Should All Dogs Be Friendly To All People And Other Dogs?

The big internet topic these days is dog “reactivity”, primarily regarding dogs that aren’t friendly with other dogs or people.

Not all dogs were created to be friendly with strangers or strange dogs. You know that.

Forcing such a dog to interact in a way that goes against what they are is going to require some kind of cruelty to that dog. Are there some training and management things that can and should be done? Yes. Will that magically change your current breed into a different breed? No.

If you didn't properly socialize your dog as a puppy, then expect the blowback that strange people and strange dogs aren't going to be trusted. If you allowed your dog to be traumatized by someone or some animal, then they also might not be trusting of strangers and strange dogs going forward. You know that, right? Are there some training, behavior modification, and management things that can and should be done? Yes. 

Programs that promise otherwise… well… I’d stay away from those.

Plan accordingly.