thanks! that's relief

["Lyn L. Nelson" <lnelson@mail.portup.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.

Thanks for the notes!  I feel better!

Also, for those who responded, please note that I typically only write about
our training times and not the hours of play, since I don't think that's the
meaty stuff that beckons one to read and write a response in an effort of
exchanging information.

What's going on with Monza is a flashback.  Ilene, your comment struck me
because my parents expected me to act as a 1st grader when I was 3 in
pre-school!  Most importantly, I was never allowed me to compare myself, my
behavior or possessions, to anyone else.  I'll still share all of your
valuable notes about puppy behavior with them since I'm an eternal optimist!
[I depend on family for daily Monza care, so that's why I even mention them
& their expectations.]

Monza is very strong (he's even more so now, Ilene!) and that is
intimidating to some.  He's energetic, begs for interaction and puzzling
kind of stuff (like hide & seek, weaseling through stuff to get to a toy,
etc), needs to see/smell/hear everything, has no fear, and is the least
thing from being a log.  Gina teamed him up quite appropriately with me
because we're sort of similar!

Now, the new people at the agility place were quite reserved about how Monza
was acting while their 9 month olds and up were completely obedient and THAT
IS what got me concerned.  Something that I point out to people is the fact
that he is a Golden.  My former trainer would explain to others that Monza
exhibits typical Golden behavior packed with a lot of muscle.  She predicted
that he'll start settling around age 2, and that's the milestone that I
still keep regardless of others' opinions.

By the way, the agility place set-up behind a person's house was recommended
by one of the primo trainers in this area.  She told me to please take him
there, stay off the jump stuff, and let him try what he'll succeed at in
order to associate with other dogs on the sideline and have fun playing
around on stuff.  I specifically asked her if he was too young for this and
she said absolutely not.  The people there told me to start using commands
while using the equipment and made sure he stayed on the yellows.

Quite frankly, just from the stories exchanged and the pictures shared, I'm
raising Monza differently than others.  I can't help but think of how
similar this is to the variances on raising children, or in the very least
how you, yourself, were raised.

Lyn