Small Dog & Puppy Socialization Classes

Puppy Sense is proud to offer, to the Tucson and surrounding areas, our weekly Small Dog & Puppy Socialization classes. These classes are designed and structured for you and your puppy or dog to receive the most beneficial interactions between dog-to-dog play. Each class will help your puppy/dog develop into a social, appropriate and friendly dog.  By bringing your puppy/dog, you will help enrich their life by fulfilling their basic needs for social interactions and continuing to foster their need to explore new environments.

Dog parks can be a danger to your puppy or older dog for numerous reasons. They are infested with the potential for disease, no consistency for dogs with appropriate social temperament, owners who don't pay attention, inappropriate behaviors allowed to happen and escalate, with the serious potential for your dog to get into a scuffle, fight or even attacked.  These are all very real, and very serious issues our clients faced prior to training with us. This is our motivation to offer these classes free to you!

Our class structure is designed to teach healthy, appropriate play.  We help teach puppies and dogs how to play with dogs of every size, not to be bullies, how to say "no" and how to respect when another puppy says "no", and so much more!  They will play, run, jump, learn and explore through each free, weekly class they attend.  We would love to have you and your new best friend join us! We can't wait to share in the laughs, puppy breath and cuteness overload that will ensue!

Classes will resume October 11th, 2021 at our new, fantastic outdoor location!

Join us most Monday's at 6pm in Southwest Tucson, near San Joaquin and Bopp! We have a large, outdoor, safe class for you and your puppies enjoyment! For exact location, please fill out the registration form below! There is a one (1) time initial evaluation fee of $50. This fee will allow you to join our classes as many time as you'd like. You can pay the evaluation fee below.

For the most current information available on schedule, cancellations and training/socialization tips, please visit our Facebook Page here!

Classes are for small dogs under 25 lbs and puppies aged 8 weeks to 6 months. To register, please fill out the form below, if you have any questions, please call (520) 603-2772.  All puppies must be between the ages of 8 weeks to 24 weeks for puppy class and current on vaccinations for their age, have a clear fecal exam in the last 30 days, and must not be showing signs of coughing, sneezing or loose stools.  Please visit our Facebook page for most up-to-date cancellations.  If you have questions about whether or not a class is being held, please text or call (520) 603-2772.

Frequently Asked Questions

What breeds are able to join?

• We accept all breeds, as long as they fit into our age and weight requirements.

What are the weight and age requirements?

• We accept puppies that are up to 6 months of age, and small dogs (regardless of age) under 25 lbs.

What is the best age to start socializing a puppy?

• We recommend starting a puppy's socialization at 8 weeks of age.  There is a critical socialization window in a young puppy's life between 8 to 16 weeks of age.  After this age, the socialization window drastically changes.  Here is an excellent position article from the American Veterinary Medical Association explaining the importance of beginning socialization immediately: 
•  https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3FqcESsroJ7VN9ztmrnjZQ6w5ua44pwhcHcvHloUSHJYHHtRlq4fs-sPQ 

Are these classes play dates for the puppies?

• These are specially structured classes that focus on the importance of safe socialization first.  While most puppies and dogs will play, our goal is to help your dog feel emotionally well around the other dogs.  By following this system, we help your dog become comfortable enough to play. We utilize training tools such as poles that act as extensions of our arms in order to help move and create space, as well as squirt bottles with water and/or vinegar to correct any dog or puppy that may need feedback.

What happens if my puppy or small dog is too scared to interact with the other dogs?

• Our classes promote creating an environment in which your dog can feel safe through advocating for their space.  Once your dog feels safe, they can find comfort and begin to become curious with their surroundings.

My vet said not to take my puppy anywhere until they've had all their shots.  How do you keep the puppies healthy?

• We take the health and well-being of every puppy and dog very seriously.  We maintain strict records of each puppies vaccinations and fecal tests.  We also clean and sanitize directly behind each bowel movement during every class to ensure the least possible chance of transfer of fecal matter.

Fill out the registration form below to confirm your puppy in our classes. Please bring your puppy's most current vaccination records with you to your first class!

 By clicking submit above, I release all instructors, assistants, participants, spectators, and all land owners from any damages that may arise, directly or indirectly, as a result of me or my dog participating in activities or services offered by Puppy Sense, fully recognizing that dog training, dog socializing & sporting activities of this nature can potentially be HAZARDOUS. I understand and I am aware that all dog training & related sporting activities involve a risk of injury to any and all parts of the users body, or my dogs body. Despite the risks of injury, I AGREE TO EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL RISKS of injury or death to me, or my dog(s) while participating in any of the training and or socializing related activities. I agree that in the event of a medical emergency or if asked for medical procedures, Puppy Sense may have my dog(s) treated by a veterinarian of their choice, and I will be responsible for the cost of any medical treatment. By giving my signature below, I give my consent to participate in said activities and services. I realize that by signing & submitting this form as a legal release, I am forever releasing from liability and agree not to sue Puppy Sense, K9 Guidance To Inclusion, Brittany Brauer, Christopher Brauer, their associates, agents & employees for injuries or damages to me, any person(s) or children attending the class with me, or my dog(s) from any and all manner of actions, causes of such actions, claims and demands whatsoever, in law or in equity, which may arise now or in the future because of, or pertaining to, my participation, or my dog(s) participation in any activities throughout any program provided by Puppy Sense. I understand that Puppy Sense reserves the right to refuse service/entry to this training class to anyone for any reason. I understand this is legally binding on me and my heirs and I sign it of my own free will. By signing this agreement, I am acknowledging that I have read and agree to all terms and conditions set forth in this agreement; and that I agree to maintain my dog’s training after our agreed training class is completed, following instructions provided to me by Puppy Sense. By clicking submit, this person has registered to participate in training and/or socializing at Puppy Sense. 1. I hereby certify that I am the owner of above registered dog(s), the dog(s) which will participate in training, boarding, and/or socializing. 2. I agree to abide by the Socialization Class rules, determined by Puppy Sense. These rules will be given by Puppy Sense and it’s employees at the start of each class. 3. I understand that other dogs will attend Puppy Sense's programs/class and that during the course of participation my dog will come into direct contact with all other participating dogs, some of which may have behavior issues such as nervousness, fearfulness, or aggression. 4. I hereby certify that the above named dog(s) has been fully vaccinated for their age by a licensed veterinarian for canine distemper, canine parvo virus, canine hepatitis, and canine parainfluenza (DHPP), as well as rabies, and has had a clear fecal exam in the last 30 days. The requirements to participate in any program are DHPP within the last year, a clear fecal exam in the last 30 days, and rabies in accordance with local laws. I am aware that my dog may be exposed to those infectious diseases described above. However, Puppy Sense has advised me that my dog should be fully vaccinated against those diseases before attending any program; I alone assume responsibility for any such exposure. I also acknowledge that in addition to the diseases described above my dog may be exposed to other infectious diseases. However, in order for my dog to participate in training and/or socializing, I alone assume the responsibility of such exposure to all other infectious canine diseases. 5. I am aware that given the sometimes-unpredictable nature of dogs, an interaction could take place between animals at Puppy Sense which may result in injury to my dog. I alone assume responsibility for any such injury to my own dog. I also agree to allow the use of multiple different tools on my dog(s) for training during these training programs/activities, as seen fit by Puppy Sense or it’s employees/associates, including but not limited to not limited to slip leashes, muzzles, lunge whips, squirt bottles with water and/or vinegar, etc. 6. I understand that Puppy Sense reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. 7. As to Puppy Sense and their employees, I hereby waive and release any actions, causes of actions, damages, rights, claims or lawsuits which I may have for: (a) any and all personal injury or property damage which may be sustained arising out of any interaction between dogs participating in any programs; and (b) any and all injury, illness or disease sustained by my dog arising out of or stemming from its participation in any programs offered by Puppy Sense. 8. By clicking the submit button below, I am acknowledging that I have read and understand this release form and I will honor and abide by the terms and conditions set forth above, and if I have any questions I will ask a staff member.