The Puppy Training Podcast

Bringing home a new puppy? 🐶 The first few days can feel exciting, overwhelming, and a little exhausting — all at once. In this episode, Amy walks you through exactly what to focus on (and what not to stress about) during those critical early days.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build trust and create a strong bond from Day One
• Set up a potty routine that prevents accidents before they happen
• Introduce the crate in a way that builds confidence — not fear
• Avoid common first-week mistakes that slow progress
• Create structure that helps your puppy feel safe and secure

Amy shares simple, practical tips you can implement immediately — including hand-feeding for connection, the 5-minute potty rule, and the 10-second crate-building method.

If you want calmer days, fewer accidents, and a puppy who sees you as their safe place, this episode is your step-by-step starter guide.

Whether you're on Day One or Week One, this is the foundation that sets everything else up for success.

Hit play and start strong. 🐾

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BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

What if the “stubborn” dog at your feet is actually curious, independent, or just overwhelmed? We break down the Big Five puppy personality traits—sociability, confidence, biddability, resilience, and independence—and show how each one changes the way training should look, feel, and progress. Instead of forcing a one-size plan, we share how to read the dog in front of you and tailor sessions that build trust, reduce stress, and get results.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

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. 🐾

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

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

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

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

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

Does your puppy forget you exist the moment another dog, person, or noise shows up? You’re not alone — and you’re not failing.

In this episode, we break down why puppies struggle with focus in distracting environments and how to build attention step by step — without frustration or force.

You’ll learn why focus is a muscle, how to strengthen it through simple engagement games, and how to teach your puppy to choose you even when the world feels exciting. From name recognition under distraction to practical focus-building games you can use at home and on the go, this episode gives you clear, compassionate tools to help your puppy succeed.

Perfect for puppy parents struggling with attention around people, dogs, and everyday noises — and anyone who wants a calmer, more connected relationship with their dog.

🎙️ Tune in and start building focus, one rep at a time.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

You survived puppyhood—so why does training suddenly feel harder?

In this episode, we break down the often-overlooked transition from puppy to adolescent and explain why even well-trained dogs can seem distracted, impulsive, or inconsistent during this phase. We’ll cover what’s happening in your dog’s developing brain, common challenges handlers face, and how to adapt your training approach so you don’t lose momentum.

You’ll learn:

• When adolescence typically begins (and how long it lasts)
• Why previously reliable behaviors may fall apart
• How to adjust expectations without lowering standards
• Training strategies that support focus, calm, and engagement
• How to protect your relationship while navigating this stage

If your puppy suddenly feels like a teenager with opinions, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

Adding a puppy to a home with cats, birds, or other animals? This episode dives into how to safely introduce, train, and manage puppies in multi-species households—without stress, chaos, or unrealistic expectations.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

If you’re raising a puppy right now—or planning to—you’re probably already thinking about walks, playtime, and basic training. And that’s great. Physical exercise absolutely matters.

But today, we’re talking about something that’s just as important—and often overlooked:

Mental exercise.

Because a tired puppy isn’t just one who’s walked a lot.
A tired puppy is one who’s thought, problem-solved, and learned.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, we go beyond basic behaviors like sit and stay to focus on the life skills that truly shape a well-behaved, confident dog.

Many puppy parents work hard on cues, but struggle with everyday challenges like stressful car rides, difficult vet visits, grooming battles, noisy vacuums, or overly excited greetings with guests. 

Amy walks you through the essential “good citizen puppy” skills every dog needs, including calm car riding, positive crate training, grooming and handling tolerance, confidence around household noises, and polite behavior when visitors arrive. You’ll learn why these skills matter so much and how to start teaching them early in a positive, stress-free way.

This episode is perfect for new puppy parents or anyone looking to prevent fear, anxiety, and behavior issues before they begin — and to raise a dog who’s comfortable navigating real life.

🎄 Holiday Note: This is the final episode of the year. Amy and the BAXTER & Bella team wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! New episodes of the Puppy Training Podcast will resume in January.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella 
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool 
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

BAXTER & Bella, The Online Puppy School, teaches you how to train your puppy from home! We offer classes, courses, email support, live 1-1 coaching, weekly group Q&A calls, and more!

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.