Vince thank you for your responce, and I think we are on the same page most of the time, and yes Mr Gaster I understand and teach, and protect my dog in public. However, I feel there can be a balance of praise and correction even at this "age". And yes this can still end in a positive manner.

So, before I continue, in your point of view, Why is the puppy too young for a correction, and what form of correction are you reluctant to use and why? (For those who might think this is a leading question,,,, stop this is not) I was just looking for insight before I answer. KOJAK

I am going to be getting a puppy soon and this was one of the questions I have also. I have read this thread with great interest but cant figure out what everyones advice is. I guess I am confused.

I like the idea that noone feeds my dog except me, I had planned on doing that anyway, but what about basic socialization of a working dog. Is it a bad idea to go to PetCo and PetSmarts? Where else can you recommend taking a dog for socialization? I plan on bringing him to trainings with my other SAR dog, is that enough? There everyone in the group will play with him and he will be around other dogs, but no interaction.

As for Dog aggression, I have been getting alot of conflicting advice as to how to handle a puppy that is loud and obnoxious towards other dogs. Some people are saying that I should ignore the behaviour completly and it will settle itself as the pup gets older and more confident, but with my last pup I told her "no" and gave her a pop and then distracted her. Which is right? My female now ignores others dogs, unless they get up in her face barking. Thats what I want with my new pup, but I was told any type of correction could lead to a decrease in drive or the thought that "the other dog" caused the correction and this could lead to an increase in aggression.

I would appreciate any advice. I am trying to settle on a basic plan of action before my new guy comes home.

I'm kinda confused myself here.. why would you not want your dog to "play" with other nice dogs? Not strange ones you don't know but good ones you do? What harm will that do?

Any why only you feed treats? Is this a prelude to food refusal or something...

I'm serious.. I have no idea.

Sure did, thank you..I just could not see the problem with all that, take my dog for instance. I allowed strangers to treat him during walks to socilize with humans...he will still bark when I tell him to, and I imagine later when his defense comes out it will just get better. I can always train food refusal at any time...if that is what I want to do.

He has played with dogs his whole little life, some he knew, some he didn't. He can work at the club not 25 feet from the other dogs and it's like their not even there... my thinking was if he has seen enough dogs, he would assume their butts stank and not care, turns out to be true in my case.

Just my experience..but everyone is diffrent I guess.

I'm kinda confused myself here.. why would you not want your dog to play with other nice dogs? Not strange ones you don't know but good ones you do? What harm will that do?

The reason reflects back to my original theme – Positive. I explained how I would react to a person wanting to pet my dog. I would give him a list of rules on how I want this done. I cannot do this to another dog. So how can I be assured that it ends positively? If I could I would say to the dog. “Sure you can play with Fito as long as he is dominate, if you have something in your mouth and he wants it then you must drop it immediately or better yet put up a struggle and then let him win in the end, and make sure you only play for a few seconds and don’t over do it because I do not want him to like being with you better than me.”

Any why only you feed treats? Is this a prelude to food refusal or something...

I am the only one that ever:
Feeds my dog
Gives him extended affection
Walks him
Works him
Grooms him

All good things comes from me so guess what you better make me happy or else you are going to live a pretty boring life.

Why is the puppy too young for a correction, and what form of correction are you reluctant to use and why?

Corrections reduce drive. The two main functions of training a young dog is to socialize and build drive. So it is counterproductive to my training.

I feel better then.... thanks Vince, all human social interactions were brief and always positive... even if he got mouthy folks didn't seem to mind much. I guess I got lucky! I will count my blessings...

Ps. I train through drive methods which to steal a phrase from Bernard is really having a contract with my dog. You listen to me and I will (insert one of the above list). The validity of this contract is in direct correlation with how much he wants the above. This is why your dog must have high prey drive to work with Bernard’s methods. Or in my examples if he could go to someone else to get one of the above my contract just lost it’s allure.

Vince: When I wrote that I expect her not to be mouthy or jump..and I expect manners to be adhered to that she has learned...I'm talking about a 19 week old pup..if she would have..my correction would have been a firm NO..and/or OFF..and replaced in a sit/stay.