Seems to be ubiquitous in English-speaking cultures. (rubs ears) Who’s a good boy??? YOU’RE A GOOD BOY!!! (furious tail wagging)
Is there an equivalent for this in non-English languages?
Not exactly equivalent, but “bon chien” and “toutou” are often said affectionately towards our canine friends.
More often, it’s more complete sentences: “Il est content, le toutou? Oh oui, c’est un bon chien ça !”
In Danish it is “god hund” good dog. You could say that in English as well.
In Afrikaans it would be goeie hondjie. ‘Good little dog’ as a gender neutral,affectionate diminutive. Hond might also be used, but the diminutive hondjie is more equivalent to the sense of ‘good boy’ and would be used even for a fully-grown Boerboel
In Hebrew, it’s kelev tov if it’s a male dog, and kalba tova if its a female. Both mean “good dog”.
(“KEH-lehv TOHV” and “Kahl-BAH Toh-VAH”)
Like our Chloé is a “Good puppy,” instead of being a “Good Girl.”
In German we rather say “Braver Hund/Junge/Mädchen” than “Guter Hund” (Junge/Mädchen mean boy/girl). “Brav” in this context means “well-behaved”.
I try to use their name as often as possible - That’s a GOOD LIZZIE! - so their handle is right next to the positive reinforcement.
This may seem strange, but I don’t see my pets as a gender (beyond the spay/neuter aspect).