I have a healthy and happy 10 mo. old male golden. I can assure everyone that reads these pages that it pays to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. My little guy does not jump up, that is, it seems he doesn't understand that concept. Is this normal? He hasn't started lifting his leg either. When do males usually begin to mark and act like big boys? I want him to do this before we neuter him. - KenT Athol, Idaho

Hey there Ken Told, sometimes they don't, but he may start any time in the first year, or some think they learn from other male dogs. Some also think marking is to be avoided- personal preference. Usually people complain that goldies jump up too much! you may want to talk to your vet and check his hips. Maybe jumping is uncomfortable. If he is held up when he jumps and it is painful he won't do it as much. Perhaps he got a lesson on that inadvertently, like if he tried to jump up under the kitchen table and hit his head ( it only takes a couple of tries. they can get the hint real quick sometimes). You may want to count your blessings because you have less paw prints to wash off your clothes and because the first thing he's going to want to mark is your furniture and your leg!! I had happy fixed before he got the least bit territorial or dominant. He is friendly with everyone! Again, personal preference.

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