Last month we had the honor of hosting puppy yoga at our Millersville location.
The event was a real treat, because we were hosting a litter of Otterhound puppies. This rare breed dog dates back to the 1100s and was originally bred to hunt otters in England. Otter hunting has since been banned, but these dogs still have the qualities of a great hunter with their powerful noses, and water-resistant coat. These days, they are making a name for themselves as shaggy, goofy, family dogs.
The collective “aww” when the puppies were released into the class was the highlight of the night for me. They were great entertainment and the puppies worked the room like pros, giving each attendant some attention and snuggle time. The Otterhound breed standard describes them as amiable, boisterous, and even-tempered. These puppies were just that!
Our yoga instructor, Sara Jaye, came prepared with her breed specific facts and ran a great, dog themed class. Sara has spent more than a decade studying and exploring Eastern Medicine, teaching yoga and providing acupuncture in Annapolis, MD. Her professionalism and expertise were evident.
Puppy yoga is a blast for the human participants, but it is also a great socialization opportunity for the puppies. Ethical breeders work hard to prepare their dogs for the world. It start with choose breeding dogs with good temperaments, and continues after the puppies are born. Socialization for the litter begins at just three days old in the form of Early Neurological Stimulation. As they grow, ethical breeders introduce, lots of people, textures, sounds, and experiences. Baby puppies are like sponges and the work breeders put into their socialization at an early age can make a big difference in how quickly they acclimate to new environments, how much anxiety they experience in their lifetime, and how friendly they will be. We are huge advocates for ethical breeders, and happy to have had a small part in the socialization journey for these pups.
If you want help choosing a dog, please reach out! Check out the free article about Breeder/Rescue Selection on our Virtual Training Platform to start. You can also contact us directly for help selecting a breed or breeder, or for help choosing a specific dog from rescue.
