DOG lovers in the twin boroughs are emBARKing on a scheme to help their pets make friends -they've set up a social club for canines.

The area's dog rescue volunteers say man's best friend needs the company of other dogs.

The social club meets every week for an evening of special activities such as agility exercises, fetching games - and even a doggy football match.

"Dogs are a pack animal. They're sociable just like people," explained group spokesman Jean Taylor.

"It is very important that they socialise at an early age. If they don't learn how to behave when other dogs are around, they can be difficult when you take them out for walks, and they can get aggressive when they see another dog."

"We have dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes," said Jean. "The dogs love it. This week we had 14 dogs and by the end of the night they were all playing around with a ball."

She added: "When people get a dog they want to be able to take it out and enjoy walking with it. But a badly behaved dog will always be pulling at the lead or, if you let it off the lead, it will run after other dogs.

"Some dog owners never let their dog off the lead even after they've had it for five or six years."

The club, which meets at a riding school in Foulridge, is also planning a Good Dog Citizen Scheme for the area's most sociable dog.

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