Puppy & Adolescent Dog Training in Sussex
Support for Every Stage of Growing Up
Building strong foundations from the start
Bringing home a puppy can be exciting, joyful and sometimes completely exhausting
One moment they are asleep beside you, and the next they are biting your clothes, chewing the furniture, having an accident indoors or racing around the house as though they have forgotten how to settle.
Then adolescence arrives, and the puppy who appeared to be learning so well may suddenly become more distracted, excitable or difficult to manage.
You are not doing everything wrong.
Puppies and adolescent dogs are still learning how to cope with the world. With the right guidance, you can help them develop confidence, useful everyday skills and positive habits without relying on punishment or unrealistic expectations.
I provide personalised puppy and adolescent dog training across Horsham, West Sussex and the surrounding areas.
Puppy & Adolescent Support Programme — £395
The programme includes an initial assessment and four personalised one-to-one coaching sessions.
Individual follow-up sessions are also available at £75.
Could This Support Help You?
This service may be suitable if your puppy or adolescent dog is:
✔ Biting or mouthing hands, clothes or leads
✔ Struggling with toilet training
✔ Chewing household items
✔ Jumping up at people
✔ Pulling on the lead
✔ Ignoring their recall
✔ Finding it difficult to settle
✔ Becoming easily overexcited
✔ Distracted by everything outdoors
✔ Struggling with grooming or handling
✔ Lacking confidence in new situations
✔ Finding it difficult to be left briefly
✔ Appearing to have forgotten previously learned training
✔ Going through the challenges of adolescence
You do not need to wait until you feel completely overwhelmed before asking for help.
Early support can make training feel clearer and help prevent small difficulties from becoming established habits.
Puppy Support
The early months are not about creating a perfectly obedient puppy.
They are about helping your puppy feel safe, understand their new home and begin learning the skills they will need throughout life.
Puppy support may include:
🐾 Settling into the home
🐾 Toilet-training routines
🐾 Puppy biting and mouthing
🐾 Sleep and rest
🐾 Chewing and appropriate outlets
🐾 Recall foundations
🐾 Loose-lead walking foundations
🐾 Calm greetings
🐾 Handling and grooming preparation
🐾 Confidence around new experiences
🐾 Appropriate social development
🐾 Preventing separation difficulties
🐾 Building engagement with you
🐾 Preparing for veterinary visits
The focus will be on helping you understand what is normal for your puppy’s age while giving you practical ways to guide them.
Adolescent Dog Support
Adolescence can begin at different ages depending on the individual dog and breed.
During this stage, dogs may become more independent, easily distracted and emotionally affected by situations they previously appeared comfortable with.
You may notice:
- Recall becoming less reliable
- Increased pulling
- Greater interest in dogs, people or wildlife
- Difficulty settling
- Jumping up or overexcitement
- Frustration when prevented from reaching something
- Changes in confidence
- Selective responses to familiar cues
- Increased chewing or destructive behaviour
- Testing of household routines and boundaries
Your dog is not deliberately trying to challenge your authority.
Their body, brain and emotional responses are still developing.
Adolescent support helps rebuild communication, strengthen useful skills and create routines that are clear and achievable for both of you.
Socialisation Is More Than Meeting Everyone
Good socialisation does not mean allowing your puppy to greet every person or dog.
It means helping them develop safe, positive and carefully managed experiences of the world.
This may include:
🐾 Watching people and dogs calmly from a comfortable distance
🐾 Experiencing different surfaces, sounds and environments
🐾 Learning that they do not need to interact with everything they see
🐾 Developing confidence without being forced or overwhelmed
🐾 Having opportunities to rest and recover after new experiences
🐾 Building calm neutrality as well as friendly interactions
Quality matters more than quantity.
A puppy who is repeatedly overwhelmed may become more worried rather than more confident.
We will introduce experiences at a pace your puppy or adolescent dog can manage successfully.
What We'll Work On
What We Can Work On
Every programme is tailored to your individual dog, family and lifestyle.
Biting and Mouthing
Puppy biting is normal, but it can still be painful and frustrating.We can
look at:
- Sleep and overtiredness
- Appropriate chewing outlets
- Overstimulation
- Play and interaction
- Managing clothing and children
- Redirecting biting safely
- Teaching calmer ways to engage
Toilet Training
We will create a clear and realistic routine based on your puppy’s age, home environment and individual needs.Accidents will be managed without punishment.
Loose-Lead Walking
We will build the foundations gradually rather than expecting a young dog to walk perfectly through a highly distracting environment.
Recall
Recall begins with building motivation, connection and a strong history of rewarding your dog for returning.We will also discuss safe management while recall is still developing.
Settling and Calmness
Puppies and adolescents often need help learning how to rest.We can introduce routines and exercises that support calm behaviour without expecting them to remain still for unrealistic periods.
Handling and Grooming
We can help your dog become more comfortable with:
- Brushing
- Paw handling
- Ear checks
- Harnesses and leads
- Towelling
- Veterinary preparation
- Grooming equipment
The aim is to build cooperation and trust rather than forcing your dog through the process.
Everyday Manners
This may include:
- Waiting at doors
- Four paws on the floor
- Going to a mat
- Dropping or leaving items
- Calm visitor routines
- Focus around distractions
- Settling while you eat or work
- Travelling more comfortably
How the Programme Works
Step 1 — Puppy & Adolescent Assessment
We begin with an assessment to discuss:
- Your dog’s age, breed and development
- Daily routine and lifestyle
- Sleep and rest
- Feeding and enrichment
- Current training
- Your main concerns
- Your future goals
- The situations you find most difficult
I will observe your puppy or adolescent dog where appropriate and help you identify a realistic starting point.
You will receive practical initial recommendations even if you choose not to continue with the full programme.
Step 2 — Personalised Training Plan
Your plan will be designed around your dog and household.
It may include:
- Changes to routines
- Management strategies
- Foundation exercises
- Short training activities
- Appropriate enrichment
- Rest and decompression
- Family guidance
- Clear progression steps
You will not be given a generic schedule that does not fit your life.
Step 3 — Four One-to-One Coaching Sessions
Across four personalised sessions, I will help you put the plan into practice.
We will work through your most important goals, review progress and adjust the training as your dog develops.
Sessions may take place at home, on your regular walking routes or in another suitable environment.
Step 4 — Practice Between Sessions
You will receive manageable exercises to continue between appointments.
Training does not need to take over your entire day.
Many useful skills can be practised during normal routines, walks, meals and play.
Step 5 — Continue as Your Dog Grows
Puppies and adolescent dogs change quickly.
We will review your plan as new stages and challenges appear.
At the end of the programme, you will have clear guidance for continuing independently, with individual follow-up sessions available if you need additional support.
What Is Included?
Your programme includes:
✔ Puppy & Adolescent Assessment
✔ Four personalised one-to-one coaching sessions
✔ Individual training plan
✔ Written recommendations
✔ Practical exercises between sessions
✔ Progress reviews throughout the programme
✔ Relevant Ravendale puppy and training guides
✔ Video feedback where appropriate
✔ Reasonable email support for brief questions
✔ Support from a qualified dog trainer and Canine Behaviour Practitioner
Programme Prices
Puppy & Adolescent Assessment — £125
A personalised assessment of your dog’s development, current training and your family’s goals.
You will receive practical guidance and recommendations for moving forward.
The assessment can be booked on its own.
If you join the programme within seven days, the £125 fee will be deducted from the full programme price.
Puppy & Adolescent Support Programme — £395
The programme includes:
- Your £125 assessment
- Four personalised coaching sessions
- Individual training plan
- Ravendale supporting resources
- Between-session guidance
The assessment and four £75 follow-up sessions would cost £425 if purchased separately.
Programme saving: £30, plus the included resources and ongoing support.
Individual Follow-Up Session — £75
Follow-up sessions are available after your assessment or programme.
They can be used to work on a particular concern, respond to a new developmental stage or continue progressing towards your goals.
Bringing Home a Puppy Soon?
Bringing Home a Puppy Soon?
You do not need to wait until your puppy arrives before asking for support.
A pre-puppy appointment can help you prepare:
🐾 Your home and puppy area
🐾 Sleeping arrangements
🐾 Toilet-training routines
🐾 Equipment
🐾 Safe introductions to children or other pets
🐾 The first few days and nights
🐾 Social development
🐾 Preventing common difficulties
🐾 Choosing realistic family rules
Preparing in advance can make the transition less overwhelming for both you and your puppy.
Training or Behaviour Support?
This programme is suitable for everyday puppy and adolescent training.
However, a Behaviour Assessment may be more appropriate if your dog is:
- Regularly barking or lunging at people or dogs
- Growling, snapping or biting
- Guarding food, toys, spaces or people
- Showing significant fear or panic
- Unable to recover after stressful events
- Displaying serious separation-related distress
- Becoming unsafe around children or other animals
- Showing sudden or unexplained behaviour changes
You do not need to make this decision alone.
If I believe behaviour support would be a more suitable starting point, I will explain why and guide you towards the right service.
My Training Approach
Puppies and young dogs learn best when they feel safe, supported and motivated.
I use:
🐾 Kind, force-free methods
🐾 Reward-based learning
🐾 Evidence-informed training
🐾 Realistic expectations for your dog’s age
🐾 Gradual introductions to new experiences
🐾 Practical guidance tailored to family life
🐾 Support for both the dog and owner
I do not use fear, intimidation or physical punishment.
Mistakes are part of learning for puppies, adolescent dogs and their owners.
My role is to help you understand what your dog needs and make the training process feel clearer and more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Start Training My Puppy?
Training can begin as soon as your puppy comes home.
Early training should be gentle and focused on safety, trust, routines and simple everyday skills.
Your puppy also needs plenty of sleep and time to settle.
Can I Book Before My Puppy Comes Home?
Yes.
A pre-puppy appointment can help you prepare your home, equipment and routines before your puppy arrives.
What Age Is the Programme Suitable For?
The programme can support young puppies and adolescent dogs.
The exercises and expectations will be adapted to your dog’s age and stage of development.
Is Puppy Biting Normal?
Yes, biting and mouthing are normal parts of puppy development.
However, factors such as overtiredness, overexcitement and a lack of appropriate outlets can make it more intense.
We can help you manage the biting and teach safer ways for your puppy to interact.
Why Has My Adolescent Dog Stopped Listening?
Adolescent dogs often become more distracted and independent as they develop.
This does not mean the previous training has been wasted.
We may need to reduce distractions, strengthen rewards and rebuild skills gradually in different environments.
Does My Puppy Need to Meet Lots of Dogs?
No.
Your puppy does not need to greet every dog.
Carefully chosen, positive experiences and learning to remain calm around other dogs can be more beneficial than frequent uncontrolled greetings.
Can My Family Be Involved?
Yes.
It is helpful for everyone caring for the dog to understand the routines and use consistent guidance.
Children can take part in age-appropriate ways, but adults remain responsible for supervision and training.
Can You Guarantee My Puppy Will Become a Perfect Adult Dog?
No trainer can guarantee how a dog will develop.
Genetics, health, experiences, environment and learning all influence behaviour.
Good support can help you build strong foundations, recognise concerns early and give your dog the best opportunity to develop successfully.
Give Your Puppy or Adolescent Dog a Positive Start
You do not need to have all the answers or get everything right from the beginning.
Raising a young dog is a learning process for both of you.
Together, we can build useful skills, create clearer routines and help you feel more confident as your dog grows.
Puppy & Adolescent Assessment — £125
Full Support Programme — £395, including your assessment
Start with a Puppy & Adolescent Assessment
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Ravendale Training and Behaviour
Partridge Green, Horsham, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom