My 5.5 month old male Rottweiler (Arnold) is VERY friendly with people. Family, friends, strangers, whatever. Well last night I took him for a walk through an area with no street lights. We walked by a big field where it was REALLY dark and all of a sudden Arnold stops and lets out a very low growl like I’ve never heard from him before. Also he gave 2-3 “half barks”. I hadn’t seen them yet, but 2 men came out of the field dressed in black. I’m not sure what the men were doing, as there are no houses in that particular area, but Arnold positioned himself between them and I the whole time while they walked past. This is the first time I’ve ever seen him protective at all. He didn’t lunge at them and didn’t try to get towards them at all. I was actually happy to see him protective for the first time. Is this normal behavior, and something I should expect? I told a friend about it after getting home and he said I should discourage it. Should I? I want my boy to be protective, especially in that type of situation, but I don’t want to encourage human aggression. Please let me know your thoughts!
-Ryan
Schaumburg, IL

I personally don't think you should discourage it at all. I think you should refine it and structure it over time using OB and protection work.
Your dog showed alertness, stayed under control, and stood his ground. He did what he was bred to do for 100 years.

There is an amazing trainer in your area named Mel McDuffy. He owns Mr.k9.
I would give him a call if your interested in OB on and off lead, Personal protection.
Here is his website.

http://www.mrk9.com

Dave,
Thanks a lot for the link - I've been considering this but had no idea where to go. I'll call him this evening.

Ryan, I completely agree with Dave's post.
I think your pup, while young has some very
good instincts, I would want to work with and
encourage in the right way.

Naturally canine's have some very good instincts
that when presented, and if worked with can
prove to be spot on for protection.
I say good boy! Keep him learning!
You have a good pup there.

 Quote: dave ferguson

I personally don't think you should discourage it at all. I think you should refine it and structure it over time using OB and protection work.

How can you tell what the dog was really exhibiting?

When I read the OP, my mental image was of a puppy that wasn't very comfortable in the situation. Not protective, but "get them before they get me".

You are welcome.
He is the guy that got my food in the dog training door back in 2002ish.

He has been doing dog training for about 20+ years. He also does as a school dog shows all over the mid-west if that is something you become interested in. They are pretty fun and you get to see what a lot of trainers are doing and their styles at the shows.

He also trains and has on his staff Chicago police and their dogs. Trained and may still train Mohamed Ali's dogs. He also has PitBull breeding projects going on in Europe and Jamaica.

I think you will be pretty impressed. Check out the video on his site.

I agree with Michael....

this is a 5 month old puppy who was more than likely showing signs of uncertainy with something he saw.

that's what most puppies do when confronted with something they are unsure of. Growling, barking etc etc....

Im not saying this puppy won't grow into something you can do protection work with...but i would hesitate to say the dog was protecting you.

not trying to burst your bubble....

 Quote: michael_wise

 Quote: dave ferguson

I personally don't think you should discourage it at all. I think you should refine it and structure it over time using OB and protection work.

How can you tell what the dog was really exhibiting.

When I read the OP, my mental image was of a puppy that wasn't very comfortable in the situation. Not protective, but "get them before they get me".

To answer your question simply I don't. That is why I used the word "personally" in the sentence you quoted and did not use a word like "would", or "do not". While not an English major by any means, I thought when you said something like "personally" in a sentence it was understood that you were offering your opinion.
I also noticed where he lived and that is why I posted the information about the dog trainer in the Chicago. So, if the OP wanted to he could have a professional access the dog and not a bunch of guessers on line.

Based of what I read in his post, and what I have seen in Rotties, lead me to post what I did. No different then what you read and have seen lead you to post what you did.
Neither you, nor I have any fact to post what we did. Just matter of opinion.

But, that is what the forums is all about. Personal experiences and opinions.

I'd probably lean towards suspicious and fearful. Thats not saying anything bad, did he recover right away?

He stayed under control which is good, but left to himself this will turn into a really bad problem.
You should do to the trainer and see what they recommend and train him.