What does "there aren't bad dogs, just bad owners" mean?

Answer by  malone (4817)

Dogs, like kids, are a reflection of the owner or parents' efforts. If you work with a dog, patiently and consistently train it, you'll have a lovely animal. Otherwise, you'll have a beast. Too many clueless people have dogs and expect that they arrive fully trained.

Answer by  Centrifugal (69)

Dogs themselves aren't mean or evil - but they can be trained to be very vicious. For example Pit bulls, can be very nice dogs, but bad owners can train them to be aggressive attack dogs. If you see such a dog, its not the dogs fault - its the owners.

Answer by  VanillaTwilight (281)

Horse-people often say "It's never the horse's fault--only the rider's. " Since animals don't speak nor understand our language, we must be loving and patient with them and use discipline when needed. By doing this you'll earn your pet's trust and willingness. Otherwise, you're just like a parent who spoils their-child.

Answer by  traumatised (3285)

It's nature vs. nurture: the saying means that dogs are not intrinsically bad from birth, but if they are treated badly and not trained properly by their (bad) owners, then they will behave badly. If a dog bites you, it's because the owners slacked off in their responsibility to take care of it.

Answer by  Marybeth (841)

It means that just like kids, dogs need to be trained from the start, they need to have limits set and positive reinforcment from an early age.

Answer by  soundoff (121)

All dogs are born ready to love and be loved. The "bad" dog is created by the owner. Constantly mistreating a dog forces it to distrust and attack people as defence. Now go to your local animal shelter and rescue a dog from this fate.