Looking for a safe, structured way to socialize your puppy in Sarnia-Lambton?
At The Fox and Hound Canine Retreat, our Puppy Social program helps young dogs build confidence, develop social skills, and experience positive interactions in a professionally supervised environment.
It’s not just playtime.
It’s where confident, well-balanced dogs begin.
What is Puppy Social?
Our Puppy Social is a weekly drop-in social experience designed specifically for puppies during their most important development stage.
- Sundays | 9:00am – 11:00am
- For puppies aged 4-7 months of age
- Puppy parents stay and participate
- $12 per puppy
No reservations required, simply arrive, with a coffee in hand, and join us.
First Visit Requirements
To maintain a safe and healthy environment for all puppies, the following is required:
- Proof of 3rd DHPP vaccination
- Proof of Bordetella vaccination
- Completion of first-time registration
Puppies without proper vaccination records will be unable to participate. Please inquire with your Veterinarian whether your puppy is fully protected, if you are unsure.
Why Puppy Socialization Matters
Early socialization is one of the most important investments you can make in your dog’s future.
Proper exposure during puppyhood helps build confidence, prevent fear-based behaviours, and develop appropriate play skills.
Our experienced team ensures every interaction is safe, balanced, and positive.
A Social Space Designed for Dogs
Unlike unstructured dog park environments, our Puppy Social is hosted in a controlled setting where playgroups are carefully monitored.
Our Puppy Social is one of the most popular puppy socialization programs in Sarnia-Lambton, designed specifically for young puppies.
The Fox and Hound Canine Retreat provides a spacious indoor play area and multiple outdoor yards, weather permitting, our areas allow puppies to explore, play, and learn in a safe and engaging environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book in advance?
No. Puppy Social is drop-in between 9:00am–11:00am.
Do I stay with my puppy?
Yes. This is a shared experience.
What if my puppy is nervous?
That’s completely normal. Our team will guide safe introductions to build confidence.
What happens if I forget vaccination records?
For safety reasons, puppies without proof of required vaccinations cannot participate.
Join Us This Sunday
Whether it’s your puppy’s first outing or part of their weekly routine, Puppy Social is the perfect way to start your Sunday.
No booking. No stress. Just happy, social puppies. We can’t wait to meet you!
How a session runs
What actually happens
Two hours, drop in, no booking. Come for twenty minutes or stay the whole time.
01
Arrive and settle
Come in and let your puppy take the room in before anything starts. Some puppies want to charge in, some want to sit under a chair for ten minutes. Both are fine.
02
Small groups, matched by size
Puppies are put together by size and play style, not just by age. A confident eight pound puppy and a clumsy forty pound puppy do not learn much from each other.
03
Staff in the room the whole time
Someone is always in with them, breaking up play that gets too rough and giving the quieter puppies room to opt out. Good socialisation is not just letting puppies loose on each other.
04
Ask us anything
Bring your questions. Biting, crate training, house training, the first bad night. Everyone in the room has answered these before.
How old does my puppy need to be?
Four to seven months. Younger than four months and the play is usually too much for them, older than seven and they are better suited to daycare.
Do I need to book?
No. It is drop in. Turn up on a Sunday between 9:00am and 11:00am and pay at the door.
Do I stay with my puppy?
Yes. Puppy socials are not a drop off, you stay for the session. That is deliberate. Half of what your puppy gets out of it comes from you seeing how they behave around other puppies and being able to carry that home.
What does it cost?
Twelve dollars per puppy.
What if my puppy is nervous?
That is normal and it is a big part of why the sessions exist. Nervous puppies are given space and are never pushed into play. Plenty of them spend the first session watching from the edge and the second one joining in.
My puppy just turned eight months. What now?
They have aged out of the social, but daycare is the natural next step. Puppies who have been coming to socials usually settle into a daycare group quickly because they already know the building and the staff.
After the social
When your puppy ages out at eight months
Daycare is the usual next step, and puppies who have been coming to socials tend to settle into a group quickly because the building and the staff are already familiar. Training with Linda from Clancy’s Way runs here as well, and the pool opens up once they are old enough for it.
