Puppy Training Paddington
A couple on Oxford Street messaged us last autumn, their 9-week-old french bulldog was impossible to walk. The puppy would pull towards every person and dog, then refuse to move, then pull again. Does your puppy make walks completely exhausting?
Puppy training Paddington means preparing your pup for terrace house living, busy streets, cafe culture, and a sophisticated urban lifestyle. Your dog will encounter constant foot traffic, other dogs, narrow footpaths, and plenty of distractions. They need proper training from the beginning.
We've been helping Paddington families since 2018. The ones who start puppy training early have dogs who can walk calmly down Oxford Street and settle at cafes without drama.
Puppy Preparation (0-8 Weeks)
Before your puppy arrives at your Paddington terrace or apartment, there's important preparation work. Most people underestimate what puppy ownership involves in inner-city suburbs with limited outdoor space.
Our pre-puppy program covers everything before the puppy arrives. You'll learn how to set up your home for a puppy (especially challenging in terraces with stairs and limited yards), what supplies you actually need, and how to create a realistic schedule.
We discuss breed selection carefully. Some breeds adapt well to terrace living with small yards, others need more space. A companion breed like a cavalier or pug usually does fine in Paddington. A high-energy working breed might struggle without proper exercise plans.
You'll also learn about:
- The socialisation window (8-16 weeks - critical period)
- Toilet training strategies for limited outdoor access
- Setting boundaries from day one
- Managing stairs and narrow spaces
- Preparing for Paddington's busy lifestyle
For Paddington specifically, think about exercise options. There's Centennial Park nearby, but daily walks mean navigating busy streets with lots of distractions. Your puppy needs good lead manners from the start.
Starting puppy training Paddington with proper preparation means your not making avoidable mistakes in those first crucial weeks.
Puppy Program including Puppy School (8-16 Weeks)
The 8-16 week period is the golden window for puppy training in Paddington. This is when your puppy needs to experience everything they'll encounter living here - busy streets, other dogs, crowds, traffic, cafe environments, constant activity.
Our puppy school runs with 8-10 puppies per class. This size provides excellent socialisation - your puppy learns to interact with different breeds and sizes - while keeping the environment manageable for focused learning.
The program focuses on:
- Socialisation with other dogs and various people
- Basic obedience (sit, drop, come, loose lead walking)
- Appropriate play behaviour
- Building confidence around urban environments
- Learning to settle in busy areas like cafes
- Lead manners for narrow, crowded footpaths
- Early recall training
For Paddington puppies, we emphasise urban socialisation. Your pup needs to be comfortable with shopping crowds, cafe culture, narrow footpaths, traffic, and constant dog encounters. A puppy who only knows your house and backyard will be overwhelmed by Paddington's energy.
Last year, a family near Five Ways had a schnauzer puppy who barked at every person and dog they saw. Made walks through Paddington impossible. Through our puppy training program, that dog learned to stay calm around distractions. Now walks confidently through the busiest streets.
Don't waste the 8-16 week socialisation window. Proper puppy training Paddington during this period creates a confident, well-adjusted city dog for life.
Post Puppy Program (16-52 Weeks)
Around 16 weeks, adolescence kicks in. Your well-behaved puppy might suddenly become stubborn, distracted, and challenging. This is when behavioural issues often develop, especially in busy suburbs where distractions are constant.
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 come up.
Online modules cover:
- Reactivity and aggressive behaviour
- Off lead walking and better walking practise
- Stopping jumping up on cafe patrons and passers-by
- Dealing with separation anxiety
- Biting and chewing problems
- Poor or no recall
- Reducing unnecessary barking (neighbours care in terraces)
- Managing hyperactive or fearful dogs
- Potty training issues
Someone near Paddington Markets had a beagle who became leash-reactive around 8 months old. Every walk was a battle - lunging, barking, completely stressed. They followed our post puppy program modules on reactivity and within a month, walks through Paddington were peaceful again.
Living in Paddington with a dog can be wonderful, but adolescence requires proper management. Our post puppy program gives you the knowledge and support to navigate this phase, so you end up with a well-behaved dog who fits perfectly into Paddington's sophisticated lifestyle.
