Dog Playgroup Workshop

With the joined forces of Director of Canine Behavior Programs, Peyton Winter, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA and Sanctuary Canine Behavior Assistant, Allisia Vroom, CBCC, the duo wanted to host OC’s first ever Dog Playgroup Workshop to have a better understanding of dog socialization and play styles! This event provided our OC community an educational opportunity to discuss how to match dogs for playgroup and to see a variety of dogs meet, greet and potentially play!

The event welcomed both staff and volunteers interested in learning more about the topic, and were even welcomed to bring their dogs to participate in the event. Prior to the event, Peyton shared with the group a document to reference to understand the different “meet and greet” statuses. This guide describes how a dog typically greets other dogs and will help staff better understand how to introduce them to a new dog successfully. The next portion of the document outlined play styles, which helps describe a dog’s preference in play so they can be paired with dogs of similar play styles.

Peyton and Allisia also discussed safety practices that they would be utilizing to ensure both the dogs and the people were safe while new dogs while introduced inside the play yard. Now the fun part- the introductions! We had quite a lovely mix of beautiful dogs for the event! Sanctuary guests Milo and Hank, and even some adopted alumni, Cole, Skipper and Daisy, joined us! Some OC staff brought their sweet dogs, including Axle and Maddie, as well as a couple of training clients were asked to join as well, named Casper and River! Seeing the dynamic between the dogs, especially when there was more than two at a time in the play yard, was very interesting to watch!

Peyton and Allisia were great at mix and matching the dogs to best set them up for success. After each playgroup session, the two would discuss amongst the group to get their thoughts, identify their meeting and playing styles, and then determine which dogs should meet next.

Not only was the event fun and exciting, but it was also very educational, informative, and helpful for our Dog Team to continue their work when socializing dogs at our Sanctuary. A big thank you to Peyton and Allisia for the successful event, all the doggy paw-rents that volunteered their dogs for the event and everyone that attended to learn more about dog behavior!