Puppy Social Hour
Puppy Social Hour is currently paused. In lieu of a group social hour, we now offer puppy socialization opportunities through our Puppy Prep Academy program. Please follow the link for more information.
It’s not the size of the dog that matters, it’s the play style!
Puppy Social Hour Info
For puppies of all mixes, breeds, and sizes 8 weeks - 24 weeks of age, with age-appropriate vaccines.
Puppy Social Hour is a FREE class, but registration 24 hours prior to class is required. Please click here to register.
In order to attend you must bring with you a hard copy (no screen shots) of your pup’s vaccination records which have been administered by a veterinarian. Breeder or self-administered vaccinations are not accepted. Your veterinarian can also email proof of vaccines to training@pawsitive-pooch.com If your veterinarian utilizes an app such as PetDesk for records, and your vaccines are updated within the app, this is an acceptable substitution for a hard copy. No puppy will be admitted without proof of vaccines.
For dogs under 4 months of age, at least one round of vaccines is required. For dogs 4 months (16 weeks) or older a record of their vaccinations must be signed by your veterinarian and include vaccines for rabies, parainfluenza, adenovirus, bordatella, and distemper. If your veterinarian chooses not to give your pup one or more of these vaccines at the time, we must have a signed letter from them stating that it is contraindicated. Entry to play groups and group classes is not permitted without required, veterinarian signed proof of vaccinations or a signed letter from the veterinarian stating they are contraindicated at the time.
First round of vaccines must have been completed at least 7 days prior to first playtime.
If your dog has had coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea within the past 48 hours, please do NOT attend Puppy Social Hour. This is to keep all puppies safe and healthy. Please seek advice from your veterinarian before resuming class.
It is strongly recommended that you arrive a few minutes early to check your puppy in and listen to instructions. You are not required to stay the entire hour.
Your puppy may attend as often as you wish, up to 24 weeks old.
Scroll down for the FAQ sections.
Why Puppy Social Hour?
Puppies develop in specific phases, regardless of breed. While there is a little wiggle room with the timeline, they have a fairly predictable period in which they are best suited for learning about their world (about 3 weeks-20 weeks), which includes how to interact appropriately with other dogs. As this critical window closes around 20 weeks of age, our dogs become naturally more reserved and fearful of the world around them. Puppy Social Hour aims to provide your pups with positive, safe, and instructive play so they can be well adjusted, friendly, and confident dogs as they mature. We can teach a dog of ANY age to sit and walk nicely on a leash, but proper socialization is age-dependent and absolutely critical for every pup to become a well adjusted member of the family. That’s why our classes are open to ALL breeds and ALL sizes of dogs from 8 weeks-24 weeks, with age-appropriate vaccines.
We utilize positive-reinforcement training and handling techniques, relying on a system of rewards to encourage good behavior. When a pup gets a little too rambunctious, we redirect their energy into a more appropriate outlet, or, give them a break with their humans so as not to overstimulate the pup. This means your pup may be rotated in and out of play often, as needed to moderate the groups and keep every pup safe. Such a rotation helps prevent bullying, teaches good manners (if you’re too rough, you can’t play anymore!), and helps our pups learn impulse control- all necessary skills for when they grow up!
“My Vet told me not to take my dog out…”
This is generally GREAT advice. Your puppy has a weak immune system and is susceptible to a number of illnesses that can be easily transmitted from other dogs, or even from walking across many surfaces. Puppies should be kept from public surfaces, dog parks, and unknown dogs until they’ve completed their puppy vaccines (typically 3 rounds, given up to 16 weeks of age). In order to properly expose your dog to the great wide world, this does require taking precautions. Car rides and carriers are a fantastic option for being out in public by minimizing exposure, as are puppy socials!
We follow the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position on puppy socialization, and take great pains in making sure our Social Hour is a safe, sanitary environment. From using industry-specific cleaning and sanitation supplies tailored to address common illnesses dogs could carry ( cleaning before and after every class), verifying proof of updated vaccines and that each dog is healthy to attend, to having all classes led by an experienced dog trainer, our Puppy Social Hour offers a safe, fun option for teaching your pup how to be a GREAT adult.
“I want my puppy to attend, but we’re staggering their vaccines.”
No problem! There are a lot of reasons you and your veterinarian have chosen to stagger vaccines. If this is the case, simply provide a signed letter from your veterinarian stating the need for a staggered vaccine schedule and that your puppy is cleared for group play, as well as ongoing proof of vaccines. As long as your pup is healthy, has received their first vaccines 7 days prior to class, and is cleared by a veterinarian to attend classes, we are happy to accommodate.
“My puppy is shy. Should they attend?”
This class is MADE for shy puppies! We keep groups small and puppies paired with similar play styles, so no pup is bullied or overwhelmed. We provide plenty of spaces to hide should a pup want to remove themselves from play, and an experienced trainer is in the group at all times to moderate play. If we see a pup stressed or afraid, they are promptly returned to their humans for comfort and a rest! There are lots of options for fearful pups (like exploring the play space on their own), and pairing with like-minded playmates can help build their confidence going forward!
