Have you been practicing consistently, following the advice, and still feel like your puppy—or even your adult dog—isn't making progress? You're not alone, and it doesn't mean you're failing.

In this episode of The Puppy Training Podcast, we'll walk you through a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to help you identify why training may have stalled. You'll learn how to recognize when a medical issue could be affecting behavior, evaluate whether you're using the right reinforcers, determine if your expectations or environment need adjusting, and understand the important differences between a dog trainer and a veterinary behaviorist.

Whether you're dealing with leash pulling, barking, fear, reactivity, or simply feeling stuck, this episode will help you evaluate your training plan with confidence and know when it's time to pivot your approach. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and with the right strategy, progress is always possible.

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Travel is becoming a normal part of life for many puppies, but successful travel doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, we're talking about how to build travel confidence from the very beginning. You'll learn how to introduce car rides, crate training for travel, potty planning, preventing motion sickness, preparing for hotels, and creating positive travel experiences that last a lifetime. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or your puppy's very first road trip, these simple training strategies will help make every adventure safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for both you and your puppy.

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Your puppy's recall may be reliable in the backyard—but what happens when there are squirrels, new smells, other dogs, or an exciting hiking trail? In this episode of The Puppy Training Podcast, we explore the foundational skills that create reliable off-leash behavior in the real world. Learn why recall is about much more than the cue "come," how to use a long line to build confidence without sacrificing safety, why rewarding voluntary check-ins keeps your puppy engaged, and how to make collar grabs something your dog happily runs toward instead of away from. We'll also discuss the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with off-leash privileges and why keeping your dog on a leash or long line is often the most responsible choice. Whether your goal is hiking, camping, or simply building a stronger connection with your dog, this episode will help you lay the foundation for lifelong reliability.

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Does your puppy seem to have two speeds—sleeping and full-speed zoomies? If you've ever wondered how to help your puppy relax at home, on a restaurant patio, at the park, or during family outings, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, we're exploring the art of settling—one of the most valuable life skills you can teach your dog. You'll learn why calm behavior doesn't just happen naturally, how to capture and reward relaxation, how to introduce a settle mat, and why every outing doesn't have to be an adventure. We'll also discuss common mistakes handlers make, how to build this skill gradually in real-world environments, and why teaching your puppy to simply "do nothing" is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.

Whether you have a brand-new puppy or an energetic adolescent dog, these practical tips will help you raise a confident companion who can enjoy life's adventures—and then happily relax by your side.

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Puppies and kids can be the best of friends—but only when adults provide the guidance and structure both need to succeed.

In this updated version of one of our most popular early episodes, we revisit puppy-and-child interactions using today's best practices in dog training and canine behavior. You'll learn why supervision matters, how to teach children the "Be a Tree" technique, when and how to use consent tests before petting, and simple handling exercises that help puppies feel comfortable with human touch.

We'll also share practical family rules, common mistakes to avoid, and easy parent coaching scripts that help children learn to respect canine communication and boundaries.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The four safe play rules every family should follow
• How to teach children to respond when puppies become too excited
• Why consent tests can improve safety and trust
• Positive handling exercises for paws, ears, collars, and grooming
• Early signs a puppy may need space
• Parent-friendly language that encourages safe interactions

A few simple habits can help create a lifelong bond between your puppy and the children in your life. Tune in to learn how.

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Many handlers assume that once a puppy is comfortable in a crate, they've mastered alone-time training. In reality, crate training and independence training are two different skills. In this episode, we explore how to prevent separation-related issues before they begin by teaching graduated absences, confidence-building independence exercises, and practical enrichment strategies that fit real family schedules.

You'll learn how to recognize early signs of distress, and how to help your puppy develop the emotional resilience needed to stay calm and relaxed when home alone. Whether you work from home, have a busy household, or simply want to raise a confident companion, this episode provides a step-by-step approach to building healthy independence from the start.

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Thunderstorms. Fireworks. Vacuums. Traffic. Construction. The world is full of sounds that can frighten a puppy if they aren't introduced carefully and positively.

In this episode, we dive into proactive sound exposure. While many handlers focus on meeting people and seeing new places, sound experiences often get neglected until a puppy suddenly develops fear.

You'll learn how puppies process sound, why early positive exposure matters, the science behind counterconditioning, and a step-by-step protocol for introducing potentially scary noises before fear takes hold. We'll also discuss common mistakes people make and how to build confidence without overwhelming your puppy.

Whether you're raising a brand-new puppy or helping an older dog become more resilient, this episode gives you practical tools to create positive associations with everyday sounds and prevent noise phobias before they start.

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Your puppy was doing so well… and then suddenly they stopped listening.

In this episode, we break down one of the most frustrating — and completely normal — stages of dog development: adolescence. Between 6 and 18 months, many puppies begin testing boundaries, ignoring cues, losing focus, and acting as if all previous training disappeared overnight.

We cover:

• Why adolescent regression happens
• Boundary testing and reinforcement history
• Why most handlers accidentally raise expectations too quickly
• How to reset training without starting over
• Practical strategies for rebuilding consistency and reliability

If your once-sweet puppy has entered their chaotic teenage phase, this episode will help you understand what’s normal, what’s not, and how to get through it without losing progress — or your sanity.

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Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
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Join our membership here.