A predictable toilet routine
Plan frequent opportunities and reward in the right place. Supervise or use a comfortable puppy-safe area when you cannot watch closely. Clean accidents calmly and review what the routine needs.
Grumpy Old Max’s puppy training guide
Cute puppy.
Complete chaos?
Start here.
Less guessing. Clearer routines. A better start for you and your newest little troublemaker.
- Get a practical starting point for everyday training
- Find help for puddles, teeth and overexcited greetings
- Build trust with short, rewarding practice
Opens your existing free Puppy Guide page.
Find help for my puppy’s biggest habit →
Short practice
Finish while learning is still fun
Clear routines
Help your puppy know what works
Reward-based
Teach the behaviour you want
One step at a time
Progress without tackling everything
What’s testing your patience?
Good puppy.
Habits that need a plan.
Choose the challenge that sounds familiar. Max will point you towards a useful next step.
Make the next toilet break easier.
Offer regular toilet opportunities, especially after waking, eating and play. Supervise indoors and reward promptly when your puppy goes in the right place.
Explore toilet training →
Max’s take
You’re raising a baby dog.
Not programming a robot.
“Your puppy didn’t read the household rules. Show them what works, reward it and stop changing the instructions.”
Training is more than “sit”. It is how you help your puppy feel comfortable, build everyday habits and learn to live alongside you. Keep expectations realistic and make good choices easy to practise.
Show me the foundations →A better start, one habit at a time
Six foundations.
A lot less guesswork.
Clear cues & timely rewards
Choose simple cues and keep household responses consistent. Reward the moment your puppy does the thing you want. Begin with easy practice and build distractions gradually.
Gentle handling & confidence
Introduce grooming, paws, ears and everyday handling in small, comfortable steps. Give your puppy space and choices rather than forcing an interaction.
Comfortable new experiences
Let your puppy observe people, sounds and new settings at a comfortable distance. Social experiences should build confidence, not require greeting every person or dog. Ask your vet about local disease risk and safe outings.
Play, sniffing & suitable chewing
Offer manageable games, supervised chew options and simple searches. Rotate activities and put valuables away so your puppy has fewer opportunities to rehearse unwanted habits.
Rest & comfortable independence
Provide quiet, undisturbed rest and practise settling when you are nearby. Introduce brief separations gradually and plan support when you need to be away.
Make today manageable
Pick a small plan.
Repeat the useful parts.
You do not need to fix every habit today. Set up the environment, agree on the routine and work on one useful skill.
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Today’s puppy-owner checklist
Your starting plan: 0 of 5
Tick what you have prepared to see Max’s take.
Keep the essentials close
Your free Puppy Guide.
A practical place to start.
Explore the existing free guide and use Max’s advice to start building your everyday routine.
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Start with the essentials, then work on one habit at a time.
When you need the next step
Get focused help.
Keep expectations realistic.
Toilet routine not sticking?
Work through the basics of timing, supervision and rewarding the right place. Look at patterns rather than blaming the puppy.
Read toilet training advice →Barking becoming a habit?
Explore Max’s Barking Off-Switch programme and assess whether it fits the cause of your dog’s barking. Lasting habits take practice.
Explore the Barking Off-Switch →Feeling overwhelmed?
A qualified reward-based trainer can help adapt the plan. Speak with your vet about sudden changes, discomfort or concerns that need assessment.
Explore behaviour advice →Questions from the puppy trenches
Max clears a few things up.
When should I start training my puppy?
Start with gentle, rewarding everyday learning when your puppy comes home. Keep it manageable: toilet routines, responding to their name, comfortable handling and settling are useful starting points.
How long should a training session be?
Keep practice brief and finish while your puppy is comfortable and engaged. A few useful repetitions woven into the day can be easier than a long formal session.
How long does toilet training take?
It varies with age, experience, health and the routine you can provide. Track patterns, supervise and reward promptly. Avoid promising a fixed deadline or punishing accidents.
What should I do when my puppy bites during play?
Offer a suitable toy, keep play manageable and pause calmly if needed. Look at the whole routine, including rest. Seek individual help if the behaviour worries you or is difficult to manage.
Does socialisation mean meeting every dog?
No. The aim is comfortable experiences and confidence, not constant close contact. Let your puppy observe at a suitable distance and build gradually. Ask your vet about safe experiences for your area.
Should I punish toilet accidents or chewing?
Focus on prevention, supervision and teaching the alternative you want. Punishment after the event does not explain where to toilet or what to chew. Adjust the setup and reward successful choices.
Can an older puppy still learn?
Yes. Start from the skills and experiences your puppy has now. Make the next step achievable, practise consistently and get support if you need help adapting the plan.
When should I ask for professional help?
Ask early if behaviour feels overwhelming, your puppy seems distressed or you are concerned about safety. Your vet can assess health concerns; a qualified reward-based trainer can help with an individual training plan.
Max’s final word
Less chaos.
More understanding.
Choose one useful starting point and build from there. Your puppy brings the enthusiasm. You bring the patient, consistent human.
GET MY FREE PUPPY GUIDE →Find help for my puppy’s biggest habit →