The Missing Eight
6 pm (GMT) - 25th February 2026 - Webinar and Q&A - Once purchased, you will have a minimum of 12 months access to the recording.
About this Webinar:
The importance of puppy socialization is widely acknowledged, yet most conversations begin after puppies go home, after a significant portion of the sensitive socialization period has already passed.
As a professional trainer and breeder, I’ve come to realize that the majority of the socialization window occurs before owners ever meet their puppy. If puppies go home between 8 and 10 weeks of age, then as much as two-thirds to three-quarters of the critical developmental phase happens under the breeders care.
This webinar challenges the owner-centric model of early socialization and shifts the spotlight to the first eight weeks of life. We’ll explore why the first 8 weeks matters so profoundly for long term behavior, and how it can shape resilience, adaptability and emotional health.
Meet your Instructor
Laura Sharkey, PhD, KPA-CTP
Laura Sharkey, PhD, KPA-CTP, is a professional dog trainer and educator at WOOFS! Dog Training Center. She is also the founder of the Bosun Dog Project, a breeding initiative focused exclusively on the health and temperament of pet dogs. Laura works primarily with puppies and behaviorally challenging dogs. Her work emphasizes early development, understanding the underlying causes of challenging behavior, and systematic communication between dogs and humans.
