Puppy Challenges with Sarah Lowell

Puppy Challenges with Sarah Lowell Puppy Challenges is Your Resource for Raising a Confident and Well-Behaved Pup.

Here's where you'll find tips and info to help your puppy develop into a healthy and well-mannered companion.

“Wait… where did you go? This crate is comfy, but I liked it better when you were in the other room.” Alone time takes p...
07/17/2025

“Wait… where did you go? This crate is comfy, but I liked it better when you were in the other room.”

Alone time takes practice. Your puppy isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re having a hard time.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. 💬

What’s one comfort item your pup loves when you step away?

✨ New on the blog: “Home Alone: Helping Your Puppy Feel Safe When You’re Away” Learn how to use a crate or safe zone to ...
07/16/2025

✨ New on the blog: “Home Alone: Helping Your Puppy Feel Safe When You’re Away”

Learn how to use a crate or safe zone to build your puppy’s confidence when you’re not home — plus a simple guide to comfort, timing, and real-life routines.

📖 https://app.puppychallengesacademy.com/post/timealone

In today’s Puppy Talk with Sarah, we explored what makes alone time so tricky — and how to help your puppy feel secure i...
07/15/2025

In today’s Puppy Talk with Sarah, we explored what makes alone time so tricky — and how to help your puppy feel secure in their crate or safe space.

Missed the live? You can watch the replay here: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/-challenges-academy

Your puppy isn’t born knowing how to be alone — it’s a skill they grow into with time, practice, and trust. Early separa...
07/15/2025

Your puppy isn’t born knowing how to be alone — it’s a skill they grow into with time, practice, and trust.

Early separation can feel hard for both of you, especially if your pup’s still adjusting to life in your home.

Start by setting realistic expectations. Alone time doesn’t have to start with hours — it begins with minutes.

💬 What’s one way your puppy tells you they don’t like being left alone?

“You don’t have to do more — you just have to be there.”  Your presence matters more than perfect plans. This week, your...
07/13/2025

“You don’t have to do more — you just have to be there.” Your presence matters more than perfect plans.

This week, your puppy may have faced loud noises, unexpected splashes, or new experiences around water. And through it all, they looked to you.

That quiet moment where you sat beside them instead of pushing them forward? That built trust.

That time you chose a sniffy walk instead of the busy park? That helped them breathe easier.

Connection isn’t loud. It’s soft steps, slower choices, and letting your puppy know you’ve got their back — no matter how wild the world feels.

🐾 What moment helped you feel most connected to your puppy this week? I’d love to hear.

Helping your puppy feel safe around water doesn’t have to be a big production. Try one of these low-effort, high-comfort...
07/12/2025

Helping your puppy feel safe around water doesn’t have to be a big production.

Try one of these low-effort, high-comfort ideas today:
Offer a frozen Kong or lick mat while they relax near the sound of a sprinkler (but far enough away to avoid pressure).
Let them observe from a distance while another dog swims — no expectations, just quiet exposure. Create a shallow splash zone in a kiddie pool with just an inch of water. Toss in treats and let your puppy explore — or not. If they walk away or ignore it? That’s okay too.

These small, safe moments build confidence over time. 🧊 Which one will you try today? Tell me in the comments — or share your own creative twist!

Sometimes a splash is just too much. Maybe your puppy slipped on the pool deck. Maybe a surprise wave knocked them over....
07/11/2025

Sometimes a splash is just too much.

Maybe your puppy slipped on the pool deck. Maybe a surprise wave knocked them over.

Or maybe the noise and chaos were just too loud.

That fear response — barking, freezing, trying to escape — isn’t misbehavior. It’s communication.

Here’s how to help:
Move them to a quieter space — far enough to decompress, close enough to feel included.
Offer calm comfort. Sit nearby. Give a frozen Kong. Let them observe from a safe distance.
Try again later — on a quiet day, at their pace, with encouragement.

Fear fades faster when we don’t force it.

You’ve got this — and so does your puppy. 🐾💦

🌊 “Is this what humans call fun?” I tried to be brave. The kids were splashing, the floatie was barking (wait... that wa...
07/10/2025

🌊 “Is this what humans call fun?” I tried to be brave.

The kids were splashing, the floatie was barking (wait... that was me), and the water kept chasing me.

I didn't like it.

I didn’t want to get in, and I didn’t know how to tell you — so I barked, hid under the chair, and tried to dig a hole in the towel pile.

But you noticed. You moved me to the shady spot. Gave me my frozen Kong. Let me just watch. That helped.

Sometimes I'm scared of new things. But when you give me space and help me feel safe, I learn I can trust you — and the world — a little more.

Love, Your Trying-Hard Pup 🐶💙 🐶

🌊 New on the blog: "Water Isn’t Always Fun: How to Keep Your Puppy Safe Around Water" Some puppies leap into the pool li...
07/09/2025

🌊 New on the blog: "Water Isn’t Always Fun: How to Keep Your Puppy Safe Around Water"

Some puppies leap into the pool like furry cannonballs. Others freeze, shake, or try to climb out before they even get wet.

This week’s post covers:
✅ How to spot overwhelm and stress signals
✅ Why not all puppies love water (and that’s okay) ✅ Safety tips for pools, lakes, puddles, and more
✅ Gentle ways to build confidence without pressure

It’s not about making your puppy love water — it’s about helping them feel safe, whatever their comfort level.

🧠 Read the full post here: 👉 https://app.puppychallengesacademy.com/post/water-safety 📖

If you know someone with a water-wary pup, feel free to share this post with them.

💧Puppy + Water = Fun? Not always. In today’s Puppy Talk with Sarah, we’re talking about what to watch for when it comes ...
07/09/2025

💧Puppy + Water = Fun? Not always. In today’s Puppy Talk with Sarah, we’re talking about what to watch for when it comes to water play and your pup.

🐶 Is your puppy actually having fun?
🌊 What signs of stress should you look for?
🛟 How can you keep them safe around pools, lakes, or hoses?

I’ll walk you through real-life tips — from recognizing body language to building confidence — so water time doesn’t become stress time.

📺 Missed the live? Watch the replay in the Facebook group, or catch the blog here:
👉 https://app.puppychallengesacademy.com/post/water-safety

Water play isn’t always as carefree as it seems. Your puppy might be curious about splashing kids or the hose… or they m...
07/08/2025

Water play isn’t always as carefree as it seems. Your puppy might be curious about splashing kids or the hose… or they might find it all overwhelming. Before any water activity, take a pause. ☀️ Ask yourself: “Is this for my puppy… or for me?” 💬 Has your puppy ever surprised you with their reaction to water? Share your story below — the funny, the messy, or the sweet.

Let’s take a breath — for you and your puppy. 🐾 The last few days might have been stressful, noisy, or just plain exhaus...
07/06/2025

Let’s take a breath — for you and your puppy. 🐾

The last few days might have been stressful, noisy, or just plain exhausting.

Fireworks, disrupted routines, less sleep… it adds up.

Today, give yourselves permission to rest. No big goals. No perfect training sessions. Just connection.

Here are a few gentle ways to do that:
Take a slow sniffari — it’s like a nature walk for your puppy’s nose.
Sit on the floor and offer soft petting or a calm chew session.

Reflect on what worked this week — and what didn’t. Use those “what didn’t” moments to shape your training plan, so next time, you’ll both be more prepared for fireworks.

Puppies don’t need perfection. They need calm routines, loving guidance, and a human who keeps showing up.

And that’s exactly what you’re doing. 💛

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Why Puppy Challenges?

So many people get a new puppy (or rescue dog) and quickly find themselves in over their heads.


  • Either their puppy is very different from the last puppy they raised and they don’t know where to start with the new puppy.

  • Or they are first-time dog owners and don’t understand how to begin to communicate with their new puppy.

  • Or they have an idea how to get their new puppy started but the puppy just doesn’t seem to be getting it.