Jim,
for me, puppy shoots are easy, but I do them weekly ... so I have my system that works

beginners often are at the mercy of inexperienced handler/owners ... I only shoot show litters

beginners think they have to do it all themselves ... I always bring help and make sure the owner provides lotsOhelp too

I'm not the most creative person in the world, so I require litter owners to come up with one theme for their litter & I'll do one

people try for that perfect shot ... puppies do what puppies do ... be ready, drop it in your set, shoot, and catch it before it falls off of the table ... as simple as that LOL

95% of the dogs & puppies I shoot are from either show or agility homes ... training begins the minute they're born and continues on thru life
... beginners try shooting their pets or pets of their friends & family, most of which can't hold a sit for 5 seconds ... then they become frustrated, and ask me how I do it LOL

the secret is in who's dogs I shoot, not how I shoot them