I hope this isn't too long. I will try to keep it as short as possible =) I have a 7 month old pit who is a wonderful dog, but not in any way does he have what it takes to be a protection dog. I also know that at this time in my life I would not be able to put in the time and work to raise a working dog. I do however love "working" with my dog. Obedience training, teaching him new things and I will admit the general look of the "pit" or any breed perceived as "Scary" is appealing to me safety wise. So if you personally had a family dog, how would you want him to react in certain situations so that every person who comes to you door doesn't know that if my dog was to get a hold of him, the worst he would do is lick you to death. For example- knocks at the door. A lot of people want the dog to bark, personally I have a young child that naps and hopefully more in the future. Exhausted mom, Sleeping babies and excessively barking dogs don't go well together. I personally don't want my dog to bark every time someone knocks on the door (which he doesn't, he doesn't even seem to notice) but I would like a dog who when he hears suspicious noises alerts us. Maybe windows trying to be opened. Someone peaking in our windows at night etc.. I know it is possible to teach him these things with marker training, but could it back fire in any way? Setting up a "fake" window peeker or jiggling of knocks at night etc.. and encouraging a growl and bark. Could I create an aggressive dog? For this dog, who I don't believe really has that aggressive nature/nerves of steel needed for real protection work, so I am thinking at that point it will just be a game to him. Until now, when people came to my door, even while i was home alone (delivery men, workers, neighbors etc) I always say "don't worry hes friendly" I wanted to be a positive example of the breed. Now I am realizing it would be smarter to let them think he may be aggressive and instead just respond to any concerns with he is trained instead of he is friendly and keep him in a down stay behind me until I release him. Any suggestions, help, anything really, is very much appreciated! Thank you. * I do realize at 7 months he is probably too young to start this kind of training. Right now I have not attempted anything other than basic obedience.

Hi Kristi, Nice looking pup!

I'm a bit confused... your prior post was in regard to the dog barking at things - now he isn't???

At seven months, he is still pretty young to be "protective" or alerting on noises he is not familiar with... I would think that any barking at this point could just as easily be from being unsure or nervous, not "alerting" you to potential danger.

I would expect him to naturally become more "protective" and naturally become more attuned to strange noises, etc... as he matures.

In regard to not alerting or barking - he is a pup! Again, I think it will come with age, and would concentrate on general obedience and having fun with him - strengthening that bond.

Having a well behaved, intimidating looking dog is all most of us need or are qualified to handle. I personally don't tell strangers who come to our home that Falcon is friendly - I just let them wonder. Having him obediently on a "down" with me outside while the satelite was being repaired recently was far more effective than the sign in my window about the alarm system... jmho.

I agree with Barbara, there is nothing more intimidating then a well trained dog in ob with perhaps a bark on command......

Barbara- Yah, when it comes to people knocking at the door or even someone coming in our door in the middle of the night (we had a friend who had a key come in late at night to stay the night several times) he doesn't even notice. He hasn't barked at the neighbors dog since that last post, but they are both so rarely outside that they really don't have the chance too. He still barks at me for attention, but I have realized he is usually just bored. We ignore that barking and once he is calm take him for a walk. Problem is he is intermittently limping which the vet thought was pano so he cannot be vigorously exercised. Were looking into x-rays soon because the discomfort and stiffness doesn't seem to be going away. But that is a whole other thread =) Thank you for your response. He is so big I think sometimes I forget he's sill just a pup. I will continue working obedience and I will start teaching a down/stay when I answer the door.

ETA: Thanks, your dog is beautiful. I was obsessed with GSD as a kid. Will always be my favorite breed. =)

Definitely get the legs checked into as soon as you can just to make sure he does not continue to injure something... In the mean time, more short walks if the vet said that is okay and "mind games" inside the house will help keep him occupied. Also bully sticks! Good luck - keep us posted.

I am currently raising my fifth German Shepherd. All have come from the same local breeder, someone who, I believe, breeds some of the nicest GSDs I’ve known – both for temperament and health. All my dogs have been naturally protective; none have been trained as protection dogs.

My last dog, a female, was – in many ways – the best dog I’ve owned. She rarely barked and when she was younger, I doubted her desire to alert me should anything occur. We actually did some informal protection work with someone who trains S&R and protection dogs – my dog flunked when she refused to bark or even respond to a simulated attack.

When she was 9 months old I had her with me while visiting a nearby river walk. Several tourists were admiring the view when a small child – about 2 years-old – fell through the railing into the water. Before anyone could react, my dog dove into the water and grabbed the child carrying her to safety. Then, when she was about 18 months old she somehow escaped her car crate and nailed a guy who was trying to attack me. Again, no training, just instinct.

I travel for my work – writer/photographer – and my dogs often come along. When my dog was about six someone tried to break into my motel room and she nailed him against a wall and held him until security arrived. Two years later she pulled me and another person from an office trailer minutes before it exploded due to a propane leak.
This dog loved everyone! I socialized the heck out of her – taking her everywhere, introducing her to everything and exposing her to as many people as possible. We did extensive obedience work and she proved extremely responsive. Throughout her 12 years she remained friendly toward anyone I accepted into my home and rarely barked, even at strangers. She was wonderful with kids and other animals and shared her bed with two of the cats. I never once had to worry about her in public or at home. Nonetheless, despite her seemingly calm and mild appearance, she proved herself highly protective of her family.

I understand the philosophy that says dogs must learn how to protect in order to protect their people, but, at least in my experience, this is not always true. I also understand your desire to have a dog that will alert you to intruders and other threats. My suggestion would be to expose your dog to as many environments, people and situations as possible while he is still young. Teach him manners around all people, particularly children and involve him as much as possible in your daily life. In short, make him part of your family. Nurture his desire to be with you and to know where “his family” is at all times. Don’t worry about the lack of barking or alerting. Instead, focus on strengthening the bond you share. Dogs respond to our energy and many dogs, certainly all mine, know the difference between our acting scared and our truly being frightened and will respond appropriately. They also learn the difference between some neighbor coming onto our property, a work person at the window and a real intruder.

that's probably one of the most fascinating posts i've ever read...

i've read things like that in the paper and seen it on the tv news, and i guess we have to believe before we see it.

Can anyone explain the behaviour? Or is it down to a '6th' sense?

I use to watch it on tv all the time.
Rin Tin Tin and Lassie.
And Old Yeller was the bestest dog in the whole wide world!

 Quote: Irene Troy

I am currently raising my fifth German Shepherd. All have come from the same local breeder, someone who, I believe, breeds some of the nicest GSDs I’ve known – both for temperament and health. All my dogs have been naturally protective; none have been trained as protection dogs.
My last dog, a female, was – in many ways – the best dog I’ve owned. She rarely barked and when she was younger, I doubted her desire to alert me should anything occur. We actually did some informal protection work with someone who trains S&R and protection dogs – my dog flunked when she refused to bark or even respond to a simulated attack.

When she was 9 months old I had her with me while visiting a nearby river walk. Several tourists were admiring the view when a small child – about 2 years-old – fell through the railing into the water. Before anyone could react, my dog dove into the water and grabbed the child carrying her to safety. Then, when she was about 18 months old she somehow escaped her car crate and nailed a guy who was trying to attack me. Again, no training, just instinct.

I travel for my work – writer/photographer – and my dogs often come along. When my dog was about six someone tried to break into my motel room and she nailed him against a wall and held him until security arrived. Two years later she pulled me and another person from an office trailer minutes before it exploded due to a propane leak.
This dog loved everyone! I socialized the heck out of her – taking her everywhere, introducing her to everything and exposing her to as many people as possible. We did extensive obedience work and she proved extremely responsive. Throughout her 12 years she remained friendly toward anyone I accepted into my home and rarely barked, even at strangers. She was wonderful with kids and other animals and shared her bed with two of the cats. I never once had to worry about her in public or at home. Nonetheless, despite her seemingly calm and mild appearance, she proved herself highly protective of her family.

I understand the philosophy that says dogs must learn how to protect in order to protect their people, but, at least in my experience, this is not always true. I also understand your desire to have a dog that will alert you to intruders and other threats. My suggestion would be to expose your dog to as many environments, people and situations as possible while he is still young. Teach him manners around all people, particularly children and involve him as much as possible in your daily life. In short, make him part of your family. Nurture his desire to be with you and to know where “his family” is at all times. Don’t worry about the lack of barking or alerting. Instead, focus on strengthening the bond you share. Dogs respond to our energy and many dogs, certainly all mine, know the difference between our acting scared and our truly being frightened and will respond appropriately. They also learn the difference between some neighbor coming onto our property, a work person at the window and a real intruder.

Irene,
I have been working on a book for several years now about real world protection occurrences and I've interviewed almost 1400 people about situations where they have claimed that their dog actually protected them.
Out of the 1400 interviews, only about 150 were legit after a closer look and evaluation.

Your circumstances with your dogs actions would actually be a record for protection events out of all my research, so if you can provide me with a link to a newspaper article documenting those events or police reports, I'd love to interview you for my book.

Thanks!

 Quote: irene troy

When she was 9 months old I had her with me while visiting a nearby river walk. Several tourists were admiring the view when a small child – about 2 years-old – fell through the railing into the water. Before anyone could react, my dog dove into the water and grabbed the child carrying her to safety.

Wow!
My 9 month old pup might jump in to fetch the "thing" that fell in the water but I'd hate to have a two year old on the receiving end, I see and feel how he grips everything!