I have found repeatedly time and time again, that the first 4 months are where you make the biggest inroads with your puppy. Here are some random thoughts and observations. 1, Puppies need to leave the nest. Yep, puppies that leave the nest are always better than those who never do. 2, 2nd dog syndrome. So many people call their 2nd dog "the dummy." This is because this puppy got less attention because they thought the "1st dog" would teach him/her. If you separate and spend your time with this puppy just you and him, you do not get 2nd dog syndrome. 3, Showing your puppy what is expected of him in your life, sport, whatever. This is the time to do it. I know from first hand experience, whatever you want from your puppy, show him/her in this time period. Obviously it will have to be the baby version, but show him/her. 4, leash training. Good grief, I am super guilty of waiting too long on this one. Avoid the mullet (fish, not hairstyle) and do this in the first 4 months. Let them drag the leash around and get used to not stepping on it. After 1 year, leash training can look a lot like your dog is having a seizure to someone new to dogs. Yeesh
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