Have a question regarding an incident that happened last night with my 14 month old male.

We had a visitor in our home last night who we rarely see and who has never come inside the house. We called True over and True approached this man very cautiously to sniff his hand and then he let out a low growl. True met this guy when he was a small pup but clearly doesn't remember him now.

I told him "Quiet" and "Settle Down" and then made him sit and down for me, which he did. I had our guest offer a treat, which True took and which seemed to relax him a little. He stayed glued to my side and did whatever I told him to do and although he seemed to accept our guest's petting and gave him many licks in return, he remained wary.

Did I handle this right or was there something else I should have done...or not done?

He's not happy when strangers walk or drive on our property and shows this with a deep, serious bark and, lately, sometimes the hackles are up. I don't mind this behavior when it's someone who is not supposed to be on our property but I don't ever want it to get out-of-hand with invited guests. With people he knows well he acts like a typical goof-ball Lab.

I should also add I don't think he's a dominant dog and isn't aggressive in any way except for the aforementioned posturing.

what a great question.. can not wait to hear the responses...

Sarah, this is just me and maybe others feel the same way, but I don't want my dog to be "comfortable" with people he doesn't know coming in our house. Were you comfortable with this guy? If not, then you understand True's reaction.

I think you handled it correctly, except for the treat part (again, that's not something I would do). I don't want Lear thinking someone who comes in the house is a potential food machine. I want Lear to have his guard up in these types of situations, such as the carpet cleaner guy, the cable guy, the gardeners, etc. But then again, that's why I got Lear. But I've always felt that way.

True obeyed you, that's the important thing.

I agree with Sandy about strangers feeding the dog. You don't want a dog to accept food from strangers because there may be malicious intent from somebody in the future.

I also feel that dogs have a special sense of who is good and who isn't. If the dog doesn't like somebody, there may be a reason behind it. I would be disappointed if my dog wouldn't bark at strangers coming onto my property. With today's world as it is, I would rather not take any chances. Besides, it would be one way to keep the solicitors from showing up at my doorstep. lol.

Be proud of your dog because he did everything you told him to do. The dog was just doing his job which was to protect you even though you didn't feel it was necessary.

 Quote:

You don't want a dog to accept food from strangers because there may be malicious intent from somebody in the future.

Food refusal occurs in context. Left to his *own* devices, an animal isn't going to go hungry for a principle.

 Quote:

With today's world as it is, I would rather not take any chances.

Oddly enough, we're in the least violent time and place history has ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ramBFRt1Uzk

Not that -s- doesn't happen.

But that's another topic.

Thanks for the responses.

Sandy: The guy in question is a good guy and a business friend so he was truly a guest in our house, and not just a repairman or the meterman. I could care less if True puts on a show of force with someone like that and I don't allow them to interact with my dog.

Denise: Agree 100% that I WANT my dog to alert me when strangers appear and I am very grateful he does that.

I was honestly pretty shocked he growled in this guy's face and didn't know what else to do to tell him this guy was OK other than having him offer a treat. I do see your point about that.

I may have misunderstood what I've been reading but if I say a person is welcome in my home my dog shouldn't feel free to growl at them, right? Wrong?

As I understand it, if you want a dog that is friendly with everyone, having them give treats is an excellent way to make them friendlier and more social. However, GSD's as a breed are SUPPOSED to be reserved with strangers. Aloof is what it says in the breed standard. That being said, there is another thing to consider here. We all know people. We have friends and family that are welcome in our homes all the time. When our dogs react in a way that is foreign to us or perhaps inexplicable it stands to reason that one should question the behavior. I heard a story once of something similar happening to a woman in a park with her kids and a perhaps, seemingly "nice" man and his dog. The woman was disappointed and concerned with her dogs aggressive stance towards this man and worried he might be getting aggressive. Days later they found his face printed all over the local grocery store. A known pedifile that lured children with a (usually stolen)dog. None of us are really aware of what others do or think in the dark or in the deep recesses of their own minds. However, it is my belief that there is an aura around people, on occasion, that dogs have the ability to see only with their dog eyes. Most serious crimes are committed by those that one would never think to suspect. I have seen this twice in my own life with a close friend and a family member that were molesting a sister and grandbabies (yes, babies). Never would have believed it had the perp not confessed. Carol Boche's signature has something on it that I will always respect and that is "Trust your dog" I think it is important to let your dog know you respect his wariness, put him in a down, as you did, and then let him continue to watch. Were he to behave aggressively that would be a different story. However, all he did was let you know, "hey, mom, I'm not entirely sure I like this guy" One thing for sure, if he continues to act this way, no matter how long he knows the guy, I'd be really concerned! Not to say the guy is any of the above, I just figure it's best to let your dog have his reservations as long as he is under control and obeying you. Just MHO.

I'd love to be able to say that True is living up to the breed standard...but he's a Lab

Don't get me wrong I am thrilled I've got a dog who makes his presence known and that he is reserved and wary with most people... but whether it's the real thing or a bluff because he's afraid, it's hard to tell. I do know there have been a few instances where I wondered what he would do if I wasn't there to take control.

In this one area I'm having trouble reading my dog and I don't have any experience to judge if he's solid or weak-nerved. It seems that the serious problems crop up when owners can't read their dog and miss the signs that Fido is a wimp and not a man of steel.

Just to clarify Sarah, is True a GSD or a Lab? Sorry I don't know that by now... behavior is behavior, but unusual behavior for a breed (like intense warriness in a Lab towards a single individual) would make me really wonder what brought it on. I completely trust that this man was a friend, but still...

Either way, I have to agree with Steven and Robinn - your dog did just what his instincts told him to do, he listened when you told him to take it down a notch and behave, but he kept his guard up becuase for whatever reason, he felt like he needed to. You did just fine as well. As his leader, you made it clear you were in charge, and it sounds like he listened. As Robinn said, as long as he wasn't overtly aggressive, there's no reason he can't continue to keep an eye out. I as well have given guests treats to give to my dog, I find it helps MY case for why the visitor is OK with me - this doesn't mean I let just anyone give him treats, and in the case of my pet, whom I would prefer be friendlier rather than warrier around all kinds of people (maybe my bug hound and I are living in a dream state of peaceful and good hearted people), this suits me, and him, just fine. All that said, he'd STILL devour anyone who broke into our apartment in the middle of the night... so all is well.

I have a female friend that from pretty much day one Oscar has not liked very fondly. I will put money on the goodness of her character and she has been a friend of mine for decades, but there is something about her personality that sets Oscar into "watch" mode (she's a bit brash, a bit excitable and can be very loud). He's never quite calm around her and has even attempted to block her contact with me by stepping in between us (he was immediately asked to go lie down after this). He is NOT allowed to behave aggressively towards her (and was corrected strongly the first time he did) but I can tell he'd be ready if for some reason she went off her rocker and tried to hurt me (which is completely silly for me to imagine). In this case, I think Oscar's drives are just switched on by her mannerisms and personality - I honestly don't think she's a closet pedofile...

~Natalya

Edited by Natalya Zahn (09/21/2007 10:41 AM)
Edit reason: *You snuck in and answered my question - he's a Lab! :grin:

 Quote: sarah_morris

I'd love to be able to say that True is living up to the breed standard...but he's a Lab

My lab tends to be friendly around most new people as well, especially if they pick up a ball that he has brought over.....however, we had some "visitors" the other night looking for gas and the lab would not stop barking and growling at them even though the guy was trying to throw a ball for him, he ignored it.
Shocked me actually as this dog LOVES to play ball.....did I correct it, NOPE, I was home alone with a carfull of people I did not know and it was past 10pm.......

All the dogs were out in their kennels or runs and all were barking, I did give them a couple gallons of gas just so they could get off my property since they were stuck in my driveway close to my house (my driveway is 3/4 of a mile long).

My Dutch just stayed next to me and gave the "look" with a low growl if they got too close when I was getting the gas......they all ended up staying well away from me and the dogs......

People seem to think Labs are harmless, and that is usually true, but I tend to believe that when you have a "good" one and have a strong bond, then they seem to know what situations are making their owner/handler nervous or leary.