My 6mo old GSD, Chief, is giving me mixed signals.

A few days ago while hiking, he showed almost polar opposite behavior. The hike is a there and back style and I stopped at the mid point to give him water.

As we sat there, a few other hikers approached. The first one set Chief off. He began barking and staring at the man. (The man walked right at us, not that I am defending Chief actions, just for clarity.) I gave Chief a lease correction and a stern "Knock it off". As the man came closer Chief growled. Again I corrected him. More hikers, both men and women, came through the mid point and Chief paid little to no attention. Then another hiker with a yellow lab caused him to bark again.

While on the trail we passed people with and without dogs, and he doesn't really seem to care. No barking, pulling away or pulling toward the other people.

In other situations he does the same. Some of my friends he barks at others he is fine. He growled at my wife’s friend after we had been sitting there talking with her for about 5 min. None of these occasions occured in “his territory”.

Yesterday, at a park with a ton of dogs and people, not even a peep out of him. He walked next to me barely noticing the crowd.

I can't tell what or when he is going to decide to bark and growl; or worse yet if it is going to turn into a bite. For safety sake I am now telling people that he is not friendly. It is amazing how people will just try to pet someone elses dog. Or like I had happen the other day, a lady actually encouraged her child to pet my dog. I hate telling people he is not friendly because I don't think it is true, but better safe than sorry.

(reason for edit: typos)

Daniel, your pup is 6 months old. You need to remember that puppies are born into a completely clean slate, just like human babies. The only difference is that a puppy gets bigger alot faster, but at 6 months old he is stil figuring out the world and has no idea who these people or other dogs are. Dogs are genetically programmed to be very perceptive of body language. It could be something as simple as the way someone looks at the dog, the way they carry themselves when they walk, the speed at which they walk, whether they are wearing a hat, or a different type of shirt, or carrying something weird in their hand. It could be literally anything that makes the pup go "hey, wait a minute........".

It also sounded like he does this when you are sitting still? If that's right, then think about it this way: If a dog is walking, he is focusing on where his master is going, where he is putting his feet, the smells in front of him, and what he's doing. The other people are simply "there". If a dog is standing still, what does he do? He looks around and pays attention to the things going on around him, giving him more time to think "uh oh, that ain't right."

I wouldn't even correct it, and especially not with a prong collar if that's what you are using. He is fine with most people and most dogs, so I don't even think it's neccesary for people to give him food to make him like them. Just keep walking, perhaps let him go up to people and investigate if you are sure they're not gonna turn around and tower over him, raise their hands over his head or try to pet him in any way. If they will let you, just let your guy go up to them, sniff, and see that everything is OK. Ideally, the other person would keep their back to the dog or take a low stance without looking directly at the dog to remove some of the "threat" the dog is feeling. If you can't do this, then just keep moving and don't put any focus on the problem.

You will probably see alot of this stupidity in the next 6 months or so. Does he also bark at statues and stuff? If he does, then just walk right up to it. Don't force him, but go up to it and touch it. Show the pup "it's ok, nothing wrong with this statue."

Thanks for the quick reply

BTW, I am not using a prong collar, he is very good on just a flat collar.

You made a good point: Most of the barking and growling have been while sitting still!

Something so obvious, but I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out. Thanks you.

I haven't noticed any other wierd behavior, but my wife says she thinks he is afraid of the trash truck. I haven't noticed. I have walked him right past them and he couldn't care less. Maybe it is only when the trash truck is dumping the canister into the truck which makes a lot of noise considering my neighbor has a full size dumpster.

I thought I would update this post. I hope you all don't mind.

Chief still does not care for people. He doesn't bark at them while we are on our walks anymore, but if someone approaches him he will give off a low growl. This growl is only if the attention is directed at him. A stranger can stand and talk to me and he will be fine, but the moment someone offers him a hand to sniff he stands his ground and growls. (no teeth showing if that makes any difference) If he decides to sniff the stranger then he is fine, but it has to be on his terms.

He growled at my Father in law while he was here for a visit, but after a day or so that stopped. My Father in law never got brave enough to in the back yard with him so I still don't know how that would go over.

I don't mind that he doesn't want to meet and greet everyone that we pass, but I don't want anyone getting bit either.

I am confused as to whether he doesn't like people or if he doesn't like to be touched by strangers. At the park a while back we were playing fetch when a little boy came over and wanted to throw the ball for Chief. I let him, but Chief would not fetch for the boy. Chief finally got the ball after I told him to, but he wanted nothing to do with the little kid even though he was playing his favorite game.

Any thoughts? I almost feel like I shouldn't care if my dog likes other people, but some people act like you have a monster if your dog growls. What do you guys think?