Agreed. It shouldn't be snarling or continuing to bark if I tell the dog to be quiet, but I've no issue about the dog bark to alert me there is someone at the door or being by my side when someone's around. There's a difference between an alert dog and an aggressive dog.

by Mobile_Cockroach 2 days ago

This is exactly why I train my farm dogs by keeping them on property at the farm 24/7 when they are under 2 years old. But I guess it depends on purpose like dog breeds, those who want companion dogs or those who live with elderly people (eg. Big families, nursing homes)

by Anonymous 2 days ago

How would my dog get extra pats if he isn't friendly?

by Rare-Hurry-4183 2 days ago

Well I agree that a dog shouldn't be overly friendly and exited around Anyone and evryone for its own safety. Self restraint and reading the room is important to not get hurt by another dog that isn't friendly back. But the vast majority of dogs out there are not protection dogs or capable of it for that matters. A little fluff ball bread for company ain't gonna do a great job and shouldn't be expected to.

by Klingevangeline 2 days ago

well yeah duh, maybe i should have specified this is more for bigger dogs. of course i wouldn't expect the same from anything smaller than a toy poodle lol.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Hornestly a lot of bigger dogs not bread for protection wouldn't be a remotely good protection dog either. Basically. If the dog ain't bread for it don't expect it to work out well.

by Klingevangeline 2 days ago

Rarely anybody, outside of rural areas, gets a dog for protection anyway. Get a security system instead.

by Zealousideal-Bad8595 2 days ago

I live in a city, my dog is a family member who I have fun with by enjoying nature, teaching him tricks, and laughing as he is chronically immature even at 8. It is annoying enough that he can be reactive with larger male dogs, I would not want the headache of him also being reactive to humans. That is a legal liability I don't need in my life.

by Madilynbartell 2 days ago

alert =/= reactive. a dog should be able to switch from being playful to being protective imo. my dogs were never reactive, and would calm down and be friendly if i told them to. bc we trained them. that's what i mean. i live in the city too, i'm a young women who isn't particularly imposing. if i am ever in trouble, even though where i live is safe, the chances are never zero, i would want that dog to help. but yea ofc a lot of this depends on the dog's temperament. we have a skittish dog in the extended family, she's a little baby that needs to feel protected and reassured and that's okay, she isn't any less loved for it. if anything, it makes her more endearing. i'm speaking from a preference point of view.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Most people shouldn't own dogs.

by Murazikannie 2 days ago

I agree with your first part of a very unpopular opinion that dogs shouldn't have to be friendly and pettable by everyone they come across. For me that means they can be aloof, or the owner can ask you to not pet the dog. And I can certainly sympathize that if I come to your house, your dog will be on guard and even demonstrating aggression. But NO to a dog being trained to attack someone in public. Good luck on the lawsuit of the person your dog attacks because someone lunged at you on a sidewalk.

by Lemkemacey 2 days ago

i did not say i'm training an attack dog, i said they should be alert and at least a bit imposing. again, alert and reactive/aggressive are not the same thing.

by Anonymous 2 days ago