Yes!!! Being proactive, rather than reactive to this new adventure you are embarking on will make all of the difference when it comes to the amount of time, money, and sanity saved by starting off with proven techniques such as crates, exercise pens, enrichment toys and a well-managed environment that will allow your puppy to learn safely and quickly. The developmental stage from 8-12 weeks is one of the most critical stages in your dog's life. Inadvertently punishing your puppy, exposing them to too much, too quickly, or not understanding their basic needs will hurt your bond with your puppy. This could create fears and habits that will be much harder to adjust later. Behavior that is practiced and reinforced will repeat, behavior is always happening and understanding your pups body language and for them to understand how to communicate with you, will SAVE so much work down the road!