You’ve prepared for your puppy.

You did the research.You bought the supplies.You read the books and checked all the boxes.

So why does it still feel overwhelming when your puppy finally comes home?

You did everything right, but you forgot one key part of puppy preparation: you.

Good preparation doesn’t eliminate the chaos of bringing a puppy home. It prepares you to handle it when it shows up.

• Why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you did something wrong
• How preparation helps you recover faster when things go sideways
• Why “mistakes” are not only normal, they’re part of the process
• The connection between preparation and the puppy blues
• What realistic expectations actually look like in the early weeks

If you’re preparing for a puppy, this episode will help you go in with clearer expectations.If you already have a puppy and are thinking, “I wish I heard this sooner,” also check out Episode #104: The Puppy Blues.

Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it.

Free Video Series: The Three Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home

Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #104: The Puppy Blues

Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #084: My Favorite DIY Puzzle Feeders

YOUR Perfect Puppy: If you’re looking for ongoing guidance with situations like this, this episode is also a great example of the kind of real-life problem-solving we do inside YOUR Perfect Puppy, where I help you turn everyday chaos into manageable routines that work for your household.

Potty training was going so well… until it suddenly wasn’t.

Let’s discuss why potty training regression is completely normal, what it actually means, and how to get back on track without feeling like you’ve failed your puppy.

You have a stretch of good days, you start to feel confident, and then all of a sudden, the accidents are back. It feels like you’re back at square one, you start asking what you did wrong, and you might even wonder what’s wrong with your puppy.

Here is the truth.Regression is normal. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean your puppy forgot everything. It means you are in the middle of the process.

If this episode really resonates, I also recommend Episode 79: “Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training?” where I walk through the three key points I always cover with clients who are stuck.

• What potty training actually looks like (progress in NOT a straight line)
• The most common reason for potty training regression.
• Why regression seems to happen right at the end.
• How a small change in routine can have a big impact on your progress.
• The difference between a random accident and true regression.

Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it.

Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy: A free download that walks you through my complete process

YNP #065:

YOUR New Puppy: My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone!

Additional Potty Training Episodes:

• YNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should Not Be Used When House Training Your Puppy
• YNP #010: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy
• YNP #039: Common Potty Accidents
• YNP #041: Raising a Puppy in an Apartment
• YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household
• YNP #072: Should You Use a Potty Bell?
• YNP #079: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training?
• YNP #085: How to Handle Potty Training Overnight
• YNP #090: When Your Dog Hates the Rain
• YNP #092: Why Not to Punish Puppy Potty Accidents

Bringing a puppy home is a joyful time… except sometimes reality hits a bit harder.

Welcome to the Puppy Blues.

It’s common to underestimate the effect this big life change will have on our emotional well-being.

I’m doing this wrong?Why is this so hard?I feel like a failure.There’s something wrong with this dog.It’s not supposed to be this way.

These are all normal things to think and feel when you bring your puppy home.

Feelings of anxiety, frustration, exhaustion, or even guilt are something that nearly every new puppy parent experiences.

Yet we don’t seem to talk about it.

In this episode, let’s discuss what the puppy blues are, why they happen, and most importantly, how to navigate them without feeling like you’re failing your puppy or yourself.

You’ll learn why these feelings are normal, temporary, and something you can plan for, along with practical tips for finding your new rhythm with your puppy.

Whether you’re preparing for a puppy or already in the thick of it, this episode will give you reassurance, strategies, and a roadmap to survive (and enjoy!) these early weeks.

• What the puppy blues are.
• Why just about every new puppy parent experiences them.
• Practical ways to minimize the overwhelm.
• How to find your new rhythm with your puppy.
• Where to find extra guidance.

Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it.

Science Daily: A dog’s puppyhood can cause ‘puppy blues’ reminiscent of baby blues

Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #005: Crate Training: How and Why to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best Friend

Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #028: 5 Reasons to Use the Crate When You’re Home

Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #061: A Typical Puppy Schedule

YOUR New Puppy: My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone!

Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone!

You’re just a human trying to raise a dog.

That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy.

And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up.

Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy. I’d love to support you through this journey.

Wondering what to do on your puppy’s first night home?

You’re bringing your new puppy home, you’re excited, you’ve got everything ready, and you already have great plans on how your new puppy will fit right into your family.

But wait, do I know what to do that first night?

Maybe you’re coming home late and don’t have much time to make them feel safe and comfortable before bedtime.

You’re probably wondering:Where should my puppy sleep that first night?Do I put them in the crate even if I haven’t introduced it yet?Is it okay not to use the crate?

No worries, in this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do that very first night.

Note: If you’ve watched my three part series: The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home, this episode fits into Phase 02: Settle In.

Whether you’ve been preparing for weeks or just thought of it now (we’ve all been there!), you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly what to do, and what you don’t need to worry about (yet!).

• What to expect for your puppy’s first night home.
• Where crate training and potty training fits in.
• Where your puppy should sleep that first night.
• What you can do to make them more comfortable without overwhelming them.
• What else you should be prepared for.

Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it.

The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home: Getting a new puppy is exciting but overwhelming. This free three part video series will help you know how to Prepare, how long to let your puppy Settle In, and when it’s time to Get to Work.

Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy: Know exactly what to do when to help potty training feel easier with quicker results. It includes a tracker to help you find patterns and prevent accidents.

YOUR New Puppy: My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone!

Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone!

You’re just a human trying to raise a dog.

That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy.

And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up.

Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy. I’d love to support you through this journey.

If you are experiencing some behavior changes from regression to old behaviors to brand new ones popping up, this episode is for you.

Welcome to this special replay episode. I’m wanted to bring back this important episodes for anyone with a puppy who’s entering adolescence.

If you’re feeling like your once sweet, well-behaved puppy is suddenly turning into a bit of a troublemaker—you’re not alone.

This is a super common struggle that many puppy owners face, and I’m here to help you navigate through it.

In this replay, we’re diving deep into behavior changes that happen as your puppy grows, specifically during adolescence (around 5 to 18 months). You might have thought the hardest part was the early puppyhood days, but trust me—adolescence can be even more challenging.

The behaviors that start cropping up during this phase—like jumping, counter surfing, barking in the crate, and more—can be frustrating, especially when you feel like you’ve just gotten things under control.

But don’t worry, it’s completely normal, and I’m here to reassure you that you haven’t done anything wrong.

• What behavior changes to expect as your puppy grows.
• Why these behavior changes are happening and what’s behind them.
• How to stay patient as your dog goes through this phase of development.
• How to manage your puppy’s new energy levels.
• Why consistency is key!

Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it.

Not-So-New Puppy Behavior Workshop: A 4-week virtual workshop designed for dogs aged 5-18 months, offering you expert guidance on those frustrating adolescent behaviors. Together, we’ll troubleshoot common challenges like barking, leash pulling, counter-surfing, impulse control, and more.

YOUR New Puppy: My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.