Hey guys n gals. I'm new to this board so before I go on I'll do a quick introduction. My name is Mike, I live in Orlando Florida, and I have a 1 year old GSD hungarian import named Cujo. In fact, he turned 1 year old today.

My question is on socialization. He's extremely friendly towards everyone that shows interest in him, I try not to let people pet him but sometimes I just don't have the heart to tell people "don't touch my dog". He'll bark at the doorbell or if someone knocks at the door, or if he hears any suspicious sounds, he'll run as fast as he can to the front door and bark like crazy until he identifies who it is. I am almost sure that if I left him in my car and someone got in and drove away, he wouldn't do anything, maybe lick the guys hand, but I've never had the opportunity to try this.

Is this normal for a 1 year old? Is there a way to "undo" his trust in people? Will this occur naturally as he matures? He's alot better than when I got him at 4 months old, he would want to greet everyone he saw, now he only greets people that show an interest in him.

What can I do? Thanks.

Well Mike, that all depends on what you plan to do with him. As a pet he's fine. If you want to do Schutzhund, or ring sport, he's still ok. All fine working dogs need to to get along with their environment. If a more protective posture is what you desire from your dog, that comes from good genetics, and proper imprinting / training in the area of bite work. Check out some of Leerburg's training videos.

Is your question more along the lines of:

"How social should a dog be towards strangers?"

If so, the answer would depend on what you expect from the dog or how the dog will be trained (Pet vs. Personal Protection Dog vs. Sport Dog vs. Police Work Dog, etc)

I'm curious what others think.

A friendly 1yr old GSD is not unusual. Unless your dog is from some pretty sharp lines, most wont start getting tough before 18-24 months. At almost 16 months, my guy is friendly towards everyone he meets, yet his "home/car security" side is starting to show up just a bit. That's perfectly exceptable in those situations, and doesn't bother me. Like others have mentioned, it depends on the breeding and what your training for.

Thanks for the responses, yes my question was something along the lines of "how should he respond to strangers". I figured it was normal for a young dog to be friendly towards people, but I wanted to be sure before I screwed something up.

I would be more interested in Schutzhund training for him if I were able to work with someone local that used the Leerburg training techniques. I have almost no experience with Schutzhund other than the many articles and videos I have seen on it, so it is very intimidating for me to seek a helper, a huge part of my concern is wether the helper is competent enough or uses techniques that I would agree with. I don't even know where to start looking.

I found a trainer at onegreatdog.com that does a 10 week obedience/protection training course for $950 and comes to your home, but I have no idea what his methods are, I know there's alotta con artists in this industry, especially in central florida, every other idiot is an expert dog trainer. I am skeptical.

I would like him to be able to defend my family, myself and my property, although I doubt the need would ever arise, it's nice to know I have a dog that won't lick the attackers face, or even worse, run away. Is schutzhund/bite work the best way to achieve this? How would I go about finding a competent helper? Even with videos, it always helps to have someone to work with, point out what I'm doing wrong while I'm doing it, and guide me in the right direction.

Sounds like all you need is a dog with an agressive alert. It's been over done here about true defence dogs for us "common" folks.I hope someone here can guide you to a good trainer in your area.
Will, any ideas? This is close to your neck of the woods isn't it?

I've read a lot about imprinting, what does that term mean? How is done, what is its purpose?

I also seek a good trainer in my area of ohio.

Does anyone on here know the guys at http://www.servicek9.com? These guys are about an hour and a half from me, I've talk to them via email and they always seem willing to help.

Any feedback is good feedback.

Well, if they seem willing to help, that's a good sign. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I saw the (PPD) sport that they compete in up around Atlanta, and I know many of the founders of that odd ball sport - that being said, I hope they don't base their work after it, because it's a complete and total joke.
Sorry, I just call'em like I see'em.

Will-
I appreciate your comment. I can't say for sure as to what or how they base thier training due to the fact that I am a total amateur in this area. It would be hard, if not impossible for me to determine what style of training is being implemented. That was totally redundant, but anyway...lol
Hopefully in time I will gain some knowledge, skills and ability in this thing called "dog training".
Michael-

Mike, I would start out by getting Leerburg's video "Building Drive, Focus & Grip". At the same time I would get their “The First Steps of Bite Training" video. These two videos should give you a good knowledge base of what you can do on your own, without a professional trainer. Next get Ed's video, “Preparing Your Dog for the Helper. These videos should get you to a point where you, #1. Understand what to look for in a person that claims to be an experienced trainer. #2 recognize if a club or private trainer's protection program is based on proven methods of bite work /imprinting, and is a safe & sound foundation that doesn't cut corners. The first 6 months of your dog’s personal protection training can be done by you, in the privacy of your own yard. Up to that point, it's all just a big game to your dog, (prey drive mostly) so have fun and use this board to answer any questions that come up as you are working through these first few months of training. As you get closer to needing a helper, (this is pointed out in the "Preparing Your Dog for the Helper" video" I mentioned earlier), you should get some of Leerburg's videos on training new helpers. This will give you a basic understanding of how a good quality helper should perform his duties, and help you to become a quality helper yourself. Most people that are helpers also have dogs to be worked! This makes you valuable to them as well. You will find, before long, that you have become the very quality helper you now seek. A handler that also has helper experience becomes a very well rounded personal protection trainer.