On Leash - A Handler Social

Please join Northeast Handler 2017 Sir Damien and Chicago Puppy Patrol Board Member Alpha Bayard for a Handler focused social event ToucheChicago. This event is a Social for Handlers. We encourage Handlers to bring their pups, or pup friends if they wish to attend, and get to know each other. Handlers are few and far between in the pup world and we'd love to help them connect and share stories and experiences. This event does have a "leash law," that is pups if attending must be on a leash with a Handler. We recognize not all pups have Handlers and not all Handlers have pups and will set up an "Adopt-a-Pup" area where Handlers can be paired with stag pups for a small "adoption fee" benefitting a local charity to be determined. The biggest thing to remember for this event is that those not in the handler role should be on a leash, hence the name of the event on leash. We want to encourage a more quiet controlled space for Handlers and Alphas to have conversation and learn from each other. We are not saying that thepuppies on the leashes cannot talk, we are saying it's time to let the Handlers and Alpha's socialize. WHo's a good puppy? That's you and we want you to show us what a good puppy you can be! FAQs Why are we doing this? With many Puppy and Handler events focused on puppies we thought we would do an event focused on Handlers. We feel Handlers are integral to our community, and as we have events focused on predominantly pups we feel there should also be events encouraging handlers. What about Alphas? Alphas are an integral part of the pup community and we encourage them to embrace their switch nature. Alphas are welcome to assume either the pup on a leash role or try their paws at being a Handler What about strays? Stray or uncollared pups are not discouraged. We will have an Adopt-a-Pup section for Handlers without a pup to adopt one for the social for a small fee to be donated to X charity if the pup agrees. A stray pup is also encouraged to bring a friend or a new Handler to the social to help them practice and socialize with other Handlers. What about Handlers who wear pup hoods? This event is a little different from teh events of the past, we are not saying at this time that a Handler that wears a hood should not attend this event. In the case that you are an Alpha or handler that wears a hood, we ask that your beta or other pups be leashed. They should interact with the other pups while you interact with the other Handlers. What if I don't have a puppy? That's ok! You don’t have to have a puppy to be a handler. This is a social focused towards Handlers in a pup centric world. Come, meet other Handlers and talk with them about their experiences. There will also be an Adopt-a-Pup station where you can adopt a puppy for the social for a small donation to X charity. What if I'm a strong independent puppy who don't need no Handler? Independence is an admirable quality in a pup. That being said this is a Handler focused event. We encourage these pups to try their paw and letting someone else hold the leash. They might be surprised how much they like it. Why are you trying to divide the community? While we understand this is a contentious topic we feel the Handler side of Pup and Handler is underrepresented at events. We want to give Handlers a more controlled environment to get to know each other and learn more about how others approach puppy play. Why are you trying to exclude puppies? We’re not trying to exclude puppies at all. This is a follow up event to the Puppy Park for Handlers to socialize. Puppies are of course welcome to join a Handler for the social. If a puppy is not a handler we have the Adopt-a-Pup area to help pups meet Handlers and to socialize with them. This event is focused on helping Handlers and puppies connect and network in a more subdued environment than a mosh where Handlers are more preoccupied watching out for puppies.