My puppy's turned into a monster!

Time flies so quikly - we are soon ready to breed the dogs once again, and the spring should promise a new litter of puppies. I'm quite excited. It's funny how just as with you're own kids, you look forward to the babies(puppies), but once they come you are overwhelmed with the stress that they create. Once they're gone, or as in the case of kids they grow up, and then you miss having the babies, so you want to do it all over again. Kind of crazy, isn't it?
I've received many updates on the last litter of puppies - they are all doing well and are adorable.
In the case though of someone reading this blog who is looking for information on dog raising, I do have an issue that some of my puppy owners have been experiencing, and as a newly certified dog-trainer, I would like to address this issue.
I can't stress enough how important it is that you establish heirarchy early on when training your puppy . That is, make sure you don't "baby" him to the point that he becomes the boss, and ends up getting away with all kinds of things that he shouldn't. I have had an owner of one of our first litters call me with resource guarding problems which led to her dog biting one of her young son's friends. This is not tolerable. If a dog from a young age is taught that you are the boss, and that everything he has- eg) couch/bed priviledges, toys, food, treats, are only his because you give them to him, and that you have the right to take them away, he will be a much better adjusted dog, and aggression potential is greatly reduced.
I have had the opportunity to see one of my dogs recent off-spring grow up, as his owner attends the same school as my children. I can see that this dog has the potential to pose an aggressive risk in the future as well. In a breed such as a beagle, especially in the case where I know the temperements of both parents first hand, I can boldly state that the only reason this dog is showing aggression is because he hasn't been taught manners.
Unfortunately, telling a dog owner that he needs to address the problem is not so easy. It is somewhat like telling a parent that his child needs to be disciplined. The owner gets defensive, and feels insulted.
Please, anyone out there with a pup, make sure that you take the time to train your dog - it doesn't need to be a champion in the show ring, but by teaching it some basic commands and manners, you'll be much happier with your new best friend in the long run!

(puppy pictured is "Cooper", from last spring's litter)