Re: agility...and behavior

[Linda Shipman <Linda.Shipman@chezor.alaska.com>]

I am in full agreement with Gina and Ilene.  Monza's behavior is
very age appropriate.  Encourage the behavior you want, but do
not expect it at his age.

Our club does not allow dogs to participate in agility until they
are one year old and are under voice control and basic obedience
trained.

Agility places heavy impact stress on the joints.  Until puppies
are 18-24 months, their joints are not fully developed, or what
we call "closed".  Damage can be done to these growing joints
if the puppy or teenager is force exercised before the joints are
closed.  This includes jogging, running next to a bike, and agility
classes where they are expected to perform.  We don't even allow
our goldens to jump in and out of the car or on or off the grooming
table for the first year.  We train them to put their front feet up
and we hoist them up.

Goldens are social, active creatures.  They require lots of off-lead
exercise every day (gauged to the age of the dog - young puppies
and oldsters require less).  And they should be indoor dogs, not
kept outside away from their people.

Goldens are known for being one of the breeds that takes the
longest to mature mentally....hence known as goofy goldens.
That's part of their charm :-)   But Monza may continue this
puppy behavior until he's well over three.   Puppies are all about
patience...loving them for who they are.....and seeing the potential
for who they will become.

Linda
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Linda Shipman
Juneau, Alaska
Linda.Shipman@chezor.alaska.com
http://www.chezor.alaska.com
U-CDX, UCI-Intl & CAN CH Goodtimes Flower Power
         Am-Can CDX, Am-Can TD, CGC           "IRIS"
Mariner Aces High at Chezor, TD, CGC              "ANGEL"
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