# What is the equivalent of telling a dog "You are a GOOD BOY" in non-English languages? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 29, 2024, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385 "2024-10-29T01:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/1 "2024-10-29T01:56:19Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![FrenchDunadan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frenchdunadan/32/5449_2.png) [@FrenchDunadan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrenchDunadan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/2 "2024-10-29T11:21:49Z")
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 !” ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/3 "2024-10-29T11:28:22Z")
In Danish it is “god hund” good dog. You could say that in English as well. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/4 "2024-10-29T12:27:32Z")
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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/5 "2024-10-29T12:35:06Z")
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”) ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/6 "2024-10-29T13:57:47Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > In Afrikaans it would be _goeie hondjie_. ‘Good little dog’ as a gender neutral,affectionate diminutive. Like our Chloé is a “Good puppy,” instead of being a “Good Girl.” ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/7 "2024-10-29T14:14:01Z")
In German we rather say “Braver Hund/Junge/Mädchen” than “Guter Hund” (Junge/Mädchen mean boy/girl). “Brav” in this context means “well-behaved”. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-equivalent-of-telling-a-dog-you-are-a-good-boy-in-non-english-languages/1009385/8 "2024-10-30T13:32:31Z")
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).