Then visit breeders, and select one you trust and can go back to for help if problems occur. A good breeder will also give you references to others who have purchased puppies with a similar genetic background. Some behaviorists have proposed procedures to test puppies for dominance, because a dominant animal may become more aggressive toward its master. However, studies show that dominance can't be detected in animals that young. He says one of the best ways for owners to avoid behavior problems is by enrolling their new pups in puppy classes as early as possible.
Puppy classes teach animals how to interact with humans and other dogs.
Luescher says the window of opportunity for animals to learn to socialize with humans is up to about 12 weeks of age. He says puppies should be handled a lot while they are young, but should not be sold before they are 7 to 8 weeks old. He also advises owners to be aware of another important stage in a dog's development. If something significantly scares them during this time, they may be ruined for life. Luescher estimates that between 40 percent and 50 percent of pets have some form of a behavioral problem.