Sydney Inner West Dog Training & Puppy Training Experts Since 1994

🦷 Puppy Biting, Nipping & Mouthing Driving You Crazy?

The Problem: Your puppy bites your hands, feet, clothes. It hurts! Children are scared. Visitors are uncomfortable. You've tried yelping, redirecting to toys, and nothing seems to work. You're worried this aggression will continue.

 

Our Approach:

• Teach bite inhibition (soft mouth) before stopping biting entirely

• Teach your puppy what they CAN do, not just what they can't

• Address common triggers and give you practical techniques that actually work

Timeline: Improvement within the session, resolution within a week with consistency. Chewing inappropriate items is also resolved by 4-5 months of age with proper guidance (management techniques will also be discussed in the session).

Red Flags: If your puppy is growling, showing teeth, or the biting seems fearful or defensive (not playful), we need to address this immediately. This is rare but important to catch early.

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😢 Puppy Crying, Whining & Separation Anxiety?

The Problem: Your puppy cries when you leave the room. Howls when you go to work. Can't settle in their crate or bed. You're sleep-deprived from nighttime crying. You're worried about annoying neighbours.

Why Puppies Cry: They've just been separated from everything they know - mum, siblings, familiar smells.. But we can help them build confidence and independence.

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Our Approach:

• They're genuinely distressed – we’ll help you to create a safe, comfortable space your puppy actually likes

• Build positive associations with alone time gradually

• Address nighttime crying with practical, kind solutions

Timeline: Most puppies settle significantly within 3-7 days. Some anxious puppies need 2-3 weeks.

What We DON'T Do: We don't recommend leaving puppies to "cry it out" without addressing the underlying anxiety. That's cruel and can make separation anxiety worse.

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🏠 Creating a Puppy-Friendly Home Environment

Beyond the Basics: Toilet training and biting get all the attention, but there's so much more your puppy needs to learn for a harmonious household.​​

We'll Cover:

• Appropriate Chew Toys vs. Forbidden Items - Preventing Destructive Behaviour. Crate Training (if you want it) – How to set it up for which purpose, making the crate a happy place, not a punishment

• Play Boundaries - What's appropriate play vs. too rough

• House Rules That Work - No jumping on furniture? Off-limits rooms? Let's establish them now

• Meeting Other Pets - Introducing your puppy to resident cats, dogs, or other animals safely

• Puppy-Proofing - What dangers you might have missed

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🎓 Early Obedience Training - Yes, Even for Baby Puppies!

Many people don't realise you can start obedience training immediately!

Our gentle, motivational methods mean you'll begin teaching basic commands in your very first session - and puppies love it! Training provides mental stimulation, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond.

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What We'll Start Teaching:

• Name Recognition (the foundation of everything)

• Basic commands and Off-Leash Control at Home - Yes, really! Even baby puppies can learn this

• Setting boundaries - building patience and impulse control

• Appropriate play and perhaps even basic tricks

Why Start Early: The younger your puppy learns that training is fun and rewarding, the easier all future training becomes. Plus, a mentally tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy!

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Our Two-Phase Puppy Training Program

Phase 1: In-Home Foundation (First Session)

2-Hour In-Home Consultation covering:

• Toilet training setup and schedule

• Stop biting, nipping, and mouthing

• Preventing puppy separation anxiety

• Appropriate play and exercise

• Setting house rules and boundaries

• Early obedience training (name, sit, basic recall)

• Any other puppy challenges that have come up

When to Book: From 24 hours after your puppy arrives home. This gives them time to settle in, but catches problems before they become habits.

What You'll Receive:

• Hands-on training with your puppy

• Unlimited email support for follow-up questions

• Confidence that you're doing things right​

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Phase 2: Real-World Skills (Follow-Up Session)

After Phase 1, we recommend:

1. Puppy Socialisation at Local Puppy Preschool - Meeting other puppies in a controlled environment

2. 1.5-Hour Follow-Up Lesson - Taking training to the streets and parks

Our Follow-Up Session Covers:

• Loose Leash Walking - Stop puppy pulling before it becomes a habit

• Confidence Building Around Other Dogs - Stop barking, lunging, or fearfulness

• Reliable Recall at the Park - Working towards off-leash freedom

• Appropriate Play With Other Dogs - Social skills develop with age and guidance

• Polite Greetings With People - No jumping, calm hellos

• Exposure to Real-World Environments - Cars, bikes, crowds, noises

Why This Matters: Dogs who miss proper socialisation during the critical window (8-16 weeks) often develop fear and reactivity later. We help you socialise safely and effectively.

*** Package Deal: Book both sessions together and save***

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Why Start Puppy Training Early?

The Critical Socialisation Window: Puppies have a brief window (roughly 8-16 weeks) when they're naturally curious and adaptable. After this window closes, new experiences can become frightening rather than exciting.

Early Training Prevents:

• Separation anxiety and destructive behaviour

• Fear-based reactivity and aggression

• Lifelong toilet training struggles

• Pulling on leash as an adult dog

• Jumping on people

• Resource guarding and possessiveness

• Noise phobias and anxiety

Early Training Creates:

• Confidence in new situations

• A strong bond between you and your puppy

• Good habits that last a lifetime

• A calm, well-adjusted adult dog

• A puppy who LOVES learning

The Bottom Line: It's infinitely easier to teach a puppy the right habits than to fix bad habits in an adult dog. A small investment now saves years of frustration.

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Mutts with Manners – Training Sydney's Puppies Since 1994