FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When should I begin training my puppy?

The day your puppy comes home.

Training isn’t just teaching commands. Your puppy is already learning from every experience, every routine, and every interaction. The earlier we begin building communication, confidence, and good habits, the easier puppyhood becomes for everyone.

2. Is my puppy too young for professional training?

No.

As long as expectations are appropriate for your puppy’s age, education can begin as early as eight weeks. In fact, those early weeks are some of the most important you’ll ever have with your puppy.

3. What’s the biggest mistake new puppy owners make?

Giving their puppy too much freedom too soon.

Puppies don’t automatically know how to make good decisions. Management, supervision, and clear communication help prevent unwanted habits before they become bigger problems.

4. How long does potty training usually take?

Every puppy is different.

Age, consistency, supervision, routine, and your family’s schedule all play a role. Instead of focusing on how quickly your puppy learns, focus on building a consistent routine your puppy can understand.

5. Why does my puppy bite so much?

Because puppies are puppies.

They explore the world with their mouths, they’re teething, they get excited, they become tired, and sometimes they simply don’t know what else to do. Understanding why your puppy is biting helps you respond much more effectively.

6. Should my puppy sleep in a crate?

For many families, yes.

A properly introduced crate can help with potty training, routines, travel, veterinary care, and giving your puppy a comfortable place to relax. The goal is for the crate to become a safe, positive space—not a punishment.

7. How much exercise does my puppy need?

Enough to stay healthy—but not so much that they become overtired.

Mental stimulation, confidence building, and learning how to relax are just as important as physical activity. A tired puppy isn’t always a well-balanced puppy.

8. Should my puppy meet every dog they see?

No.

Good socialization isn’t about meeting everyone. It’s about helping your puppy develop positive, confident experiences with the world. Sometimes calmly observing another dog is a better lesson than saying hello.

9. Can my children be involved in training?

Absolutely.

In fact, I encourage it whenever it’s appropriate. Puppies need consistency from everyone in the family, and children enjoy learning how to communicate respectfully with their new puppy.

10. Why do you teach families instead of just teaching puppies?

Because puppies don’t go home with me.

They go home with you.

If your family understands how your puppy learns, communicates, and develops, you’ll continue making progress long after our lessons are finished.

That’s why I often say:

We don’t just train puppies. We educate families.™

 

10. How do I stop my puppy from biting?

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Biting is completely normal, but that doesn't mean you should allow it to continue. I'll show you how to redirect that behavior while teaching your puppy appropriate ways to interact with people.

11. Should my puppy meet other dogs right away?

Socialization is important, but so is making smart decisions. I focus on creating positive experiences rather than simply exposing your puppy to every dog they meet. Quality experiences are far more valuable than quantity.

12. My puppy has accidents in the house. Am I doing something wrong?

Not necessarily. Most potty-training setbacks come from inconsistent routines or missed opportunities, not stubborn puppies. I'll help you build a schedule that makes success much more likely.

13. Is crate training cruel?

Not when it's done correctly. A crate should become your puppy's safe place—a bedroom, not a punishment. Most puppies learn to enjoy having a quiet place that's entirely their own.

14. How long does it take to train a puppy?

Training isn't a finish line—it's a journey. You'll usually notice improvements quickly, but raising a confident, well-mannered dog happens through consistent communication over time.

15. Do you work with all breeds?

Absolutely. Over the past three decades, I've worked with everything from tiny toy breeds to giant working dogs. Every puppy learns the same language—clear communication.

16. Will my children be involved in the lessons?

Yes. Puppies live with the entire family, so everyone should learn how to communicate with them. Age-appropriate participation helps create consistency and strengthens the bond between children and their new best friend.

17. What if I've already made mistakes?

Relax. Every puppy owner makes mistakes. The important thing is recognizing them early and learning a better way. That's exactly what I'm here to help you do.

18. Do I need treats forever?

No. Treats are simply one teaching tool. My goal is for your puppy to respond because they understand you, not because you're holding a snack.

19. Why do you teach in my home instead of a group class?

Because your puppy's real classroom is your home. That's where the challenges happen and where lasting habits are built. Teaching there makes the lessons far more practical and relevant.

20. What makes NJ Puppy Whisperer different?

I don't just teach puppies.

I teach families.

My goal is to help you understand how your puppy thinks, communicates, and learns so you can build a relationship based on trust, respect, and clear communication that lasts a lifetime.

20. How long does it take to train a puppy?

Training never truly ends because learning never stops. During Puppy University™, we build the foundation that makes future training easier and more enjoyable. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating great habits that last a lifetime.

21. Should everyone in my family participate?

Absolutely. Your puppy doesn't just live with one person—they live with the entire family. I teach everyone how to communicate consistently so your puppy isn't receiving mixed messages.

22. What if my puppy is stubborn?

Most puppies aren't stubborn. They're simply confused, distracted, or haven't been taught clearly yet. Better communication almost always creates better behavior.

23. Is puppy biting normal?

Very normal.

The important question isn't whether they bite—it's whether they're learning appropriate ways to interact. I'll show you how to redirect that natural behavior without creating fear or frustration.

24. Can Puppy University™ help prevent future behavior problems?

Yes.

Early education helps prevent many of the problems I see later in older dogs, including jumping, pulling, excessive barking, poor impulse control, and household manners.

25. What if my puppy has accidents during training?

That's completely normal.

House training is a process, not a single lesson. We'll adjust routines, improve timing, and create a plan that helps your puppy succeed.

26. How often should I train my puppy?

Several short sessions every day are far more effective than one long training session.

Even five minutes can make a huge difference when it's done consistently.

27. Does my puppy need treats forever?

No.

Treats are simply one way to teach new behaviors. As your puppy understands expectations, we gradually transition toward praise, play, affection, and real-life rewards.

28. My puppy gets the "zoomies." Is that normal?

Absolutely.

Zoomies are a normal release of energy and excitement. Learning when they're appropriate—and when it's time to settle—is part of growing up.

29. What if my puppy seems afraid of new things?

Confidence is something we build.

I'll help your puppy work through new experiences at their own pace so curiosity replaces fear.

30. Is Puppy University™ only about obedience?

Not at all.

It's about communication, confidence, manners, social skills, emotional stability, and helping your puppy become a great family companion—not simply a dog that knows commands.

31. Should I correct unwanted behavior immediately?

Timing matters.

Sometimes the best solution isn't correcting the behavior—it's preventing it from happening in the first place by setting your puppy up for success.

32. What makes your puppy program different?

Everything is private.

Everything is personalized.

Everything happens in your home.

Instead of teaching puppies how to behave in a training building, I teach them how to succeed where they actually live.

33. Can older puppies still benefit?

Absolutely.

While younger puppies often learn faster, it's never too late to improve communication and build better habits.

34. Will my puppy still act like a puppy?

I certainly hope so.

I never want to remove personality.

The goal is simply to help your puppy make better decisions while keeping all the fun that made you fall in love with them in the first place.

35. Can Puppy University™ help with leash pulling?

Yes.

We begin teaching loose-leash skills early so walking together becomes enjoyable instead of a daily wrestling match.

36. Do puppies really understand human emotions?

They may not understand every word you say, but they're incredibly observant.

They notice body language, routines, tone of voice, energy, and consistency far more than most people realize.

37. What should I do if my puppy ignores me?

Instead of asking why they ignored you...

Ask yourself whether you've become more interesting than the distraction.

Building engagement is one of the most important things we'll teach.

38. Is socialization just meeting other dogs?

No.

Real socialization means exposing your puppy to the world in positive, controlled ways.

People.

Children.

Cars.

Vacuum cleaners.

Umbrellas.

Veterinarians.

Different surfaces.

Life.

39. What happens after Puppy University™ ends?

You'll have a puppy that understands how to learn, a family that understands how to communicate, and the confidence to continue building on that foundation.

And remember...

Every Puppy University™ graduate also includes lifetime consultation if questions come up down the road.

40. Why do you call it Puppy University™?

Because this isn't simply puppy training.

It's education.

For your puppy.

For your family.

And for the relationship you'll share over the next 10–15 years.

My goal isn't to teach your puppy a handful of commands.

My goal is to help your family learn a language you'll use together for a lifetime.