When you bring a new puppy home and real life kicks back in — work schedules, school mornings, extracurriculars — your puppy is trying to figure out what this new rhythm means.

In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, we revisit the foundations of successful puppy training and break down the three most common mistakes new (and even experienced!) dog handlers make.

You’ll learn:

• Why waiting for bad behavior actually makes it worse — and what to do instead
• How saying “YES” more than “NO” transforms your puppy’s learning
• Why too much freedom too soon leads to accidents and frustration
• How shrinking your puppy’s space sets them up for housetraining success
• The surprising reason your “crazy” puppy might just need a nap
• How structure and routine create a calmer, more cooperative dog

Whether you’re managing everyday chaos with a brand-new puppy or simply need a back-to-basics reset, this episode will help you be more proactive, more intentional, and more confident in your training.

Because raising a great dog isn’t about being perfect — it’s about setting them up for success. 🐾

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What if the secret to better training isn’t more control—but more choice?

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful shifts in modern dog training: giving dogs agency. Choice-based training is transforming how we teach, focusing on collaboration instead of compliance. From cues like “go sniff” to intentional break times and consent-based handling, we’ll unpack how small moments of choice create big breakthroughs in learning.

You’ll discover why dogs who are given options often learn faster, retain behaviors longer, and build deeper trust with their humans. We’ll talk about how offering choice reduces stress, increases engagement, and strengthens the relationship at the heart of training.

Because when dogs have choices, they don’t just perform—they participate. And that changes everything.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

Predictability is one of the most overlooked tools in dog training—and one of the most powerful. In this extended episode, we explore how consistent routines around feeding, walks, rest, and cues reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and build true confidence in puppies and dogs. Backed by behavioral science, this episode shows why predictability makes dogs feel safe—and how safety is the foundation for calm behavior, learning, and trust.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.