January is National Train Your Dog Month and there are a lot of benefits to teaching your dog from a very young age how to navigate the world while building confidence. One way is through socializing them properly through puppy playgroups.
Animal Behavior and Training Specialist Emily Husby walks us through the benefits of playgroups for pups and their parents.
How soon should you start socializing your puppy?
Before deciding to sign up your new pup for the first available playgroup, Emily recommends you first spend a few weeks together. This lets them get used to their new home and owner before slowly introducing them to new things inside and outside of the home, including other puppies.
Puppies learn from each other and getting to know each other young helps puppies learn to communicate, explore, have thoughtful interactions with other dogs, gives them a sense of community, and helps them to build confidence.
But socializing your puppy is more than just introducing them to other dogs and people, even though that’s a big part. It’s also about teaching your puppy how the world works and how to communicate with pets and people. That’s why group play should be a part of the equation, because it offers a chance for puppies to meet off leash in a structured environment which is very different and often more successful from when pups meet leashed.
Benefits of Puppy Playgroup
So, what are the benefits of taking your new best friends to meet other potential besties, especially at Animal Humane Society?
At Animal Humane Society, our playgroups are run by certified trainers like Emily who moderate and manage the groups. This provides an opportunity for pet parents to ask questions about their dog's body language, successful play, and how to help their individual puppy flourish.
This also allows pet parents to sit back and watch their pup learn and play without having to get involved.
Our playgroups are also structed to set all puppies up for success. Emily says size and temperament are considered, helping shy and new friends gain confidence while confident pups play together. Puppies are also split up according to the size they will be when they are adults and by age.
In addition to teaching things like confidence and communication, playgroups at AHS also teach puppies how to take breaks instead of constantly interacting. Breaks are given about halfway through each session to go potty and get water and smaller breaks occur as needed.
Puppies also learn to ask and receive play and regulate their arousal level. AHS trainers encourage bravery without forcing the puppies to interact, setting them up for long term social confidence.
Our trainers use toys as a social aid to lessen the pressure to interact directly and give puppies a way to play that doesn't involve constant contact. Our trainers also help the puppies if they are a bit unsure or need social support, so they learn humans are a source of safety.
Are all puppies suited for group play?
While it's good to introduce puppies to a group play setting, not all puppies actively enjoy being surrounded by other dogs as they grow, even those of their own age. Some prefer small groups or being one-on-one, and some don't want to interact at all. All of these preferences are appropriate.
Continuing a group play experience when they aren't actively enjoying it can decrease their ability to relax later in life when dogs are present, so we want to be setting them up for success right away, regardless of what that may look like.
Interested in Puppy Playgroups at AHS?
Learn more about our Puppy Playgroups and how you can register for an upcoming session with your puppy. If you have additional questions, please reach out to [email protected] or 763-489-2217 for guidance from our training staff.
