May 18, 2011
My 15-week-old GSD has started barking at people that come into my home. I want her to be a personal protection dog. Should I scold her for barking at strangers?
Full Question:
Dear Mr. Frawley,Thank you for your excellent videos. They are helping me raise my new pup. But I do have a question that is not addressed in the videos:
This is a female GSD of excellent working dog bloodlines. She is now 15 weeks. She is doing fine in every aspect, but a week ago she began to bark at people who come to visit us. The bark is not a growl, and she shows no other signs of aggression, but she does appear to be defending her ground. Is this normal? How should I handle the barking: allow it, or discourage it? Up until now, what I have done is pick the pup up (which stops the barking right away), and carry her over to be petted by the visitor.
Since I do want this pup to grow into a good protective companion, I want to handle this precisely and correctly. I would greatly appreciate your help with this.
Thanks,
James
Ed's Answer:
You are doing the right thing by showing her that there is nothing to fear. Have the new people give the dog a piece of hot dog. She needs to see that there is nothing to make her afraid.
People often question if they should correct barking because they want a protection dog as an adult and do not want to inhibit their puppy. Well, a good protection dog must have the correct genetics and it is a product of training. A dog does not become a protection dog because it is allowed to be aggressive to strangers as a puppy. A good protection dog learns that it must be aggressive under very specific circumstances and not to all people. Dogs that are aggressive to all people are not safe social dogs. They are dangerous dogs. But the reason that your dog is doing this is because it has weak or thin nerves, not because it is tough and protective. It is impossible for any female pup to be tough and protective. That would be like you expecting your 7 year old daughter to protect your home. Your puppy needs to learn that people are nice. Later she can learn that some people are not nice.
My advice would be to continue to read my site and get a few training videos on protection work.
Good Luck
People often question if they should correct barking because they want a protection dog as an adult and do not want to inhibit their puppy. Well, a good protection dog must have the correct genetics and it is a product of training. A dog does not become a protection dog because it is allowed to be aggressive to strangers as a puppy. A good protection dog learns that it must be aggressive under very specific circumstances and not to all people. Dogs that are aggressive to all people are not safe social dogs. They are dangerous dogs. But the reason that your dog is doing this is because it has weak or thin nerves, not because it is tough and protective. It is impossible for any female pup to be tough and protective. That would be like you expecting your 7 year old daughter to protect your home. Your puppy needs to learn that people are nice. Later she can learn that some people are not nice.
My advice would be to continue to read my site and get a few training videos on protection work.
Good Luck
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