What are your experiences with dogs in Germany, the US, or the country you live in? 😊 Is it easy to include them in your everyday life? 🐶

Dog training is very important, not only for society but for the dog too.

In 1918, near the end of WWI, an American soldier came upon a German dog kennel in a bunker. All the soldiers there were dead and so were most of the dogs. However there was one wounded female German Shepherd who had given birth to puppies. The American picked up the puppies and took care of them, bringing them back to the US when he was shipped home. One of them became the famous movie star dog, Rin-Tin-Tin, and made the German Shepherd a popular breed in the US.

Yes, Germans take dog training very seriously. I lived in Germany for 9 months. I loved it because dogs were allowed in restaurants etc and were always well behaved.

I'm Canadian and have been traveling around Austria and Germany with my dog. We were just in Munich and I was blown away at how dog-friendly the city is. We've been on trains, buses, subways, trams, and often in restaurants my dog will get served or at least get attention before I do :)

I think the German system, where people treat dogs like part of the general community, but also train them how to 'function' as part of this community, makes sense. The UK is becoming more 'dog friendly' however I think some people do forget the responsibilities which definitely should come with this. Training is so important, and there are a minority of people who don't think this applies to them/their pets.

I'm from Canada, I adopted my dog when I was 20 years old 🥰 I wish North America was more strict with training like Germany though, I also work in a vet clinic and I see/deal with a lot of ill mannered, untrained dogs and it can actually get pretty dangerous!

Been living in germany since 87' and have had dogs since 02'. Taking the advice of a german friend, we joined a local Dog Sport club which offered puppy "school", basic training and further training for a certificate. The best thing our trainer taught us was " 6 months of hard work or 16 years of stress", which really paid off later as our first dog, a Parson Russell terrier, lost her vision and was totally blind. Thanks to the consequential early training and participating in competition, she had to rely on us to be her eyes and that saved her from danger/harm on many occasions. We now have our third Parson Russell and still are memebers of the same club, participating in Rally Obediance training. I have had her at work with me quite a few times and she is always well behaved and friendly. Earlier I did some tutoring for young apprentices that needed some extra help with curriculum and having my little partner with me would often help the young people to relax a little and open up a way to earn their trust, resulting in a better learning environment. The new 2022 "Gassi-Gesetz" = "Walkies Law" requires that adult canines must be walked a minimum of 2 times for a total of 1 hour,... those are the minimums.

just had to quickly chime in regarding the crates... i'm from Switzerland, and just like you mentioned, we initially expected to use a crate only while our dog was a small puppy, and then transitioned her to sleep in any of the dog beds around the house. But she's a very anxious dog and often afraid of not only fireworks, but also storms, for example. Having a crate as a safe place to go curl up and hide in is the single most efficient method to help her, she seeks out tiny enclosed and cramped corners explicitly whenever she gets scared. But of course, our crate also does not look like the example you showed, as that would not offer her any perceived protection. It's made from stiff fabric, with very dense mesh on three sides. In any case, it's not about keeping her contained, it's not about restricting her at all. It's only there to help her calm down, when she needs it, and when she seeks out this particular comfort herself. It's simply one of her favourite happy places, comfy to snuggle in.

Decades ago, I had a dog as a student in Germany. It was possible because my girlfriend a I had our own flat at this time and enough nature around and free time on our hands to walk, train and entertain the dog properly. I'm not sure if that still is the spirit today, but that time, people not only thought about how much they want a dog, but what they could actually _offer_ their furry friend. Sometimes, if you really love dogs, it may be more responsible to _not_ get one.

I used to live on the Air Force base in Zweibrücken. Once when I was walking with my sister a huge German shepherd ran at the fence we were walking by. I've been scared of dogs ever since lol. My major issues with dog owners here in the US is hardly anyone trains them. They just yell at them when they do something wrong and expect the dog to learn. It doesn't. Especially little dogs. I did help my BFF when she was training her dog Gimli when we were roommates. He's literally the sweetest gentlest dog and he's a Am Bully Sharpei mix. Crate training is actually good for dogs but you have to do it correctly. Gimli had a nice soft bed and blanket inside and on top. Good owners don't leave their dog in them for any extend amount of time. Except when they are puppies at night so they learn being alone is OK. You leave the door open and it's more or less their own little wolf den. Gimli uses his at night since he's not allowed on the bed or when he gets scared of thunder. You only cage them if you have like maintenance people over. A well trained dog will stay out of trouble and not need to be caged.

I was in Germany for two years and I learned that dogs in restaurants was quite common. They were well behaved.

It's interesting hearing the similarities between UK and Germany. There's definitely an expectation to walk your dog twice a day and we do have more freedom to bring dogs into public places. Even some antique stores allow it! We definitely love our dogs here! Thanks for another interesting video Feli.

I LOVED what I saw in Germany regarding dogs! It was a highlight for me. Seeing them in shops and restaurants was wonderful. I loved it. I was there for 3 months and I don't recall seeing even one stray! There could be some here and there, but I never saw one. I lived with my cousin and learned a lot I was happy to hear! We walked the dogs twice a day but I didn't know it was required! I wish there were more strict rules in the USA because I feel that would help with the unwanted dogs. People should be required to take them seriously! I was in the Oldenburg area, so learned about the test for the human and the dog! Great thing for the sake of the sweet dogs!

I live in Canada and my dog gets three walks a day every day split up between my wife and myself. We've gone out of our way to train him since his first owner did no training at all. He's a good and generally very happy doggo. He's a Husky/Samoyed mix for anyone who's curious. Dogs are a lot of fun if you spend some time to train and care for them

Hello Feli. I am English, but stayed a month with a family in Texas in the 1990s. Their dog really took to me. I found I was able to get the ticks off that it picked up, the hot climate being unlike UK. I had cats there that picked up fleas from other cats, so I was used to that. I got the job of washing the dog with a solution to get rid of the ticks. Suddenly a gust covered us in sand, then it started raining heavily out of nowhere. The dog ran in and took shelter. I was called in and shown to do the same, before we ended up in Oz with Dorothy and Toto. The bucket full of solution flew straight over the house. Next day the dog brought in a turtle. It was not something expected out in the desert and certainly nothing like that ever happened on trips to Germany. I was told the storm hit and destroyed a church in another state. My host said "You Brits were safe, you would have been in a bar".

I wish North America was more strict about training dogs like Europe is. I see so many untrained dogs in Canada and it has made me afraid of dogs from a young age.

Things have changed over the years. When I was growing up in the 1970s a lot of people owned dogs, but I didn’t know a single family that had a dog in the house. There were people that had cats that came inside but mostly lived outside.

German dogs definitely live a better life as they're trained gently but very good and get regularly walked and exercised. Also mental excersise and Trick Training is huge in Germany!

Feli has been releasing more content lately. I admire the hustle.

Thanks for this video. We are an American family who live in Germany and we have been researching and exploring what it means to get a dog, so this was fun - and I agree with your finding. As for dog parks in Germany: We live in a dog friendly flat and live right next to a park that has a dog playing area. It’s not fenced off like an American “dog park,” but it’s a grassy area about the size of a baseball diamond, surrounded by packed dirt walkways. There are play groups that have formed casually there and I find them adorable to watch, especially the young dogs in training. I hope to join their ranks soon!

I moved to the US about two years ago and I’m shocked how some people treat their dogs here. I only know a handful of people who actually walk their dogs, the rest just leaves them in their backyard all day long. My neighbors dogs always go crazy when someone walks by bc they are severely under stimulated, mentally and physically. A lot of people don’t train their dogs and then rehome them for minor issues. The amount of dogs getting rehomed in my city is very sad. When you try to explain to people that a dog is a lot of work and that you can’t just dump them in your backyard they get super defensive. I wish I could rescue every dog here that is not wanted.

I'm not a dog trainer but from what I understand, crates are used more and more often in Germany as a training tool. I think the idea is to give the dog a place to calm down, where they can relax and not be bothered by anyone. Personally I don't use one with my dog but I can see how it would come in handy if you have children or if your dog is very reactive and has difficulties relaxing. But peolpe don't leave their dogs in crates for hours on end. Personally, I've been to the US and I stayed with a host family when I was 17. The family had a dog but I quickly realized that no one ever took her on walkes, she was left in the backyard for most of the day. Few days after I arrived I asked them whether I could take her for a walk; they didn't even have a leash for her😢 in Germany this would be completely unacceptable. More than likely people would report you and you'd probably be asked to surrender your dog. I know that there are amazing dog owners in America too but from what I know because of this experience and because I like to watch dog trainers on tv, this kind of behaviour is a lot more common in the US. People in the US will tell the trainer that they don't take their dogs on regular walkes with a straight face whereas in Germany people can hardly look the trainer in the eyes when they confess that they do nothing with their dog apart from three short walkes a day. 😅 Because people are expected to "occupy" their dogs too, which means physical as well as mental exercise/stimulation. This is why dog sports are really popular here. My dog and I go mantrailing and he's crazy about it😂

German here, yes dog training is very important in Germany. I grew up with dogs all my life, and now i have my first own dog in my flat. I take my dog 3 to 5 times out a day, to meet her buddys on the next meadow, where a dog can only be a dog, and play with its friends. After a hard disease, i adopted her via an animal protection from romania. Adopting her was the best decision ive ever made in my life, and she regards me for saving her, with her happiness, her pure wonderful character. Her urge to move, helped me to get along with my disease. So, yeah, germans and dogs have a looong way together! By the way, love your channel so much Feli, i live near your birthplace, in the area of landshut ;-)

One difference between Germany and the US regarding having dogs I got from watching KZfaq videos: In the US (and Britain) dog owners call themselves mom/dad of the dog (or cat). I have never encountered that in Germany. Here they call themselves Herrchen/Frauchen (literally little master). In a German family the children and the dog in my experience are not referred to as brothers/sisters as I have seen in english language KZfaq videos.

Getting a dog used to a box to sleep in can be an advantage especially for dogs that scare easily. My sister is a vet and has less of a crate but a cloth box with "windows" that can be zipped shut. It works as a "safe space" in case of stressful situations. But he's usually only "locked" in there whenever he showed exceptionally bad behaviour otherwise the entrance stays open, like a childs bedroom I guess.

Dog parks exist in Germany, but they are not fenced off at all. They are part of a bigger public Park and you know it by reading the sign. Yes, "Hundewiese" is essentially a dog park but without the fence.

One of the neighbour's, they have 2 Huskies. They walk each dog at least 4 times a day each (they don't walk both at the same time). And their dogs are hardly home alone, because both of the owners work from home. They are lovely dogs. Here, in California, you do have to register/get a pet license for both dogs and cats and you have to keep their shots up to date. We do have dog parks, one in less than 20minuts walk from my apartment. Some regular parks have no signs that say dogs must be on a leash, so owners will unleash their dog(s) and play fetch or frisbee with their dog. Some, a lot, in my city anyway, have a pet deposit the owners have to pay for the pet to stay. Some landlords charge. A flat deposit when they move in, the old owners of this building charged $800 for a pet deposit. The current landlords charge $100 a month for pets. I want a dog, but i can't afford pet rent (that's what i call monthly pet fees), food and emergency visits to the vet. Even though i don't have a dog, i wish the USA, or at least California, would be more like Germany when it allows for dogs to be in public places, because i love seeing dogs out and about. Luckily there are a lot of dog owners in my neighbourhood and they walk their dogs often and in most cases, multiple times a day. It helps that, even in the winter, our weather is pretty mild, well the heat is pretty bad in the summer. But hey, we can't be completely perfect...lol. Bonus, i was out walking yesterday, and someone was walking their mini dragon (lizard) 🦎.

My Germany trip included having a segregate dog; my GF at the time's brother's dog. We took him everywhere! Restaurants, trains , etc... Sooooooooo loved the vibe!!

It is crazy how few people here in the US actually walk their dogs everyday. I walk mine everyday but I'm definitely one of few

Reprimanding strangers in the U.S. can lead to very bad consequences for the reprimander.

We have one dog and two cats. In Australia, we have Pet Registration which sounds a lot like the Dog Tax but it applies to all other pets too including cats, rabbits and lizards. It's an annual fee paid to the local council or shire and they give you a tag to put on the pet's collar

I am in the US, and I take my Chihuahua often for 3 walks a day plus some quick outings to just go pee. I wish more people would train their dogs in the US. I inherited an older dog who was never socialized. He is great at pet stores, home depot, and such, but when I am walking him around the apartment complex he is very territorial and aggressive. I can't convince him that we don't own the whole property. It is so embarrassing, and I have gotten him to be much better than when I got him, but UGH! Seriously, he is 13 years old and now completely blind with other health problems, so I am not stressing over it too much now. He really can't see the other dogs. The other issue is other people not keeping their dogs on leashes and the dogs not having a good recall. Being only 8 lbs, having huge dogs run at him is terrifying. If more people trained their dogs in the US, we would be allowed to take them to more places. Honestly, when traveling with a dog it is a major issue, as I have had to sneak my dog into lots of places in his carrier that looks like a purse. Because I was on a 3000-mile road trip moving to the opposite side of the US. It is too hot to leave dogs or any animal in the car. Honestly, because he was in a carrier, most of the restaurants and places I took him were fine with him and just ignored that I had him. One lady asked me if I had a dog in my bag. I looked at her, put my finger over my mouth like telling a secret, and said, "Shhhh... It's too hot in the car. He is a good boy! Please let us stay." She laughed and said, "your secret is safe with me!"

Our dog used to love her kennel. She would go in there when she wanted to sleep or when she needed to feel safe during a storm. It's very natural for dogs to create a den of its own.

When I first moved to Berlin, I was very happy to know that dogs are welcome at nearly all restaurants, and it's even nicer that there are so many Hundeauslaufgebiete. Switzerland, where I'm living now, is the same

I had a dog from 1952 to 1969, He was free to go outside and roam around with his dog buddies but that was when we all were freer in the USA. I was living 2 1/2 miles from Washington DC.

The USA has a dog tax, too. The mandatory annual license for dog ownership is a tax, and have a little tag like that, too.

I had a Siberian Husky. They're so much fun. They'll argue with you and they're more intelligent than people think. If I said Chacha was coming over he would get excited and go straight to the window until she was brought over. When he saw her he would come to me and let me know she was there even before she got out of the car. I guess he recognized the car. As all dogs, no matter the size, he thought he was a lap dog. He could open doors and knew how to lock the front door. All without training. He was a beautiful dog.

I loved living in Germany with a dog. I took my dog on the bus and we'd go downtown and shop. He was allowed in all the stores and we'd even go into McDonald's and he'd lay under the table and we fed him fries. Here in the States there are only a few places I can take my dog, mostly pet stores and restaurants with outdoor seating. So sadly for convenience sake she usually gets left home and because of that I've started limiting my outings to only the local area and only for a couple of hours. Since she just recovered from a brain tumor I don't want to be away from her but I live in Maryland so it's frustrating that we can't go on outings unless it's to Annapolis to her radiologist. Living two hours away from Washington D.C. and not being able to go there anymore is depressing. Considering what a financial industry dogs are, you'd think it would be a more dog friendly country!

I live in The US in New England and I am a HUGE fan of dog training, positive training specifically. Well mannered dogs are easier to travel with and the bond you form with them during training is fantastic. I live in a house with a yard but take my dog out for a 1to 2 hour walk every day and always on leash.. I have a long training leash for playing ball or swimming in rivers. I don’t go to dog parks as they are dangerous in my experience, with dogs getting into fights and getting seriously injured. He has dog buddies in my neighborhood that he visits and plays with. I do not crate train my dog, and don’t agree with it for the most part. Having a dog is a huge responsibility and I really like the way you describe German dog ownership. I wish more people here in the states took dog training and ownership more seriously. I am a writer and work from home so I am lucky enough to be with my dog all the time and anywhere I can take him I do. (No, he is not one of those little purse dogs, he is 50 lbs lol) Oh and by the way, I love your channel !!

The only students I knew would probably have dogs and bring them to uni were the Forstwissenschaftlers (science of forestry). Most of them also worked on aquiring hunting licenses, bee keeper training or even learned to become a falconer. Their dogs were all wearing safety gear (neon coloured and reflective collars and harnesses) and were so well trained, they could sit in the lectures without causing a disturbance.

Hi Feli! That was very interesting! 🙂 Especially that German breeds are most popular in the US and vice versa. xD I do have to point out that the part about the dog license wasn't correct. I live in Lower Saxony and adopted a dog 4 weeks ago. Everyone who is a first time dog owner needs to do that test in order to prove that they are able to care for it and don't let it harass other people (theoretical multiple choice test you have to do before getting the dog + practical part within a year of obtaining it). While doing the practical part the tester can officially release you from the general necessity of keeping your dog on a leash in public space. But that's not the aim of the test in the first place. Also, from April 1st to July 15th it is compulsory to keep your dog on a leash while you're in the fields, in the woods etc. so wildlife doesn't get disturbed.

One thing I know is that the dogs I met in Germany were better trained than the people I meet in the US

US dog owner. I'm up at 4:30/5:00 AM to walk my dog. If I work from home, I walk him in the middle of the day and he gets a late afternoon walk. So 2 to 3 walks a day. I'm definitely have German blood.

I had a friend at uni in Germany who lived in a WG, and the roommates shared a dog that they had adopted from the previous tenants. They used to say, “Der Hund wohnte hier schon” (“The dog lived here before we did”). I lost touch with them, so I don’t know who got the dog after everyone graduated.

My Grandma had dogs. She also had forty acres. So. No leash. Walks meant going out with them, talking to them. I miss them. I live in an apartment. I have four cats. I can't in good conscience have a dog with such little space.

I was at the hospital last week and in the waiting area was a lady in a wheelchair with a companion and a small dog. I believe it was a support dog. This is becoming more common. When I was recently hospitalized I was thrilled to have visits from therapy dogs, including the cutest Retriever puppy in training ❤ I've only had cats because of where I lived, but I dearly love dogs too ❤️🐕

We are from Cincinnati wish we could take our Lab everywhere. He gets walked several times a day and gets to swim in our pool. He isn't fixed and it cost more to feed him than us. We crated him as a puppy but stopped as soon as he could be trusted.He is also best friends with our cat

I arrived in Germany back in 93' (Fürth/Nuremberg) thru the US Army, married a German 96', left the Army and stayed in Bavaria since 97'. I have owned 2 dogs here picked out at the Tierheim in Erlangen. My last dog was a CAO (Central Asian Shephered 74 cm tall at the width, 51 kgs), dog training or growing out into public with other dogs you can forget about it. I flew back to the States last summer, first time in 12 years. On my return flight flying back to Germany, at the airport in Frankfurt I was so happy to hear dogs barking inside the airport. Ich bin wieder zuhause. Schöne Grüße aus Nordbayern!

Greetings from Peru I love your videos🇵🇪🇩🇪😊

I live in the US and i wish more people trained there dogs but unfortunately they don't

Just got back from my first ever trip to Europe(Munich and Austria) and I was super impressed how well behaved the dogs were there. I had seen this video prior to my trip so I could be a little prepared about everything. Nevertheless, my friend and I were in awe how behaved they were even when we went to English Garden, where the space to off leash the dogs were tremendously huge..the dogs were playing with their owners and mind their own business…and on top of that, no dogs or cats without owners anywhere on the streets😮..versus, here, where stray dogs and cats are just everywhere. 😢. I was very impressed 😊❤👏🏻👏🏻

I think it really depends on the neighborhood/city here in the US. Some are much more dog friendly than others. 90% of the businesses in my current neighborhood allow dogs and have water bowls/treats. Some of the restaurants/bars even have dog friendly meals on their menus. We’ve got several off-leash dog parks within a 10 minute drive. Some of the dogs parks are several acres with rivers and ponds. Doggy daycare’s are popping up all over. That’s where I took my dog for her ‘puppy kindergarten’ training course. I drop my dog off there if I’m gonna be gone for more than a few hours so she’s not home alone.

I am always impressed that dogs are so well behaved here in Germany. You can walk quite happily and you don't have to worry that one's going to bark at you or growl.

Over the years, growing up during the 50s and 60's in a small town in Oregon, I've noticed changes in our attitudes about dogs and children. Both were allowed to roam free. Your dog wanted to be let out you'd open the door and and they would come back in a few minutes or hours. Kids went out or were sent out to play and you were called in for lunch or dinner. If you came in, other than to use the toilet, you'd be asked "why aren't you playing? Is something wrong?" In suburban settings this may still hold but it's more common to see dogs and kids in organized activities, "play dates" or "doggie day care".

Just got home from a week long trip to Munich. I was very surprised about seeing dogs off leash just walking around with their owners. I was also surprised to see them inside restaurants. Once someone, apparently a worker, came in with their dog and took them in back into what I assumed was the kitchen! Another time we were eating dinner at Augustiner Terasse and someone had their dog with them. The restaurant brought the dog a bowl of water AND brought her a huge bone from the kitchen! It was awesome!

Hi Feli, great to see another one of your videos. Great content. Thanks for sharing!

I have two rescue dogs. One Rottweiler-Pit Bull mix, and, one German Shepherd-Border Collie mix. I can't imagine life without them. I like them A LOT more than I do most people.

I love dogs and cats, as long as they belong to someone else, however great report Feli,💗 and it's great to hear from you thank you.👍👍👍

Being a delivery driver in the USA, it is stressful to know if the dog will attack you or if it is a friendly dog that would allow you to pet it. There are more dog bites to delivery drivers, but the owners will not understand the common courtesy of putting the dog inside if they expect a package. A lot more dog owners have what is called the invisible fence. And I had an owner state that to me and I was like, that is not helpful to me trying to deliver your package. The dog is roaming the yard and I have to guess where the invisible fence is and then what? How can I safely deliver your package when there is a dog in the yard and I can't get to the front door without getting bitten by the dog. But what, the invisible fence is supposed to keep the dog in the yard, but how can it stop the dog from biting me when I am delivering your package. Some dog owners are clueless. They expect the delivery driver to risk getting bit by your dog when delivering your package, but you will attack me if I hurt the dog that just bit me rather than helping me stop the bleeding from a dog bite or keeping the dog inside altogether.

I own a house with a fenced in backyard.....when my dog wants out...he stands at the back door.....so he goes out as much as he wants to.

I really enjoy hearing about the little differences like these. I would definitely bring my dogs everywhere with me if they were allowed more places! They get to play in the backyard so we don't go on walks outside the house often. (I'm in the US). I don't use a kennel for my dogs but I know people that do.

We have 2 dogs and they get walked twice a day. Several of our neighbors walk their dogs as well. We also have a large yard for them to enjoy. We live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 😊

Thank you for the video. I can't wait for the next show.

Feli, I saw your video on dogs in Germany and the U.S. One of your thoughts is that crates are cruel. We use crates for training and then continue to use them as dogs mature. We generally just leave the crate door open and the dogs go in the crate ALlL the time on their own. They love small spaces and feel secure in them. Look at how tight the spaces wolves a foxes go in. My dogs hide in small spaces everywhere…under my desk, in the corner and under the bed.

Yes the obedience classes we took our dogs to required us to attend a couple of the classes to learn specific commands.

I agree 100% with you. I've had a dog in Germany and i have a dog in the US now. The way some (of course not everyone) people treat their dogs here makes me sick. I live in upstate NY were most people have farms or large properties. So i understand that they don't go for walks because they run around on the farm or land most of the day.. but what really makes me mad is the amounts of people that leave there dogs outside 24/7 year around and we can get pretty harsh winters here. I know their is some breeds that love the cold but why get a dog if you keep him outside 24/7. We have a volunteer group here that go around and take care of dogs that are outside all day. Especially the ones with sufficient shelter. My grandpa had a dog on his farm and she was outside most of the time protecting the sheep. But she had a huge one car garage size shelter and if the weather got to bad he would bring her inside. ❤ Also don't get me started on crates...😡🤬 don't get a dog or even worse a puppy if you don't have time to train it and take care of it. And don't come at me with it's their shelter/safe space bullcrap. All dogs i had were perfectly content and safe on their dog bed. No need to kennel them all day or night. If you are afraid they would get into stuff.. first of all put the stuff away and second.. TRAIN them!! My dog in Germany destroyed tons of shoes and my couch. I would have never kenneled him. But i trained him and bought a closed shoe rack. Problem solved. Treat your dogs right, spend time with them and they will be good dogs.

My sister in Germany wanted to adopt a cat (I’m sure the RULES are similar for dogs). She was told she was too old. (Mid 60‘s I think she was at the time). The cat might outlive her. My jaw just dropped! She’s always been a great pet parent, and to deprive her of that joy was nothing short of cruel!

When I was in the Army, I was lucky enough to get to train with the German Paratroops in Oldenburg. While at the rifle range, I saw a German Shepherd running around and thought to myself, 'Now that's a true German Shepherd'.

It depends on the weather. I normally walk my dog more but in the middle of summer in Texas I have to keep him inside more. But he has free access to the yard and no crate.

The phrase "Gassi gehen" (neuter noun: "Gassigehen") apparently comes from the noun "Gasse" (feminine, diminutive "Gassi", alley or alleyway) and the verb "gehen" (to walk). So the literal translation would be "to walk the little alley" meaning to walk a dog ("go walkies").

That's very informative

I just found your channel Feli and love your content and am fond of the German people! I am Mexican American and enjoy knowing about REAL HISTORY ! I wish you much success on your channel Feli...

Another great video, Feli. I was surprised that there was no comparison of how conscientiously dog owners do or do not pick up their dogs’ poop. I suspect that German’s are very good about it. At least where I live in California, people are pretty good about it too. (One way to get a public rebuke from a stranger is to fail to pick up after your dog. Another way is to walk your dog off leash.) When I lived in France in the late ‘80s, it was quite the opposite. There was dog poop everywhere on the sidewalks, even in the nicest parts of town. It was so bad, you really could not afford to just casually enjoy a stroll. You really had to pay attention to where you pit your feet. I hope this aspect of French culture has changed since I was there.

The last time I had a dog was in California, and “licenses” showing rabies vaccination were required for dogs. Most counties were fairly strict on loose dogs, and having to bail my dog from animal control was a concern, as he would jump any fence he could see through less than about two meters tall.

Hello Feli, The amount of research you do for your videos is super human and I want you to know that this hard work is certainly not lost on your viewers! 👏👏👏 Having said that, your smile is definitely your "secret weapon." Keep up the beautiful work and keep smiling! 🙌🙌🙌

Feli has the most AMAZING smile.. seriously!

Generally speaking, the dog owner usually most attend some of not all of the obedience classes as the trainer will generally train the owner how to train the dog and they are to practice at home. This is how it worked at my dogs classes. If the dog goes away for training, the trainer will generally bring the dog back and work with the owner as well otherwise you could end up with a dog than minds for the trainer but not the owner because they don’t recognize them as a leader or because they are using different commands

Are those German regulations regarding required space and living conditions inside actually enforced? If so, how? Do government officials regularly or randomly enter your home to inspect dogs' living conditions?

As someone who works in TV and video production, just wanted to say that the lighting and depth of field in this video (new setup?) looks really good!

I have crates around, but they have thick soft beds in them, and I leave the door open. The dogs and cats have all enjoyed them as space where they can feel safe (thunderstorms) or cozy. I don’t crate dogs and close the door. Sometimes I might crate a puppy for a short time for their safety, but would soon transition to giving them a safe room, like the kitchen. I wonder if crates are used at German dog shows? I can’t imagine a dog show in the US without them. There are hundreds of dogs at an average show. 😬

Being a lifelong dog owner, I walk my dog a minimum of three times a day, but I live in Santa Clara California which has very nice weather year round. Crates are a very important part of dog training and if done right, provides your dog with a "safe" personal space.

I wish you also talked about the law differences regarding abandonment or animal abuse. Also some rate differences between the countries as well, because I would have been curious to know if having more laws regarding owning a dog will also reduce the rate of abandonment.

When I was a child/a teen, our family had two dogs (one after the other). That was before the "Hundeführerschein". The first one was a collie and we rarely put him on a leash, when on a walk. We had to cross a street on the walk, and he ran a bit ahead, but he was well enough trained, that he sat down, when he reached the steet. (This street hadn't so much traffic in it.) His favourite place to lie down was on the feet of my mother. She always had cold feet. And with this he had a better chance of cooling down. And because of his fur with long hairs, my mothers feet got warmer. A win-win-condition. The second dog was a westie and he had a transport-box as his, where we removed the door. It always looked cute, when he laid down sideways in his box. That means not the way he had room, but where the room was narrow.

Hey Feli! I am enjoying your videos. My husband and I are planning on traveling to Germany this Fall (and even hit up München for Oktoberfest!). We are traveling with our two twin infants, and thus I was wondering if you could do a video or provide some insight into traveling with children in Germany, or even German attitudes towards young children in general. In particular, how to navigate the touristy areas with a stroller, how to handle diaper changes on the go, etc. I also would love to see more videos with travel guides to other cities. We are thinking of visiting Bacharach, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Munich, and Salzburg this trip. Thanks again, and love the channel!

where I live in central Wisconsin, many buisnesses are really dog friendly and those that aren't are becoming more so, my little guy who is 16 now goes just about everywhere with me, limitations mostly being grocery stores which is understandable

I live in Germany with my dog and am one of the few exceptions who got her dog while studying. That was because I could take her to university with me and as a student you are still very flexible in your time allocation (depending on your studies). My experience with American dog owners is limited to TV programmes like Cesar Milan and Me or the dog. I probably have extreme prejudices, as these are probably just the tip of the iceberg, as with trainer shows in Germany, but I found it quite frightening how many people seem to a) put up with the fact that their dogs are not house-trained and b) rarely to never walk their dogs. I'd say 80-90% of the TV cases were actually over with "move your dog and keep him busy". The story with the crates is getting bigger here, especially in the course of housetraining. I really hope that people won't be tempted to use them more and more when the dog is annoying in order to lock him up... My dogs likes her crate but I only use it without the door. But I can understand a little bit why people don't take the training so seriously when the advantages of having a well-behaved dog are almost non-existent. In Germany, as you mentioned, you can take it with you practically everywhere, which is of course a great incentive! That was also very important to me and today my dog comes with me to the office, we go on train journeys together, air travel and of course we use public transport, restaurants or go shopping on a daily basis. It was a lot of work and if this opportunity didn't exist here, I first wouldn't have been able to train it and second wouldn't have had any incentive to do so.

My golden retriever was my best friend. He was always there for me ❤.

13:03 On the topic of the crates/kennels - As a young adult (from the US) I also always thought of them as cruel, but decided to kennel train my current dog. I leave it sitting with the door open because sometimes he just puts himself in there for the night; And when he rarely NEEDS to be in there for some reason, he goes in upon request and sleeps until I open the door. I now think kennel and muzzle training are good things to do when you get a puppy (for travel, safety in certain situations, etc.) so that when it's NECESSARY the dog doesn't have an unpleasant experience with it, but certainly not something to ever be forced on a dog all of the time.

I had no idea the difference was that big

Thanks!

I am a dog owner in the US, and I’ve always had more than one dog at a time. We currently have two golden retrievers and a Samoyed. There were a few things that sounded great for dogs in Germany. Her comments on American dogs seemed a little limited regarding how they live in the US. However she did say that it was based on her observations (in Cincinnati I’m assuming). I would imagine having a dog in the Midwest or eastern states is much different than out west where I live. I’ve never known anyone who actually kept their dog in a crate for hours at a time while at work. The climate is much milder in the western states than it is in the east, especially in the winter time. I couldn’t imagine walking my dogs twice a day in the Midwest or east coast with the wind and snow in winter. Many dog owners in the US homes have a doggie door so that their dogs can come in and out of the house whenever they want, during the day or in the middle of the nigh, to get fresh air, play or relieve themselves. All of our dogs have a chip in their collars that opens and closes the door when they approach it going out and while they are coming back in. Kind of like the doors in the starship USS Enterprise from the series Star Trek. The door slides up into the wall when it opens then back down when it closes. Some are also not-automatic, it’s a thick flap that the dogs walk through . These doors are very secure and have adjustable settings for sensitivity. They can be locked electronically when you’re gone and have power backup systems as well. Our dogs also have a chip under their skin that helps the dogs be identified if lost by where they are registered including information about where they live, who the owners are, contact information, etc. yes our dogs have a nice tag on their collars showing that they are registered. This also shows that they have had all of their canine vaccinations, etc. if the dog is lost, the vet or humane society scans the dog and all of the information comes up from a database. All dogs obtained from these rescue shelters are chipped and any dog can be chipped. There are many amenities here for dogs. We do have many restaurants and many bars that are pet friendly. Drive through Dairy Queen and even McDonalds and many other fast food places have what’s called a pup cup that they will put a little bit of soft serve ice cream in for your dog(s). Whenever we go through the drive up window to pay and they notice the dogs with us, they ask if we’d like a pup cup and they are free. Out west, not only do we have many hotels that allow pets, there are also resorts that allow them. Tucson, Arizona has a few of these resorts. One resort, in particular, has “casitas” or, “little houses” situated around the main resort where you and your dog(s) can stay. They are literally small resort houses with large outside patios and access to many hiking, dog and horse trails in the Catalina Mountains. Many people here use mobile grooming services where they come out to your house and wash your dog. They drive trucks pulling horse trailers that have been converted into mobile salons with their own water tanks and generators. The dogs can’t wait to see them roll up every month. When it’s their turn, they run out to the groomer, enter the salon and get brushed, cut, bathed, conditioned, ears cleaned, glands popped, nails trimmed and teeth brushed. Yes people here in the US can go a little overboard when it comes to their pets. We also have dog walkers that walk your dogs along with other dogs when you are at work or simply don’t have the time. It allows the dogs to get their exercise and interact with other dogs. There are so many services here for dogs, like the previously mentioned, that weren’t mentioned. We even have dog masseuses that give you dog a massage, in your home or at their shop. Many of these dog services are reasonably priced and often booked out so you have to make sure you schedule quick to get a time slot. Many people here use these services and like most of the things we do in the US, we go overboard, lol.

I've found the U.S. (especially in Northeast where I am) is very strict about dogs. They're hardly allowed anywhere.. even in some outdoor spaces. Even if I put my dog in an enclosed dog carriage, he is not allowed. It's ridiculous. In other parts of the country and definitely other countries, they are more lax with dogs.

As an American, I could see letting my dog go in and out of a crate with the door open, but I would never lock them in. I've never had a dog that I didn't feel fine letting roam around the home when I'm not there.

I wanna be able to bring my dog into the office too 😢 And yup, keeping dogs in crates is cruel, I’m American but we have never put our dogs in crates. Our dogs get to freely roam the house, get on the beds, couch anywhere they fit and are safe. We do not walk them, but we have a big backyard where they’ll spend 15-30mins (really depends on the weather) playing. We also go outside and play with them. They get all their prevention medications and yearly physical exams/dental cleaning.

Oh I forgot.Have a wonderful 4th of July. Looking forward to your next post.

I can only walk my dogs in fall and winter living Las Vegas. I have 2 Pomeranians so with the fur it’s kind of dangerous. I think it’s great and loved the dogs I met while traveling in Germany.

Regarding crates: if you train your dog right from an early age, he will equate the crate with his den. It's a safe space. The fact that it's not a big space isn't a problem - dens aren't big and spacious. A friend has a 70 lb German Shepherd who will of his own accord go into his crate to take naps.

In small town alabama, in the US, we have leash laws for the dogs but it isn't inforced. We have dogs run around town . There is a pit mix dog that lives just down the road from us but he comes to visit a lot. Now we do have a tag to put on the dog's collar but it's for their address or what shots they have had. I have had about 5 dogs over the course of my life. (I'm 32) each dog living to old age (in dog years) except two that had gotten hurt (one getting poisoned and the other getting shot at by neighbor)

I’m a disabled American training my own service dog with the help of professional trainers. Because my apartment has weight and breed restrictions, I had to classify my Bernese Mountain Dog as an Emotional Support Animal first. Once she masters puppy basics, I can take her out to train in public since my state laws allow service dogs in training to go wherever their handlers go.. I’ve had her permanently for a week. I’m so excited.