A dog can always learn new things, regardless of age. Some behavioral issues might be challenging and potentially impossible to rectify if not addressed early, but most training objectives should be achievable.

I don't advocate for punishing bad behavior. If they're caught in the act, you can remind them that it's not okay, but physical punishment is not advisable. It's crucial to catch them in the act for them to understand what behavior is inappropriate. Rewarding good behaviors is a more effective strategy than punishing bad behaviors.

If your puppy is vaccinated and well protected, you can take them almost anywhere that allows dogs for socialization. If they're young and haven't completed their vaccine regimen, it's safe to socialize them with dogs you know are well-vaccinated, such as those owned by friends or family.

The most important commands for your dog to know are "sit," "down," "stay," "heel," "come," "leave it," and "off." It's essential to differentiate between "down," which means lie down, and "off," which is used to discourage jumping on others.

Obedience training should be started as soon as possible. Ideally, you should start training your dog as soon as you get them. This could involve at-home training if you have basic skills, or enrolling them in a puppy or adult class, depending on their age.

The need for medication can depend on the specific situation. Some dogs may need to be on medication long-term, while others may only need it initially. With consistent training and monitoring, some dogs may eventually be weaned off the medication, provided the condition doesn't worsen.

Behavior modification is teaching a dog to exhibit a different behavior. Instead of simply punishing a dog for undesirable behavior, we show them what we expect from them and guide them towards preferable behavior.

The next steps include enrolling your dog in a good training program, ideally with a trainer who can work with you at home. You may also need to start your dog on medication prescribed by your veterinarian to make the training more effective.

You should ask your veterinarian about the potential cause of your dog's behavior, what type of training might be beneficial if there are any medications that can help, and what you can do at home to improve the situation.

Your veterinarian will want to know the specifics of your dog's behavior, such as when it occurs, what triggers it, if anything alleviates it, when it started, how long it has been happening, and if it is getting worse over time.