Posted by Karen | Posted in dog temperment, dog training | Posted on 14-07-2010
Tags: dog temperment
Remember the reason that we decided to get a dog in the first place? It was because we felt we needed some protection against the increase of crime in our area. We ended up with a dog that most people would be afraid of because of the reputation of his breed. But that was not why we chose Rio. We chose him because he has such a sweet disposition and he was gentle and good with children. Well, most of the time you can’t get everything in one package! That is the case with Rio. A watch dog he is not.
I am happy that he is friendly to the people who come over to our house. The worst thing he does is jump up on them because he wants to play. And I like the fact that he does not bark. I have heard him make one low sounding “ruff” only four times in the six weeks that we have had him. He doesn’t even bark or pay much attention when we are walking him to the park and the dogs in every yard are incessantly yapping at him. He just ignores them! That does make for a pleasant walk.
But, yesterday, we had a friend come over to mow our backyard. We were not at home when he got there and the gate was locked. Rio was in the yard. Our friend, Joey, went to the neighbor’s house and asked to go in their backyard so he could jump the fence into our yard. They agreed, knowing that Joey was a friend of ours. When he climbed over the fence, Rio just watched him quietly. Then, recognizing him ran over and jumped up on him and wanted to play.
Maybe it is because he is still young. Maybe it is because he knew who Joey was immediately so he didn’t sense any threat. I don’t know. But I was shocked that he didn’t even make a peep! I guess we won’t know until we have a real intruder how Rio will respond. Then, hopefully, he will show us his protecting instincts and not just lick them to death. But hopefully we will never have to truly put him to that test.
Buds
Read about Rio’s neighbors
Wistler is the same way! How did this breed get such a bad rap? Our dogs do NOT fit the stereotype for a bull dog! Love them!
we had a german shephard and i think irish shephard mix named Shiloh. man , he barked at everyone. he was the most feroscious (?) dog you’ve ever seen. but if someone made a move in his direction, he’d retreat with his tail literally between his legs.
Its the love and attention, that will lead him to protect you, if ever needed. We have to remember, Rio is alive today because he is a gentle dog, let me highlight Pitbull-Dog. If he had displayed any aggression at all he would not be here to lick friends who jump the fence. When we nuture our dogs as “head of the pack” and establish a strong relationship they usually will protect us the way we would protect them.