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Puppy School North Shore - Neutral Bay

Sydney's North Shore has always been a great place to raise a dog. The parks are good, the streets are walkable, and the community genuinely embraces dogs as part of everyday life.

The Toe Beans Co Puppy School is coming to the North Shore, and we're running it at DoggieLove in Neutral Bay — 71 Military Road, a purpose-built dog care facility. Classes run on weekends, making it accessible for working owners across the Lower North Shore, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Mosman, Kirribilli, Crows Nest, and surrounds.

We start in June 2026. Spots are limited and we expect strong demand.

Why We Chose DoggieLove as Our North Shore Venue

Finding the right venue for puppy school matters more than most people realise. The space needs to be enclosed and secure. It needs to be cleaned to a standard that protects young, partially immunised puppies. The staff need to understand dogs — not just manage a facility. And it needs to feel calm enough that a puppy arriving on their first day doesn't immediately go into overdrive.

DoggieLove on Military Road clears all of those bars, and then some.

It's a professional doggy day care that operates Monday to Friday with a team that clearly loves what they do. The facility is cleaned daily to a high standard — which for puppy school is non-negotiable. Young puppies are still building their immune systems, and the hygiene of the environment they're trained in directly impacts their safety.

The Military Road location is also one of the most convenient access points on the Lower North Shore. Whether you're coming from Neutral Bay, Mosman, Cremorne, Crows Nest, St Leonards, or across the bridge from the city fringe, the address is straightforward and weekend parking in the area is manageable.

📍 DoggieLove — 71 Military Road, Neutral Bay NSW 2089

What to Expect from Our North Shore Program

Our approach doesn't change based on postcode. What you get at Neutral Bay is the same framework, the same philosophy, and the same quality of delivery as any other Toe Beans Co program.

What does change is context. We train for the world your puppy is actually going to live in — and on the North Shore, that means harbour-side walks, busy weekend café strips, beaches, parks, and a social culture where your dog needs to be genuinely well-mannered in public.

The Framework: Relational Leadership

We don't teach commands and call it training. We teach your puppy , and you the foundations of a relationship built on calm, consistent leadership.

Our method is called Relational Leadership. It works by establishing you as the kind of presence your puppy genuinely wants to follow: not because they're afraid of consequences, not because a treat appears, but because you've earned their trust and respect through clear, predictable behaviour.

The five principles we never deviate from:

No pain. No aversive corrections, no shock, no prong. Ever.
No fear Training should never make a dog anxious.
No force Physically pushing or restraining a dog into compliance is not training.
No aggression From trainer to dog, or encouraged owner to dog.
No bribery as a substitute for behaviour. Treats have their place. Relying on them as the primary behaviour management tool is where most owners eventually hit a wall.

This is not the only valid approach to dog training, and we don't pretend otherwise. But it is the approach that consistently produces well-mannered, confident dogs whose owners actually enjoy living with them — and that's the outcome we're focused on.

The 4-Week Program — Week by Week

Week 1 Foundations and First Impressions

We don't warm up for 30 minutes. You arrive, we do a clear and practical briefing covering what to expect, and we get straight into training. Puppy attention spans are short and precious we don't waste them.

Week 1 covers:

Structured puppy introductions one by one, in a controlled sequence designed to set a calm tone from the very first minute
Core commands: Sit, Down, Stay taught with clear technique, not just repetition
Supervised puppy-to-puppy socialisation with narration, so you understand what you're actually watching
Biting, teething, and toileting the two things most owners most urgently need practical help with in the first few weeks. A framed photo of your puppy saved and presented as a graduation gift at Week 4

Week 2 Adding Difficulty

Puppies grow fast. By Week 2, they're bigger, more confident, and testing more edges. We build on the Week 1 foundations and introduce real-world complexity.

Week 2 covers:

Down and Stay with increasing distraction levels
Stay versus Wait: two separate commands with genuinely different purposes — and why conflating them causes problems
The first introduction to structured walking and loose-lead fundamental
Addressing jumping up and attention barking two of the most predictable problems at this age
Introduction to Rules 1 and 2 of the Five Golden Rules of Relational Leadership

A note for Week 2 owners: your puppy may not perform as reliably in class as they do at home. There are up to 10 other dogs in the room. That level of distraction is deliberate. Learning to respond reliably in a distracting environment is the actual skill — and it develops progressively.

Week 3 Building Reliability

Week 3 is when the work either sticks or shows its gaps. Puppies are noticeably more physically capable and mentally demanding at this stage. Owners who've been consistent see real progress. Those who haven't start to notice it.

Week 3 covers:

Command chains — running multiple commands in sequence to build mental fatigue deliberately
Recall under distraction: the most important command, and the hardest to proof
Off-leash structured walking, using "Walk" and "Go Free" commands
Separation anxiety prevention — Rules 3 and 4 of the Relational Leadership framework
Exercise guidance by breed: by Week 3, most puppies need significantly more stimulation than owners expect

Week 4 Real-World Skills and Graduation

The final week applies everything to real-world scenarios and looks ahead to adolescence, the phase where many owners feel like they're losing ground.

Week 4 covers:

Recall and loose-leash walking in high-distraction conditions
Walking techniques: figure-of-8, stop-start, calm freeze, and long-line work
Park play education: how to read body language, when to intervene, and how to know when your dog has had enough
Common adolescent problems — leash pulling, selective recall, digging — and practical prevention strategies
Graduation: framed Week 1 photo presented, final Q&A, and an invitation to continue in our Skool community

What Our North Shore Program Includes

1:1 In-Home Visit before the school starts: we come to your home, assess your setup, and help establish the foundations of routine, boundaries, and behaviour from the very beginning. This is not an add-on. It's a core part of the program.
4 Weeks of Puppy School at DoggieLove, Neutral Bay: weekend sessions, small groups of 6–10 puppies
Access to our Skool community: a private online platform where you can ask questions, share progress, and get support between sessions and after graduation. Think of it as a group chat with your trainer, always on.
The Complete Puppy Preparation Program — a comprehensive digital resource covering everything from crate setup to breed-specific development timelines, feeding protocols, and adolescent preparation
Personalised session homework — sent after each class to keep the work progressing at home

Who This Program Is For

We see a wide range of owners and puppies in our classes, and the North Shore is no different. Some clients are first-time dog owners with no baseline at all. Some have had dogs their whole lives and are realising their experience hasn't automatically translated into a well-behaved dog. Some are in apartments. Some have houses with gardens — and assume that space equals structure (it doesn't). Some have kids. Some have older dogs at home.

We work with all of them. What changes is the delivery. What stays constant is the framework.

On breed and size: we accept all breeds and all sizes. The North Shore tends to attract a good mix — Doodles and Cavoodles are well represented in the area, as are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Labradors, and smaller companion breeds. Every puppy, regardless of size or breed background, goes through the same program with the same quality of attention.

On prior experience: you don't need to have done anything before the program starts. Equally, if you've already started training at home, we'll work with what you've built. The only thing we ask is that once you're enrolled, everyone in the household is consistent. A program that works for one family member and is ignored by another is not a program — it's a source of confusion for your dog.

Addressing the Misconceptions We Hear on the North Shore

Every area has its own version of common puppy training myths. Here are the ones we address most regularly:

"I'll start training properly once they've settled in."

The window between 8 and 12 weeks is the most important developmental period in your puppy's life. Every week that passes without clear structure is a week of habits forming — and undoing habits is always harder than setting them correctly from the start. By the time most owners feel ready to start, the easy window has already narrowed.

"They're too young for rules."

This is one of the most damaging ideas in modern puppy ownership. Puppies raised without structure in their first weeks don't get to start fresh at 12 weeks — they arrive with defaults already set. We've walked into homes where an 8-week-old puppy has already established that crying gets results, that the owner's bed is theirs, and that food is available on demand. Undoing those patterns takes significantly longer than building the right ones from the start.

"They just need socialisation — we'll do the training later."

Socialisation without structure produces dogs that are comfortable around other dogs but have no impulse control, no reliable recall, and no idea where the boundaries are. Socialisation is a critical part of what we do — but it happens within a structured framework, not as a substitute for one.

Small breeds don't need as much training

Small breeds need exactly as much training as large ones. The behaviours that are tolerated in a 5kg dog — jumping, barking, pulling, resource guarding — become genuine problems as the dog ages, regardless of size. We see plenty of small dogs on the North Shore whose owners laugh off behaviour that would horrify them in a larger dog. It catches up with them.

Treat-based training is working well for us.

Treats are a useful tool in command training. They are not a behaviour management system. If your dog only responds when food is visible, you have a dog that has learned to expect payment before performing — not a dog that understands what's expected of them. Our approach uses treats strategically within a framework that doesn't depend on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do classes start?

Our North Shore Puppy School at DoggieLove launches in June 2025. Register your interest now to be notified when bookings open — we expect spots to fill quickly given the limited availability of quality puppy school venues in this part of Sydney.

What age does my puppy need to be?

We recommend starting as close to 8 weeks as possible. We require puppies to have received, or be imminently due to receive, their second vaccination before joining the group sessions.

How many puppies are in a class?

Between 6 and 10. That's a deliberate ceiling. It ensures every dog gets proper attention and every owner gets real answers, without the chaos of an oversized group.

Do you take all breeds and sizes?

Yes — all breeds, all sizes, all temperaments. The DoggieLove facility is well-suited to a range of sizes, and we have experience working with everything from toy breeds through to larger working and sporting dogs.

What if we have an older dog at home?

Very relevant, and something we address directly in the program. An older dog is one of the most significant influences on how a puppy develops — either an asset or, if the older dog has their own behavioural issues, a complicating factor. We'll talk through your specific situation during the in-home visit.

Is the in-home visit really included?

Yes. It's not an optional add-on. We come to your home before the group sessions begin and help you set up the physical environment — crate or pen, zones, routine — and establish the early foundations for behaviour. The owners who get the most from puppy school are the ones who arrive at Week 1 with the right foundations already in place.

Where exactly is DoggieLove?

71 Military Road, Neutral Bay NSW 2089. Easy to reach from across the Lower North Shore. Weekend parking information is sent to all enrolled clients before the first session.

*The Toe Beans Co also runs Puppy School in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs (Paddington, Zetland), Inner West and at Marrickville. No pain, no fear, no force, no aggression — in every location, every time.*

The Toe Beans Co is a Sydney-based ethical dog training business operating under a strict no pain, no fear, no force, no aggression policy. Our Puppy School Eastern Suburbs program runs at Dogs in Town, Paddington. We also run programs in the Inner West and North Shore — see those pages for details.

Upcoming Puppy Schools

Frequently asked questions

How many dogs are in puppy school?

We aim for between 6 and 10 dogs in puppy school to balance quality and socialisation.

My puppy is larger is this class still suitable?

Yes. We accept all sizes. While many of our Eastern Suburbs clients have smaller breeds, we've had plenty of larger dogs through recent cohorts and we accommodate them well within the Paddington venue.

How long is the puppy program?

The program covers your puppy's first 6 months, from before arrival through to 6-8 months old. The 4-week in-person Puppy School runs when your puppy is 12-16 weeks old, with 6 months of dedicated support throughout.

How long do puppy training classes last?

The group class element of our puppy programs are 4 weeks long. They are 45 - 60 minutes once per week. This gives a good balance of learning before your puppy runs out of energy (which happens quickly.). The group element of the class is between 12 and 16 weeks old. The overall course lasts 6 months.

What is included in the puppy program? (Short Version)

Our puppy program comes with the following components:

4 x 1 hour sessions for group puppy school
2 hour at home 1:1 puppy training
Lifetime access to 28 module online puppy program
6 months of support on phone, email and chat
Lifetime access to the dog calming code
Pictures and goodies from training
Breed specific guides
Equipment where required

Does your training use pain, fear, force or aggression?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. If you want a method like that I suggest you call the 1980's, go back there and never get a dog. We teach the dog calming code, a method based on positive action that reinforces your role as the leader in your dog's eyes.

What is the ethos behind your dog training?

Developing a well behaved dog has 2 parts: dog psychology & dog training. We focus first on understanding your dog and getting them to choose to follow and listen to us. When dogs aren't making all the decisions, they calm down and relax, making them far more receptive to training. To do this, we don’t need to use force, fear or aggression. In fact the opposite. Whether dealing with barking, leash pulling, jumping, or aggression, these behaviours typically stem from dogs being too excited, reactive, and emotional. The key is getting them to turn to you and listen when it matters. Once they're calm and looking to you for guidance, you can effectively show them how to behave.
In short: before you train the dog, you need to win their mind.

How is your method different to other trainers?

You've tried everything with your dog. The endless treats, brain games and a range of random youtube videos with trainers saying they have some magic bullet but Nothing sticks. You're not doing it wrong, you are just trying to fix the wrong thing. Your dog isn't broken.

Whether you’ve got a barking dog or a dog who pulls on the leash or a dog who jumps up or is becoming a little bit aggressive, the chances are they are getting far too excited, reactive and far too emotional at that point in time. The real trick I found is to get those dogs to turn to you, to listen to you when it really matters. Because if you get that bit in place and they’re not all scattered-brain and over excited and over emotional you’re halfway there. If they’re calm and they turn and look to you, then you have the opportunity to show them how you want them to behave.

So in a nutshell, before you start to “train the dog” you need to know how to “win their mind” The problem is that most trainers jump straight into commands and training your dog when they are overstimulated. The problem isn’t that you dog doesn’t know what to do, it’s that they are choosing not to listen.

Think of it like having a terrible fear of flying and being dragged towards of plane. Someone telling you how safe planes are isn’t going to make you calm down

At The Toe Beans Co, we don't start by training your dog. We start by understanding the why — through the dog's eyes. Once your dog actually chooses to come alongside you, everything else becomes easy.

We come to your home in Sydney. We spend two and a half hours with you and your dog — in your space, with your specific issues. No generic advice. We look at the cause, we show you exactly how to change it, and you leave with a plan you can start that same day.

This is completely force-free. No shouting, no punishment, no pain. We work with your dog's natural instincts — not against them.

What does your adolescent puppy program teach?

The adolescent program is a combination between our Adult Dog Training method and our online puppy program. For every owner, we teach the foundational behaviour rules that will help your dog to live a calm and happy life. Once we have covered that we move on to breed specific, behaviour specific and other focus areas that you need. At this age dogs commonly exhibit selective hearing, are struggling with recall during playtime and a host of other things.

Most people have been brainwashed into thinking that if your dog can do sit or paw, they are well behaved. But a well behaved dog is much more than that. Can you leave them at home without barking? Or meet dogs in the park without reacting? Do they Resource guard? Or can they be walked calmly on the leash?

Although a lot of owners think their dog will do this naturally, I can tell you for a fact that they cannot. There are more owners than ever before with dogs suffering from separation anxiety, that cannot be walked calmly or are reactive to everyone.

Our adolescent program teaches you everything you need to know about: dog psychology, dog behaviourism and dog training. We help you to set great foundations for your puppy and also how to identify common behavioural issues as they arise and know exactly what to do.

Imagine having someone in your corner all the time to help you understand your dog's behaviour and what you need to be doing at the exact right time

Why don't you offer puppy school only?

This was based on feedback from our clients in both our puppy school and adult dog behavioural programs. We would work with plenty of clients who had received a "gold star" during puppy school but 4 months later couldn't walk their dog without barking. That isn't right. Helping your puppy to develop is far more than puppy school. Is it important for helping with commands and socialisation, absolutely but it is just a piece of the puzzle.

Your Pawtner In Crime

Whether you are saying hello to your first dog, or have recently said goodbye to your best friend, we are here. From puppy training to community events, come and join The Toe Beans Co

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Ethical First

Dog training is full of some mental people. It is always terrifying to see how many trainers use shock collars and pain to train pets. We don't do this. We NEVER use pain, fear, force or aggression and will never, under any circumstances, support, condone or recommend any practices that follow these schools of thought.

A Passion For Paws

I have pets. I love them. I know how special the bond is and that trusting somebody else with your pet is a huge leap.

My commitment to you is to love your pet like family and give you complete peace of mind when they are with us.

Ultimately, my goal is to give you and your pet the relationship you have always wanted.

In Australia, over 40,000 dogs & cats go to shelters every year and many for very fixable behaviours or inconvenience. I think it would be great to get this number down.

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Our Mission

To ensure you always have someone you trust that you can turn to when you need help with your pet. Whether it is: big or small, last minute or weeks in advance, you can be stress free in knowing your pet is in safe hands.
To raise as much money for Teenage Cancer Research as we can. The better a service we provide, the more people will want to work with us and the more we can donate. Simple as that.