The Importance of Moderating and Supervising Your Puppy’s Play

May 10, 2024
by Hillary Alexander

Ready to Jump In? Here’s How You Can Get Involved:


Jumpstart Puppy School

Our flagship foundational program for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months old. This multi-week immersive experience blends expert training, curated socialization, and daily enrichment to help your puppy grow into a confident, calm, and well-mannered companion. Ideal for anyone who wants to give their pup the very best start in life. Schedule a visit to the nursery.

Teen Tune-Up Program
For pups 6 to 18 months old who need support navigating adolescence. Whether you missed early training or just need a reset, this program offers targeted guidance in impulse control, recall, leash manners, and more, using the same loving, structured approach. Get started with Teen Tune-Up.

Daycare & Enrichment Program
A unique alternative to traditional doggy daycare. Perfect for dogs of all ages who thrive in smaller groups and intentional play environments. Our enrichment-focused care includes sensory games, gentle socialization, structured rest, and low-arousal activities that support mental and emotional balance.
Sign up for Daycare and Enrichment.


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Latest Blog Posts:

A Day in the Life

Meet Bill, a 15-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever puppy. This is what he does in a day at the Jumpstart Puppy School... When Bill arrives in the morning, he’s greeted with tail wags and warm smiles. At just 15 weeks old, he’s already learning how to explore the...

Puppy Enrichment: Taking Your Puppy’s Education to the Next Level

Enrichment is more than just playtime. It’s a purposeful way to meet your puppy’s emotional, physical, and mental needs through stimulating activities that mimic their natural instincts. From sniffing and scavenging to climbing, problem-solving, and social play,...

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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

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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...

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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...

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.

A Day in the Life

A Day in the Life

Meet Bill, a 15-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever puppy. This is what he does in a day at the Jumpstart Puppy School... When Bill arrives in the morning, he’s greeted with tail wags and warm smiles. At just 15 weeks old, he’s already learning how to explore the...