Happy Dog or Not

[Ivy]

Here's another question/opinion thread:

Do you think a dog that is trained to always be calm is a happy dog?
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[Dekka]

Train how? What do you mean? A dog who is trained to be mannerly.. or shut down?

[wcladymacbeth]

I think.... being calm ALL the time is not in a dog's nature, so regardless of how the training is done, it can't be good. I wouldn't want to train a dog to NEVER get excited. That would be mean... and boring.

[MelissaCato]

Happy Dogs >>>> YouTube - malinois in china

[Ivy]

Originally Posted by Dekka

Train how? What do you mean? A dog who is trained to be mannerly.. or shut down?

Lets say, for examaple, a dog that seems disinterested when meeting a new person or a new dog friend, or even when you get home from work/school etc.

[Dekka]

If its the dog's personality thats fine. But do you mean the dog is shut down to that point?

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by Ivy

Lets say, for examaple, a dog that seems disinterested when meeting a new person or a new dog friend, or even when you get home from work/school etc.

We/l, I think that doesn't have to do with 'calmness' just personality. Some breeds aren't going to see a new person as a new friend. Many breeds are naturally aloof with strangers (and some even their owners) so they're not going to be running up and jumping around like a goof every time someone new is around.

Oh, and Summer will never be interested in meeting a doggy friend. She'll be happy as long as it stays over there and ignores her the way she ignores it. (She thinks she's too good to be subjugated to conversing with nasty animals )

[Ivy]

(Oops, I forgot to quote Dekka)

The dog is TRAINED to be disinterested or really calm.

Lets use Beagles as an example. They (well at least mine) are usually happy go lucky kind of dogs. Just say someone trained them to be disinterested in things that would normally make them happy and at least a little excited.

[Dekka]

Originally Posted by Ivy

(Oops, I forgot to quote Dekka)

The dog is TRAINED to be disinterested or really calm.

Lets use Beagles as an example. They (well at least mine) are usually happy go lucky kind of dogs. Just say someone trained them to be disinterested in things that would normally make them happy and at least a little excited.

That would be shut down.. Why have a dog then? Have a stuffed toy or a statue in that case.

[Ivy]

I was just wondering as it seems that some people don't like to have excited dogs. I was just wondering what you guys thought on the concept.