A Clear Plan for Your Puppy’s First 8-16 Weeks, From a Trainer Who’s Taught 4,000+ Dogs
Your puppy’s first few months shape the dog they become. Yet many new owners are buried in conflicting advice and unsure what to focus on.
Puppy 101: The Foundations cuts through it with a clear, step-by-step roadmap for puppies aged 8-16 weeks, so you know what matters and what doesn’t, and feel confident you’re getting your puppy off to the right start.
Puppy 101: The Foundations
Created by Australian Dog Trainer
Dale Baker
Founder of Dale For Dogs
10+ Years Experience
Your puppy only has these weeks once. Start with the foundations now, while habits are still easy to shape.
What You’ll Learn Inside
12 chapters, 60 pages, and a clear plan for your puppy’s first few months.
Set up your home before your puppy arrives, with a full gear checklist and puppy-proofing guide
Choose a sleeping setup so your puppy settles and you both get more sleep
Start toilet training properly from day one and cut down on accidents
Create a safe daytime space, including how to teach your puppy to use a dog door
Build flexible routines instead of rigid schedules your puppy becomes dependent on
Prevent separation anxiety and raise a puppy who’s comfortable on their own
Start walking safely, including when to begin and how far to go
Get socialisation right in the real world, and know why puppy school often falls short
Teach a reliable “sit” without treats
A Look Inside The Guide
Real advice from the same foundations I teach in every in-home lesson.
CHAPTER 3 - HOW TO HANDLE NIGHT-TIME CRYING CORRECTLY
Crying at night is normal. What you do next matters. "No matter where your puppy sleeps, crying at night is inevitable. It's completely normal... but the moment you give in, the puppy learns a very powerful lesson: 'If I cry long enough, they'll come to me.'" Learn where your puppy should sleep, how to set it up, and how to get through the first few nights (earplugs optional).
CHAPTER 11 - PREVENTING SEPARATION ANXIETY BEFORE IT STARTS
You can't learn to swim if you don't get in the water. Taking weeks off to "settle the puppy in" often backfires. Puppies only learn to be comfortable alone by actually being alone. Learn how to prevent separation anxiety from day one, without becoming a prisoner in your own home.
CHAPTER 4 - PREVENT TOILET ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY BECOME A HABIT
Where you put the water bowl changes everything. Puppies naturally link drinking with toileting, so the bowl's location can speed up or slow down toilet training. Inside, I explain exactly where it goes, when it moves, and how to set up your balcony or backyard.
Is This Guide Right For You?
This guide is for you if:
✓ You’re picking up your puppy soon and want to be ready from the moment they walk through the door
✓ You’ve recently brought home a puppy and feel overwhelmed
✓ You’re looking for a clear plan rather than piecing together advice from multiple sources
✓ You want guidance on sleeping, toilet training, routines, socialisation and everyday puppy care
✓ You value practical, straightforward advice from an experienced puppy trainer
✓ You want to avoid common mistakes and start your puppy journey with confidence
Why Learn From Me?
🏡 Built From Real Homes, Not Theory
For more than 10 years, I've worked with thousands of puppies and their owners inside real Melbourne homes. Everything in this guide comes from what I've seen work in practice, not just what sounds good in theory.
✅ Straight-Talking Advice That Actually Works
No rigid schedules, no complicated training systems, and no overwhelming checklists. Just practical guidance to help you raise a confident, well-adjusted puppy.
Get The Same Foundations I Teach In Every Puppy Lesson For A Fraction Of The Cost
Every in-home puppy training lesson begins with the fundamentals: toilet training, sleeping arrangements, home setup, routines and preventing common mistakes.
Puppy 101: The Foundations gives you the same knowledge I teach my clients, available instantly and at a fraction of the cost of a private lesson.
Instead of spending a training session covering the basics, you'll have a clear roadmap you can work through at your own pace from day one.
Instant Digital Download
✓ 60-page step-by-step puppy guide
✓ Instant access after purchase
✓ Read on any phone, tablet or computer
✓ Learn at your own pace
What My Clients Say
Reviews from puppy owners I've worked with through my in-home training sessions.
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Stacey • Montmorency
“After 4 weeks of having our beautiful French Bulldog puppy, all the things we read online about dog training left us feeling confused about what would work best.
Dale gave us lots of great advice to set up all our pups essentials. We learned how to approach discipline, positive reinforcement and what really works long term. This was particularly important to us as a family with three young children. We could see the changes straight away!!!”
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Shayela • Glen Waverley
“Dale came to help us train our 14 week old Toy Cavoodle and he was honestly a lifesaver! He helped us with playpen training, sitting, staying and toilet training, showed us how to best set up our home to keep our puppy happy & safe and so much more! We learned so much in just 1 session and walked away feeling so much more confident and capable! Absolutely worth every cent! Highly recommend him!”
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Kate • Collingwood
"Dale reviewed our current puppy set up, made some adjustments to facilitate toilet training and then we got down to learning stages, basics to puppy management and training. Our puppy learned to sit and stay on her bed. It was a super helpful session in those early weeks with a new puppy."
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Bobbi • Ormond
“So happy that I decided to invest in training with Dale. New puppy was making me anxious and I had no idea what to do. Dale has changed the game and our little dachshund is soaking up all the new training. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 🙏😊”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this suitable for older puppies?
Puppy 101: The Foundations is written for puppies aged 8-16 weeks. However, many of the setup, routine and management principles still apply to older puppies.
Does this replace in-home training, and what if I need more help?
The guide covers the same foundations I teach in my first in-home puppy session, including routines, home setup, sleeping arrangements and toilet training. It doesn’t include individual email or text support, and issues like biting or lead pulling are best taught hands-on. If you’re in Melbourne and want personalised help, you can book an in-home session with me.
What if it’s not right for me?
Because the guide is an instant digital download, I can’t offer refunds if you simply change your mind, which is why you can see the full contents above. If there’s a problem with your guide, like you can’t access it or it isn’t as described, get in touch and I’ll make it right. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law aren’t affected.
What This Guide Covers, And When You’ll Want Hands-On Help
Puppy 101: The Foundations covers the part of puppy ownership that makes everything else easier: your home setup, sleeping, toilet training, routines and the habits that prevent problems before they start.
Some things, like biting, jumping, barking, lead pulling and reactivity, are best taught hands-on, because they depend on timing and seeing your puppy in action. If you hit one of those, I can help in person.
Start with the foundations, then add hands-on help if you need it.
The earlier you start, the easier it is.
© Dale For Dogs. All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for personal, non‑commercial use only. No part of this publication may be copied, shared, distributed, or reproduced in any form without prior written permission from Dale For Dogs.