When you get a new puppy, there are sooo many supplies to get and sooo many things to do that you may feel overwhelmed. Puppies are a lot of work! But they are also a lot of fun -- and way too cute. Their biggest problem is that they stay puppies for such a short period of time!

This is the most important time of their lives because it's the time when puppy personalities are forming and what happens to them now has an impact throughout the rest of their lives. And what *you* do or don't do now also has lasting effects.

You are most concerned right now about the Front End and the Back End -- biting and chewing and also peeing and pooping. Whatever goes in must come out. But I'm concerned with the future -- what happens if certain events do or don't take place during critical developmental periods. It's preventative behavioral medicine, and you play a big part.

And speaking of medicine, veterinarians and trainers are looking out for your puppy in different ways. Your vet is concerned with him medically, and trainers -- including myself -- are concerned with him behaviorally. Unfortunately, your vet may advise you to wait until your puppy has completed his shots before taking him to the outside world. But by the time he finishes his puppy shots, the critical periods are over. Fortunately, many vet schools are changing their policies because they, too, realize the importance of these critical developmental periods.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has realized the importance of early socialization and issued a new position statement, "The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated." (emphasis added).

No one gets a puppy intending that he will be turned in to a shelter because of behavior problems, but that's exactly what happens to 50% of the dogs born each year in the US. They are dead by their second birthday because of behavior problems, many of which can be prevented. The fact that you are reading this shows that you care enough for your puppy that that won't happen, so give yourself a pat on the back!

Both in the group classes and private lessons, we talk about how to minimize your puppy's biting and chewing so you don't become a human pincushion and so your furniture doesn't look like termites have attacked it. I can show you some simple strategies to accomplish this.

And we also talk about prevention of problems. Did you know that most dogs who have aggression issues don't like to be touched -- or only like to be touched when and where THEY want it? I demonstrate how to touch your dog so he loves it, and then you practice it.

The other important issue is socializing -- and socializing means much more than getting him used to other dogs. It's acclimating him to the sounds, smells, places, people, and things that he will encounter during his lifetime in a positive manner. We talk about how to do that in a safe way.

Please call toll free at 1-877-7-DOGGIE so we can get started right away! We're looking forward to speaking with you,

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