Puppy Training Checklist for Westside LA Owners

If you’re raising a puppy in Venice, Marina del Rey, or Playa del Rey, you’re not raising them in a quiet suburb. You’re raising them inside noise, tight spaces, frequent change, and more stimulation than most young dogs can make sense of alone.

People usually come looking for a checklist. The truth is, there isn’t one that will cover every puppy, but there are a few categories that always matter: structure, social exposure, handling, and emotional stability.

This is less “step-by-step” and more “here are the big rocks that need to exist.”

Structure

Puppies do not benefit from constant freedom. They benefit from:

• predictable routines

• clear on/off times

• some spaces being available and some not

Without that, they don’t become “free.” They become confused and overstimulated.

Potty and House Habits

Potty training and chewing are not intelligence tests. They are management and clarity problems.

If a puppy has:

• too much space

• too little supervision

• no consistent routine

…you’ll see accidents and destruction. That isn’t a broken puppy. It’s a system that isn’t clear enough yet.

Social Exposure (Not Flooding)

Westside puppies are often “socialized” in ways that actually create problems:

• too much, too fast

• chaotic environments before the puppy is ready

• interactions with the wrong dogs

Good socialization is about appropriate exposure, not maximum exposure. That’s a judgment call — which is why having a trainer in the loop early is so useful.

Leash, Handling, and Calmness

The goal with a puppy is not “teach every command.” It’s:

• help them accept being guided

• help them tolerate handling

• teach them that resting is normal, not a punishment

A dog who can walk, be touched, and settle in this environment has a much easier life long-term than a dog who learned a dozen tricks but has no off switch.

When to Bring Someone In

You don’t wait for the wheels to fall off to get help with a puppy here. If you’re already seeing:

• ongoing biting you can’t redirect

• constant barky or frantic energy

• fear of the environment

• trouble being alone at all

You’re not “failing.” You’re just at the point where the environment is more complex than what generic advice can handle.

That’s the right time to get a professional pair of eyes on the situation and build something that actually fits your puppy and your life.

Book your consultation at Dog Nerd LA today and start building the calm, confident beach companion you’ve always wanted.