One Bad Moment

Here's the catch with an open brain: it learns fear just as fast as it learns calm.

There's a real tension here. The socialization window is wide open before your puppy is fully vaccinated, when crowded dog spots carry the most disease risk.

The fix is controlled exposure. Skip dog parks and pet-store floors for now. Instead, carry your puppy through the neighborhood, invite vaccinated, friendly dogs to your home, and visit calm friends' houses.