Schedule Your Visit
(415) 453 4515
Schedule Your Visit
(415) 453 4515
Dog Training

Dog Parks – The Danger of Unsupervised Play for Puppies

January 13, 2019
by Hillary Alexander

Imagine for a moment you have a four-year-old she wanted to go into a playground nearby. In that playground are 13 and 14-year-old kids and they’re playing with no supervision. Are you going to send her in? Throughout many years of asking this question I have yet to hear anyone say, “Yes.”

This is the problem, because unsupervised playgrounds are dangerous for small children and puppies and young dogs. I steer clear of them with our Jumpstart puppies and do not recommend exposing yours to one because the lessons and experiences he will have are the opposite of those you want for him.

The Power of Play Dates

I do, however, recommend play dates with other puppies that are roughly the same size and have equivalent energy to your puppy. In our Jumpstart program, lots of puppy owners exchange phone numbers and meet up over the weekend with their puppies for playdates. This is especially helpful because all the puppies (and parents) have the same training and understanding as to what you want your puppy to learn and how far to let him go in play. For a video and great post, check out my blog post on Roughhousing in Puppies.

Early Encounters are Pivotal

It is important to manage your puppy’s early experiences, especially his social encounters as these are pivotal. If you have a young puppy or an adolescent that hasn’t been socialized well, you will notice an awkwardness in his interactions with peers. Whether or not there is anxiety or outright fear, this immaturity is due to a lack of social skills. This makes him a bit of a wild card for other puppies or dogs who cannot, “read,” him because he seems unpredictable. He appears this way because, despite his intentions otherwise, he simply doesn’t know how to engage them in socially acceptable ways.

Socializing Older Puppies – Learning to Talk Dog

The good news is that socializing older puppies is not only doable, but vitally important. Dogs can be unforgiving with each other when one doesn’t follow the, “rules of the road,” when it comes to dog-dog interactions. The sooner your puppy learns how to, “talk dog,” the better – and safer and more confident he will be in life.

To learn more about socializing your puppy safely we invite you to sign up for weekly tips.

The Teen Tune-Up Program: What Makes It Different

So what’s the difference between our Jumpstart Puppy Program and our Teen Tune-Up?

The Jumpstart program is about laying the emotional groundwork. It’s gentle, nurturing, and full of possibility. We’re there to build confidence, create positive associations, and head off potential problems before they take root.

But the Teen Tune-Up? This is where it all gets tested.

Adolescent puppies don’t just need training—they need relevance. The sit, down, or come cues taught early on won’t mean much unless your dog understands when and why to use them. Adolescents are ready to generalize: to walk calmly past another dog on a trail, to pause at a doorway, to lay quietly at a café (like Koji!). These skills matter now—because they open doors to more freedom, more connection, and more joy.

Training without context is just a trick. But when your adolescent learns that listening unlocks adventures? That’s transformation.

What Puppy Parents Can Expect

We know adolescence can be confusing. One week your puppy comes every time you call; the next, they act like they’ve never heard their name. It’s easy to feel discouraged or overwhelmed.

“I find what freaks people out the most is not knowing what to do…” we often say.

The Teen Tune-Up is here to help with that. We’ll help you decode your dog’s behavior and tailor activities to support them emotionally and physically—whether your pup’s a puzzle-loving couch potato or a social butterfly who craves connection.

Together, we’ll build a framework that weaves training into daily life. It’s not about perfection—it’s about learning to roll with the changes and show up for your pup with confidence and consistency.

The Heart of It All

Ultimately, adolescence is about becoming—not just for your puppy, but for you, too. It’s a time to deepen your bond, strengthen communication, and see your dog not just as a cute bundle of energy, but as a sentient being learning how to be in the world.

At Hillary’s Hound House, we believe adolescence is not a detour but a destination in its own right—a powerful, messy, meaningful phase where puppies practice resilience, claim their courage, and prepare to step into the world with confidence.

And we’re here for it—all the way.

 

Ready to help your adolescent pup level up?

Learn more about our Teen Tune-Up Program.

 

Explore the Teen Tune Up Program


P.S. Follow us on Instagram to see more stories like Koji’s and Stinson’s—and reach out if you’re ready to begin your next chapter together.

Latest Blog Posts:

Puppy Adolescence: The Bridge Between Babyhood and Bravery

If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you know the early days are filled with wonder. Wiggly tails, floppy ears, clumsy paws—and that sweet innocence that melts your heart. But just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something shifts. Suddenly your puppy starts...

Part 3: Calming Trifecta; Sniffing, Licking, and Chewing

There are three habits native to all dogs. I call them, “The Calming Trifecta; Sniffing, Licking, and Chewing.” Sniffing, Licking, and Chewing are three activities that help puppies stay grounded in busy places with lots of distractions. They do this by lowering a...

Part 2: Preparing Your Puppy for the Great Outdoors

We’ve talked a bit about creating an optimal environment for your puppy at home. What about outdoors, where all bets are off? This is an important question because every puppy is unique. In my Nursery we have puppies of all ages, sizes, and breeds and it is important...

Part 1: Creating an Optimal Learning Environment For Your Puppy

In my quest to create the optimal puppy environment, I have discovered that cultivating a calm, predictable environment is key to everything from potty training to a puppy’s ability to focus, to learn and retain new skills – even to rest properly. “And yet, visit the...

A Reunion with Luna. Working with Shy or Fearful Puppies

Meet Luna, a Jumpstart Puppy graduate who mastered several challenges we frequently see with shy and fearful puppies. Join us as we practice, "Go Say Hi!" - first in the Nursery, then in a mall. To meet Luna today you’d never guess how fearful she was during during...

The Talk. A Primer on Potty Training

Welcome to The Talk, a conversation about Potty Training, how to set up your puppy at home and more important - ensure her success! Join us along with Katie and Coco, a 9 week old doodle puppy on their Visit to the Jumpstart Nursery in April, 2024. I also would like...

Multi-Dog Households and Puppies

It is important in multi-dog households that each puppy or dog has a quiet place of his own (more on this in another chapter). Puppies and even dogs can easily become competitive for attention, food, treats, toys, even formerly unimportant items can become the focus...

Puppy Introductions; Optimal Encounters and Interactions

When you have an opportunity to introduce your pup to a new dog, I suggest you take a moment to assess the situation. I always ask the owner if their dog really enjoys puppies. This surprises a lot of people. I mean, who doesn’t like puppies?  As it happens, many...

More Ways to Learn

Schedule a Visit to the Jumpstart Nursery.

If you live in or near Marin, California this is a great way to socialize your puppy. Nursery Visits are by appointment only and take place on Wednesday at 3:00PM.

Learn More About Our Programs

  • Jumpstart is a daylong, 4-week program for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months old, specializing in socialization, training, and potty skills. You can learn more about the Jumpstart Puppy Program HERE.
  • Teen Tune-Up is a 4-week, small group training experience that blends obedience refreshers, enrichment, play, and real-world practice to keep training relevant, effective – and fun! You can register for Teen Tune-Up HERE.

  • Live near Marin, California? We invite you to visit with your puppy. You can schedule your visit to the Nursery here.

  • Live far away? You can still join us in the Jumpstart Nursery via online Puppy Boot Camps and Courses.