The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast

In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt, I'm sharing the importance of mental stimulation for puppies and eight simple, practical strategies you can use right now to keep your puppy busy and balanced when outside time is limited.   When the weather turns miserable and walks are off the table, many puppy parents brace themselves for chaos. The zoomies ramp up. The biting increases. Your overstimu...

Your puppy potty training was going great, and then suddenly you're dealing with puppy accidents in the house again. If you're wondering what went wrong or feeling discouraged by potty training regression , take a deep breath. This is a normal part of development, and it does not mean training is broken.   In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt , I'm sharing the importance of understanding why...

If you're wondering whether puppy classes are really necessary or feeling unsure about how to start training a puppy the right way, you're not alone. Choosing the wrong environment can make puppy socialization stressful or overwhelming, while the right class can shape your puppy's confidence for life.   In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt , I'm sharing the importance of choosing puppy classe...

If you've ever wondered whether puppy timeouts are helpful or harmful, or felt unsure if you're doing puppy discipline the right way, you're not alone. Timeouts are one of the most misunderstood tools in positive puppy training , especially when you're dealing with an overstimulated puppy who seems unable to settle.   In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt , I'm sharing the importance of unders...

As we close out the year, it's time to take a breath, look back at how far you and your puppy have come, and let go of the puppy training myths that made puppy behavior feel more confusing and stressful than it needed to be. This end-of-year recap is about clarity, encouragement, and dog behavior explained in a way that actually makes sense for real puppy parents.   In this episode of The Well-Man...

Holiday excitement, visitors, noise, and unpredictable schedules can turn even the most well-behaved pup into an overstimulated puppy overnight. If your holiday puppy suddenly seems forgetful, chaotic, or overwhelmed, you are not alone. December creates the perfect storm for puppy regression , and most owners never see it coming.   In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt, I'm sharing the importa...

Bringing home a Christmas puppy seems magical, but the reality often looks very different once the excitement fades. In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt, I'm sharing the importance of responsible dog ownership and how to prepare for a puppy , along with five actionable steps you can take right now to decide whether a puppy as a gift is truly the right choice for your family.   Some of the th...

In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt , I'm sharing the importance of helping your fearful puppy feel safe and eight actionable steps you can take right now to build confidence and connection through desensitization dog training .   If your walks feel more stressful than joyful, or your puppy freezes, hides, or pulls toward home, this episode will give you the tools to rebuild trust and turn t...

Does your dog turn every walk into a tug of war? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how to stop leash pulling using the same positive reinforcement training methods I teach my clients every day. You'll learn the simple steps to create calm, enjoyable walks through consistent loose leash walking practice. If you've ever wondered how to stop leash pulling without using harsh corr...

Halloween might be fun for us, but for  dogs on Halloween it can feel like the world has gone a little wild.   Between doorbells, Halloween dog costumes , and glowing decorations, even confident pups can get overwhelmed. In this episode, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about Halloween pet safety so your dog stays calm, happy, and out of trouble.   I'll share my favorite ways to prepa...

People ask me all the time: what is small dog syndrome ?   Maybe you've seen a Chihuahua who barks at everything or a Yorkie that charges at bigger dogs. Too often, these little pups get labeled as a " small mean dog " – but that reputation isn't the full story.   In this episode, I explain exactly what is small dog syndrome , why it happens, and most importantly, how to train small dogs so they'r...

Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting puppy training tips?   You're not alone - and you're definitely not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I'm helping you cut through the noise so you can feel confident, calm, and clear when it comes to training your puppy .   As a professional dog trainer and registered vet tech with over 20 years of experience, I know how frustrating it can be to hear...

If your  puppy won't listen unless you've got a treat in hand, you're in the right place.   I'm diving into one of the most common concerns I hear from dog owners: the frustration of feeling stuck in endless treat training puppy mode. You'll learn why your pup might ignore you unless food is in sight - and what to do about it.   We'll cover what happens when your dog becomes "treat dependent", how...

Does your puppy turn into a wild chaos gremlin at night - zooming, barking, and biting everything in sight? You're probably dealing with an overstimulated puppy - and I'm here to help you make sense of it all.   In this episode, I'm diving deep into what puppy overstimulation really looks like. I'll explain how to recognize the early signs of an overstimulated puppy , reasons why your puppy is hyp...

What if you could understand what's going on in your puppy's brain - week by week?   In this episode, I'm breaking down puppy milestones so you know exactly what to expect at every stage of your pup's first year. We'll walk through puppy milestones by week , explore what's happening developmentally inside that little fuzzy head, and talk about how you can best support them during their most sensit...

Ever found yourself asking, " Why does my puppy act this way?"   If someone told you that your pup is a blank slate and it's all in how you raise them - this episode is going to challenge that idea in a big way. Today, we're digging deep into puppy behavior , and how understanding your dog's nature can change everything about how you train and connect with them.   The truth is, puppy behavior is s...

Has your sweet, snuggly puppy ever turned into a little growling gremlin when you reached for their favorite toy?   If so, you've had a front-row seat to resource guarding - and you're not alone. In this episode, we're digging into resource guarding in puppies , why it happens, how to prevent it, and most importantly, how to stop resource guarding in puppies without fear, punishment, or power stru...

Dogs in the summer don't always have it easy - and if you're raising a puppy, you already know how fast hot weather can turn fun into frustration.   In this episode, I'm giving you practical advice on keeping dogs cool in summer and staying safe when the heat is on. I'm breaking down real-world summer safety tips for dogs that every pet parent should know - whether you're heading to the park, the...

Ever been told your dog is trying to be the alpha dog just because they jumped on the couch or ran through the door first?   That came straight from dominance theory —and in this episode, we're breaking down it doesn't hold up.   I'm explaining how dominance theory in dogs and the alpha dog myth became so popular, why it was wrong from the start, and how it's still showing up in today's dog traini...

Thinking of getting a puppy? Before you do, ask yourself the one question many new dog owners forget: can i afford a puppy ?   It's easy to get caught up in the excitement, but how much does a puppy cost —not just to bring home, but to raise well—is something every future pet parent needs to know.   In this episode, I'm breaking down the real costs of puppy ownership—from initial adoption or breed...

Are you bringing home a new puppy and wondering what to teach a puppy first ?   You're not alone! Many new puppy parents feel overwhelmed by all the advice out there, but don't worry - I've got you covered with the essentials for training your puppy. In this episode, I break down the top 10 things to train your puppy to set them up for success from the start. Whether you've just welcomed a wiggly...

Is crate training your puppy turning into a battle of guilt, barking, and second-guessing?   In this episode, I'm sharing practical and effective puppy crate training tips that will help you and your dog feel more confident and calm—without the chaos.   The truth is, when done with patience and positive reinforcement, crate training a puppy is one of the most powerful tools for raising a calm, res...

If you're constantly apologizing for your dog jumping on people , I get it.   It's frustrating, exhausting, and even a little embarrassing—especially when you've tried to fix it, but nothing seems to stick.   In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to train your dog not to jump on people —without yelling, pushing, or scolding.   Whether you've got an enthusiastic greeter or puppies jumping...

Thinking about bringing home a puppy , but not sure how it'll go with your kids?   You're not alone! I get this question all the time: " A m i ready for a puppy ?" And when kids are in the picture, the answer gets even more layered. In today's episode, we're diving into everything you need to know about the beautiful chaos of raising a puppy and kids under one roof.   I'll help you assess whether...

Ever wondered when can you leave a puppy alone without supervision?   Are you considering leaving dog out of crate while at work but aren't sure if they're ready?   In this episode, I'll walk you through a puppy training schedule by age to help you determine the right time to grant your pup more freedom. From training puppy to be alone for short periods to preventing a destructive dog , I cover ev...