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I'm pleased to be offering a new Puppy Play Hour on Saturdays over at the new Mutty Paws Dog Day Care in South Portland. I'm teaming with the owner, Kris Klinges, to offer a great new experience for new puppy owners. They get to be IN the group WITH the pups and will learn how to interpret play behaviors, supervise their pup's play safely and stop unwanted behaviors. Perfect! And...it's FREE if you need it to be. We will be collecting donations for worthy pet-related causes from week-to-week, but there's no obligation to contribute. Group starts on Saturday 2/4 at 2 p.m.! Click the link below and you'll be taken to Kris' site for Mutty Paws, where you can find directions to his awesome ORANGE building!!
You can now enjoy photos of your pup/dog taken here at DWD from the comfort of your own home without having a Facebook account. Just click on the link below and you'll be taken to my new photography site on Zenfolio. I'll be adding new galleries almost daily, so check back often.... I'm also available for private photo shoots if you desire. Just ask....
About Our Program
There's only one canine nursery school in Southern Maine. It's JUST for puppies, and it's US - Dances With Dogs! We believe that puppies need the safety and nurturing of a carefully supervised, puppies-only environment so that they can build confidence and learn pro-social behavior and manners.
At Dances With Dogs, pups learn appropriate behavior through social interaction with a pack of similar age/weight pups. Pups are well exercised and get to play in a state-of-the-art playground designed just for them. There are tunnels, ramps, boulders and stairs for climbing on and hiding behind. There is a tree hang-out for lounging. A huge sandbox takes up one corner of the playground, with ample space and depth for digging and hiding bones! In warm months, there's even a wading pool for water fun! Just a ½ mile from Mill Creek in South Portland, the ½ acre property is fully fenced and includes additional interior fencing and a multiple gate system to provide further security.
We also have an indoor classroom where pups can romp and play and run, as well as rest and nap at various times of the day and especially in inclement weather. For parents, we have a resource room full of useful information including training articles, brochures and business cards from a variety of small businesses serving the greater Portland dog community.
Your pup will be supervised at all times while in our care and basic manners will be practiced daily. A detailed progress report will be posted to the website at the end of every school day which will include info about your pup's development and social skills as well as lots of stories about what goes on in our pack each day! As part of the Dances with Dogs family, you will be supported in all aspects of raising your pup to be a healthy and respectful member of your family.
WEDNESDAY is Puppy Nursery School Day. Pups should start school as soon as possible after being adopted by their new families, preferably prior to 16 weeks of age. We have a weight limit of 35 pounds for large breed pups, so it's very important to start them early so they can benefit from many weeks in the program before weighing out. Small breeds and toy breeds may stay in this class for many months. Pups may start as soon as they've had their first set of shots, including the Kennel Cough (Bordatella) vaccine - which you have to specifically ASK for from your vet.
We encourage owners to sign up for a basic obedience course with a local trainer as soon as possible after acquiring their pup! This way, you'll learn how to encourage positive behavior and discourage unwanted behavior and extend your pup's learning beyond school. Consult with the DWD Pack Leader for a list of reputable local trainers who offer classes in the community or at your home 1:1.