How to Run Successful Puppy Parties Seminar

I have just returned from the above delivered by Jane Hanshaw Dip CABT KCAI CD (A) & Beh (A) at the
International Animal Behaviour Training Centre, Haxey.

It was an excellent opportunity to discuss the past, the present and the future of the Puppy Party, the terminology and to view best practice as well as how NOT to do it (via DVDs etc).

It certainly emphasised the importance of what to do and what to avoid!

I bet that was an interesting one.
The mere name "Puppy Party" makes me shudder lol. But, I think the ones I've seen & heard about, should have been called puppy free for alls .

Yes, parties are really the wrong term, as it conjures up images of the wrong thing, unfortunately that term has entered the psyche now.

However seeing good practice certainly demonstrated what they could and should be like.

i bet that was interesting. there seems to be so many places advertising these types of things. it seems like, anybody i have met, always seem to describe them as a "free for all!" it seems that a lot of people seem to just want to see their pup play.. with never any reference to discipline, or good manners. later on they find that the dogs are so playfull, they spend the rest of the time trying to calm them down. a lot of people seem to think that they have to just let the dog/puppy keep playing, until the poor thing is worn out. then they take it home!

Key messages for me:

In today’s climate it is vital that dogs are friendly with people and neutral with dogs as the potential outcome for a dog that is antisocial with people is different from that of one that is antisocial with its own species.

Play is definitely not vital.

Good social interaction is more important than play

this is what i mean. the owners just seem to think everything will "take care " of itself. instead of understanding that each interaction should be a controlled education... for pup and owner.

One (of the many results of poor puppy parties) is the classical conditioning that has occurred at them ie other dogs = good time, in fact better than with my owner;which then results in "my dog is great until he sees another dog" syndrome.

Somebody at the day said "We need to teach people they need to be more exciting than other dogs"

My response was:

It is easier, more realistic and more achievable to teach people about long lines and leads.

Anyone can put and keep a dog on the lead, many people cannot or will not make themselves more exciting than other dogs, people, animals etc.

I think play is part of learning good social interactions---but pups are not good at teaching it to each other.

I have a puppy class to take tonight---not a party. I am helping a local club get back on its feet. Haven't taken one for years and years so have gathered info from lots of places. Sort of looking forward to it.

rune

I think many people also tend to think "puppy/dog socialisation" means meeting as many other dogs as possible, like collecting notches on the bed post/dog basket of x number of dogs met so far with a "the more the better outlook". This is done purely on looking at quantity rather than quality with no regard for the form and learning result of those interacts.

IMO rather than that socialisation should mean learning how to interact well i.e. how to be socially acceptable, polite and well mannered with others, including leaving them alone when the other dog (or its owner) indicates that is its preference. I.e. it should be about learning to be socially appropriate.

Play is a part of that but structured "referred" play.

I used to run puppy classes previously with one of my friends, and we never included playtime at the end. The puppies got used to being in the same space, but not automatically get expectations to play or greet each other/other dogs.

When I had my first dog I was never conscious of this, I was also thinking "the more the merrier" and she ended up being VERY interested in any dog we ever met when going for a walk. So definitely doing it a little bit different with Marvel this time