Kim,

Even if the dog had been willing to play with the cable guy doesn't mean he won't protect. As an example we have a guy that is disabled that occasionaly has to come and sty with us when he has problems. He also takes care of the dogs when we go out of town. He and my wife were playing around and he made a play slap at my wife. He didn't contact her, but the Giant still jumped up and bumped him. Didn't bite, but would have. He was just giving a warning. This guy comes and goes in our house as he pleases, he feeds the dogs, if he forgets and leaves his door open they sleep with him, and the dog would have bit him for striking my wife. The point is that in later training the dog should be taught to react to a threat. It shouldn't matter who the threat comes from (except maybe a family member that lives there all the time).

I realise this discussion took place some time ago, but as my 7 month female Malinois is so very very friendly I was intrigued by the subject.
Tikki loves EVERYONE.. Like Kim, I surely over-socialised her too at the beginning. Having encountered fearful/dangerous Malinois I was very scared we'd reproduce those sorts of problem.
However, when some man comes to the door I put her on a lead just like I did our (very very friendly) Huskies. The strange guy, especially if he doesn't know dogs, doesn't know I'm preventing her from hugging him and not attacking him!!
Another recent experience was being in a bad area (here in Paris) and sure I was going to be mugged by a gang of youths who looked pretty gone on something. I pulled Tikki close to me on her leash. And in doing so I felt her hackles slightly rise as she assessed the situation. The boys too obviously between themselves it wasn't worth taking the risk. Relief!!
All in all though, I'm grateful to have a friendly dog. She sees a small child and simply wants to venerate it, if enthusiastically!!
Berenice
PS: I was without a dog for two years. The feeling of - presence - once again is wonderful!!

Kim....This is my first message, I am glad to hear so many other members thinking safety for women.
My last dog was the biggest softy going.....until the nite I was attacked by five WOMEN in a mugging attempt. I was hit on the face with a hammer, and poor Guinness was stabbed between the eyes with a screwdriver that dog went for the women and did not give up till they left. My advice, the one time you kneed the dog, he / she will know that and will be only too pleased to help. Have confidence, in the dog, he / she hasit in you.

Dear Kim,

Have had GSD's for a long time, but when I read your post I wanted to share this with you. Back in the 60's we were stationed at the Cape in Florida. One of my husbands friends gave us a beautiful GS bitch puppy. There began my love for this most wonderful breed of dog. When she was old enough we went to obedience school and every where else together after that.

My husband was deployed a lot back then and the children and I were making a trip back here to Missouri in our station wagon. I became very tired and told the children it was time to stop at a motel for the evening. To make a long story short, the children were all in bed, and I had just gotten into bed myself. There was a short knock on the motel room door, and I heard Heide bark and as I got up out of bed, the door opened, and Heidi lunged for the door. I never had any idea she would do something like that. The man at the door was a maintenance man at the wrong room, and when he tried to enter she reacted and I was very proud of her. And told her what a good dog she was.

I called to the service desk to report what had happened, they apologized for the incident and gave me a refund the next day when I went to check out. But after that I never had any doubts that my wonderful Heidi would be there to protect her family.

I guess that is when I learned to never underestimate a GSD loyality. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Joyce,
What a nice story!!
Berenice