The Puppy Training Framework

Ian Shivers • August 15, 2025

Share this article

I understand why obedience is so attractive.

Building the Best Start for Life

When it comes to raising a happy, healthy, and well-behaved dog, early training isn’t just important—it’s essential. The habits, skills, and emotional resilience your puppy develops now will shape the rest of their life.

Here’s our step-by-step framework for setting your puppy (and you) up for success.

✔ ASSESS – Understanding You, Your Puppy, and Your Goals

Before we teach your puppy anything, we need to understand the full picture.


  • What’s your lifestyle like?


  • What are your goals for your dog?


  • What challenges are you facing now?


  • What breed is your pup and what are their needs?



  • What personality type has your pup got? Are they bold and resilient or are they shy and sensitive?


This first step ensures that we start with a clear understanding of your unique situation and your puppy’s personality.

✔ CREATE THE TAILORED PLAN – No Two Puppies Are the Same

Every puppy has their own needs, and every family has their own goals. We design a personalised training plan just for you.

Here’s what that plan includes:

1. Education for You

After assessing, we explain why the plan is designed the way it is, so you’re confident in the process. When you understand the reasoning, you’re far more likely to stay committed and see success.

2. Stress Relief & Recovery

A stressed puppy can’t learn effectively. Many unwanted behaviours come from emotional strain, not “naughtiness.”


We prioritise helping your puppy feel calm, safe, and regulated—because healthy emotions create better behaviour than obedience drills alone ever could.

✔ IMPLEMENT THE FIVE PILLARS – The Framework Within the Framework

✔ GROWTH & PROGRESSION – Taking Things to the Next Level

As stress decreases, resilience increases, and your communication improves, you’ll be ready to take on more challenging skills and experiences together.

✔ ONGOING ASSESSMENT, ADJUSTMENT & IMPROVEMENT – Progress Over Perfection

Life changes. Puppies grow. Setbacks happen. We continually review and adapt the plan so it always works for you and your dog.

Final Thoughts

Puppy training isn’t about drilling commands—it’s about building a strong relationship, creating emotional stability, setting them up to succeed and giving your dog the skills to thrive in our human world. This framework keeps you focused on what matters most, every step of the way.


If you want support in creating the life you want to live with your pup then reach out because we have a couple of options for you.

These five areas, when fulfilled, create the life you and your dog dream of.

  1. Communication & Handling Skills
    Learn how to communicate, train, and handle your puppy with confidence—building trust and mutual understanding.
  2. Enrichment
    Discover what your puppy finds truly satisfying and how to weave it into daily life, ensuring they are mentally and emotionally fulfilled.
  3. Exercise
    Provide the right type and amount for your puppy’s needs. Avoid over-exercise, compulsion, or addictive patterns—keeping mental and emotional health front and centre.
  4. Healthy Feeding Routines
    While we don’t give nutritional advice, we teach how to use mealtimes to create predictable patterns that support emotional regulation.
  5. Sleep & Rest
    Puppies need a minimum 16–18 hours of sleep daily (depending on the individual), with deep, restorative rest. Without it, they can’t be at their best—mentally, emotionally, or behaviourally.


I understand why obedience is so attractive.

Ian Shivers

Pet Parent, Dog Trainer & Behaviourist, podcast and content writer

I’m not here to help you create an obedient dog. I’m here to help you create a better life with your dog built on understanding, trust, and meeting both of your needs.


Whether you’re starting fresh with a new puppy or looking to improve life with your current dog, I’m here to guide you with practical, simple, and effective support.


Hi, my name is Ian, and I’ve been working with dogs and their owners since 2007, helping families build calmer, more connected relationships that last. With 150+ five-star Google reviews, I’m proud to be one of Sydney’s highest-rated behaviourists you can trust.

Table of Content

Get Your Free Starter Guide

Trusted by over 4,000 puppy owners, rescue dog owners and owners of dogs with behaviour issues across Sydney.

Ebook - The complete dog training framework

Webinar - A deep dive into the dog training framework

Dog Training Blog

Discounts on Lyka Pet Food

Recent Posts

By Bondi Behaviourist June 16, 2026
Settling isn’t a behaviour you train — it’s a state you create. If your dog can’t switch off at home, the environment is usually the place to start.
By Bondi Behaviourist June 10, 2026
If your dog is reactive or antisocial around other dogs, there is a clear pathway forward. It starts with understanding why — everything else follows from that.
By Ian Shivers June 1, 2026
Two days, small groups, in person. Learn why your dog reacts and what to do about it. Sydney reactivity workshop — 6th & 7th June. Spots almost gone.
By Ian Shivers May 26, 2026
Your dog signals stress before it reacts. Learning to read those signals — and the other dog’s — gives you time to act before the threshold is crossed.
By Bondi Behaviourist May 19, 2026
Play can reduce reactivity or quietly make it worse. It depends on the game, the structure, and whether it matches the dog.
By Bondi Behaviourist May 19, 2026
Your dog’s behaviour is the end of a long chain. Ian Shivers explains the four-lens framework that reveals what’s really driving it — and why fixing it starts upstream.
May 5, 2026
Most reactive dog training targets the wrong moment. Learn why preparation and diagnosis matter more than the walk itself.
By Bondi Behaviourist April 28, 2026
Most reactive dog advice skips the fundamentals. A Sydney dog behaviourist explains the two skills — leash handling and spatial awareness — that make the biggest difference on walks.
By Bondi Behaviourist April 21, 2026
If your dog barks, lunges or shuts down on walks, this is where to start. A Sydney dog behaviourist explains what's really driving reactivity — and the approach that creates lasting change.
Calm dogs
By Bondi Behaviourist April 9, 2026
Most owners reward excitement without realising it. A Sydney dog behaviourist explains why noticing and protecting calm — rather than interrupting it — is one of the most powerful things you can do for your dog.
Show More