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How to best socialize your dogs in Miami
There are so many dog-friendly spaces and events in Miami! We all want our dogs to live their happiest, best lives, and a big part of that is socializing them properly so they can join us at happy hours, brunches, and other fun activities in our favorite dog-friendly places.
A quick note before getting into the best places to socialize your dogs in Miami: While the goal is to bring our dogs everywhere with us, we have to set them up for success. When you first bring your puppy or dog home, remember to start the socialization process slowly and in controlled environments. Start at your dog’s comfort level. You can enlist the help of a great dog trainer if they are shy or reactive. Puppies must be at least four months old and have received all of the shots your veterinarian recommends to be able to safely play and interact with other dogs.
Best Places to Socialize Your Dogs in Miami
Our favorite way to socialize our dogs is to take them to dog-friendly events! Dog-friendly events are increasingly popular around Miami. Look on Eventbrite or Meetup any day and you’ll find a fun activity for you and your pup!
We are partial to our own monthly pack walks and yappy hours for low-pressure fun and socialization. Join our AKC Fit Dog Walk with Happy with Dogs, every second Thursday of the month, where we get together with a small group of dog parents for a one-mile walk around different neighborhoods, be it in South Miami, Coral Gables, or Coconut Grove. We love hitting up dog-friendly restaurants together!
Happy with Dogs trainers co-lead the walks, so you can ask them any behavioral questions. It’s a nice, low-stakes way to get out with your pups and get them used to being around other dogs on leash. We finish the walk with a happy hour (aka yappy hour) at different restaurants- currently, Kitchen 57, Bay 13 Brewery, and Deli Lane.
Save the date for our two yearly events, Woofstock and the Holiday Barkzaar, both at The Historic Barnacle State Park in Coconut Grove (one of our favorite dog-friendly parks). Please make sure to follow us on Instagram for information about the events!
Indoor opportunities for dog socializing:
In the summer, we head over to Unseen Creatures Brewing and Blending for indoor socializing (hello, crisp and cool air conditioning!). Staying out of the heat is a must in the summer, especially as the weather gets even warmer.
These indoor events usually include decorating bandannas or jean jackets, or even just toy and supply drives. The dogs get to hang out with their parents and around other dogs in a controlled, low-stress environment. We’ve been leading these dog-friendly walks around Miami for more than 10 years. We love that we see familiar faces every month!
A Doggies Paradise (14900 SW 136th Street, #105, Miami, Florida 33196) have an indoor dog park open for birthdays and celebrations. They have 600 sq. ft of air-conditioned indoor goodness, with easy access to outdoor and indoor relief zones, making it a clean and convenient space for pups of all sizes to run, learn, and socialize – rain or shine!
There are many other dog-friendly events around Miami for pet parents looking to socialize their pets. Some include:
- Paws at the Underline
- Pawffers puts on monthly events in downtown Dadeland with different themes, contests, and vendors, and they’re quite fun!
- Paws Patio at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami
- Puppaccino Parties at The Reserve (If your doggie lives there)
Taking them to daycare to socialize:
Some dogs thrive in doggy daycare! There are several reputable doggy daycare spaces around Miami, like SOMI Pet Resort or Woof n Wag. If you have a high-energy dog who loves to play with other pups, this might be a great option for you!
Walks with a dog walker:
Hiring a professional dog walker isn’t just about getting them out to stretch their legs and potty. They also learn to socialize with other humans, especially if your dog walking company is team-based, like Equipaws Pet Services. A good dog walker will instill great leash skills and help them practice feeling comfortable walking around other doggies on leashes. Depending on your permission and instructions, our dog walkers will facilitate them interacting and playing with your neighbors’ dogs, too. Reach out to us to learn more about dog walks for your pup!
Final boss: dog park
We are not huge fans of dog parks for many reasons. We don’t like the possible exposure to parasites or poorly behaved dogs being unsupervised and causing tiffs that could escalate to dog fights. A lot of people don’t pick up their dog’s poop despite it being a public place.
But if you find a dog park you like, with a separation for small and larger dogs, this could be a great opportunity for your dogs to have fun! Some or our preferred dog parks include:
One-on-one playdates: This is a fun, low-key way for your dog to socialize with other pups in a controlled, safe environment. You can vet the doggies who plays with your own pup. Don’t forget to bring your human friends over!
Socializing with humans vs socializing with new dogs
Do you have a new puppy, or have you adopted or brought home an older dog with little experience socializing? Nice and slow is the ticket. Make sure to give them the space they need and that your human friends know how to approach new dogs in a calm manner. Lots of positive reinforcement and patience are your best friends!
