Puppy Socialization at Riverside Berners

Socialization is an ongoing part of life at Riverside Berners. Our puppies receive positive, supervised experiences with people of different ages, adult Bernese Mountain Dogs, littermates, gentle handling, new sights and sounds, and age-appropriate environments.

Puppy Yoga as Socialization

Riverside Berners and Downward Dog Puppy Yoga are affiliated businesses under common ownership. The Bernese Mountain Dog puppies in Downward Dog’s regular classes are participating in our kennel’s ongoing socialization and development program. With groups of puppies growing up together, consistent interaction with a variety of people takes more than staff handling alone. Supervised studio visits broaden those experiences and complement—not replace—daily care at Riverside. We rotate puppy groups across Saturday and Sunday sessions, continuing their socialization while they wait for their forever families. Downward Dog offers paid classes; from Riverside’s perspective, the primary purpose of this partnership is the puppies’ socialization and development. The studio is at Grandscape in The Colony, Texas; Riverside’s kennel is in the Denton area, with visits by appointment.

Visit Downward Dog Puppy Yoga

What Families Can See

Local families may visit the Riverside kennel by appointment with Lauren. Remote families can use FaceTime or WhatsApp to see puppies, parents, staff, and facilities in real time.

Why Ongoing Exposure Matters

Our program repeats real-world experiences over time: vehicle rides, leash practice, grooming and gentle handling, manners with littermates and other dogs, and visits beyond familiar kennel spaces. Puppy yoga is one part of that broader routine, not a substitute for it. Socialization continues until each puppy goes home, including for older puppies still waiting for the right family. Our goal is to help younger and older puppies develop confidence for life in their new homes; individual progress varies. Bernese Mountain Dogs grow quickly, so some studio groups include larger, older puppies. A class does not guarantee the youngest or smallest puppies, or a particular puppy age or size.

Getting Your Puppy Home