I believe in socialization, and training...but I was reading something interesting the other day on the Fila forum...They were discussing whether you can over train a Fila to the point of confusing the natural protective instinct versus complete obedience. I thought it was very interesting... I have often wondered about the wonderful well-behaved family pet that suddenly snaps and goes hay-wire and starts mauling.
IMO many owners forget these dogs, which are canines, they are predators. In the wild they would survive on pure driven instinct... heck, many survive on the streets by nothing but instinct.(sad, but true) Dogs have a predator drive instilled in them to survive. All dogs do...they are animals. No matter how much we see our dog as our baby they are still animals.
However some have more instinct bred into them as far a protectiveness or a higher prey drive.
I think when a dog is over trained, as to being a pussycat instead of a dog, one day the dog could possibly snap. It is going against nature, no matter how much nurture you have given, You are still going against nature.
Dogs are not humans, they are animals. Too many people are not realizing this...no one takes a cat and trys to change it, why do we have to change our dogs? Why can't we work with nature and nurture together as a whole? Wouldn't we be happier and our dogs?
I am so tired of society telling me if my dog growls, it is being aggressive, no it's not, it is being a dog... and displaying a dislike for something or someone. A warning!!!
My dog can growl and show dislike, I don't care...I don't like everyone and everything my self. But, respect and knowing your dogs body language is the key to owning a dog. You give your dog respect and it will in turn give you the respect not attack that stranger that came over for coffee.
I respect Roxie and Bruties judgement, I always have and I always will...and I will let them voice their opinion...but, when it comes down to it, out of respect they are not going to attack that new person.