Hi Alyssa,

That was all I really wanted from Truman was to learn how to bark on command. He very well may "tuck tail and run" If someone was to outright challenge him.

The point was that I wanted to be sure he would at least bark if someone unwanted was on our property. He did that. He may well hold someone off awhile before he runs away so I have time to get my gun. Or he may take a chunk out of their ass, hopefully I'll never have to find out

Tracy,

I'd test his response when you aren't in the yard with him.

Set the same scenario up, but without you being there with him on the leash, to see if he'll bark when you aren't around.

I'll try that Alyssa. I will have to tie him to something, so if he does react aggressively, someone won't get hurt.

Also, I just received a callback from a PP trainer in my area. I have an evaluation set up on the 20th. I had just decided not to go thru w/training, but now I'm intrigued.

Does anyone know Robert Solimini at All American Canine? I got some good feedback from some Boerboel people I know.

Hi Alyssa,

I just wanted to adress a couple of things you wrote...

"He acted tough because he had you backing him up. "

"Until that person takes a step or two towards it. Then, if you aren't there, and if there is an avenue of escape for the dog, it'll go into avoidance."

What you say may be true about Truman, but neither you or I know, because he hasn't been formally tested.

About 5 years ago, I had someone try to break into my basement bulkhead. My husband was away. Stupid me opened the door to see what the noises were. My totally untrained Fila rushed out and attacked the man. It was the scariest moment of my life. So there are those precious few natural untrained protecters.

 Quote: Tracy R Touzjian

About 5 years ago, I had someone try to break into my basement bulkhead. My husband was away. Stupid me opened the door to see what the noises were. My totally untrained Fila rushed out and attacked the man. It was the scariest moment of my life. So there are those precious few natural untrained protecters.

How did you conclude that it was a protective response? Not at all saying that it wasn't, but that probably wouldn't be my first guess. Of course, I wasn't there.

No matter what, though, I'm glad that s/he did it.

I don't know what other response it could have been. Someone at night trying to break into our home? Protective of her territory?

I'm probably being ignorant, but what other response could it have been?

Yes, I too, am very glad she responded like she did!

Aren't Filas extremely territorial and protective of their families? It's natural to the breed, or so I've understood from what I've read.

 Quote: tracy r touzjian

What you say may be true about Truman, but neither you or I know, because he hasn't been formally tested.

I disagree. An untrained dog, will operate in defensive drive, when it perceives a threat to it's safety. But an untrained dog in defensive drive, is on the edge of avoidance. Those skills have to be honed. If they didn't, we wouldn't NEED to spend the time and effort that we do, training for Schutzhund, French Ring, Personal Protection, etc.

Your Fila may well have saved your life, and like Connie said, I am certainly glad that she did. But, I doubt it was done out of protectiveness. More likely, it was done out of defensiveness, which is an altogether different drive in a dog.

"Fight" drive, the drive that a dog is in when it attacks the decoy, the suspect, or the midnight intruder, does not naturally exist in a dog. It is a drive that we, as handlers, develop in our dog, through careful training, by taking the dog beyond defense drive.

A formal test of Truman will only tell us his potential for working. It will tell us the level of his drives- prey and defense. It won't tell us what kind of fight drive, the drive that would motivate Truman to actually fight an intruder, because that drive doesn't yet exist in Truman. The test will tell us whether or not he is capable of developing that drive, if he has the nerve to work in defense without going into avoidance.

Ed has a great article, not about this subject at all, but it still has terrific insight into dog psychology. I can't remember where it is, but he was talking about what he would do if a dog attacked him. He talks about how easily he can put an untrained dog, or a poorly trained dog, into avoidance.

 Quote: Tracy R Touzjian

I'll try that Alyssa. I will have to tie him to something, so if he does react aggressively, someone won't get hurt.

If you do decide to head in a PPD route, that will be a terrific intro for him. If not, it will at least let you work him on sounding the alarm for you.

Yes Sarah, those traits should be present in a correct Fila. They should also be present in a correct Boerboel. The boreboel does tend to be more on the social side although.

Edited by Tracy R Touzjian (07/07/2008 05:45 PM)
Edit reason: spelling