Start Your New Puppy Off on the Right Foot!
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Pup Explorers is our signature four-week puppy socialization and problem prevention class at Barks and Rec, designed specifically for puppies under 20 weeks of age. Our training facility, located just South of Traverse City near Chums Corner, provides a safe, controlled environment where your new best friend can build a foundation for polite manners and a lifetime of confidence.
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Here's What Your Puppy Will Experience in our Pup Explorers Class...
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Positive Socialization: introduction to novel sights, sounds, smells, and people.
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Basic Manners: essential focus skills and engagement games.
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Play & Exposure: supervised puppy playtime and exposure to real-world obstacles.
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Problem Solving: Expert guidance on potty training, crate training, puppy biting, and more.
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Our number one goal is creating a deep connection between you and your dog through reinforcement-based training and owner education. Join us for Pup Explorers to learn how fun training can be!​​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions
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When Can I Sign Up?
We offer open-enrollment style sign-ups for our Pup Explorers classes, meaning you can start as soon as your new puppy is settled into your home!
Class is held every Tuesday morning at 10 am or Friday evening at 6 pm (pick the day and time that works best for your schedule).​ Once you are registered, you will get to come to class for four weeks in a row.
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Why Start Before 20 Weeks?
Many pet parents are told to wait until their puppy is "fully vaccinated" before venturing out. However, according to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), the most important period for puppy socialization occurs between 3 and 16 weeks of age.
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During this short timeframe, your puppy’s brain is like a sponge and they are more open to new experiences. Consider early socialization like a vaccination against behavior problems later in life!
Proper socialization during this critical window of development helps with:
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Preventing Future Fears: puppies that aren't exposed to novel sights, sounds, and people before this window closes are at a higher risk for developing anxiety, aggression, and reactivity as adults.
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Developing Social Skills: learning etiquette with people and other dogs is easiest when puppies are young and their habits and play styles are still developing.
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We take the health and safety of your puppy seriously. By requiring at least one round of vaccinations prior to class and maintaining a clean, regularly sanitized indoor environment, we are able to minimize the risk of illness while maximizing the benefits of early socialization and learning.​
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What Are Your Health and Safety Requirements for Puppies?
To ensure the safety of all participants, we require:
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Proof of age-appropriate vaccinations
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Parvo vaccination administered at least 7 days prior to your first class
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Puppies must stay current on all boosters as scheduled by your veterinarian
Ready to Get Started?
Click the button below to start your puppy's training journey and sign up for Pup Explorers at Barks and Rec in Traverse City today!
