It is nearly impossible for me to walk into a room of puppies without exclaiming "These are the cutest puppies I have ever seen!" To which my new students always reply "I bet you say that to every class", and how could that not be true?

At the Peaks Island Common Hound Fair, one of the classes in the fun dog show was for puppies under 6 months. The class was called, "Puppies that most make you want one". Guess what, all the pups won!

Below are some really cute photos of my puppy clients. All were taken in the last month except the one of the Aussie on her bed.

Abbie

Jade on her first night of school

Lassie

All the puppies in this blog are under 3 months old. Do not wait to start training your puppy! Puppies are genetically programmed to learn about the world until approximately 4 1/2 months of age. At that time very important socialization windows close forever.
A young puppy is very impressionable! Puppies who get off to a great start with training and proper socialization learn what is safe and what is not. Many behavior problems like aggression and fearful behavior won't have a chance to develop if you raise your puppy right.

Be aware that all training and socialization programs are not the same! Do your research, observe before trusting someone with your puppy. Your puppy will hopefully be with you for the next 15 years! Work early to help give your pup a solid foundation.

Be advised that training and socialization is much more than
just STICKING YOUR PUPPY IN A PLAY GROUP and letting things take their course. A well run puppy play group is very strictly monitored.
Be warned that if your dog is frightened, bullied, or learns
to be the bully, puppy play groups can do more harm than good. A good number of my aggressive clients went to play groups every weekend.

If I hear one more time..."but we thought we were doing everything right. We went to playgroup every weekend, where Precious played with at least 30 pups", I may become physically ill.

Read this, and buyer beware!

Sadie asleep in my kitchen

The pups in this blog were included because the photos were adorable. Fret not. If you took your puppy for training with me, your puppy was the cutest puppy ever in the world. I am sure of it.

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