Inside the Puppy pen days 41 and 48

Today was puppy party day.

For this activity, we invite people who have not worked with the puppies before and place them at four brand-new stations the puppies have never seen. Today’s stations included a bridge, a teeter-totter, a wobble board, and a tunnel.

The goal is not just to see whether a puppy will complete an obstacle. We are watching how each puppy responds to something new.

Do they approach boldly? Do they need a little time to think? Do they recover quickly after feeling unsure? Do they look to the person for encouragement? Do they problem-solve with confidence?

This gives us a small snapshot of how each puppy handles novelty, new people, new surfaces, movement, and mild challenges. We combine what we see during the puppy party with everything we have observed over time to help guide our placement decisions for puppies being considered for service dog homes, therapy prospects, or families with specific needs. These moments help us see which puppies naturally show confidence, resilience, curiosity, and quick recovery.

It is not a “pass or fail” test. It is one more piece of the puzzle as we get to know each puppy.