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A good dog.

What is a "Good dog" to you?

  • A dog that doesn't bite, but it doesn't really matter if it knows commands.

    Votes: 17 28.8%
  • A dog that stays away from my food and I can pet.

    Votes: 19 32.2%
  • A dog that knows and obeys basic commands.

    Votes: 36 61.0%
  • A dog that doesn't poo and pee everywhere.

    Votes: 26 44.1%
  • It's a dog... Let it be a dog.

    Votes: 16 27.1%

  • Total voters
    59
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.
 
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.
 
... 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 ?!? :ninja:
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 ?

:D
 
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?
 
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.