What Makes a Good Dog?

What Makes a Good Dog?

Everyone has an opinion on what makes a good dog, but it's hard to pin down one definition. That's because it's a personal thing. Your likes and dislikes might be different from mine, and that's totally okay. That's the thing that makes life more interesting!

A dog that seems good to me might seem naughty to you. For example, I like mischievous dogs because I see their potential. But when we have visitors, they often judge our dogs by their image of what a good dog should be. And each person has a different image. Some people might not like a dog that barks, jumps up, or drools. That's okay too. We can definitely work with that!

Is Our Dog Good with Visitors?

Visitors might prefer a dog that sits quietly and waits to be petted, then lies calmly by their feet. But dogs have their own likes and dislikes too. Some dogs don't like being touched by strangers. Just as it's rude for a dog to jump on visitors, it's also rude for visitors to invade a dog's space. Except, our visitors may not see it that way without some education.

If we can't stop our dogs from jumping or guide our visitors on how to greet them properly, it's best to put our dogs away during visits. This doesn't have to be a punishment. We can put them outside or in their crates with a Kong toy filled with treats or a meaty bone. Meanwhile, we can contact a trainer to help teach our dogs how to behave around visitors.

If a visitor insists on getting in my dog's space, especially if my dog doesn't like it, I will always put my dog away. It's not fair to put my dog in a position where they might feel forced to bite to get some space.

Is Our Dog Good on Outings?

When out and about, dogs are expected to walk nicely and not bark. They're also expected to tolerate people who want to touch them. These expectations can be tough for some dogs, especially if we don't know how to help them handle tricky situations.

I recently visited a busy market and saw how different dogs behaved. Many dogs did well, but some were stressed by all the activity. Many owners didn't notice their dogs' feelings and while this may seem OK for now, this is one of the reasons dog trainers get owners calling them saying "my dog used to be OK and I don't know what happened but all of a sudden they've become reactive."

If we take our dogs out, we should consider their welfare. Avoid interactions with other leashed dogs in stressful environments. Why? Stress is more likely to result in a bad outcome. If we meet a nice doggy friend, it's better to get the owner's number and meet up later in a calmer place.

Most dogs can enjoy outings. I've helped many reactive dogs learn that going out for coffee with their humans can be fun! There are some tricks to this, and I teach them in our programs for owners who want to take their dogs more places.

What Should We Allow?

I follow two guiding rules:

• What do I want to allow?
• Does it negatively impact my dog's behaviour?

If something has a negative impact on our dog's behaviour, it could mean that it's not good for their welfare. This applies to things like letting them sleep on the bed. While we might think we're being kind, our dogs might see it differently. For instance, sleeping on the bed might make them feel crowded and stressed, leading to undesirable behavior elsewhere.

Dogs can't tell us how they feel, so we need to pay attention to their actions. Not every good gesture is considerate. It's important to listen to our dogs and understand their needs. For instance, we may feel we're doing something nice by giving someone a bottle of alcohol, but what if they were an alcoholic previously? It may be something they feel embarrassed by. 

What Makes a Good Dog?

Understanding what makes a good dog is personal and varies for everyone.

It's crucial to respect both our dogs' and our visitors' boundaries, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and safe. If we pay attention to our dogs' needs and behaviors, we can create a harmonious environment where our pets thrive and our guests feel welcome.

Whether it's training for better behaviour around visitors or ensuring our dogs enjoy outings, being mindful and considerate of our dogs' feelings will lead to less behaviour problems and a happier life for everyone involved!