urban distractions.
At Hustle Up Dog Training, we work with clients across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey to help make this a reality. With treat-free training, your dog learns to behave out of connection, not bribery.
Pro Tips for Restaurant Outings
Potty First: Dogs often need a bathroom break after a car ride. If they won't settle, see if they have to potty.
Ask for Water: Most patios are happy to provide a bowl.
Trail Time and Bonding in Nature
Dog friendships deepen on neutral ground—where dogs can move, explore, and communicate naturally.
Some of Indigo’s favorite trail spots:
Pacific Spirit Regional Park (Vancouver) https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/pacific-spirit-regional-park– a quiet, forested escape. We like to get into nature and allow the dogs to do what they are best at, being dogs.
Confederation Park (Burnaby) https://www.burnaby.ca/explore-outdoors/parks/confederation-park – great for group recall training. With a loop style trail, changing directions and working on long distance sit stays are so easy here.
Through our treat-free approach, dogs learn that you are the most exciting part of the adventure. No bribery needed. Your energy, engagement, and leadership are what keep them close.
How to Help Your Dog Make Real Friends
If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s how to start building your dog’s social circle with Hustle Up:
1. Start Small
We ensure dogs are well suited for off leash classes in dog parks or trails. If they are not ready yet, we give you tools to help in aiding the struggle.
2. Match Energy Levels
Something that is great about a group training session is that theirs many different personalities that your dog can interact with. Usually, your dog will find a friend that matches their preferred methods of play or we will begin the introductions with a dog that can bring out the best in your own.
3. Be Consistent
With classes meeting in Vancouver and Burnaby on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, their bonds with dog friends can continue building and mature naturally.
4. Stay Engaged
We encourage owners to stay aware of their dogs. Also, we teach people how to have meaningful play encounters that help strengthen the bond between your own K9. Understanding dog behaviour or body language can be tricky, but that is what we are there to help with.
The Bigger Picture: Social Confidence and Lifestyle Integration
When dogs build friendships, their social skills blossom. You’ll notice:
Less leash reactivity
Better emotional regulation
Improved focus on walks
A deeper bond with you
At Hustle Up, we go beyond obedience. We help you create a life where your dog is a calm, confident companion—at home, in restaurants, on trails, and among friends.
Because just like us, dogs thrive in community.
So… Does Your Dog Have Real Friends?
Next time someone asks, think about more than the dog park or lobby hellos. Real friendships take time, trust, and repetition—and the payoff is incredible.
Let’s build that for your dog.
If you find yourself needing more help or just want to improve your dog's behavior in a structured environment, we offer both group classes and private training sessions tailored to your needs. Our Vancouver and Burnaby group sessions take place every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m., while our Surrey and New Westminster locations host classes every Monday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Whether you’re just starting out or need support for a specific issue like vehicle anxiety, our classes provide a supportive space to learn, ask questions, and see progress.
About the Author
Lexie Bargen is alumni of the Hustle Up Dog Trainer Course, taken at the Hustle Up Dog Trainer Academy. She is a Certified Dog Trainer Educator (CTE), Certified Dog Walker, Search & Locate Instructor and Dog Training Class Instructor in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby & New Westminster, B.C. and owner and operator of lextrainsdogs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lextrainsdogs?igsh=MWV3ZGllMWN0NDNlOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr.
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