Puppy Training: Force-Free Tools for Everyday Life

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths, and while chewing and biting are completely normal behaviors, they can quickly become a source of frustration if not properly managed.

During this lesson, you’ll learn:

• Why puppies chew and bite—whether it’s boredom, excitement, exploration, stress, or teething.

• Why eliminating these natural behaviors isn’t the answer, but redirecting them to appropriate outlets is key.

• How to encourage your puppy to make better choices and avoid developing bad habits.

• And much more!

By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in managing these behaviors and redirecting them toward positive activities.

Prevention is key when it comes to chewing and biting. In this lesson, we’ll dive into the importance of managing your puppy’s environment to avoid unwanted behaviors before they start.

During this lesson, you’ll learn:

• How to prevent unwanted chewing.

• The importance of agreeing with your family on what’s acceptable for your puppy to chew on.

• Practical tips for managing your puppy’s environment to set them up for success.

In this lesson, we’ll go deeper into understanding why your puppy might be biting or chewing and how to address the root causes.

You’ll discover:

• Tips to prevent your puppy from being bored and turning into excessive biting.

• How to redirect a puppy who’s chewing for enjoyment.

• How to handle excitement-induced biting.

• Why yelling or yelping doesn’t work and what to do instead if your puppy bites you.

Puppies need to learn alternative behaviors to replace unwanted outcomes, and that’s exactly what this lesson will cover.

During this video, you’ll learn:

• How to teach your puppy to touch your hand with their mouth closed as a way to redirect their focus.

• How to teach the “Drop” cue for times when your puppy picks up something they shouldn’t.

• Why it’s important not to chase your puppy and what to do instead.

In this lesson, we’ll focus on one of the most useful cues you can teach your puppy—Touch!

You’ll learn:

• How to teach this behavior.

• How to let your puppy think through the behavior and offer it on their own.

• How the Touch cue can become a reliable tool for redirection and focus.

In this short lesson, you’ll learn how to introduce the verbal cue “Touch” to your puppy.

You’ll discover:

• When to mark the specific action of touching your hand.

• How to reinforce this behavior consistently to create a strong association with the verbal cue.

In this lesson, we’ll dive into teaching your puppy the “Drop” cue, an invaluable tool for when they pick up something they shouldn’t and for playing together.

You’ll learn:

• Why teaching “Drop” is essential for safety and management.

• Step-by-step guidance on teaching “Drop” using food, two toys, and stillness.

• How to manage arousal levels and use your own energy to make the training fun and effective.

In this lesson, we'll touch the key points for a successful training experience.

You'll learn:

• How to help your puppy remember what they learned.

• How to use the "Drop" cue to set the foundation for a collaborative relationship.

• The importance of motivating your dog.

• The impact of the training environment in the learning experience.

• And much more...

Potty training can be a challenge, but with the right plan, you can quickly guide your puppy to success.

During this video, you’ll learn:

• Why everything is a bathroom to your puppy, and how to use confinement areas and crate training to help with house training.

• How to create a potty time plan and stick to it with your family.

• How to avoid common mistakes when accidents happen.

Timing is everything when it comes to potty training.

During this lesson, you’ll learn:

• What to do when you find an accident.

• The negative consequences of yelling at your puppy.

Timing is everything when it comes to potty training.

During this lesson, you’ll learn:

• When to take your puppy out.

• How to establish a routine that fits your puppy’s needs and your lifestyle.

Sometimes, you can’t be home to take your puppy out, and this lesson will provide you with alternative solutions.

You’ll discover:

• Why to get external help.

• House management if you have to leave your puppy alone for a short period.

Jumping is a common behavior for puppies, but it can become a problem when they grow.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

• Why puppies jump and why it’s important to manage it early.

• How to handle anxious puppies who jump.

• How to avoid reinforcing the wrong behavior.

• Practical tips to manage jumping.

This lesson will cover how to teach your puppy to sit calmly by your side as an alternative behavior to jumping when meeting people.

Loose leash walking is about teamwork and your dog’s need for exploration.

During this lesson, you’ll learn:

• The difference between a dog-led walk and a human-led walk.

• How to give your puppy freedom to sniff and explore safely.

• Why leash length matters and how to prevent pulling.

• And much more…

In this lesson, we’ll discuss the best gear for loose leash walking.

You’ll learn:

• The benefits of multifunction and long leashes.

• Why to avoid aversive tools and retractable leashes.

• How to choose the perfect harness.

In this lesson, I’ll explain:

• What is loose leash walking.

• Why it’s unnatural for puppies to walk by your side all the time.

• When and how you should ask your puppy to heel.

In the video I’ll dive into the collar vs. harness debate:

• How to choose the best option for your puppy.

• Why creating a pre-walk ritual together is important.

• Practical tips on how to calmly wear a harness.

• EXTRA: In the resources I will provide tips for desensitizing a puppy to the noise of a harness clip if they’re fearful.

In this lesson, you’ll start loose leash walking training indoors, with minimal distractions, before transitioning outside.

We'll talk about:

• Luring your puppy by your side.

• Fading the lure away.

• Guiding your puppy with your gestures and voice.

Teaching your puppy to calmly exit the door with you is crucial for impulse control and overall leash manners.

You'll see a demonstration of how to teach your puppy to exit the door TOGETHER with you.

The best way to train is by letting them figure it out!

You’ll learn how to capture loose leash walking behaviors naturally, allowing your puppy to choose the right position and reinforcing it at the right time.

At the end of this lesson you'll have a better understanding of what "capturing" is and how to apply this technique to everything you'd like to reinforce.

Proper socialization is crucial for your puppy to grow into a confident adult dog.

You’ll learn:

• The evolution of socialization and why it doesn't mean interaction.

• Why proactive socialization is important and what to do before vaccinations are complete.

• How to pair new experiences with positive associations.

• Why controlled off-leash play is OK, but on-leash interactions with other dogs should be avoided.

A reliable recall is essential for safety, and in this lesson, you’ll learn how to build a strong recall cue.

You’ll discover:

• How to use body language, tone, and movement to encourage your puppy to come to you.

• Why it’s important not to chase your puppy and what to do instead.

• And much more...

In this lesson, we’ll play the collar grab game, teaching your puppy that leash clipping doesn't mean the end of the fun.

We'll discuss:

• How to avoid your puppy to run away from you when it's time to go home.

• How to be interesting to your puppy's eyes.

• Practical instructions on how to train your puppy to be happy to come to you.

In this lesson, you’ll practice recall exercises with your family or friends to reinforce the behavior.

I will share tips on:

• How to create interest in your puppy.

• How to use your body, movements and voice to spark curiosity in your puppy.

• How to associate the verbal recall cue to the action.

• How to gradually increase difficulty to achieve a perfect recall even in distracting environments.

Thank you for trusting me to guide you through this journey! Remember that the relationship with your dog needs to be fed and it's an ongoing process that will give you a life time of joy.