Introducing…..
What is it?
Playgroup is a weekday, daily adventure for your dog that is run by the top pros in the business. If you want the best for your dog, and you appreciate the value of routine mental and physical stimulation in the safest possible conditions, this is for you!
Playgroup begins with a pickup at your home. A Happy Panter will walk your dog with a couple of dog-pals through the neighborhood before taking them to the AGDT training center on 85th street to play off leash with other dogs under the attentive supervision of the Happy Pants team. Play sessions are moderated using techniques developed by the team at Amanda Gagnon Dog Training to encourage calm socialization and healthy play while reinforcing established manners and trained cues. Following the play sessions, dogs will be walked together through the neighborhood again and returned home.
Who will love this new playgroup?
Dogs must be completely friendly and comfortable around other dogs and people!
Dogs must be completely friendly and comfortable around other dogs and people!
Humans who love to see their dogs thriving with other dogs and people in the community.
Humans who understand the benefits of ongoing socialization.
Humans who like to provide their dogs with routine play-based, carefully supervised, wellness care.
Which Dogs and Humans Would Not Love Playgroup?
Dogs with any amount of anxiety, reactivity, or aggression with strangers, other dogs, or new environments.
Dogs who live outside our pickup and drop-off radius. Contact us if you live outside the radius to explore options.
Dogs who are sick or may experience pain or discomfort with physical exertion.
Dogs whose building management restricts outside dogs from entering.
Dogs whose homes are difficult to access or cannot provide keys for entry, affecting pickups and dropoffs.
Humans who prefer their dog not to return home tired or a bit messy from park play.
Humans who don’t like their dogs walked with other friendly dogs.
Humans who require care only once a week or on irregular days throughout the month.
When and Where is it?
Playgroups are Monday through Friday from 11:45 AM – 2:15 PM.
Pickups will take place between 11:45 AM and 12:00 PM.
Drop-offs will take place between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM.
Each dog is out and about for approximately 2.5 hours, rain or shine.
Dogs must reside between W72nd and W92nd Streets, between Central Park West and Riverside Boulevard on the Upper West Side.
Buildings must allow outside dogs to enter common areas without restrictions.
Why Amanda Gagnon Dog Training?
Amanda has been a strong leader and advocate in the New York dog community for the past 15 years. She is an anthrozoologist, dog behavior consultant, and dog trainer. She is passionate about improving the relationships between dogs and humans in her community. Amanda is unique in her approach to training, because she makes it fun and soulful while introducing people to the science and art of cross-species connection! Amanda has a Masters degree in Anthrozoology. She is certified as a behavior consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is certified as a dog trainer by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. She was a founding board member of Muddy Paws Rescue. She is a founder of The Riverside Dog Owner Group.
| Visits Per Week | |
|---|---|
| 5 | $325 |
| 4 | $270 |
| 3 | $210 |
| 2 | $150 |
| 1 | $85 |
How many days should I sign up for?
Dogs love patterns and routine. The best thing you can do to help your dog feel safe and stable is to establish a regular schedule for their outings and adventures. Does it always need to be routine? No. But overall, setting up a dog adventure for a few routine days each week will help them to thrive, make lifelong friends (both human and dog), and feel confident and comfortable in their environment. Confidence and comfort is the single greatest predictor of a well-balanced, well-mannered dog. That’s what we all want for our dogs, so at Happy Pants and AGDT, we strongly encourage establishing routines and do what we can to discourage chaotic dog care schedules.