Lets begin with some facts and grow from there, animals do not have " intent" or "motive" They are not little people in fur coats. That said, they possess intelligence and a natural ability to put up with our BS as we stumble through ownership. There, I said the OWNERSHIP word. I own my dogs, I am responsible for them, I am not their " guardian or pet parent" If this were not the case, dogs could have a very rough life of it. They are not natural wage earners and lack the ability to know when to seek medical care. ( in that respect they are much like husbands ) they count on us to be the grown-ups in the relationship. This silliness of treating them as peers is killing them, literally.
Animals do feel stress, however, most of the time they are reacting to our emotions, more so than their own. They don't " fear death" that is not in their vocabulary, as far as killing another animal, they don't think of it like we do. When terriers chase rats, it's no different than playing ball to them, they don't get " killing" which is why they seldom look ashamed unless we guilt them. If they do have stress when you leave them it's because, at some point, a human has taught them to feel that ..usually to boost our own needs.
Your dog doesn't "pout" or "get even" When Bitsy eats your shoe, it's because Bitsy felt like chewing " something" and,with nobody to stop her, she chose whatever was in front of her. It's nothing to head to the analyst couch over. Why do so many remotes get chewed ? It's not because " it's your favorite thing" it's because it probably has food on it and it's a wonderful shape, much like a Nyla bone.
But, I digress, lets get back to " gentle giant". I currently have 3 Newfoundland Dogs, prior to that I had GSD's for 35 years, first and foremost, they are dogs....My original Newf breeder warned me early on to beware of the " gentle giant " myth that is killing the breed. A Newfie will bite if that is in it's bloodlines. There are some very aggressive Newfs going into rescue, some is genetic, but much of it is due to misinformation. Make no mistake, a reputable Newf rescue will euthanize an aggressive dog, for the sake of the dog and the public... It's kinder than the dog being beaten to death in the wrong home.
Newfie puppies are wild, really wild. this is a dog that is born to dredge and haul, using their mouth is in their DNA.. That becomes a misdirected instinct in a pet home with to little to occupy their time. Dogs need a job. A Newfie puppy, can and will, send a toddler flying, they are a very loving, affectionate breed, but not gentle, we have to guide them into that. It's called training ;)
Some dogs have a " soft mouth" others not so much. Our first male ( Burley Dog ) had a very soft mouth as an adult, as a puppy he kept me a bloody mess. I was so ashamed that I didn't have a " gentle giant" that I didn't even want to speak about it......my breeder said "bop him" I was stunned..... Bop a " gentle giant"?? I asked with shock. I had trained dogs professionally for years and understood " behavior and consequences" but surely not with a " gentle giant". Well let me tell you, I much prefer the " bopper" to an e-collar. I use a small plant stake, about the size of a pencil, but longer, they are scattered throughout the house. Just like the Mom dog teaches with her teeth, at the time of the crime, so it works with the " bopper". No yelling, or anger, just "behavior and consequence" it's the same principle as an e-collar.
This business of telling new owners that " Newf's will outgrow it" is wrong, there is time and training involved in walking down the street with your dog. Sometimes we look back over our Newf puppy months with euphoric recall ( like childbirth ) and leave a new owner confused. Newf's are big and bossy, they need a firm hand and guidance to become a " gentle giant" I see people often who say they would never strike the dog, but there it is with it's little " box on a collar".. Remember a well trained dog is a confident and happy dog. I am not talking about ring training, I am talking well mannered...
How do I know all this ?? Well, in the spirit of honesty, I have "the puppy from Hell"... Burley Dog's Memory is just like his predecessor, all mouth and sassy. At times I think of him as " jaws on paws" but I never think of him as mean or evil or intending harm. He is a really mouthy puppy who has to be trained, and let me tell you it is a challenge. So, our home has little " boppers" sprouting like dandelions from every vase, but the mouthing has become almost a thing of the past.
If you love your dog, train it, because they get to big to quick and the window of opportunity closes. Gentle Giants are made, not born :)
