All about dogs - dog breeds, dog training and behavior, news affecting dog owners or handlers, puppy pics, etc.
Rules (Will be refined later on).
Don't be a dick. This should cover most things, just keep in mind that everyone started somewhere and try to be helpful rather than rude or judgmental.
No personal attacks based on training style or tools.
Discussion of balanced training including proper use of aversives is allowed here.
All breeds and mixes are welcome. You can criticize backyard breeding practices but don't pile on people because they own a specific breed or prefer purebreds or mixed breeds.
Do not support backyard breeders or puppy mills. Please do not link to or suggest buying from high volume breeders or those with an obvious lack of standards and testing.
Do not help or support fake service animals. Please do not encourage people to buy fake service dog vest or ESA letters to get around rental or other restrictions & do not give advice on how to misrepresent a dog as a service or support animal.
Most people never really trained their dogs beyond potty training to begin with.
This isn’t a new thing- just a thing you’ve noticed.
Also, holding the dog close preemptively could also be a response to you (or others,) looking like you’re about to do something the dog won’t like (see the comment about rescues, etc.) or to put you at greater ease (because a lot of people are scared of dogs- even if it’s a tiny little bichon puppy)
An increasing number of people rescue dogs that have been abused in some way, which can often lead to defensive behavioral patterns that can be really hard to address fully. Recent isolation has also caused a lot of socialization problems for dogs that can’t really be helped sometimes.
Despite an owners best efforts, some dogs are just nervous and reactive, but they still need to get out and enjoy the world.
Training a dog requires appropriate discipline, sufficient exercise + stimulation, adequate positive reinforcement, and most importantly of all: consistency.
So no, most people do not bother.
than i wonder why even get a dog if you arent willing to go give it the basics
i mean i get it, funny cute animal, but i also dont get it
Same with kids, lol. People are lazy, that‘s the reason.
you arent willing to go give it the basics
To many people, adequate training is not part of the basics.
Many treat a dog as a surrogate human and think they can be engaged like a human. They have alomst zero idea that different breeds have very different temperaments and training requirements,
Well said. I'm a retired Service Dog Trainer.
People who buy well bred dogs train them. People need to stop "adopting" nervy shelter dogs that require lifelong rehabilitation and intervention. Dogs are supposed to enhance our lives, not make them more stressful. Research and invest in a proper, stable puppy from a reputable breeder.