FAQs

Many of the exercises in this module builds upon the ones puppies learned in the itty bitty puppy module.

Depending on the puppy’s progress, I might start some of these exercises when they have more or less learned the exercises in the itty bitty puppy module. Some of my puppies have started all the puppy in motion exercises by 12 weeks, whereas some have only started to progress to this module by 15-16 weeks.

The exercises in this module continue to be very low impact, making use of low, stable platforms on non-slippery floors, they are generally safe for puppies.

As we introduce puppies to different equipments, I prefer to use bigger platforms to set my puppies up for success. Bigger platform = larger surface area = easier to “target”.

I gauge the size of the first platforms to be approximately twice the size of the puppy. As the puppy gains confident, I can switch to smaller platforms.

I prefer the platforms to be no higher than the puppy’s carpal (i.e., wrist) for safety reasons.

Every puppy is unique, so there is no hard and fast rule for how often you should do these exercises. As puppies mature, they learn that training is FUN, and my puppies are always excited about training time.

By the time we get to the puppy in motion module, I can usually do usually do 2 - 3 exercises a day, for about 60-90s each at a time. I am slowly increasing the training time, while still keeping our training sessions fun for everyone.

Every puppy is unique, so there is no hard and fast rule for how long each training session should be.

My rule of thumb is “keep it short and sweet.” I make sure to end the session before the puppy gets bored, frustrated, or tired.

For puppies 12-20 weeks, my training session is usually about no more than 10 minutes total. By now, my puppies are also practicing waiting for their turns, so a training session may go something like

30-60s play

60-90s train

30-60s play/wait for turn

30s play

90s train

30-60s play/wait for turn

30s play

90s train

30-60s play

The goal of these exercises is to show the puppy that training is fun. We are exposing the puppy to all the different things they can do.

Therefore, I do not emphasize on the number of repetitions. When I first start, I take a handful of cookies, work on one exercise. When the cookies are gone, I am done with this exercise for this session.

Nope! Although some exercises build upon each other (e.g., front feet side stepping requires puppy knows front feet target first), the puppy does not have to master one exercise before moving on to the next.

In fact, I often do 2-3 different exercises in one training sessions to keep things interesting.