why? why is it such an issue to wait till 12 months so it knows what its doing at 18months? that 6 month extra puppy time is what makes a dog not the 6 months extra working. Not only that you will risk losing far more than 6 months working time when the dog gets older it may lose years because it was badly handled as a pup. There is evidence to back up my statement that starting a puppy too soon working hard in the field will harm it in the long run. There is no evidence to say that it reduces their skill/working capabilities. Teaching a puppy gradually makes a far more stable base on which to