What is a puppy playgroup?
It is a doggie daycare for puppies in the Canberra region! Our playgroups consist of a MAXIMUM of 10 puppies at any one time so that they don’t feel overwhelmed by an extremely large group of dogs that some regular daycares have. The group will spend the whole day at the farm having loads of fun and exercise, making friends in a safe and monitored environment.
Each puppy will be assessed on their personality and behaviour and placed in groups with other pups that are best suited for them to socialise with. We also take into consideration what day is best suits you!
Currently our playgroups are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Who is it for?
All puppies large and small between the age of 3-18 months.
You may be thinking why they need to be this age?
It is the most essential time in a pups life to get them used to socialising off leash with other dogs. They need to learn the skills to interact safely and appropriately. If they are not given the opportunity to learn this they are at risk of developing unwanted behaviours such as aggression, timidness and anxiety.
You want to enjoy your dog and be able to take them anywhere with you, without it being a hassle. Anyone with an unruly dog knows how stressful it can be to take them out.
Playgroups are perfect for puppy owners who…
want to give their puppy the best start in life.
love their puppy so much they want them to have the best day all day.
want their puppy to make some new friends.
aren’t always home to give their puppy the time and energy they deserve.
want to give their puppy some fresh country air and a day of different activities.
want a happy and tired pup at the end of a busy work day.
What will my puppy get up to on the farm?
The puppies will spend most of the day in our very large fenced house paddock hanging out with their friends. This paddock is not a dog run! It’s acres of free roaming space with plenty of room to run and play, fun areas to explore and things to climb on. Depending on the group and the age of the puppies, they will be taken for off lead walks through the paddocks and down to the dam where they can run and swim. Check out some of the activities below.
Swimming in the dam
Running and jumping
Hay bale climbing
Wrestling with friends
That looks like fun!
FAQs
How often are the playgroups run?
Every Thursday and Friday.
What if I want to drop my puppy off?
You are welcome to do so. You will just need to organise with Simone beforehand.
How often should I send my puppy to playgroup?
We recommend at least once a week to get the most out of the experience but it is completely up to you.
Do you offer overnight stays?
We sure do! Take a look at our services page to find out more.
How many playgroups do you have on the farm at a time?
We only ever have one group on the farm at a time and there is only a maximum of 10 puppies in a group. We do of course have our own three dogs as well.
How is happy hounds different from other doggie daycares?
We are the only daycare dedicated purely to helping puppies. Happy Hounds Playgroup is like a kindergarden for pups, a safe place they can go to develop the skills and behaviours they need to grow into happy social dogs.
Will you train my puppy for me?
We focus on behaviour and socialisation which are the foundations of dog training. We will not be teaching your puppy tricks but we will be monitoring their behaviours and interactions and giving advice on any undesirable traits. If you are having particular issues with your pup Simone will provide you with the guidance and education you need to get any issues under control.
The idea of Happy Hounds Playgroup is to teach puppies at a young age what appropriate behaviour is so that undesirable traits don’t develop.