A major portion of this book pertains to the first six months of a puppy’s
life, with emphasis on the first three months. There’s a good reason for this.
We believe that these early months are absolutely the key to molding a
dog’s behavior so that he can fit into the complexities of life in the twentyfirst
century. Let’s face it, urban life isn’t exactly a natural environment for
man’s best friend—but with care it can be one to which he can adapt.
Life was great for the dog in small-town America where the family dog
went everywhere with the kids and also had his own circle of friends among
the other dogs in the neighborhood. In contrast, today most dogs live
isolated lives in backyards, pens, or homes, completely at the mercy of a
few members of the family who are often very busy with other activities. If
the dog is fed every day and has shelter, we are too likely to think that we’re
filling his needs.
The dog is, by virtue of his wolf heritage, a pack animal with definite
social needs. Through the millennia while man and dog were evolving, the
dog developed empathy with humans and a desire for attention from his
human pack members. If this need for attention is ignored, the dog can
become very frustrated and might well begin to indulge in activities like
incessant barking and destroying property. If the dog that is kept in such an
environment as an adult also was bred and raised with inadequate attention,
the problem is compounded.
