What's Important (the 1st month home)?                                                                                        1. Crate Training    Crate Training (Links)                                                      2. Name  (micro chips are "cool")                                                       3. Initial Health Exam & Vaccinations                                                              (avoid unnecessary exposure until final shots)                                                     4. Design Predictable Routines                                                         Puppies thrive when their day is well defined.                                                               a. Adopt a "Training" Plan (sequential)                                                               b. Embrace a Realistic, Flexible Timeline                                                                      (puppy timelines vary - considerably)                                                         Do what the pup needs "in the moment".                                                                          (every puppy is unique)                                                                                    Keep it Fun!                                                                                                         5. Focus on The Two B's - Bonding & Balance                                                     6. A Daily Job (predictable time slots)                                                               a.  Free Walks & Runs (different "safe" places)                                                                    This is the time to imprint "here".                                                               b. Games - (including retrieving)                                                                    Continue imprinting "here".                                                                    (before & separate from retrieving)                                                               c.  Quiet Time (regularly scheduled)                                                               d.  It's not "you and me"......it's "us".                                                                     Responsiveness is a "two way" street.                                                     7. Warm Water! (when in season)                                                     8. Socialization (planned & regular)                                                     9. Birds "The early bird gets the dog."                                                                     Early Puppy Bird Imprints (Link)                                                    10. Work on OB "imprints" in the context of the day.                                                          contrast formal OB with puppy "imprinted" OB                                                          (there is a difference)                                                          Behavior is not a 10 minute drill.                                                   11. The Beginning of Gun Introduction                                                   12. Goals                                                               a. creating an "I like that! What's Next?" pup                                                               b. avoiding "fixes" by not making mistakes                                                                    (Awareness/anticipation are acquired skills.)                                                               c. establishing significant, lifelong habits                                                               d. being fair, consistent and predictable                                                  As an example, the following links provide a daily                                                      view of the first seven months of Gunny's life.                                                       He was a singleton pup and his "early" days                                                       were a bit different (extra six weeks at home).                                                  Gunny's 1st Three Months  June-August, '07 (link)                                                              Gunny's Journal Sept - Dec, '07 (link)                               Puppies will do what you allow plus that which you teach (in theory).                                                                                              The wise trainer's mantra is "You own what you condone".                                                            "It is better to have a puppy passionately want to be near                                                         you......before expecting it. Early is easier."                                                                                                                                                                     updated 03/13/13