theres an old saying you can't ruin a goodun. I agree with this I have a 7 month old pup here with a couple of rabbits under his belt there is no way I could've kept the game off him until 12 month+ even if I had wanted too. You can't wrap them up in cotton wool and if your getting them out enough learning there field craft when pups they are bound to bump into something. I like a nice steady dog that's sensible around its quarry and starting them young also benifits this. no need to rush them but at the same time all the best dogs I've seen started from an early age. Just my opinion fellas be