10/06/2025
I wish more new puppy owners knew this 👇
Taking your puppy to the dog park isn’t the kind of socialization most people think it is. In fact, it’s one of the most common ways I see leash reactivity and frustration start.
Here’s what happens: your puppy learns that every dog they see is a potential playmate. Fast forward a few months, and now they’re on leash losing their mind because they can’t go say hi... barking, pulling, lunging… all that fun stuff.
Real socialization is about teaching your puppy how to exist calmly around other dogs and distractions, not just letting them run wild.I know dog parks seem like the easy option, but trust me, skipping them now can save you a lot of behavior problems later. 🐶
👉 If you know a new puppy owner who’s thinking about the dog park, share this with them — it could save them a lot of stress (and their pup too!).