Quote:
Originally Posted by ArmaniMan  Mine are trainable to my standards- I know there are trainers out there who wouldn't agree with everything I do- I don't "invite" mine on to the furniture, they don't need to get down when asked, they don't have to sit quietly before they get fed, they don't need to walk in a perfect heal, etc. However, they are quiet when I tell them to, they don't pull on the leash (they may just walk ahead of me), they come when called, drop things I tell them to drop, know basic obedience skills like sit/ down/ stay. Know to get permission before taking treats from strangers, are well socialized with other dogs.
Basically, they are well behaved to MY standards. I am sure with some work they could learn all those other things, but I am not competing in obedience, or out to impress random people. I want them to behave enough that they do not become a nuisance to others and that they are easy enough for me to control. |
This exactly.
I don't expect him to be a command obeying robot. I like a dog that thinks for himself, etc. I don't need or want him to be a "perfect" obedient dog but he is perfect to me.
I except him to be polite in public... not jumping all over people (that he doesn't know), no obnoxious barking, no obnoxious leash pulling, friendly to dogs and strangers, etc. These are all things that I expect out of him.
He's allowed to jump on furniture whenever he wants, he jumps and gets excited when I come home and I LOVE it, he's also allowed to act that way with my close family who love him and don't mind being jumped on and given kisses, etc.