A puppy in a house with a garden learns toilet habits almost by itself. A puppy on the third floor of an apartment block in Kypseli or Pagkrati has to learn to wait for the lift, walk past scooters parked on the pavement, not bark at every footstep on the stairs, and stay alone for a few hours without stirring up the whole floor. That's a lot for a few months of life — and it's why training is worth starting early.
What a series of sessions can cover
Petit-o's Training service is for pets that need guidance, structure and repeated sessions for behaviour, obedience or social habits. You book sessions on several dates, each with a clear start and end time. For a puppy in an apartment, typical goals are:
- a toilet routine with set times outdoors,
- walking on a loose leash, without pulling,
- staying calm in the lift, on the stairs and in the building entrance,
- "sit" and waiting before crossing the street,
- gradually getting used to being alone for short periods.
Before the street
Ask your vet when your puppy can safely walk on the street and meet other dogs, based on its vaccinations. Training doesn't have to wait until then: its name, "sit", first contact with the leash and the toilet routine can all start at home or on the balcony.
Your five minutes count as much as the session
A puppy learns through repetition, not from one hour a week. The session shows you what to do; the difference comes from what you do on the other days. Two things help a lot:
- Everyone at home uses the same word for the same command. If one person says "sit" and another says "sit down", the puppy hears two different things.
- Short, frequent practice — five minutes before meals — works better than one long session.
What to ask the sitter
Not every sitter is a certified dog trainer, so read the profile carefully and ask about their experience. When someone expresses interest in your request, message them:
- Have they worked with puppies, or with your breed?
- What method do they use? Reward-based training (treats, play, praise) is the widely recommended approach; avoid methods based on punishment or choke collars.
- How will they show you what to keep practising between sessions?
When you need something more
If your dog shows aggression, intense fear, or destructive behaviour when left alone, start with your vet — sometimes there's a medical cause, and sometimes an animal behaviour specialist is needed. Training sessions help a great deal with everyday habits, but they don't replace that kind of help.
How to book it on Petit-o
Create your puppy's profile with type, age, weight and photos, and make a Training request with the dates and times that suit you. In the notes, write what you're struggling with most — pulling, toilet training, barking. Send it to sitters near you, talk to the ones who are interested, and pay securely through Stripe.
Once your puppy is out on the street, see the best dog walking spots in Athens and how dog walking with a sitter works.