@fountainhead:
yesterday a family friend came over whom triggers has never met…he goes up to her so happy and starts wagging his tale 90 mph......he has never wagged his tail for me (or anyone) since we got him
i'm trying to excuse him by thinking since i never leave the house he's never surprised or excited to see me....but i still feel a little burned
That is REALLY normal. Don't take it personally. Dogs have a greeting ritual that is much more elaborate for non-pack member friends. They need to express, I am no threat, I am happy to see you, don't feel threatened. Normal, healthy puppies greet just about everybody like that because they have no idea whether each new individual is threatening or not; and they are just excited to meet new friends.
I have found that the people they meet in puppyhood will continue to be favorites throughout their lives. Our 9 year old dog has about four people on earth that he greets with a wagging tail…he met all of them as a baby puppy...and he sees each of them MAYBE once a year...but he gets all crazy when he sees them