WHY IS SOCIALIZING MY PUPPY (OR DOG) SO IMPORTANT?
One of the most important aspects of taking group classes with your dog is that you will both enjoy the benefits of human and canine socialization. This cannot be emphasized enough where your dog is concerned. He needs to interact with other dogs in order to have the necessary play activities that all dogs require as well as having the opportunity to communicate with dogs in a way that only dogs can. Other dogs will let your dog know which behaviors are appropriate and which are inappropriate. Additionally, your dog will learn from other dogs how to appropriately interact with humans. Of course, all play should be supervised.
An excellent way to allow your dog to socialize in a healthy, safe way is to attend a play day at a doggie daycare facility or a small, off-leash dog park, where owners can keep a closer eye on their dogs than they can at large parks.
NOTE: Dog Parks are NOT recommended for socializing puppies or unsocialized adult dogs!!!!!. THE BEST place to socialize puppies is in an off-leash positive puppy or adult dog class. Learn more about our puppy classes here.
Note: If your dog is too shy or fearful to interact with other dogs or humans, consider taking our Shy and Fearful Dogs class first. If your dog is not human or dog-friendly, please consider taking classes for this specific behavior problem such as our Terrible Teens class or taking private lessons to help him prepare for more social interaction.
