Joyce - all discussion regarding the breeder aside (162 lbs? wow....) - you probably would be going through the same issues were Bentley from elsewhere. And it's not your fault.

As I said earlier - he sounds like he's a smart and dominant little soul. He just needs time to mature + a lot of daily training. And keep going to classes.

@behavior indoors vs outside - could be Ky knows she's supposed to behave herself in the house and has been allowed to rough house outside.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

We also got our first golden from a BYB. We lucked out big time with Amber. She was all that a golden should be. She had a flaw of a white spot on her chest. It just made her better for us.

When I started looking for our current golden, I knew a tiny bit more. Enough to look for clearances and to check the size of the parents, but not much more. I've learned a bunch from being on this forum.

You're doing great with your dogs. Keep up the tough love.

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Gwen
belongs to Amber (LiquidAmber II) June 1995-August 2010
Maddie (Essex Mountain Madrone) CGC Born April 17th, 2012

And keep in mind he is just 5 months old, he is supposed to do a lot of puppy nonsense, cause he's still a puppy! Work on manners and being well behaved of course, but let him be silly too!

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This is what I'm struggling with now. He must learn manners the question is how to do that without breaking his spirit. I love his personally, Ky is my serious one Bentley is the class clown, the comic relief, my goofball.
I'm trying to ease up just a touch and keep the training fun but at the same time I need him to understand that the only choice he has it to be well mannered.
A couple of times today I felt bad and wanted to go back to the way it was but I know he will learn if I'm consistent with training. His little face has the ability to melt my heart and make me feel guilty.
Well played Bentley, well played.

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Hi Joyce
As many have said keep in mind he is still a puppy. Nothing wrong with a well behaved puppy, but we need to keep it fun at the same time. It sure is a fine gray line when it comes to knowing how much to let a puppy get away with. Abby started just being crazy when I got her food out, had to get your hand out of the way fast. I put a stop to that, I now make her sit and watch me pour the food in her bowl and when I tell her good girl she can than eat. Good Luck but remember let Bently be a crazy puppy once in a while.

Mike

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Day 3

Thanks for all the advice everybody! I'm feeling much better about our progress. This AM on our walk I went back to letting him have half of the walk to sniff and just have fun since walks have really never been a problem for us.
As for boot camp training, I've decided to be drill like only when necessary for instance when he has his "sudden deaf" episodes or jumping to nip at my arm when he doesn't get his way ect.
We are going to continue our hourly 10 minutes training exercises but I am keeping them fun and playful so he enjoys the time while reinforcing the commands.
I called one of the neighbors this AM about getting all the dogs together again, they've been put on hold until after the holidays, but we're going to get as many together as possible because I think since I know all these dogs it will be a better way to let Bentley play with dogs and learn manners at the same time, these dogs are good about policing themselves and don't stand for rude behavior so that's probably the best way for Bentley to learn he can't bully all dogs like he does Ky and the puppies at class.
Wed at graduation I'm going to speak to our trainer about more classes but make it known that I want a class where they're not let off leash to chew on each other, if she doesn't have a class like that we will look elsewhere.
I think it's going to be ok Bentley is different then all the adult dogs I've had, maybe because he's a puppy, maybe he's strong willed but after he learns something is not allowed he will continue to see if he can get away with doing it over & over.
I want him to learn but I want him to remain my Broadway Bentley too ♥

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I think getting Bentley together with other dogs that won't put up with his 'bully' type play is a good idea and the best way for him to learn, but I would suggest starting slowly with one or two other dogs. My rescued lab mix was much a 'contact' player (would charge at and 'run through' the other dogs) my golden 'took him out' (pinned him a couple of times, and snarked in his face) and he gained a lot of respect for other dogs. Sometimes they just need to learn another play style, some dogs love rough play (lots of 'hard' contact), some are chasers and runners, and some love to wrestle.
Keep your walks enjoyable for both of you, at home focus on rewarding (praise and/or treats) any and all offered behaviors you do like (as well as the ones you ask for). Remember dogs do what is rewarding to them, if Bentley is laying quiet chewing on a toy, or sits without you asking him, or just pays attention to you, take the opportunity to let him know you like that. We tend to 'ignore' good behavior, - oh my! the dog is quiet- don't disturb him - rather than reward it and give our dog all kinds of attention when he is being 'naughty' (so he learns that being 'naughty' is a good thing (for him)).

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Until there are none, rescue one.

Joyce, I love your posts. I share your insecurities over raising a puppy as I too am now raising Sasha after not having raised a pup in over a decade, but I am confident Bentley will turn out to be a handsome, well-behaved GR because you are so very dedicated to training and raising him the best way possible!

Your boot camp has inspired me, and I love the way you describe Bentley's "sudden deaf" episodes LOL. Best of luck, and keep us posted on your progress!

I'm happy to report that today was a really good day. We had several fun walks, 10 min training every hr which we kept fun. Bentley & Ky had fun playing together outside and in the house he seems to be respecting all of us a tad bit more.
I think if I just stick with this routine I'm going to end up with a great adult GR while also maintaining his goofyness. I'm going to bed happy tonight.

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Good stuff, Bentleysmom.

I agree Hotel4Dog's observation that too many people excuse bad behavior as "typically puppy behavior." That drives me nuts as well. Year-old Goldens constantly biting to the point of bruising, or shredding a couch is inexcusable. In fact, I wouldn't tolerate that at any age, and I'm amazed at how many people do.

I ran into a guy who has a 6 month old pitbull-lab mix today. He was complaining about difficulties with house training. I described crate training, and how well it worked with Bella. He didn't understand the concept, and said he couldn't lock him in a crate. I guess he'll just have to keep cleaning up his dog's pee. Someone else suggested that having him neutered might help with house training. I kept my mouth shut in regards to that, because I know ZIP about whether or not that's true, but his rationale for not having him neutered blew my mind. He wants his dog to experience sex at least once in his life before he has him neutered. Yes, you heard that right. Poor dog actually has a good temperment, but is staring at some tough odds with that guy as his owner.

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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)