You & Your Dog Training

At You and Your Dog Training & Services, we offer free puppy playgroups because early socialization is a key component to helping puppies grow into confident, well-adjusted companions. These playgroups provide a safe and structured environment where puppies can play, explore, and interact with others during their critical developmental stage. Not only do these playgroups help puppies develop essential social skills, but they also allow their people to observe play dynamic under the supervision of CPDT-KA trainer.

The following rules for puppy playgroup are to ensure the utmost enjoyment and safety for all puppy attendees:

• Proof of up to date, age appropriate, vaccinations. At 6-8 weeks of age Distemper, parvovirus. At 10-12 weeks of age
  DHPP (vaccines for distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus). At 16-18 weeks DHPP and Rabies. If you take your dog to places other dogs congregate we strongly encourage the Bordatella vaccination as well. Please email a copy ahead of time.
  
• Puppy is under 5 months of age* and puppy appropriate.**
• Two people per dog are allowed in the training room.
  
• Please do not touch other people's puppies without permission.
• If the puppies jump on you please ignore, many puppies are in training and their people appreciate other people ignoring jumping behavior.
• Do not grab puppies. Let the trainer guide the play!
• No treats or toys allowed out in the playgroup area. We do encourage treats for the moments you puppy is stuck on a leash with you!
  
• If your puppy is showing any signs of illness before playgroup please cancel your reserved spot online.
• Follow the trainer's instructions.
• Please understand that playgroup does not come without risks.  Scientific research has shown that proper early socialization far exceeds the risks of injury or illness.  Here is a link to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position statement.
• Email your signed waiver and puppies vaccinations BEFORE playgroup. Here is a link to our waiver and instructions for sending.
  
• Anyone who chooses to not follow the above rules may be asked to leave.
• Playgroup is free for you but not for our trainers, please let us know if you can not attend. This gives another puppy the opportunity to join!
  

*On occasion we have a surrogate adult dog whom has been tested for puppy tolerance and appropriate puppy communication skills.

**Not all puppies enjoy puppy playgroup, if your puppy is showing repeated stress signs they may have to leave playgroup to minimize their stress level.

Registration is required for both locations, so please sign up to reserve your spot. Although we offer this service free of charge, we kindly ask that if you are unable to attend for any reason, you contact us as soon as possible (you can also cancel your spot through your confirmation email!). This allows us to open the spot for another puppy to join. Our playgroups are intentionally small, maxing out at three puppies (sometimes four), so no-call, no-shows can significantly impact the experience for other attendees—especially if only two puppies are enrolled!

The first calendar below is for You and Your Dog Training & Services. The second calendar is for Milford Veterinary Hospital.

If you’re still unsure about the benefits of early socialization, we recommend reviewing the following link to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position statement on puppy socialization.