Totally normal! Puppies use their mouths to explore and play—it’s not aggression, just curiosity and learning. To help, redirect your pup to a chew toy, let out a gentle “ouch!” if they nip, and stop play for a moment. Keep it consistent—everyone in the house should do the same. This stage usually peaks around 12–16 weeks and settles down with the right guidance. My Puppy School covers bite inhibition and safe play in detail.

Accidents are part and parcel of raising a pup—they’re not being naughty, just learning. Take your puppy outside every hour or two, and always after eating, sleeping, or playing. Use the same spot and give heaps of praise when they go in the right place. Clean up accidents thoroughly so there’s no lingering smell. Never punish your pup for mistakes—it just confuses them. With a good routine, most pups are toilet trained by 4–6 months.

Young pups have short attention spans and are easily distracted. Start with short, fun training sessions (5–10 minutes), use tasty treats, and make sure you’ve got their attention before asking for anything. Reward them straight away for getting it right. Patience and consistency are key! My Fantastic Foundations program is all about building good communication from the start.

Start straight away, but do it safely. The key period for exposure is 3–14 weeks. Let your pup experience different sights, sounds, surfaces, and gentle people or dogs in a positive way. Puppy classes are ideal for safe, structured exposure. Avoid dog parks and overwhelming places until vaccinations are done. My Puppy School is designed to give your pup the best start in a controlled, friendly environment.

It’s normal for puppies to feel a bit unsure at first. Don’t force them into scary situations. Instead, pair new experiences with treats and stay calm yourself. Build up their confidence slowly and celebrate the small wins. If your pup’s anxiety sticks around or gets worse, early support makes a big difference. I offer 1:1 Behaviour Support to help pups grow into calm, confident dogs.

Great question! Most pups can start Puppy School after their first vaccination, as long as they’re healthy and your vet gives the all-clear. Early exposure to new people, pups, and environments is crucial for development, so don’t wait until all the jabs are finished. My classes are run in a clean, safe environment to minimise risk. If you’re unsure, have a quick chat with your vet before enrolling.

Start with the basics: toilet training, gentle handling, coming when called, settling on their bed, and getting used to being alone for short periods. But above all, focus on building trust and routine—not perfection. Keep lessons short, fun, and positive—your relationship is the most important foundation.

The top priority is setting up routines for feeding, toileting, and rest. Next, establish clear boundaries that everyone in the household follows—decide early on if your pup is allowed on the furniture, in the kitchen, at the dinner table, or sleeping in your bed. Teach them to wait calmly for food and attention. Give your puppy a small area to start with, and gradually let them have more freedom as they settle in.

Don’t worry about obedience training straight away—the first week is all about helping your puppy settle into their new surroundings and get to know their new pack and the house rules. Use their natural instincts—nose, eyes, ears—to build trust and respect. Once they feel safe and settled, you can start teaching obedience and life skills.

Expose your pup to a wide range of sights, sounds, surfaces, people, and gentle animals—think prams, bikes, wheelie bins, different flooring, car rides, and visitors in hats or uniforms. Make every new experience positive with treats and praise. The goal is to build a confident, adaptable dog who takes new things in their stride.

Start with a walk on neutral ground, keeping both dogs on lead but relaxed. Let them sniff and greet calmly—no pressure. At home, supervise their time together and give each dog their own space, beds, and bowls. Keep interactions short and sweet at first, and never leave them alone together until you’re sure everyone’s comfortable.

Go slow and keep early meetings calm. Consider instincts and breed traits. Use barriers (like baby gates) if needed, and always supervise. For cats or small pets, let them observe each other at a distance before any closer contact. Never force an interaction—let curiosity grow naturally and reward calm behaviour from both sides.

Supervise all interactions at first. Teach kids to approach gently and avoid rough play or hugging. Encourage your puppy to sit or lie down for pats, and reward calm behaviour. Give your pup plenty of breaks and a safe spot to retreat to if things get too much. Calm, positive experiences now set the stage for a great relationship later on.