Leash training.

plus all basic OB commands...no, sit, here, heel....and nip that barking in the bud NOW! do not let him get away with it...ever. I've seen more Choco's prone to whining & barking at the line/blind than one should.

Intro to birds is good now too.

As young as he is, I wouldn't worry much about the barking right now. He's just looking for attention. He just left all his sis's and bro's. It's quite a change for him.

I wouldn't work on anything formal. When your around the house and you see him coming towards you, say "here" and praise him when he gets to you. When you see him start to sit down somewhere say "sit" and give him a good boy. Narrow hallway, small paint roller, sit down, restrain him in front of you, toss the roller and release on his name. When he heads back say "here" and don't let him get by you. Lot's of good boy's and only throw 3 or 4, you want to leave him wanting more.

This is not a right or wrong thing, just what has been successful for me in the past.

Scott
   It's great to start off with a new pup. Hope springs eternal. Saying that, I recommend that you take a deep breath and slow down. Pup
is very young. First if I were you, find someone that you trust and respect as a person, then evaluate if their dog runs and handles the way you expect yours to. Aproach that person and ask for some guidance. Also pick one system of training and stick to that method.  Easy to confuse dog as you progress if you jump from one system to another.
     Here are some of my thoughts on the subjects you mentioned.
Barking    The no and muzzle slap work nice , but don't forget the    
               quiet command following muzzle slap.
Short cord   Having pup drag short cord around now is a good idea.
                 Will be using a short cord for retrieves before long to
                 help start steadying dog.
Socialization   Take pup where ever you can. Walks, rides and just
                     hanging out together are great.
Gun shots   Please back off from this. You will have enough time to
               introduce this with retrieving after they are retrieving  
               relatively well at a distance. Not on real short puppy
               retrieves.
    There are so many things to cover. If you would like to talk
sometime let me know.

                              Jeff

Thanks for all the replies! per what everyone is saying sounds like I am on track.  Part of reason I asked the questions was to verify what I was thinking.

This past weekend I was able to bring hime a couple places so that was nice.

Thanks again!

On a side note....do we need birds or anything..i know of a place where a guy has 30 ducks that he wants to get rid of....thought I would just mention it with the current situation.  He is a small mom and pop game farm.  He won't be running the game farm anymore next year but will be rasing birds.  i will post this on other page as well

Dennis, I understand what you are saying.  Thanks

I remember Pat having something lined up for birds but thought I would just mention it if the club needed the help.

He is doing good, but last couple days he has been acting out quite a bit....very hyper, doesn't want to listen etc...still a puppy!

Sit was going well until the last couple of days too...I guess I just need to keep plugging away.  

On another note (you opened the door   ) - yesterday Indy and Magnum (11 yr old) where 'playing' (starting to think older dog doesn't like it)  - Indy jumps all over the place!  Two things:  

1) should I be letting Indy do this in the first place

2) and more importantly - yesterday during this all of a sudden Magnums back legs gave out and he couldn't move. (note he has been moving SLOW the past year and once in a while his legs to give out but this is the worst that I have seen it..should I do my best to keep them seperated?

On a good side...view video!  ..well if i can figure it out again how to do that.....

Puppy play is normal...but your older dog sounds like he needs a trip to the vet...thats not normal. Good luck...