TEEN SOCIAL
Keep Strengthening Resilience, Confidence, & Sociability
For adolescent ("teen") dogs between the ages of 5 and 24 months. Available exclusively to approved participants from our Puppy Social, Life Skills, and private training programs.
With a maximum of six participants and careful consideration of size and play style, most of the class time is dedicated to supervised free play. This program supports your dog as they continue developing their communication skills with other dogs, while you expand your knowledge of canine body language in a private environment. A certified trainer closely monitors all interactions and is there to help you navigate the unique challenges of the “teenage” phase by providing advice, answering questions, and supporting you as your dog matures into adulthood.
5-Class PASS
$100 +GST
DROP-IN FORMAT*
*Advance booking is required to attend. Late cancellation and no-show policies apply. **Expiration dates apply - Click here to view details for all policies on our FAQ page
Go Beyond Early Socialization
Studies indicate that certain dogs/breeds may have a predisposition to heightened levels of general fearfulness. When these dogs feel afraid and their concerns are disregarded, it can frequently result in the manifestation of aggressive behaviours as a means of communication.
Interested in learning more about this? Check out this study & this study.
Positive experiences around people and other animals should not stop after puppyhood - it should continue through to adulthood. It is believed that many dogs experience a secondary fear/sensitive period during their adolescent development phase, most often occurring any time between 6-18 months of age depending on individual factors. Researchers have found an increase in avoidance and fearful behaviours during this time frame, but don't yet know if this result is more likely due to learned experiences, or as a part of the natural maturation process.
During adolescent development, dogs undergo hormonal (even if spayed/neutered) and cognitive changes. Puppies are especially impressionable in their first few months, which is why it’s best to introduce Fido to new experiences and situations in a pleasant way early in life. However, continued socialization (pleasant exposure) throughout your dog’s first two years of life has been shown to have many significant benefits.
Come to Our Next Teen Social!
Raising Fido Dog Training & Behaviour Consultants offers the Teen Social program exclusively for dogs who have previously participated in at least one of our other services, with trainer approval. These classes can play an important role in your dog’s broader socialization journey by giving them privately organized opportunities to practice dog and people interactions, all guided by a certified trainer as part of their overall growth.
It can be nerve wracking to visit an off leash area for the first time with a young dog. We understand the need to balance keeping experiences positive with the need to continue developing their confidence being around other dogs during this time so that you can include your dog more in more areas of your life. This time also brings about a need for increased daily exercise and a decreased need for sleep compared to puppyhood. For this reason, it's necessary for your teen to have opportunities to run off leash, explore, and if interested, to engage with their own species in a way they find enjoyable.
Let us help you safely navigate this time. You and your dog can experience the full benefits of a high-quality adolescent social program that's considers a variety of factors including age, size, personality, and play style preferences to coordinate the best learning experience possible for everyone.
Teen Social
Small & Medium
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Adolescent dogs aged 5 to 24 months.
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Limited to 6 participants per class with advanced booking always required.
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45-minute sessions.
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Fully fenced outdoor area.
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Sunday @ 11:00 AM.
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Location: Play Unleashed (10135 Township Rd 264, Rocky View, AB T4B 2Z8)
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Adolescent dogs aged 5 to 24 months.
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Limited to 6 participants per class with advanced booking always required.
-
45-minute sessions.
-
Fully fenced outdoor area.
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Sunday @ 12:00 PM.
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Location: Play Unleashed (10135 Township Rd 264, Rocky View, AB T4B 2Z8)
Teen Social
Medium & Large
Class
Overview
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Drop-in format, advance booking required to attend.
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Continue with trainer-lead active dog-dog socialization activities.
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Free play supervised and guided by skilled certified trainer.
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Key adolescent dog training topics discussed.
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Demonstrations, Q&As, and coaching/guidance.
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Trainer may make individual changes such as switching a dog to the other group social class or another suitable training option all together.
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Must be a minimum of 4 participants per class.
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We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any class or individual's booking if necessary, and will notify participants as soon as possible in such cases.
Please note that our Teen Social Program is only open to approved teen dogs who have previously participated in at least of the other training programs we offer.
Be sure to review our Policies, and Terms & Conditions before booking.
A Quality Dog-Dog Interaction Program
Backed By Science
"Age-appropriate socialization practices should begin within a few days of birth, and should extend well into adulthood. These practices should aim to provide exposure to many of the types of experiences, people, and objects that the dog is likely to encounter over the course of its life, in a controlled and pleasant way."
(Howell, King, and Bennett 2015)
"Whilst experiences during the socialization period are of great importance, dogs may regress and become fearful if exposure to socio-environmental stimuli is not maintained as both social and environmental learning continue throughout the juvenile period & adolescence."
(Thompson et al., 2010)
Sociability
Undersocialized dogs are more prone to developing problematic behaviour traits associated with fear-based aggression and anxiety. Teen Social classes with Raising Fido Dog Training and Behaviour Consultants is designed to support your dog’s ongoing development in two key socialization areas: other dogs and people. Classes are always led by an experienced, certified trainer and are built around our proactive approach. Ongoing participation in fun, privately organized off leash interaction opportunities can help you raise a happier and healthier Fido. During this drop-in class, you’ll have the opportunity to regularly expose your adolescent dog to positive learning experiences that can favourably shape their temperament as they mature.
When dogs go through adolescence (approximately 5–24 months), it can feel a lot like raising a human teenager. Suddenly, we’re no longer the centre of their world as we once were during puppyhood. A preference for spending time with friends takes over. An instinctual desire to roam farther away grows stronger, while their senses of smell, sight, and hearing — combined with powerful hormonal changes — drive their behaviour more than ever before. You may notice a resurgence of chewing and a decrease in responsiveness to cues you thought they knew well. It can feel like your dog is ignoring you, being stubborn, or even misbehaving on purpose. The truth is, these are all normal behavioural changes that happen as young dogs’ brains literally re-wire during this stage. Nonetheless it can be a very stressful time if you aren’t expecting it. The team at Raising Fido is here to provide guidance during this stage so that both you and your dog can come out stronger, happier, and more connected on the other side.
