Puppy Training Double Bay
Someone on Bay Street messaged us in autumn, their 10-week-old cavoodle was impossible to walk. The puppy would pull, lunge at every dog, and plant itself on the footpath refusing to move. Sound like your morning walks right now?
Puppy training Double Bay means preparing your pup for cafe culture, busy shopping streets, and a sophisticated lifestyle. Your dog will encounter constant foot traffic, other dogs, outdoor dining, and plenty of distractions. They need proper training from the beginning to handle it all calmly.
The ones who start puppy training early have dogs who can confidently sit at cafes, walk calmly through Cross Street, and enjoy everything Double Bay offers.
Puppy Preparation (0-8 Weeks)
Before your puppy arrives at your Double Bay home or apartment, preparation is key. Most people jump straight into puppy ownership without thinking through the logistics, then spend months struggling with problems that could have been prevented.
Our pre-puppy program walks you through everything before the puppy arrives. You'll learn how to set up your space for a new puppy, what supplies you actually need, and how to create a realistic daily schedule.
We discuss breed selection carefully. Some breeds thrive in busy urban environments, others find it stressful. A confident, social breed like a cavalier or pug usually does great in Double Bay's cafe culture. A nervous, protective breed might struggle with constant stimulation.
You'll also learn about:
- The socialisation window (8-16 weeks - don't miss it)
- Toilet training strategies
- Setting boundaries from day one
- Puppy development stages
- Preparing for Double Bay's busy lifestyle
For this area specifically, think about your exercise plans. There's Steyne Park and the harbour foreshore, plus nearby Rushcutters Bay Park. Your puppy will eventually enjoy these spaces, but they need training first - especially around recall and lead manners.
Starting puppy training Double Bay with proper preparation means your not fixing avoidable mistakes later.
Puppy Program including Puppy School (8-16 Weeks)
The 8-16 week period is the golden window for puppy training in Double Bay. This is when your puppy needs to experience everything they'll encounter living here - busy streets, other dogs, crowds, cafe environments, traffic, and constant activity.
Our puppy school runs with 8-10 puppies per class. This size is perfect for socialisation - your puppy learns to interact with different breeds and temperaments - while keeping the class focused and manageable.
The program emphasises:
- Socialisation with other dogs and various people
- Basic obedience (sit, drop, come, loose lead walking)
- Appropriate play with other puppies
- Confidence building around busy urban environments
- Learning to settle in stimulating settings like cafes
- Lead manners for crowded footpaths
- Early recall foundations
For Double Bay puppies, we focus heavily on urban socialisation. Your pup needs to be comfortable with shopping crowds, outdoor dining areas, buses, bikes, and constant activity. A puppy who only knows your quiet living room will be overwhelmed by Double Bay's energy.
Last year, a family near Transvaal Avenue had a french bulldog puppy who barked at everything - people, dogs, delivery riders, birds. Made walks stressful and embarrassing. Through our puppy training program, that dog learned to stay calm around distractions. Now he happily sits outside cafes watching the world go by.
Don't waste the 8-16 week socialisation window. Proper puppy training Double Bay during this period creates a confident, well-adjusted dog who loves this vibrant suburb.
Post Puppy Program (16-52 Weeks)
Around 16 weeks, adolescence begins. Your sweet puppy might suddenly become stubborn, distracted, and challenging. This phase catches many owners by surprise, especially in busy suburbs where behavioural issues are more visible and problematic.
Our post puppy program includes 2 group training sessions focused on behavioural problem-solving, plus months of online support. We help you spot potential issues before they become ingrained habits and provide training for everything that might develop.
Online modules cover:
- Reactivity and aggressive behaviour
- Off lead walking and better walking practise
- Stopping jumping up on cafe patrons and passers-by (big issue here)
- Dealing with separation anxiety
- Biting and chewing problems
- Poor or no recall
- Reducing unnecessary barking
- Managing hyperactive or fearful dogs
- Potty training issues
Someone near Knox Street had a beagle who started lunging at other dogs around 9 months old. Made walking through Double Bay impossible - too many dogs, too much reactivity. They used our post puppy program modules and within weeks, the lunging stopped. That dog now walks calmly past other dogs on busy Bay Street.
Living in Double Bay with a dog can be wonderful, but adolescence requires proper management. Our post puppy program gives you the knowledge and support to navigate this challenging phase, so you end up with a well-behaved dog who fits perfectly into Double Bay's sophisticated lifestyle.
