Top Puppy Training Problems in Brisbane & the Gold Coast (and How to Fix Them)

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, chaotic, and (let’s be honest) sometimes overwhelming. And if you’re a puppy owner in Brisbane or the Gold Coast—you’re not alone in dealing with the same frustrating challenges.

Here are the top struggles we see from local puppy owners—and how to solve them before they spiral into bigger issues.

1️⃣ Toilet Training Troubles

Accidents inside? Totally normal. Puppies don’t come with a bladder schedule! But the key is routine and reward.
✅ Take your puppy out every 30–60 minutes
✅ Reward immediately when they go in the right spot
✅ Use consistent cues (“toilet” or “go potty”)

Remember: puppies don’t generalise well. Just because they go on the grass at home doesn’t mean they’ll understand to do it at grandma’s house.

2️⃣ Mouthing & Biting

Sharp teeth on your hands, feet, or clothes? Welcome to teething season. The problem? If not addressed, it can lead to pushy, mouthy behaviour as adults.
✅ Redirect to toys
✅ Don’t play rough games that encourage biting
✅ Reward calm behaviour around hands and feet

3️⃣ Separation Anxiety & Settling at Night

Puppies raised in busy households can struggle when left alone.
✅ Crate training teaches calm independence
✅ Short absences first, then build time gradually
✅ Night settling: consistent bedtime routine + avoid late-night hyper play

4️⃣ Poor Social Skills

Many owners think “the more socialisation the better.” But rushed, chaotic introductions can actually cause reactivity.
✅ Focus on quality, not just quantity
✅ Pair new people, dogs, or places with rewards
✅ Keep sessions short and positive

5️⃣ Overwhelm in the Home

From kids running around to open doorways and constant excitement, puppies often end up overstimulated.
✅ Teach boundaries at doors and on beds/place
✅ Use structured downtime (crate, mat training)
✅ Ensure everyone in the family is consistent

Why Local Puppy Training Matters

Living in Brisbane or the Gold Coast often means busy lifestyles, beach trips, markets, and social outings. Puppies raised without structured foundations can find this overwhelming. The good news? With the right guidance, they can grow into calm, confident, easy-to-live-with dogs.

How We Help

At Top Dog Pawformance, we specialise in setting puppies up for success. Our Puppy Pawtential Package and Puppy Preschool cover everything from toilet training and socialisation to recall, leash manners, and calmness at home—giving you the tools to raise a dog who fits beautifully into your lifestyle.

👉 If you’re raising a puppy in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, don’t wait for the little issues to grow into big ones. Book your spot now and let’s make puppy raising easier (and more fun!).