Puppy Play Group - What We Do

I've been involved in the Puppy Play Group at the APS for a couple of months.  Initially, I thought it was going to be great just getting to play with puppies every week.  Who gets tired of that, right?  But it's not just play time all the time.  The APS wants all of their dogs and puppies to be the best dogs they can be before heading home with their forever families.

Part of that is helping those puppies be more "adoptable."  What that means for us is enduring scratches, nicks and those tiny puppy teeth to teach them a few basics.  Not all puppies are bundles of love and joy right out the gate.  In fact, most puppies need a little bit of help.  Marilyn Bailey, who leads Puppy Group, has taught us how to help those puppies who aren't as socially adept to become more so.  That means working on sit, down, focus, being handled, socialization with other dogs, introduction to leashes and so on.

That being said, it's not all work all the time.  Sometimes you get to experience something kind of awesome, like this little girl riding her skateboard.

Or a welcome party when you walk through the door of several puppies who all want to give you their biggest, best, slobbery kisses.

Most of the time though, you're working on getting them to learn to be calm when dealing with people.  Just learning to sit can be their best shot at getting a chance to go home.  Being introduced to something new, like a box or a hoop, and getting acclimated to new things, can make a huge difference in their performance in their new home.  Spending time with other puppies can teach them social skills so they'll know how to interact with any potential dogs in a new home as well.

Sometimes puppies don't know it's ok to be loved.  They back away from those embraces you want to give them and lack the confidence to come close to strangers.  Part of what we work on is called "Jane touch," named for Jane, the dog trainer who helps out all the dogs out at the APS.  It's all about getting a dog used to being handled and learning that it's ok and not some big, scary thing.  For some dogs, like us people, that alone can be a big deal.

But once they figure it out, they can turn into those wonderful lap dogs we all know and love.  Those moments, when you are a puppy's "home base" can be so enriching and rewarding.

It's a small group of people and we can always use more hands and bodies, especially as life situations change for some of us involved.  Marilyn leads this group and she has devoted so much time and done an amazing job.  Luckily for us, she is also always willing to teach new people (like me) that are interested in helping the puppies succeed.

It's a great feeling to know when one of the little guys you've worked with has an adoption pending (even if you'll miss them) and that part of that is because of the work you've helped do. And when they've mastered the fine art of sitting still for a photo, you just know they're going to do great in their new home.