Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

Wondering what to do on your puppy's first night home?You're bringing your new puppy home, you're excited, you've got everything ready, and you already have great plans on how your new puppy will fit right into your family. But wait, do I know what to do that first night?  Maybe you're coming home late and don't have much time to make them feel safe and comfortable before bedtime.  You're probably wondering:Where should my puppy sleep that first night?Do I put them in the crate even if I haven't introduced it yet?Is it okay not to use the crate?No worries, in this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do that very first night.Note: If you've watched my three part series: The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home, this episode fits into Phase 02: Settle In.Whether you've been preparing for weeks or just thought of it now (we've all been there!), you'll leave this episode knowing exactly what to do, and what you don't need to worry about (yet!).In this episode I talk about:What to expect for your puppy's first night home.Where crate training and potty training fits in.Where your puppy should sleep that first night.What you can do to make them more comfortable without overwhelming them.What else you should be prepared for.Enjoying this podcast?  Please rate and review it wherever you listen.  This helps other puppy parents find it.Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home: Getting a new puppy is exciting but overwhelming.  This free three part video series will help you know how to Prepare, how long to let your puppy Settle In, and when it's time to Get to Work.Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy: Know exactly what to do when to help potty training feel easier with quicker results. It includes a tracker to help you find patterns and prevent accidents. YOUR New Puppy:  My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.  Includes live support from me so you don't have to do this alone!What's Next?Feeling a little unsure about what to do next with your new puppy? You're not doing anything wrong! You're just a human trying to raise a dog.That's exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we'll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy.And because puppyhood doesn't stop after four weeks, you'll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up.Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy.  I'd love to support you through this journey.

If your puppy is experiencing some behavior changes now that they've reach adolescents, then this episode is for you. If you're feeling like your once (relatively) well-behaved puppy is suddenly turning into a bit of a troublemaker—you're not alone. And no worries, I'm here to help you navigate through it.In this replay episode, we're diving deep […] The post YNP Replay: Behavior Changes as Your Puppy Gets Older appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Introducing your dog to kids, especially ones you don't know, can be a tricky business.  You know it's important to keep the interaction calm and positive but how do you do that?   Whether you're introducing your dog to kids at home, at the park, or during the holidays, I have three simple strategies can help […] The post YNP #102: Three Simple Ways to Introduce Your Dog to Kids appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Tug of war is a game that dogs LOVE to play.  Yet I always get asked the question "Can I play tug of war with my dog?" The short answer is YES!  It's is great game for you and your pup.  It's easy to play, they love it, it burns lots of energy and tires out […] The post YNP #101: Can I Play Tug of War With My Dog? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Welcome to Episode 100 of Your New Puppies Podcast! I'm thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you, my amazing listeners.  As I reflect back, I started to think about what I've learned and the things I believed before I became a dog trainer.   I wanted to share some key lessons with you because unless you've become […] The post YNP #100: Things I Believed About Dogs Before I Became a Dog Trainer appeared first on Playtime Paws.

The holiday season is a popular time to bring a new puppy into the family.  But how we do it can make a big difference in the well being of all involved.  Now before I totally burst your bubble, I'm not saying you shouldn't get a puppy this time of year (though there are things to […] The post YNP #099: Why Not to Give a Puppy as a Holiday Gift appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Why your dog isn't listening depends on a bunch of factors including what your asking them to do, where they are, what you've taught them previously, and more. It's one of the most common questions I get but it's also one of the hardest to answer.  I usually need ALOT more information.   From my experience, I've narrowed […] The post YNP #098: Why Your Dog Isn't Listening appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Just about every dog is going to have some trouble with the hot weather.   For some dogs even a slight elevation in temperature will find them seeking out the shade and wanting shorter walks.  The heat itself can be tiring for a dog so it tends to shorten walks and activity.  This will result in us […] The post YNP #097: Hot Weather Activities for Your Dog appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Pet insurance isn't the most interesting topic I've ever talked about but it is important. Most often I get the question "is pet insurance worth it?"  And I think this is the wrong question. We most often compare it to our own health insurance.  But there are key differences that mean we have to think about pet […] The post YNP #096: Is Pet Insurance Worth It? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

What do you do when things go wrong between the kids and your dog?   Something that isn't talked about enough is how the relationship between kids and dogs isn't always as magical as we imagined.   It's very common for the kids to get annoyed with the jumpy puppy and their sharp teeth.  It's just as common for […] The post YNP #095: When Things Go Wrong Between the Kids and Dog: With Justine Schuurmans appeared first on Playtime Paws.

How do you know if your kids are ready for a dog?  And if they are, how do you prepare them for bringing that new dog home? Well lucky for you (and me) Justine Schuurmans, the expert on families, kids, and dogs,  is going to answer those questions. Justine is the founder of The Family Dog and […] The post YNP #094: Are Your Kids Ready for a Dog? With Justine Schuurmans appeared first on Playtime Paws.

What is dog fitness?  Brittni of Potential Unleased Idaho has joined me to answer that question and then some. Brittni talks to us about dog fitness and how it can prevents injuries, builds confidence, and work both body and mind.  Of course, we also talked a lot about puppies and how to keep our their muscles and […] The post YNP #093: Dog Fitness: Keeping Your Puppy Fit and Safe with Brittni appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Something exciting is happening!!  I've just finished two major changes to YOUR Perfect Puppy, my 4 week new puppy course.  It's the same 4-week course that has helped hundreds of new puppy owners get through those first few months with their puppy but I've added an entire skills and cues section, both expanded lessons that were already […] The post Special Announcement! appeared first on Playtime Paws.

It can be counter intuitive but when your puppy has a potty accident, we shouldn't punish them. You may feel that you need to do something to let them know "this is wrong".   Or maybe you know that you're not supposed to punish your puppy's potty accidents but you're not sure why. In general, I discourage using […] The post YNP #092: Why Not to Punish Puppy Potty Accidents appeared first on Playtime Paws.

When I receive multiple questions from my listeners around the same topic I know it's time to do a podcast episode about it.   But not all questions warrant a full episode but can still be useful to answer. So that's exactly what I did in this episode.  I gathered 5 questions that came from you, my […] The post YNP #091: Listener Questions appeared first on Playtime Paws.

When your dog refuses to go outside in the rain, it can be annoying and time consuming.  It's even worse when you're trying to potty train a young puppy that isn't going to hold it until the rain stops.   For most dogs they will learn to tolerate it but for others it may always be […] The post YNP #090: When Your Dog Hates the Rain appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Muzzle training your dog means exposing your dogs to wearing a muzzle in a positive, stress-free way (see resources below on how to do this). This is something that most of us never think (or want to think) about doing with our dog.  It's understandable because muzzles have a bad rap and are thought of as a […] The post YNP #089: Reasons to Muzzle Train Your Dog appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Socialization is the most important training you can do for your puppy.  It's also the most overlooked and misunderstood part of your puppy's training. When done correctly as a puppy, socialization creates a confident, well adjusted dog.  And who doesn't want that for their puppy?   I've gathered the 4 things I think are the most misunderstood about […] The post YNP #088: Four Things You May Not Know About Socialization appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Is your dog trying to dominate you?  The short answer is no, they are not.   And though that might not come as a surprise to you, what isn't always clear is why it's not true.   Especially because this theory that dogs want to dominate us or some dogs are more "dominate" than others still comes […] The post YNP #087: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Teaching your dog to come when called (recall) is arguably the most important skill you can teach your dog.  It's also one that we struggle with the most.  That's because we try and teach it like we would any other cue like sit, down or stay. But that only gives us half the picture.  Recall is a habit […] The post YNP #086: Why We Struggle with Recall appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Potty training can be overwhelming.  The good news is, one of the first things we can check off the list is getting our puppy to sleep through the night.   Potty training overnight is a little different than during the day.  Even though they can hold it longer overnight, they still aren't going to make more than […] The post YNP #085: How to Handle Potty Training Overnight appeared first on Playtime Paws.

I love puzzle feeders as a way to "ditch the bowl" and make mealtime an event.   If you search "puzzle feeder" or "slow feeders" online countless options come up.  I have my favorite store bought feeders (see my Supplies page) but there's also many ways to DIY it! In fact, I have three that you can […] The post YNP #084: My Favorite DIY Puzzle Feeders appeared first on Playtime Paws.

I hope you never need this podcast episode.  Chances are, you will.  Having a lost pet is a stressful and upsetting experience.  Sometimes we don't think of the obvious things and sometimes we don't even know the resources that are available I talk about the most effective things you can do, who you should call, where you […] The post YNP #083: What to Do if Your Dog Gets Lost appeared first on Playtime Paws.

A microchip is a tiny device that is placed below your pet's skin.  It has a unique 15 digit code that you register along with your contact information.  This way if your pet ever gets lost, shelters, veterinarians, police stations, and others can scan the microchip and access your contact info and help return your […] The post YNP #082: Let's Update Your Dog's Microchip appeared first on Playtime Paws.

When we thing of what our dog's walk should look like we think of them walking by our side without being distracted by anything and only sniffing when we say it's ok.   Spoiler alert!  There is NO "should". I'm here to let you off the hook.  Your walk doesn't have to be perfect.  As long as […] The post YNP #081: My Rules for Your Dog's Walk appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Most of the time we want to use the cue "off" to tell our dogs to "get down".  For example, when they  jump on us or our guests or when they jump on the table or counter.   I have nothing against teaching this cue, I just approach it in a different way.  If we think about it, […] The post YNP #080: Why I Don't Teach “Off” appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Potty training is hard.  We can set them up for success as much as we can but it takes as long as it takes.  It's a process that we can't rush our puppy through.   We all struggle with potty training.  While we're in it, it feels like it will last forever.  For most, we'll have […] The post YNP #079: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Nipping is one of the biggest struggles every puppy parent goes through.   It can be very disheartening especially when the kids don't want to play with the puppy anymore.   That's why I'm giving you my three favorite games that I teach my clients to help with a nipping puppy. Each one is designed to give you a […] The post YNP #078: Games to Play with a Nipping Puppy appeared first on Playtime Paws.

A strong recall is one of the most important behaviors your dog can have. That is why I wanted to replay this episode about how to get a stronger recall.   This is a special training that I do inside my digital products (YOUR Perfect Puppy and Playtime Paws Academy) I talk about how I approach recall as […] The post YNP Replay: How to Get a Stronger Recall appeared first on Playtime Paws.

A lot of new puppy owners wonder if it's OK to use a pen in addition to (or instead of) a crate.   The idea of giving your puppy or young dog room to move around and play is a very appealing one.  BUT there are some drawbacks to giving them this extra space.  A emphasize using the […] The post YNP#077: Using a Crate vs Using a Pen appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Every dog needs a collar and leash.  There are many options out there so let's talk about them. Each of these tools has it's advantages and disadvantages and there's no one perfect solution that works for every dog. In part one I talked about the different types of leashes.    In this episode (part two) I talk about […] The post YNP #076: Different Leash Walking Tools (Part 02: Collars and Harnesses) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Every dog needs a collar and leash.  There are many options out there so let's talk about them. Each option has it's advantages and disadvantages and there's no one perfect solution that works for every dog. So in this episode (part one) I talk about the most common types of leashes that are available. In part two […] The post YNP #075: Different Types of Leash Walking Tools (Part 01: Leashes) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Socialization is the most important training you can do for your Puppy.  We want to get our puppy out from the very beginning and do as much as we can in their early weeks. Socialization is more than just exposing your dog to new people and dogs.  It also includes new places, objects, sounds, textures, environments, […] The post YNP #074: How to Socialize Your Puppy Without Leaving Your House appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Christine Rohloff Gossinger literally wrote the book on dog breeds.   She joins me to talk about how understanding your dog's breed can help us understand our dogs and their needs.   This episode is chock full of examples, training tips, and fun tidbits just like her book.  Listen in and decide for yourself it your dog's breed […] The post YNP #073: Does Your Dog's Breed Matter? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Something I get asked often is how I feel about using a potty bell.   If you listened to my complete guide to potty training then you know that I don't mention using a bell at all but does that mean I don't want you to?  No go ahead...well, maybe...  While I'll show my clients how to use […] The post YNP #072: Should You Use a Potty Bell? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Teaching your dog "Stay" is one of the easier cues to teach your dog...if we do it right.  And of course most of us are doing it wrong.   Stay can be a useful command ("Stay" so I can take your picture).  It can be used for safety ("Stay" while I clean up this glass that […] The post YNP #071: Tips for a Stronger Stay appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Kasie comes back to teach us more about raw feeding.  This time we talk all about puppies! Plus Kasie has some advice on treats and how to start even if you feel overwhelmed. This episode is Part 2 of a two part series.  In Part 1 we talk about raw feeding more general.   Kasie has been raw […] The post YNP #070: What is Raw Feeding?: Puppy Edition appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Maybe you've never heard of raw feeding your dog.  Maybe you have but you're not quite sure what it means.  This episode can start to answer some of your questions.  Raw feeding is something that I've dabbled in but I am NO expert.  Since I do get questions about it all the time, I've decided to […] The post YNP #069: What is Raw Feeding? appeared first on Playtime Paws.

"Practice makes perfect."  We all know that one.  Well, it's just as true for our dogs.   When we teach our dogs how to sit we know to start at step one and work them up to a reliable sit in any situation.   When we want to change a behavior (like barking, digging, leash walking, or counter surfing) […] The post YNP #068: The Power of Practice appeared first on Playtime Paws.

In part one we talked about demand barking.  Here in part two I go into detail about alert barking.   Alert barking is when your dog is barking at something.  A dog out the window, a noise like a doorbell, your neighbor, etc.   This type of barking usually starts in as your puppy gets older.  Once […] The post YNP #067: How to Stop a Dog From Barking (Part 2) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Barking comes in many different forms. This makes how to stop a dog from barking more complicated than we think.   We can't just ask "how do I stop my dog from barking?" and get an answer because why they are barking plays a significant role in how we stop them.   Are they barking in the […] The post YNP #066: How to Stop a Dog From Barking (Part 1) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Allison is back with some more great tips on how to take better photos of your dog! Who doesn't want that perfect Instagramable, frameable, background photo of our dog.  But even with the 200 photos we have on our phones sometimes it eludes us! Back in episode 52 Allison Shamrell of Allison Shamrell Pet Photography told us […] The post YNP #065: How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog (Part 2) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

I'm back to burst some bubbles (POP!).  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my fenced-in yard just like most dog owners.  But just like with most things that make our lives easier there's a downside.  I'm here to help you minimize them! My goal is to make sure that you and your dog can use your […] The post YNP #064: The Downside of a Fenced-in Yard (Part 2) appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Socializing your dog, especially when they are young, is SUPER DUPER important.  If you have listened to me at all then this is not news to you.  You know that you have to expose your dog to many different people, places, environments, sounds, textures, and dogs.  This is what creates a confident, well-adjusted dog that you […] The post YNP #063: My 7 Guidelines for Socializing Your Dog appeared first on Playtime Paws.

How many times have you gone to Youtube to find a new dog trick and it's a three-minute video with a dog that already knows the trick? Or you teach your dog a new trick in class to go home and they act like they never heard of it before.   Truth is, training doesn't happen in […] The post YNP #062: How I Taught My Dog a New Trick appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Your puppy's schedule will vary depending on many factors.  Including age, exercise needs, and your schedule. When I'm asked about what a typical day looks like I know that I'm actually being asked things like:"How many times should I take my puppy out?""How much exercise should my puppy get?""How much time is too much time in […] The post YNP #061: A Typical Puppy Schedule appeared first on Playtime Paws.

When we imagine kids and puppies we think that they go together like peanut butter and jelly (or my preference - chocolate). The reality isn't so sweet.  Your puppy and your kids LOVE each other.  But sometimes it's that same love and excitement that causes scratches, tears, and a disheartening relationship. When we have kids and […] The post YNP #060: Kids and Puppies appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Debbie here!  I just wanted to jump into your podcast feed one more time this year.  First I want to thank you, my listeners once again for being a bright spot in an otherwise stressful year.   I also thought it would be fun to take a look back at this year's most popular episodes and also […] The post YNP 2020 Sign Off: A Look Back and Look Forward appeared first on Playtime Paws.

Fetch it the one game we all think of when we talk about playing with our dog.  So it's easy to forget that we have to teach them how to fetch.  We have the picture in our mind of our dog running across the yard or park to get the ball and bring it back. […] The post YNP #059: How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch appeared first on Playtime Paws.

When you are new at watching dogs play it can be confusing and even a bit concerning.  Dog play is "play fighting" so if you haven't made a career out of knowing dog body language it's easy to get concerned even when dogs are having a grand old time. To make it harder sometimes two dogs […] The post YNP #058: How to Recognize Appropriate Dog Play appeared first on Playtime Paws.

If your dog listens to you inside your house that doesn't mean they know what you want outside on their walk.  Even if you are asking for the same thing.  Dogs are very contextual and need to be taught how to listen even when there distractions.  The good news is, if your dog listens to you […] The post YNP #057: How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions appeared first on Playtime Paws.