No! We offer two groups so every dog can be in an environment that feels safe, appropriate, and supportive:

8–16 weeks old: For young puppies in their critical socialization period

4+ months and older: For friendly dogs or those still building comfort and confidence around other dogs

Group sizes and pairings are actively managed by the supervising trainer, with considerations to size, play style, and comfort level to best ensure safe and appropriate interactions.

No—Puppy Socials are not a drop-off service. A guardian must remain present and participate for the duration of the session. One handler per dog is required.

Who are Puppy Socials for?

• Dogs who are friendly or mostly comfortable around other dogs

• Puppies in their early socialization stage (8–16 weeks—puppies aren’t fully vaccinated yet, which is expected. Safety protocols in place.)

• Guardians who want safe, positive experiences for their dogs

• Guardians who want to connect with other dog lovers

• Dogs who love to socialize and need a safe place to play (no dog park chaos!)

• Dogs who may be building confidence around other dogs (non-reactive)

👉 These sessions are not the right fit for dogs with significant reactivity or aggression. If you’re working through those challenges, I’d be happy to support you through private training—check out my training packages OR book a free discovery call to get started.

Every Wednesday

• 8–16 weeks: 5:00–5:45 PM

• 4+ months: 6:00–6:45 PM

Puppy Socials are held indoors at a partner salon in a clean, climate-controlled space. We also have access to a private outdoor dog park on weather-permitting days!

📍 Head & Tails Pet Salon, 946 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ

Dogs over 6 months of age should be spayed/neutered unless otherwise approved. If you have questions or would like to request attendance, feel free to reach out!

All dogs must be healthy, free of contagious illness, and free of external parasites such as fleas and ticks.

For our 8–16 weeks old puppy group:

Puppies are not fully vaccinated yet—and that’s expected at this age. We require that puppies have started their vaccination series (typically at least one round of DHPP) and are up-to-date for their age.

For our 4+ month group, dogs should be fully vaccinated, including:

• Rabies

• DHPP (distemper/parvo combo)

• Bordetella

After registering, Leah (the trainer) will reach out to collect verification of vaccination.

That’s completely okay—and actually one of the reasons Puppy Socials exist 💛 We support pups who are still learning, a little unsure, and/or building confidence. All interactions are carefully managed to prevent overwhelm.

Puppy Socials are not the right fit for dogs with significant reactivity or aggression. If that’s your situation, I’d love to help through private training instead— you can book your free discovery call to learn more about a training plan for your pup.

“Bite history” can vary widely depending on the context. I’d be happy to talk through your dog’s situation to determine whether this is an appropriate fit. Feel free to email me at [email protected].

• Lots of high-value treats (small, soft, and easy to eat)

• Your puppy on a standard leash (no retractables)

• A harness and/or flat collar

• Yourselves!

Absolutely! The more the merrier! Please submit a separate booking registration for each dog that will be attending.

Because spots are limited, we ask for advance notice whenever possible. To cancel, please reach out to Leah via text or email.

• Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance can be refunded OR applied as a credit toward a future Puppy Social.
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session, as well as no-shows, are not eligible for a refund or credit.

Dog parks can be overwhelming, unpredictable, and risky for many dogs. They’re unstructured environments where dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and play styles are mixed together without guidance. Even well-meaning dogs can play too roughly, ignore social cues, or become overstimulated. Because there’s often limited supervision or group management, conflicts can surface quickly. Many canine body language signals are subtle and easily missed or misinterpreted, allowing situations to escalate before anyone realizes there’s a problem.

For many dogs, these experiences don’t just pass—they stick. A single negative or overwhelming interaction can lead to increased fear, reactivity, or avoidance around other dogs. Even repeated overstimulation can make it harder for dogs to regulate themselves, leading to frustration, impulsivity, or difficulty settling in future interactions.

Puppy Socials offer a more controlled alternative, where interactions are actively supervised, group sizes are managed, and the space is thoughtfully used to support safe, positive experiences.