socialcenter

Socialization - Education In Motion

Socialization is the most important thing you can do for your new puppy!

We are super passionate about HEALTHY puppy play and educating owners on dog body language and social interactions between dogs, so owners can feel confident in their abilities to navigate play throughout their dog's lives.   Not only does the education received during socials help with understanding healthy/non-healthy play, our socials help owners understand how to read when their dogs might be a bit stressed and also when they are having a great time! Learning how to read our dogs helps keeps dogs and humans safe in ALL interactions and experiences.  Our puppy socials are highly structured, safe and fun!

In our socials, your puppy will:

  • Gain exposure to different surfaces and sounds
  • Learn how to go through tunnels and enclosed areas (tent-like structures)
  • Gain exposure to various breeds of puppies
  • Gain exposure to a variety of people
  • Play with other puppies of appropriate size, age and temperaments
  • Learn how to settle in the presence of other dogs
  • Learn how to read important signals from other dogs to help them communicate with one another
  • Build confidence

REMEMBER:

Current research shows that a puppy’s social window CLOSES at about 13-14 weeks of age! What this means, is that you need to try and expose your puppy to stimuli that they are likely to encounter in everyday life, including other dogs. If not, they are more likely to become an anxious and fearful adult dog, which increases the risk for aggression.

It is our position, as well as the position of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), that puppies can and should attend socialization classes even if they have not completed their full round of vaccinations. The AVSAB position statement reads, “In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class.” You can read their full position statement HERE.

 

Register for Puppy Socials - $25/social 

  • yellowbullet

    Every Friday 11:15am-12:15pm at Rosedale Mills in Pennington (Rt. 31)

    For puppies 18 weeks of age and under

  • *No refunds given if reservation is canceled in less than 24hrs of scheduled slot. 

socializationright

*If you have been regularly attending puppy socials, we will tell you when your dog has aged out of play. 4 months of age is not necessarily the cut off point for regulars, just for new dogs to Puppy Social. We make this decision based on the dog, their play style, sociability, age, and enjoyment of our puppy social program.

Important Information

Puppy social is open to puppies 18 weeks of age and under.

PROGRAM GOALS:
The goal with our social programs IS NOT to exercise your dog or provide you with long term play for your dog. Our goals with our puppy social program is to EDUCATE your dog and provide a safe environment for socialization. You can expect that your invitation to this program is for a LIMITED TIME ONLY. Our goal is to give you and your dogs tools to handle living in a world with other dogs. When we have achieved the goals we have set for your dog, you will be “graduated” from the program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:

I’m trying to sign up but it isn’t giving me the option to register for today/the day I want. What do I do?

If a date is not showing up on the registration page, that session is FULL or has been canceled. We encourage you to register ahead for the next available session.

Registration is required!

  • yellowbullet

    Fridays: 11:15am

    Saturday:

    March 16th 10:15am

    March 30th - 10:15am

    Puppy Social: $25/social 

What to bring:

  • yellowbullet

    4ft.-6ft. leash (no flexi leashes)

  • yellowbullet

    Properly fitted collar with identification tags

  • yellowbullet

    Proof of 1st round of parvo distemper vaccination required upon first visit

  • yellowbullet

    Treats!

Ready for some puppy socials fun?