[107barney]

I have two dogs now age 11 who are wonderfully social and well trained. I got them at 8 weeks old from a petstore. Training of dogs can be done and training a 12 week old puppy is easy. Puppy classes are wonderful -- it is where puppies learn the social skills beyond the gentle corrections of their mother and litter mates. When my youngest dog was attending puppy classes, my adult dogs came weekly to help socialize the group. Obedience training isn't about teaching a few cute tricks - although that can be fun also -- it's really about giving your dog the mental exercise and socialization that will shape him for life. A dog obtained at 12 weeks of age may come with some of those issues a little more sorted (depending on the breeder and his/her efforts) but without further training and consistency even that dog can unravel. Behavior issues are best nipped in the bud - and positive reinforcements are very powerful - so that you do not have a problem adult dog.

Good Luck!