Just writing to let you know about our little baby doggie and how much we have enjoyed her over the past year. Halo is smart enough to know what we are saying she just decides to make up her own commands instead. It is so dang cute and funny that we don't have to heart to correct her. She has such a funny little personality that I can't imagine our lives without her.

Thank you again for adding to our family,
The Prouds

Awareness, Neonatal, Transition and Canine Socialization. Puppy is with littermates and mother. This period, puppy learns about inhibiting aggression, play, and social interaction from mother and littermates. It is crucial that puppies stay with their mother and littermates during this very critical period. Puppies learn the most important lesson in their lives--they learn to accept discipline.

Puppy 7 - 14 Weeks

This is their Puppy Human Socialization Period. Although his attention span is short, the puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog. This time frame is when the most rapid learning occurs. Learning at this age is permanent making this the perfect time to start training. This is also the ideal time to introduce the puppy to things that will play an important part in his life. Introduce the puppy to as many different people, places, animals, and sounds as possible, in a positive, non-threatening way.

Puppy 8 - 10 / 11 Weeks
Fear Imprint Period of their growth. Avoid frightening the puppy during this period at all costs. Any traumatic, frightening or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than if it occurred at any other time in its life.

Puppy 13- 16 Weeks
Puppy Seniority Classification Period or the Age of Cutting. Puppy cuts teeth and apron strings! Puppy begins testing who is going to be pack leader. You must discourage any and all biting because such biting is a sign of dominance! It is important that you are a strong and consistent leader. Puppy formal training must begin. Such training will help you establish your leadership.

Puppy 4 - 8 Months
This is the Play and Flight Instinct Period. Puppy may wander and ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time! The way that you handle the puppy at this time determines if the puppy will come to you when called. At about 4-1/2 months, the puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That's when he'll begin his serious chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 and 10 months. During this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing a lot.

Puppy 6 - 14 Months
This will be the Second Puppy Fear Imprint Period and Fear of New Situations Period. Dog again shows fear of new situations and even familiar situations. Dog may be reluctant to approach someone or something new. It is important that you are patient and act very matter of fact in these situations. Never force the dog to face the situation. DO NOT pet the frightened puppy or talk in soothing tones. The puppy will interpret such responses as praise for being frightened. Training will help improve the dogs
Confidence.

Dog 1- 4 Years
This is the Maturity Period. You may encounter increased aggression and renewed testing for dominance, but because you have spent a lot of time with your dog, this will not present a problem at all - in fact you will probably hardly notice this, it is just something to keep in mind. Continue to train your dog during this period. It is possible for your dog to have another fear period between 12 - 16 months of age.

You, not your dog, will have to be the leader of the pack if your pup is to develop into a well-mannered family member instead of a burden. Dominance and alpha behavior are very important concepts that every Blue Lacy owner should comprehend. Dogs are animals, not human beings. They are pack animals by nature. Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal, which dominates and leads the other members of the pack. The pack alpha is the boss who makes the decisions for the entire pack. Usually the pack will have an alpha male and an alpha female. All the other members of the pack form a hierarchy of dominance and submission where everyone has a place.

In your home, you and your family become your dog's pack, as do any other dogs you may have. It is your responsibility to establish yourself in the pack alpha position. Anyone can be the pack leader. It is an attitude and air of authority, not a heavy hand.