THE PUPPY ACADEMY ONLINE SCHOOL: How to Train Your Puppy from Home — the Easy Way!

Did you recently bring home a new puppy and have found yourself in the thick of puppy parenthood? Are your days consumed by potty accidents, nipping, chewing, crying and barking, and leash-pulling? Have you constantly searched online for answers and don’t know where to start with puppy training, or if you’re doing the right things? Then this online puppy program is for you!

Congratulations on choosing to embark on the rewarding journey that is puppy parenthood! It comes with lots of wonderful and life-enriching memories, and no shortage of wet kisses and wagging tails. One of the main responsibilities as your puppy’s new parent is to provide them with a level of structure and consistency so your puppy can achieve exactly what they deserve: a long happy and healthy life with you!

Puppy training provides you with the knowledge and tools to help shape your puppy’s drives and natural impulses, laying the foundation for good habits and behaviors they will carry for the rest of their life. It goes beyond the basics of potty training and learning the basic obedience commands. Puppy training builds a level of communication between you and your puppy, establishes you as your puppy’s leader, provides your puppy with the confidence and resilience to adapt to new situations and encounters, and overall helps create a fulfilled well-balanced adult dog.

If you just started looking into puppy training or have an idea of what your puppy training goals are, keep reading! 

Online puppy training with The Puppy Academy! 

The Puppy Academy Online School brings the best of what we’ve done to successfully train thousands of puppies and their owners at our physical school in Hermosa Beach CA, and has turned it into a simple blueprint for new puppy owners to follow along right from their own homes!

Designed specifically for new puppy parents, this program will guide you from the beginning stages of puppyhood and through adolescence, with video lessons tackling both command and behavioral training, weekly game plans so you keep seeing progression, step-by-step instructions so you always know what to do, and ongoing support from our trainers along the way so you’re never alone!

We understand the challenges puppy owners face when it comes to dealing with a new puppy in the home, and that when you need help, you need it NOW! That’s why we designed this training program to be done on your time, when you need it, and at your own pace.

Say goodbye to late-night google searches and hours of YouTube viewing! With The Puppy Academy Online School, you’ll have all the answers to your puppyhood questions right in one place with a clear path to follow to solve the issue you’re facing, and in a fraction of the time!

EASILY TRAIN YOUR PUPPY FROM HOME WITH THE PUPPY ACADEMY ONLINE SCHOOL!

What’s included in the online puppy training program?

The Puppy Academy Online School consists of 3 main parts:

1. Our signature 8-week Course of weekly lessons to teach your puppy all of their commands. (You can choose to go through this faster or slower, depending on your schedule and your pup!)

2. Our exclusive on-demand Video Library tackles the common puppy problems new owners face and how to work through them.

3. Weekly live group Q&A and Coaching sessions with our master trainers to dive deeper into any of your personal puppy issues you’re having.

Below, we’ll go into more detail about each of these parts!

Take a look at the 8-Week Online Puppy Training Course!

In just 8-weeks your puppy will learn all of their basic obedience commands, work through impulse control and confidence-building exercises, learn to listen even while working in distracting conditions, and begin the foundation of outdoor and advanced command training, including walking!

The breakdown of each week consists of one to two focus topics, accompanied by hands-on activities to work through with your puppy. Each activity is specific in teaching your puppy the correct responses to the commands and shows you the best way to communicate with your puppy to achieve results! Through the use of repetition and food rewarding, you will help your puppy create positive associations with listening and teaching them good behaviors!

During your 8-week course, you’ll receive weekly homework assignments to work through with your puppy. These are your game plans to continue work outside of the videos lessons, with tips on how to best communicate with your puppy through different obedience commands, and help your puppy develop lasting muscle memory, learn to check in with you for guidance, and establish good habits. Since so much of puppy training consists of repetitive practice, we made these homework assignments easy to work into your already busy schedule while still being effective. Train your puppy from home for just 15 minutes a day to achieve the best results possible!

Here’s the breakdown of these lessons:

Week 1 focuses on learning basic commands: Come, Sit, Crate & Break. You and your puppy will work on name recognition, eye contact, crate thresholds, how to lure, and introduce how to wait calmly for their food and water bowls.

Week 2 continues obedience commands with Place & Down. Your puppy will learn our puppy parents' most favorite command Place (aka "calm on command") along with participating in a fun confidence-building activity with items around your house.

Week 3 is all about learning to Stay. Through a combination of Sit-Stay and Down-Stay commands, as well as working on calmly waiting at door thresholds, your puppy will begin to learn to maintain impulse control! 

Week 4 you and your puppy will move on to working on advanced Come (Recall) and add on to your puppy’s Place training by introducing Place & Crate patterning routines.

Week 5 your puppy will learn to start walking on a leash along with the command “Let’s Go!”, how to calmly stay on their Place while relaxing with the family, and staying on it for longer durations of time.

Week 6 begins advanced training where your puppy will build on their Sit, Down, Stay, Come & Place commands while adding in the 3Ds: Distance, Duration, and Distractions!

Week 7 reinforces good leash walking habits by introducing the command Heel, turning while remaining in the Heel position and maintaining focus while on walks.

Week 8 advances on Heel and listening to commands using a long line to add more distance. In this last week, your puppy will have learned all of their basics and be well on their journey into advancing their skills!

DON’T WAIT TO START YOUR PUPPY’S TRAINING! JOIN THE PUPPY ACADEMY ONLINE SCHOOL AND START TODAY!

Our Exclusive Video Library!

Along with the 8-week course, members of The Puppy Academy Online School will get access to our on-demand video library on how to solve the most challenging puppy problems with steps for how to solve them, and prevent them from happening! Choose to watch these videos from beginning to end, or jump right to the topic you want, when you need it.

Some of these topics include:

Potty Training Bootcamp: The Fast-Track to Potty Training Success

Nipping, Chewing & Jumping: How to Prevent & Stop It

Separation Anxiety: What Is It, How to Prevent It, & How to Fix It

Puppy Socialization: How to Properly Socialize Your Puppy with Dogs & People 

Crate Training vs Playpen: How and When to Use Each Option and How to Get Your Puppy Loving Them

Puppy Expectations: What to Expect During Puppyhood so You’re Prepared

Surviving Puppyhood: How to Set You and Your Puppy up for the Greatest Success!  

Puppy Handling: How to Get Your Puppy Used to the Harness & Being Touched by People

Grooming Basics: How to Brush Your Pup’s Teeth & Fur, Trim their Nails & Bathe Them While Getting​ Them Enjoying it

Creating Good Play Habits: Using Tug, Fetch & How to Teach Drop-It

The Calm Greeting: How to Keep Your Puppy Calm When Meeting New People

Calm Door Thresholds: How to Get Your Pup Not Bolt Out of Doorways 

Noise Desensitization: How to Build Your Pup’s Confidence Around Loud Sounds & Household Appliances

Get on Schedule: How to Create a Customized Daily Puppy Schedule to Follow to See Big Results Fast! 

Puppy Exercise: Dos & Don’ts of Exercising with Your Puppy

Puppies & Kid Interactions: How to Nature a Respectful and Wonderful Relationship

Puppy Mediation: A Routine to Help Calm Your Puppy Down

Outdoor Walks: How to Overcome Distractions & Calmly Pass Other Dogs Outside

Outdoor Commands: Getting Your Puppy Reliably Responding to Their Commands Outside Around Distractions 

Dealing with Adolescent Puppies: What to Expect & What to Do as Your Puppy Grows Beyond Puppyhood

LIVE Real-Time Q&A & Coaching with Master Puppy Trainers

What sets us apart from other online training courses? With our online puppy training program, you don’t have to sacrifice the in-person learning environment where you can ask questions, learn alongside other puppy owners, and get support as your puppy grows in their first year of life.  You'll get to participate in live group training and coaching classes, where you can engage in real-time question and answer sessions with our expert trainers are there to openly help work-through challenges and discuss troubleshooting! 

We’re celebrating Fiona’s graduation from Springfield IL! We’re so grateful for you guys as this training came at just the right time. We’re blown away by how comprehensive it was and how you patiently and thoroughly answered each of our questions. We eagerly awaited each session and truly hung onto every word! Thanks so much for helping with our now 6-month-old French Bulldog.
— EPPIE, with puppy Fiona

Other FAQs about The Puppy Academy Online School:

How old should my puppy be to enroll?

This program is geared towards puppies from 8 weeks to 6 months old. We recommend starting pups in their training as soon as possible. It’s easier to teach good habits from the start, rather than spending weeks undoing the bad habits already learned. And if your pup has already picked up some bad habits, don’t worry! We’ll show you how to get back on track before they get worse.

I don’t have a puppy yet, should I wait until I get one?

Enrolling before you get your puppy can be a huge help in preparing for them and knowing what to do before they arrive home! We’ve had many clients start prior to having their puppy and have had even faster-training success because they were properly set up and knew what to do from day 1!

How long do I get access?

As an Online School member, you’ll have access to our entire virtual campus, including classes, live sessions, and resources for 1 full year from the day you enroll!

What if I want to work with an in-person trainer?

The Puppy Academy Online School can be used as your sole puppy training program, or in addition to another program, you are involved in to elevate and accelerate your pup’s results! It’s an incredible resource to be able to access and use as you need it :)

When does it start?

Now! We wanted to make sure new puppy owners get the help they need right, without waiting. You’ll get access to our virtual campus to get started with your puppy’s training immediately after you sign up, so you can start making puppyhood easy today!

Are you interested in enrolling your puppy in The Puppy Academy Online School? Join today! https://signup.thepuppyacademy.com/

Meet the Master Puppy Trainers!

Also, don’t forget to sign up for our Very Important Puppy mailing list to receive weekly puppy training tips and more! www.thepuppyacademy.com/viplist

Lastly, check out our trainers every week on our Instagram @thepuppyacademy for live Q&As at 1 pm PT! www.instagram.com/thepuppyacademy

Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more!

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How to Train Your Puppy to Use a Potty Pad!

A Guide to Puppy Breeds: German Shepherd Puppies!

A Guide to Puppy Breeds: French Bulldog!

In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? We’re giving you a deeper dive into popular dog breeds, from a puppy trainer’s perspective, to help you make this incredibly life-changing decision!

Quickly rising in the popularity ranks to spot number two, the French bulldog or more commonly known for their nickname Frenchie is a bundle of cute, silliness, and affection! This compact, low-activity, lap companion is a perfect fit for puppy parents that like a relaxed lifestyle!

How do you know if the French Bulldog is the right fit for you and your family? We’re offering you a puppy trainer’s take on this breed, from their personalities, care needs, and of course, training advice to help you raise a wonderful adult dog!

WANT TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF INFORMED PUPPY PARENTS? RECEIVE WEEKLY TIPS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND MORE! SIGN UP FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT PUPPY MAILING LIST!

A Brief Background on French Bulldogs!

What’s in a name? When it comes to French Bulldogs, not where they originally come from! These pups actually made their way over to France from England and were actually Toy Bulldogs. During the mid 1800s, lacemakers from Nottingham, England traveled to Paris bringing along their toy bulldogs and cross-breeding them with bull-baiting bulldogs to gain those tall erect bat ears Frenchies have today! Soon, their popularity in France spread as more Parisian women introduced these pups a staple into city, cafe-culture.

What are French Bulldog Breed Characteristics?

French Bulldogs have short snouts, round adorable bodies and short legs, square-shaped faces but the most undeniably French Bulldog quality...the bat ears! Although these characteristics breed standard, French Bulldogs come in a variety of colorings including white, cream, tan, grey, black, brown, blue, multi-color, fawn, brindle, merle, lilac, and combinations of each of these!

What are French Bulldog Personalities like?

There’s never a dull moment for a French Bulldog puppy owner! These pups have silly personalities, love to play, and can settle right up next to your lap. Unlike the common yappy small dog stereotype, Frenchies are quite affectionate and even-tempered. 

They love their human families, seek companionship, and enjoy playing with their people. If you were looking for a pup that was thrill-seeking and had a protective quality to their nature, French Bulldogs are far more content with a walk, quick game of tug-of-way or fetch, and would probably rather play with new people and dogs than be protective. While they are relatively easy-going, they can have a bit of a stubborn streak so be prepared with obedience training and to coax your Frenchie with some treats!

What is a French Bulldog’s Ideal Living Environment?

Much like their early days, French Bulldogs are a great choice for puppy parents living in urban, city environments like apartment buildings. Frenchies, while they love to play, are what is known as a brachycephalic breed. Due to their short snouts and flat faces, they do best in temperature-controlled homes as they can’t handle the heat. High activity can cause them to overheat and they will have difficulty panting to cool off. 

While the idea of letting your French Bulldog puppy cool off in water seems right, no swimming for these pups. Their small stature and short snouts simply aren’t built for swimming. If you live somewhere with a pool or close to a lake, be mindful of your Frenchie, and even keep a protective float or vest on them! 

All in all, a home that provides space in a room to play, or walks around the neighborhood or in a park are just what Frenchies need to burn off their energy and keep entertained!

JOIN US EACH WEDNESDAY AT 1 PM PT FOR OUR LIVE TRAINER Q&A SESSION ON @THEPUPPYACADEMY INSTAGRAM!

How to Care for Your French Bulldog!

French Bulldogs, like many short-snouted dogs, can suffer from respiratory issues such as wheezing, snoring, and over-heating in warmer temperatures. As a Frenchie parent, ensure your puppy doesn’t over-exert themselves and has excess to a temperature-controlled living setup! 

While their short coats are generally low-maintenance, French Bulldogs can suffer from eye infections and infections in the folds of their skin. Keeping their eyes clean, regular brushing with a rubber glove, and making sure their skin is completely dry after bathing can significantly help prevent these issues!

When you first bring home your new French Bulldog puppy, set up an initial visit with your veterinarian to discuss French Bulldog breed nutritional needs, preventive care, and schedule their vaccinations!

Puppy Trainer’s Advice for Raising a Well-behaved French Bulldog!

Thanks to their adorable looks, French Bulldogs receive a lot of affection from their humans. Nevertheless, just because of their cuteness and small stature, doesn’t mean they don’t need structure and good manners too! 

1. Basic Obedience and Tricks

French Bulldogs are fun and easy-to-train breed! However, some Frenchie parents may find bouts of stubbornness such as refusing to take another step on a walk or not coming when called! If you start to experience this with your Frenchie puppy, try to keep them on a leash while under supervision at home to have them follow you and start to establish leadership.

Provide your puppy with foundational basic obedience and reciprocate with positive reinforcement through food and praise, you’ll find that your French Bulldog puppy will enjoy puppy training with you and be far more willing to listen!

Since these pups love a good playtime session, teaching them some fun tricks is a great way to keep them engaged while still working on listening and following your lead!

2. Potty Train Right Away

With the right consistency and patience, all puppies can be potty trained! Some French Bulldog puppies may take a bit longer to master pottying in a specific spot so start from the very first day your puppy comes home! Pick a designated spot, start bringing your puppy there every time they have to go potty, and supervise them at home, or crate them at night to prevent accidents!

For more help potty training your French Bulldog puppy, head over to our “Puppyhood Made Easy for New Owners: Create a Puppy Potty Schedule!” blog for tips, a sample schedule, and troubleshooting advice!

3. Crate Train Your Frenchie

Aside from helping with potty training, your puppy’s crate will help provide structure at home. As companion dogs, French Bulldogs can develop separation anxiety so establishing crate times during the day and at night will help your puppy start to feel comfortable being alone and boost their level of confidence. 

For help crate training your French Bulldog puppy, head over to our “Step-By-Step Guide to Crate Training Your Puppy!” blog for tips, crate recommendations, and troubleshooting advice!

4. Create a Daily Puppy Schedule for Your Frenchie 

Lastly, with any puppy, your French Bulldog puppy will benefit greatly from a daily puppy schedule! Set times for feeding, play, puppy training, and sleep will provide your puppy with routine and structure, encouraging good behaviors and fewer chances of your puppy developing bad habits. A daily schedule also makes certain things such as potty times far more predictable for you and helps to speed up the potty training process. Lastly, a set routine creates a well-adjusted puppy that will grow up confident, healthy, and happy!

One of the best things about a daily puppy schedule is that you can establish one that aligns with your own! Do you need help setting up your puppy’s daily schedule? Check out our blog “Create a Daily Schedule for Your Puppy!” for our sample to help you get started!

 5. Teach them "Drop-It!"
With those wide mouths, it's super beneficial to get control of your Frenchie's mouth right away. One of the fastest (and most fun!) ways to do this is by playing tug and teaching them to release the toy with Drop-It, on-demand. For tips on how to teach Drop-It, check out our blog “Puppyhood Made Easy for New Owners: How to Play with Your Puppy Pt. 1”

Did you recently bring home a French Bulldog puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! We’re available to answer questions live every Wednesday at 1 pm PT on @thepuppyacademy Instagram.