Good Dog, Bad Dog: Breaking Down the Labels

Everybody wants a Good Dog.

But what does a “good” dog look like?

The answer depends on who you ask. One person may think a good dog lies quietly at their feet while they work, while another may expect a dog to respond perfectly to every command. Every dog, owner, and environment is unique, so there’s no single definition.

Some behaviors often associated with a “good dog” include:

• Responds reliably to cues from their owner

• Walks calmly on a leash

• Remains relaxed in stimulating environments

• Drops items they shouldn’t have in their mouth

• Chooses toys over shoes, socks, or towels

• Comes when called consistently

• Allows people to groom them

• Engages in appropriate social play with other dogs

• Remains relatively quiet (barking isn’t constant)

• Leaves our food alone when we walk away

“Bad dogs” often show the opposite of one or more of these behaviors—or behaviors that are perfectly natural for dogs. The difference usually comes down to skill-building (or lack thereof).

Labels like “bad dog” often come with stories we tell ourselves, such as:

• “He barks to defy me.”

• “She pulls because she wants to walk me.”

• “He bites people because he thinks he’s the alpha.”

It’s natural to look for the cause of a behavior inside the animal itself. But when we remove labels and focus on the behavior and the environment, real progress becomes possible.

In the end, we all want a “good dog”—and every dog is capable of learning the skills to get there.

Ready to start your training journey? Schedule a consultation today— we would be thrilled to guide you!