Prepare a quiet resting area, an easy toilet route and a plan for supervision before the puppy arrives.

Review several days of comfortable rest, appetite, voluntary play, exploration and social choice.

Move the mat away from the difficult doorway and reward one voluntary step onto it.

Separate vulnerable people from the dog using doors or gates and stop repeating the situation to see whether it happens again.

Ask which specific skill is being taught, how progress is measured and how staff will show you the same setup at home.

Healthy play includes excitement; the useful question is whether the dog can pause and recover.

Agree on predictable toilet opportunities, meals, rest and handling routines, while remaining responsive to the dog’s needs.

Map where barking or startle responses occur and note windows, shared walls, door sounds and interrupted sleep.

First check toilet needs, temperature, comfort and signs of illness.

Practice absences short enough that the dog remains comfortable, using a camera when practical.