11/10/2026
OPINIONS PLEASE!!
⚠OFFLEAD SOCIALISATION SESSIONS⚠
I am thinking of putting together small groups of dogs for OFFLEAD social sessions (maybe only one or two) for dogs who need to be able to meet and greet like-minded dogs in a controlled environment. Have a read and let me know your thoughts.
This will be open to only dogs that I know or dogs that I assess prior to them joining the class.
There will be different classes for different personality types. This is not a class that deals with reactive behaviours.
1. The cautious Canines
🐾 Dogs that have had limited offlead intereactions with other dogs, are cautious and need time to process.
🐾 They might want to interact, but feel conflicted, using ping-pong-like behaviour (moving forward to sniff another dog, then moving away quickly, then in again and so on).
🐾 They might use avoidance behaviours, rather than moving straight towards another dog, preferring to wait to learn more before making a move to go and sniff.
🐾 They might avoid the 'front-end' in favour of waiting for the other dog to turn around so that they can tentatively go in for a brave bum-sniff.
2. The Social Butterlies
🐾 Dogs that can be classed as 'a bit much' at times! LOVE other dogs, but are a bit of a liability in public as they perhaps do not read situations well in their interactions with other dogs.
🐾 Find other dogs highly-exciting
🐾 May not understand when other dogs have had enough
🐾 Their exuberance/ size/ strength makes it difficult to allow them to socialise with other dogs easily
🐾 Maybe because of their over-friendliness, they have been exempt from off-lead capers because they get themselves in trouble or just refuse to leave other dogs alone!
3. The Mingle & Meanderers
🐾 Confident dogs that like to play with dogs/ some-dogs, but are equally happy to potter around once their interaction needs have been met
🐾 Once they have had a sniff/ play, they enjoy the company of other dogs, but are also happy to do their own thing, going to back to interact when the mood takes them.
In-tact dogs are welcome, if appropriate to the other dogs in the class.
Please don't be offended if I cannot accommodate you on this particular class. There will be more and I will aim to ensure everyone gets a go!! Places will not be booked on a first-come-first-served basis. Places will be offered based on the compatibility of your dog.
***I can only consider dogs that I have worked with, assessed or are known to me. If you would like to be considered for future classes, please contact me so that I can meet you and your dog***
What this class is NOT:
- A 'free-for-all' where all the dogs arrive and are just let off the lead and we hope for the best. It may be that only a couple of dogs are offlead at the same time, depending on personalities and compatibility.
- A session where your dog will be offlead for the whole session. We will be doing some onlead engagement and connection exercises prior to letting the dogs offlead. They may also only be offlead for a short amount of time with certain other dogs, if at all. Some dogs may not be ready to be let off the lead in this specific context. You will be given other personalised socialisation training that may be on-lead.
- A session where your dog will be offlead and expected to just 'cope' or 'work through' things without support. This may mean that they need to go back on the lead and redirected to other activities for a time.
- A social session for owners to stand around and chat whilst their dogs do their own thing. Whilst I want everyone to have fun, your focus needs to be on your dog and on my observations of the socialisation happening in order for learning to happen for both dogs and owners.
