Get him tired out before your guests arrive, but not so tired that he throws puppy temper tantrums If the little ones are old enough, have them tell him to sit (or stay or down) and give him a treat when he does it. They'll feel proud of themselves, and it will reinforce his training.

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Golden retrievers think life is a party thrown especially for them

We just went through this because we had Thanksgiving the first Saturday in November because that was the only time we could get my wife's family together. My wife fretted all week before about Murdock's jump and how to handle that with her 86 year old aunt.

To our surprise, he didn't jump on anyone but her sister and niece. They were the first to arrive and after that he just didn't care.

Maybe you will be surprised as well and Chester will be on his best behaviour.

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I, too, just had a similar experience. I was worried for my 90 yo MIL and my 4 year old great-niece. I said the party will be proclaimed a success if nobody gets knocked to the ground! Thankfully the MIL stayed on her feet, can't say the same for the little one. She got knocked down and tackled but kept going back for more, so all was good!

What I did to keep my guy a part of the party but not in everyones face was to tether him to a heavy table away from the main gathering area. So his lead was about 7 feet and he could even go outside and lay right outside the sliding glass door. He was away from the couch/living room, kitchen and the dining room table. It all worked out well except that I was on constant alert because the little one just could not keep her hands off my Bryley ( she kept calling him Barley- it was so cute!!) and my MIL kept wandering into the danger zone!!!

Everyone loves a puppy! It will be fine. Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

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4/1/2000 ~ 1/7/2011

Bailey Missing you Loving you Forever and ever.