---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People can be a fine substitute for other…"
description: "\"People can be a fine substitute for other dogs. But I think that if they had to choose, dogs by and large would choose the company of other dogs.\" — El..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/elizabeth-marshall-thomas-3895_animal_people-can-be-a-fine-substitute-for-othe_203509.png"
---

#  People can be a fine substitute for other dogs. But I…

![“People can be a fine substitute for other dogs. But I think that if they had to choose, dogs by and large would choose the company of other dogs.” quote by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/elizabeth-marshall-thomas-3895_animal_people-can-be-a-fine-substitute-for-othe_203509.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/elizabeth-marshall-thomas-3895_animal_people-can-be-a-fine-substitute-for-othe_203509.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/elizabeth-marshall-thomas-3895_animal_people-can-be-a-fine-substitute-for-othe_203509.png)

> “People can be a fine substitute for other dogs. But I think that if they had to choose, dogs by and large would choose the company of other dogs.”

[Elizabeth Marshall Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-marshall-thomas/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Dogs prefer canine companionship over human interaction, indicating species‑specific social needs.

**In simple terms:** Dogs like other dogs more than people.

Key Takeaway

Respect dogs' natural social preferences.

Themes

animal behavior social needs species preference

Mood

observational analytical

Type

behavioral insightful

When to use this quote

- dog parks
- training classes
- pet adoption
- animal shelters
- research studies

Key Concepts

ethology social bonding animal cognition

Questions to Reflect On

- How do dogs show preference for other dogs?
- What factors influence a dog's social choices?

A Different Perspective

Dogs may still bond with humans given positive experiences.

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[Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

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