We understand and appreciate your desire to spend your puppy's first day of camp with them. However, please consider that your presence could be distracting for your puppy and the other campers. We are extensively trained in handling and caring for puppies, and we are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for them. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your puppy adjusting to camp, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Yes, absolutely! It's important to note that we operate out of our residence rather than a dedicated facility. We warmly invite you to visit and check out our yard, downstairs train & play area, as well as the crating and playpen space utilized for naps and learning routines. To arrange a visit, please reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to schedule a time for you!

Yes! It is not uncommon for young puppies to feel cautious around unfamiliar dogs. Ensuring their sense of safety is paramount, and we prioritize their comfort during introductions. Our approach is meticulous and considerate: we begin with a gentle, older dog who respects boundaries, allowing both dogs the space to decline interaction should they choose. Introductions are done one-on-one to prevent overwhelming situations, always proceeding at the dog's pace. Our trainers are well-versed in canine body language, carefully observing your puppy's signals before proceeding with any interaction, ensuring a positive experience for all involved.

Yes, absolutely, with some important considerations. The critical socialization period for puppies typically ends around 16 weeks old, underscoring the importance of providing them with numerous positive and safe experiences beforehand. Waiting until a puppy is fully vaccinated might mean missing out on a significant portion of this crucial socialization window. However, we can navigate the balance between keeping them healthy and socializing them properly with great care. When introducing young puppies to the world, we exercise extreme caution. We avoid high-traffic dog areas like pet stores and parks and may opt to carry them or use a stroller or shopping cart for added protection. For further guidance, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior offers a comprehensive position statement on this topic, which can be found here.

We frequently visit hardware and pet stores, but our adventures extend to other places as well. From restaurant patios and bustling plazas to banks, UD campus/Main Street, and sporting goods stores, we strive to expose our puppies to a diverse range of environments. Our willingness to explore dog-friendly local spots with our puppies is contingent upon their age and confidence level, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for them.

We carefully select playgroups based on several factors to ensure the best experience for each puppy. First, we assess the temperament and confidence level of each puppy through one-on-one interactions. This helps us match them with compatible playmates who share similar traits, promoting positive socialization experiences. Additionally, we consider factors such as size and energy level to ensure safe and enjoyable interactions within the group. Our goal is to create well-balanced playgroups where puppies can learn and have fun in a supportive environment tailored to their individual needs.

No! Puppy Camp was designed with appropriate socialization for young puppies in mind. We wanted to create a program that would support puppies as they adjust to the great big world around them. Language between dogs is a very important lifelong skill that is easiest for a puppy to learn while young, so we do encourage group play between puppies. By the time they hit 5 months old, puppies typically get a bit choosier in who they want to play with and how they want to play. Some of our adolescent puppies only play with 1-2 of the puppies they grew up with in Camp, while others have decided they don't want to play at all. There is never any pressure from us to play with another dog, and in that situation, we have other activities for the puppies to partake in. Puppy Camp also goes beyond just dogs playing. We strive to create confident puppies that can go anywhere and do anything. We focus on providing structured activities, supervised interactions, and age-appropriate enrichment to support healthy socialization, positive behavior shaping, and essential life skills development.