Does my dog have to be very social to attend?

No. Your dog does not need to be the life of the party or spend the entire session playing. Some dogs jump into play quickly, while others prefer to watch, sniff, explore the room or gradually become more comfortable before interacting. A successful session can look different for every dog.

Does my dog have to play the whole time?

No. Breaks are an important part of healthy social interaction. Dogs are allowed to pause, move away, rest or simply observe. I would rather see a dog comfortably choose when to participate than feel pressured to continuously interact for the entire session.

What if my dog is shy or nervous?

A shy dog does not need to be pushed into interaction. They can take time to observe the other dogs and explore the environment at their own pace. For some dogs, simply becoming comfortable sharing the room with other small dogs is meaningful progress. If your dog becomes extremely overwhelmed simply by being around other dogs, contact me before booking so we can decide whether a play session or a more individualized training setup would be the better starting point.

What if my dog does not want to play with another dog?

That is completely fine. Dogs are allowed to have preferences. Being in a group does not mean your dog needs to interact with every dog there. Part of supervising play is recognizing when dogs are interested in one another and when they would rather have space.

What happens if the play gets too rough?

I will step in when necessary rather than waiting for the dogs to “work it out.” That may mean creating a short pause, redirecting one of the dogs, separating an interaction or giving a dog time to decompress. If two dogs are not a good play match, they do not need to continue interacting.

Can my dog attend if they bark at other dogs?

Possibly. Barking by itself does not tell us whether a dog is appropriate for a play session. Some dogs bark because they are excited, while others bark because they are uncomfortable or need more distance. If your dog regularly barks, lunges or becomes overwhelmed around other dogs, contact me before booking so we can determine whether social play is appropriate for them.

Can reactive dogs attend?

A play session is not the place to test whether a dog with significant dog reactivity can tolerate close interaction. Dogs who need substantial distance from other dogs will benefit more from From Barking to BFFs, private training or another controlled training environment before considering social play.

Are puppies allowed?

Puppies may be able to participate if they meet the size, health and other requirements for the session and are comfortable in the group environment. Play with other dogs can be a useful experience for puppies, but good socialization is not about simply putting puppies together and letting them play. The quality of the interaction matters.

Can older dogs attend?

Yes, provided the individual dog is comfortable and physically able to participate. An older dog does not need to keep up with younger dogs or spend the entire session playing. They can choose quieter interactions, take more breaks or simply enjoy being around the group.

What should I bring?

Bring several types of small treats your dog enjoys and any items listed in the booking instructions. If your dog is especially motivated by a favourite toy, you can bring one, although toys may not always be appropriate to use around the other dogs depending on the group and how the dogs respond to shared resources.

Will toys be available during the session?

Yes and they may be used when appropriate, but toys can change the way dogs interact and some dogs may become overly excited or protective around them. Whether toys are introduced will depend on the dogs attending and what creates the safest and most enjoyable environment for the group.

What if my dog gets overwhelmed during the session?

They can take a break. A dog does not need to stay in the middle of the action just because the session is still running. Creating distance, allowing time to decompress or ending an interaction early can all be appropriate choices.

Can I bring more than one of my dogs?

Potentially, provided each dog meets the requirements for the session and there is availability for both dogs. 

What training methods do you use?

I use positive reinforcement/reward-based, evidence-based and force-free training. I do not use prong collars, shock or e-collars, leash corrections, intimidation, or dominance-based training. We’ll focus on positive reinforcement, management, clear communication, and work at a level where your dog can successfully learn.