Our Playgroups give owners the opportunity to teach and train desirable behaviours, build confidence, plus socialisation and also running off some of that zoomie energy!
Info on our Playgroups:
We teach owners how to grow their dog’s Confidence & Training Skills Using:
Our Novelty Assault Course
Socialisation & Positive Pairing
Dog Body Language
Flirt Pole Fun
Recall
Training & daycare Q&A
Photoshoot
If you have a puppy, adolescent or even adult dog, you may have noticed: That your dog comes to life in the evenings?
This is what is commonly known as the Witching Hour where zoomies plus a lot of over arousal behaviours can start to occur!
Zoomies are actually called FRAPs (Frenetic random activity periods) also called the zoomies or midnight crazies, they are random bursts of energy occurring in dogs in which they run frenetically, commonly in circles)
Our Playgroups give owners the opportunity to teach desirable behaviours, build confidence, plus socialisation and also running off some of that zoomie energy!
Please Note That There Are Limited Spaces Available
All breeds welcome! Must be under 7 months!
Our Playgroups are £30 per puppy
For many owners when they bring their puppy home, one of the first things to think about is socialisation, and understand that this is very important. Wanting the best start for their pup’s life they look into their local Puppy Parties, but not all are made equal!
At some puppy parties you will often see five or six puppies together in one small waiting room off lead, there is usually one very excited puppy running and charging into the others and another puppy hiding under a chair, not sure of how to get out of the situation. “Let them sort it out themselves” you may hear the organiser say.
Why is this a bad idea?
Firstly, puppies do not make good choices by themselves. They also do not know when enough is enough. The longer they play the more arousal shoots up and they become hyper. Puppies that tend to be more boisterous will become even more boisterous and the timid pup will learn that no one is going to help them.
Puppy play should be well matched
Put the more confident pups together and the more timid pups together, look out for signs that one pup may be too much for the other, we want them to both enjoy it. Play should be short and fun and always finish with a tasty treat back with the owner. They are never too young to start learning to come back to you after play. After they have had a little break and a chance to calm down, you can let them have a little play again.
Be your dog’s guardian
If they look worried or the play is too much for them, don’t be afraid to intervene. Separate the pups by calmly holding onto their harness, pop them back on lead and give them a treat as you both walk away. You can then calm them both down with a snuffle mat or a kong. Or if you are out and about, scatter a few treats in the grass for them to search and find. You are also teaching your pups that good things happen when they come away from play and back to you is such a valuable life skill.
Be choosy!
A good natured older dog can be a fantastic role model for your puppy, but remember not to let your puppy keep pestering the older dog, puppy pens and gated communities are a good idea to give the older dog a bit of peace and quiet too.
Be aware of over socialising your puppy
This means introducing your pup to every dog they see, every person and child they see.
There are two reasons why you should be a little more selective. You could end up with a dog who is fearful of them, after becoming overwhelmed. On the other end of the scale your pup learns that they are allowed to play with everyone and gets frustrated when they can’t, for example when you take them to the Pub for a nice family meal and you have a dog who is barking and pulling at the end of the lead because they need to greet everyone in there!
So you can use the rule of three:
For every three encounters and if it is appropriate, your puppy can
1. Greet one, couple of sniffs, three second greeting.
2. Play with one, if well matched.
3. Ignore one.
Please note all puppies must have had their full vaccinations. If puppies have not had their full vaccinations, we welcome owners to attend without their puppies.
Puppy Playgroup will not be a free for all as it is so important that we socialise pups carefully and safely.
Celeste & Murphy
As a first time dog owner I wanted the best start for my puppy. I was so lucky to find Puppy and Friends. It’s been such a positive experience from week 1.
We met such lovely owners and learned so many useful lessons. I came away equipped with the knowledge on how to prepare myself and my puppy for a happy and successful partnership.
Everything is based on fun and reward in a calm and practical environment, there’s also no judgment. As I have no experience with dogs at times I felt overwhelmed.
Siobhan was always there to listen and give useful advice, even outside the sessions. I would have no hesitation to recommend this organisation.
John, June & Bentley
Thank you Puppy and Friends!
June and I both considered ourselves to be decent dog handlers having previously owned two Doberman.
However, rescuing our Pointer puppy, Bentley, through up more than a few challenges than we anticipated.
However, your training has been so rewarding and Bentley and ourselves have learnt lots of new things and we enjoyed every moment of our training.
We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending you to anyone with a dog who is looking for help - and fun - and finishing off with a dog and handler egg and spoon race was the icing on the cake.
Thank you !
Kelly & Luna
Where do I start, I called Siobhan this morning an emotional wreck following Christmas as our catahoula/lab puppy seemed to have gone backwards with all the excitement and had separation anxiety.
Siobhan’s knowledge and relaxed manner calmed me instantly.
We were completely unable to leave her again without her becoming highly stressed and howling. Siobhan was amazing - talking us through everything we needed and we have trialled it today, the results already have been amazing we’ve left her multiple times throughout the day and twice for an hour and a half and she’s been silent both long times.
Siobhan had all the time in the world for us, no question silly, nothing too much trouble. She helped us put a plan together and has already
made it possible for us to leave her and know she’s happy and content. We now don’t feel as guilty at all having to work as we now know she can be settled and happy when we are out working. There are no words to thank you for everything you have done today and your support.
Even during the holidays you we’re at the end of the phone to help us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Love Luna and the Lavery’s!