Today I’m breaking down why early puppy training isn’t “too much, too soon” — it’s actually one of the biggest gifts you can give your dog. For decades people were told to wait until pups were older because they were “too excitable” for classes. But the learning science says the opposite. I walk you through the classic John Paul Scott research (Jackson Laboratories, 1945–1965) showing that early experiences in the first year can shape behaviour for life, especially during key developmental windows: the primary period (roughly days 3–16), the socialization period (about 3 weeks to 12–14 weeks), and the juvenile period (up to around 6–9 months). I also connect that to modern puppy classes (Ian Dunbar’s big contribution in the 1980s) and what the newer data suggests: dogs adopted at 12 weeks or younger are less likely to show fear/anxiety and less likely to develop destructive behaviours later. The takeaway is simple: start as early as you can, and make it force-free — pairing new people, dogs, places, and sounds with food reinforcers and calm, well-planned exposure. And I add an important caveat: socialization is not about cramming in “100 strange dogs.” Quality beats quantity. A handful of calm, positive interactions (while your puppy stays engaged with you) will generally set you up for a more confident, well-adjusted adult dog.