A good dog.

Radical Edward · #1 03-17-2010, 10:47 AM

Apparently, this was too vague to some of our more special posters, so I'll delete all of that hard reading for you and make it simple. Here's my question to all of you: In your mind, what is a "good dog"?

Febs · #2 03-17-2010, 10:54 AM

Most of those seem like issues with the owner, rather than the dog. If you're a trainer, I'm surprised that you would let some of those issues dissuade you.

A-Step-Towards · #3 03-17-2010, 10:56 AM

Well a dog bonds with you over time its not going to be love at first haha. My dog crapped all over the house and was annoying for the 1st year , now he is a great dog i have had him 5 years, if my friend pretends to hit me even though my dog is only like 35 pounds he will growl and bark and get in between the attacker and me to protect me, if it appears i am in trouble he is fearless.

So i think it takes time and for a bond to grow, but look for a dog that seems to know basic elements, house trained , commands, not trying to bite you etc.

MakiSupaStar · #4 03-17-2010, 10:58 AM

Are we talking about actual dogs or is this some type of rhetorical question?

bassteban · #5 03-17-2010, 11:01 AM

Jonyak · #6 03-17-2010, 11:03 AM

One would think a dog trainer would know what a good dog is.

bassteban · #7 03-17-2010, 11:06 AM

OK, on topic/to answer the OP:

A good dog.

EricF · #8 03-17-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Febs

Most of those seem like issues with the owner, rather than the dog. If you're a trainer, I'm surprised that you would let some of those issues dissuade you.

This ^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

One would think a dog trainer would know what a good dog is.

An this ^

CapnSev · #9 03-17-2010, 11:10 AM

You're a dog trainer and you're asking us? Then you should know that all of those problems mentioned in the above poll can be fixed by training the dog.

My dog is a certified therapy dog, because my wife and I trained him to be. We got an easy-going breed and just raised him to do what he's supposed to when he was a puppy. Now he's totally awesome because we just put a little work into him.

MatticusMania · #10 03-17-2010, 11:11 AM

For me, a good dog = My cat. She behaves more like a dog than a a real dog ever could.

MakiSupaStar · #11 03-17-2010, 11:22 AM

Nothing worse than someone asking questions that they already know the answers too. Basically, this isn't even a fassa thread where there's a thin veil to cover up point which she wants to brag about.

CapnSev · #12 03-17-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Nothing worse than someone asking questions that they already know the answers too. Basically, this isn't even a fassa thread where there's a thin veil to cover up point which she wants to brag about.

Maybe she only trains dogs in Serbian?

DaveDeVille · #13 03-17-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikaela Ellinge

... Who in their right mind would take these dogs home?
I wouldn't, and i'm a dog trainer.
So, here's my question to all of you: In your mind, what is a "good dog"?

... fer reals ?!?

i would think a dog trainer would be able to train just about any dog ...

that said , i've become rather fond of my American Boxer .
she's intelligent , loyal and brave .
i consider her a member of my family .

but as with all dogs , you have to train them , and be the alpha leader .
i guess you already know that , right ?

MakiSupaStar · #14 03-17-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Maybe she only trains dogs in Serbian?

With a special high pitched flugel horn that she barfed on so she could hear it better.

Relic · #15 03-17-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

With a special high pitched dog whistle that she barfed on so she could hear it better.

Fixed it.

bongomania · #16 03-17-2010, 11:36 AM

Except for the poignantly accurate Fassa references, THREAD FAIL.

signed, dog owner with half a brain.

spade2you · #17 03-17-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Except for the poignantly accurate Fassa references, THREAD FAIL.

signed, dog owner with half a brain.

Agreed by another dog owner with the other half of a brain.

sloasdaylight · #18 03-17-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Except for the poignantly accurate Fassa references, THREAD FAIL.

signed, dog owner with half a brain.

I'm gonna go ahead, as another dog owner who read 1 book on how to raise dogs and now has a very well behaved dog of about 18 months, and sign this as well.

Pilgrim · #19 03-17-2010, 11:50 AM

What I look for in a dog - noting that this is a companion dog, NOT a hunting dog or a protection dog, both of which would require different types of dogs:

- Energy level compatible with living conditions: do NOT get a bouncy, high energy dog if it's going to be kept inside all day waiting for the owner to come home.

- A dog that barks a lot: I HATE mouthy dogs, and will not tolerate constant barking, PERIOD.

- A dog that shows friendliness and no tendency to bite.

Given those characteristics, I can either train the dog to acceptable levels or attend training classes with the dog.

We recently inherited a Beagle/Dachsund cross from my daughter, and it's a nice dog but it requires more training. We'll probably enroll in a dog training class.

You DO KNOW that dog training classes are as much to train the owner as the dog, right?

Relic · #20 03-17-2010, 11:52 AM

Funny story - I have a dog that we adopted about a year and a half ago. Since my youngest son was 3 at the time, I was planning on getting my dog professionally trained. Before I took her to a trainer, I started watching a lot of Cesar Milan's shows. I figured that maybe I could pick up a few tips and pointers. Within about a month, using the techniques that he uses on the show I had that dog perfectly trained. It was a combo of luck + and already great dog that made it so easy.