First-time puppy mom Lizzy asked a question that stopped Amy in her tracks: "When you say, 'What do you want your puppy to do?' What are my options?" In this episode, Amy explains why every "don't" needs a "do" instead — and walks through five real-life profiles (retired/home all day, working 9-to-5, families with young kids, apartment vs. house living, and future therapy dogs) with the exact behaviors she'd train first for each one. Your homework: choose one "do" for your dog this week and train them to do it!

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

Play is more than a way to burn puppy energy — it can be one of your most effective training tools. In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, Amy explains how to use the games your puppy already loves to build focus, recall, impulse control, confidence, and connection.

You’ll learn how to add simple start-and-finish cues without taking away the fun, plus five practical games you can try right away: chase-me recall, tug-and-trade, “find it,” hide-and-seek, and fetch with two toys. Amy also shares how to match play to your puppy’s preferences, recognize when excitement is becoming too much, and end a session while your puppy is still successful. Choose one game, pair it with one useful skill, and discover how much learning can happen when training feels like play.

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.

Halloween is right around the corner! In this episode of the Puppy Training Podcast, Amy shares a complete Halloween game plan for puppy families — how to handle the relentless doorbell on trick-or-treat night, what to do about costumes (on people and on your pup), and how to keep your puppy safe around candy and decorations.

You'll learn why Halloween night is for management, not training; how to tell if your dog actually enjoys wearing a costume (most don't!); which candies are true emergencies, including the xylitol danger many families miss; and whether you should bring your puppy trick-or-treating at all. With a little planning, spooky season can be fun for the whole family — including the four-legged members. Happy Halloween!

Support the show

Follow us on social media

Instagram @BAXTERandBella
Facebook @TheOnlinePuppySchool
YouTube @BAXTERandBella

Subscribe to our site for FREE weekly training tips!

Check out our FREE resources!

Join our membership here.