Behavior Corner: Daily Playgroups

Proper socialization for dogs at an early age is critical for their development. This includes meeting other people, pets, hearing strange sounds and going to different places. However, in a shelter environment it is impossible to know what socialization a dog has experienced, and so the shelter tends to start at ground zero and work upwards. The most impactful way these dogs gain socialization is with daily playgroups.
What is playgroup? Playgroup is a structured and supervised environment that places dogs with similar play styles together to romp around with one another! Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter (CCAS) follows the “Dogs Playing for Life” model. We start each day with the social group of rough and rowdy dogs and work our way down to the gentle and dainty dogs. Through these dog-to-dog engagements with monitoring by staff and volunteers, dogs can exhibit natural dog behavior, learn from one another, listen to humans and burn some energy. Furthermore, living in a structured shelter environment where they do not frequently get to meet their doggy neighbors, playgroup helps reduce stress and anxiety. CCAS runs playgroup every day of the year with every dog that is available for playgroup.
Friends of the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter loves the playgroup program! They have supported CCAS through the years with grants for double gates, astroturf for the yards, play equipment and indoor dividers. It is easy to see how this type of socialization is changing life for dogs in shelters. In addition, watching dogs play with one another just brings a smile to your face!