The Puppy Discovery Experience is designed take advantage of a puppy's first four

months of life, because what he learns during that time, whether good or bad, can

affect his behavior and personality for the rest of his life. We provide a unique

socialization opportunity where your puppy learns all about everyday life in a fun and safe environment, sort of an interactive, instructional puppy party!

 
Benefits
First and foremost, this program is designed to help puppies learn to be comfortable 
with changes in their environment. A confident dog is less likely to develop problems 
caused by fear, such as barking, fear-biting, and fear-based aggression. This program’s safe and controlled exposure 
to different sights, sounds, surfaces, people, dogs and other experiences helps to create brave puppies. 
 
A common belief is that puppies should be ‘socialized’ by being taken to crowded places where dozens of people 
handle them in an uncontrolled and often overwhelming fashion. While this technique, called ‘flooding’, can be 
effective for some dogs, it’s much too frightening for most puppies, often teaching the dog to fear people. In 
the Puppy Discovery Experience, you will learn how to create safe and controlled situations in which to successfully 
socialize your puppy.
 
There won’t be any formal training, but your puppy - and you – are learning the whole time. Short but frequent training 
games are played throughout each session. These games are designed to teach the two-legged students how to influence 
and direct the puppies to appropriate behaviors in a way that is fun and conducive to learning. 
A typical session looks something like this:
· Puppies begin to arrive and explore the environment while owners sit quietly on benches, chairs, stools, or floor. 
Novel stimuli will be available; floor surfaces, mirrors, things that move, etc. Puppies are not pressured or forced 
to explore, but rather encouraged and praised for doing so.
· Every few minutes, you will be are directed to one of the motivational teaching signs posted around the room, 
and the moderator will help you play that training game with the puppies. For example, you might be asked to 
watch for anything you consider brave or polite in your puppy and encourage it – calmly, briefly, and often, per 
the Encouragement sign. Other teaching opportunities include redirection for chewing, how to use reinforcement, 
checking in, and more. 
· New stimuli replace pre-explored ones throughout the session, between training games.
 
Safety Considerations
The play area is double-gated, with one door/gate always closed between the loose puppies and outside.
 
Sessions are grouped based on puppy weight; under 12 pounds in the first session and 12 pounds and over in the second. 
The facility is set up to accommodate separation of puppies within weight group if necessary; for example, very shy puppies 
can be separated from very active puppies, or a 4-pound puppy can be paired with a calmer 8-pound one. This provides an 
excellent setup for helping the shy or smaller pup become braver by putting him with just one slightly more outgoing or a calm 
larger pup to start with.
 
Ask your veterinarian if the Puppy Discovery Experience is right for your pup! 
 A schedule of sessions will be posted soon - watch this space for details.
 
For more information, contact Lori.

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