Puppy Intake Form

This form is for anyone scheduling puppy services, including a free discovery call or phone consultation. Filling it out first allows the consultation to focus on you, your goals, your concerns, and what support you need, while giving your trainer the background information ahead of time. It also lets us ask deeper, more helpful questions if needed, instead of spending the whole call on basics. 🐾

Because this is a puppy form, we also ask questions about early socialization. Socialization is most impactful during the Critical Socialization Period, roughly 3–12 weeks of age, when puppies are forming lasting associations about the world. Socialization is not simply exposure or “getting through” experiences — it is about whether those experiences were positive, manageable, and emotionally safe for the puppy. The emotional associations formed during this period are deeply ingrained and strongly influence how a dog experiences the world long-term. Experiences that are overwhelming are one part of the picture, but experiences that are missing or not introduced in a positive way during this time can also lead to fear, stress, or difficulty coping later in life.

Much of this critical period often occurs while the puppy is still with a breeder or in a shelter or rescue environment. Because of this, early socialization history can vary significantly. Understanding both what a puppy has and has not experienced, and how they felt during those experiences, is important — whether they were able to feel safe, comfortable, and supported, rather than overwhelmed or unsure. Gaps in early experiences or experiences that did not feel safe can sometimes show up later and require additional support or behavior modification. This is not about placing blame, but about recognizing how influential this stage is and using that information to support your puppy moving forward.

When answering socialization questions, think less about what your puppy has been around and more about how those early experiences may have felt to them.