The Puppy Associates

01/11/2026

We recommend this harness The Perfect Puppy Company, contact Manners 'n' More if you wish to purchase a Perfect Fit Harness.

01/11/2026

Learning!
Credit to Susan Garrett one of the best in the industry.

Puppies can learn bad things just as quickly as they can learn good things. It's up to us to set them up for success.

01/11/2026

Puppy class social experiences introducing your puppy to the sights, sounds, smells, people, animals and environments.

31/10/2026

What we like puppies to learn:
* New things are not necessarily scary.
* They can investigate things without being forced.
* They can watch the world go by without needing to interact.
* They can remain calm around unfamiliar people, dogs and environments.
* They can recover quickly when something surprises them.
* Their owners provide safety and guidance when they are unsure.

30/10/2026

Socialisation and what 🙀 does it mean?
Follow us for more practical dog training tips 🐾

30/10/2026

29/10/2026

Ian was quoted in a Wall Street Journal feature this week on the "treat wars" in dog training, and his take surprised some readers.

The godfather of positive reinforcement says overusing food rewards is a huge problem in dog training today.

Here's what he means: Food is one of the most powerful rewards we have, and we love using it in training, but handing it out for everything devalues it. Treats are great for teaching new skills, but real motivation and reliability come from also using life rewards: walks, play, sniffing, attention, and anything else your dog loves. When owners rely on food alone, dogs start to blow them off, and that's when people start wondering whether they need punishment. (Spoiler alert: they don't.)

He also made a plea for kindness in the profession. Trainers on both sides have gotten far too nasty with each other. As Ian put it, even lawyers are better than that.

Read the article (free link): https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tough-love-vs-nonstop-treatsthe-civil-war-over-dog-training-54dd190a?st=SiyEVB&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

What's your dog's favorite non-food reward? Tell us in the comments 👇

28/10/2026

🚾Toileting Tips - Train me don't blame me! 🚾

To make toilet training less of a chore and the subsequent enjoyment more rewarding, consider these steps:

Step One:

1. Take your puppy to the same location each time.
2. Stand still and allow them to sniff around that small area, such as a puppy pen grassed area.
3. Refrain from playing or exploring the entire yard at this stage.
4. Immediately reward them outside, not after you return indoors.
5. Then allow your puppy to play or explore.
6. Now, going to the toilet is the beginning of the fun, not the end.

Step Two:

1. If no action occurs after approximately five minutes, return indoors.
2. Keep a lead on your puppy or confine them to their crate or pen for a few minutes.
3. Go outside and attempt again.
4. Take them out at the times puppies typically require a bathroom break: immediately after waking, after eating, during and after play.

Implementing these steps correctly in the initial weeks can prevent months of accidents later. It is one of the first steps to help your puppy develop a preference for a specific location for toileting.

A puppy who knows where and when to go will have a much easier transition to their new home.

Note 💦remove or block of all carpeted areas whist teaching your puppy a surface preference!

26/10/2026

Week One ☝️ of our Puppy Class Program is starting this Saturday at 2pm 🕑

26/10/2026

Ian Dunbar speaks about jumping up!

Think 🤔 teach your puppy what to do rather than keep telling them what not to do