Don't PM if you don't mind. I'd like to know how it all turns out & what in particular worked or didn't work for you. I never thought about doing the car, good idea

P.S. don't let that jerk ruin your good nature. I know I've become too cynical due to bad experiences. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I have never been scammed in that way, I take my big male Yaggo with me everywhere.I always feel safe with him in my car.When I go to the Atm(drivethru) I always roll down the back window behind the driver side and Yaggo will stick his big head out while I reach out to do my transaction in peace.(just an idea for you to keep) I know no one will sneak to rob me,I have abosolutely faith in him to let me know anyone is coming close.But I have done a lot of bite work and guard training with him.But I have to say that naturely he is very much on guard duty at all times.You might have to do some guard conditioning with your dog in order to get him to be a bit more aware of his surrounding and guard his property rather it be the car or house.We've had trainer in our Schutzhund club that will agitate a dog that is loose in the car and get him to bark and get aggressive towards any one that comes near the car.But becarefull what you ask for.One time I was at an intersection on the phone with my son checking on him and his sibblings, and my male Yaggo decided that the driver next to us was looking at him too long and started to bark and was foaming at the mouth for this guy, meanwhile I could not hear a thing my son was saying!
When a dog is in a guard mode and (for mine he loves bite work) it is hard for me to say quiet and him obeying. But I rather he guards me in the car over him being too quiet.It all depends on the dog and the drive the dog possesses.I think it was very kind of you to give the money to someone that you thought needed it,next time give out a dollars only <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I always crate my dog when he's in the car, so sticking his head out the window isn't an option. It also somewhat limits the usefulness of having him bark. Granted, a good number of people wouldn't take a good look inside before running scared, but someone who realizes your dog is crated could take advantage of that. You need to weigh the odds of your dog, or you, or your car's interior - my dog would rip it to shreds if left alone uncrated - being injured while loose against the number of times he would potentially deter a threat. That's going to depend on where you live, where you drive, etc. I take my dog a lot of places where the locals are friendly, so having him bark at everyone who approaches isn't good P.R. Given that, he does bark on command. So think about what exactly you want to train, and follow the excellent tips others have given. Cheers!

My previous GSD, Sierra, (waiting at the Bridge for me) was calm and well-behaved in every instance, including in the car. She rode in the front seat with me (not doing that with current pup cause of possible airbag injuries - I'm a bit more educated - and he gets a bit hectic so he's strapped to the back seatbelt with a harness). She ALWAYS rode facing me, not the window...it's just something she did on her own. Once when stopped at a light, she turned around (something she never did) and stared at the driver next to us on the right. I could feel her intensity of dislike toward this stranger. He wasn't even looking our way. She continued to stare him down as we were driving until the guy was out of sight. When she couldn't see him anymore, she continued to scan the cars around us until she was content that he was no longer there. Then she turned back around to face me. I told her "good guard", and she gave me a little lick on my arm. I love and miss her so much. She had a way about her....

She knew the difference between "speak" and "guard". "Little speak" involved a low woof sound for a ball or treat, "big speak" was a loud happy bark for a ball or treat. "Guard" however, was the "I'm gonna rip your throat out" bark. She was extremely intuitive to me and sensed what I wanted, extremely easy to train because of that. In fact, I haven't had a GSD that wasn't intuitive to what I wanted, including my 4 mo old GSD pup, who is displaying that more each day as he grows. It's amazing. That's one of the reasons I love the breed so much. So in tune and intelligent.

The other day I had to pick up my son from work and had my pup, Lear, with me in backseat of the car. One of my son's co-workers came to the window to say hi, and Lear strained to the window and barked his head off. I let him do it. I was happy he thought of it on his own and wasn't about to discourage him....it's just fine by me. More than fine, I want him to do that. From what I've seen in different scenarios, this pup has got what it takes. And when I look in his eyes, easy to do cause he's always looking at me, I see a sweetness in there that comes out more and more, out of that bundle of energy and exuberance (and cockiness and dominance, etc etc <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). I love watching the soul of a dog emerge as they (and I) find out who they are. Gosh, I love dogs!!!

Thanks for listening to my bragging...just got to do that sometimes, in my dogs' honor.

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For me, this is a great thing to try. I never thought to park, especially in the dark and use either my kids or some stranger.

I think the idea is a great one, but I would hesitate to practice it with kids, especially if they're young. There's a possibility that the dog may get confused as to why you're asking him to bark at a member of the household, and you wouldn't want that transfered in any way. Even if it's a tiny risk, I wouldn't want to take any chances. Lots of strangers would be willing to help, or friends of friends. And I would make sure that the dog has a clear signal when he should be "at ease" after the barking.

If the kids are young (I didn't read you listing their ages, sorry if I missed that!), I don't think you want to get your dog in the habit of viewing any child as a threat. Teenagers are a different story, but I personally wouldn't use any member of the family.

I could be paranoid, but I prefer being cautious whenever possibly when it comes to strong dogs, no matter how loveable! Good luck to you and please let us know how it turns out!

Wow, everyone's been soooo helpful. Eva, I won't PM Ann. I only said that in case I was the only one interested in the outcome. Sometimes I have too many all-about-me moments <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> !

Sandy, Sierra sounds like she was an awesome dog!

I know the word doesn't matter but I love "guard". I'll try it but "who is it" always gets him riled instantly. We'll see.

As far as "Be careful what I am looking for", I know. He's 19 months old and I have paid very close attention to his tendencies, personality, motivations, drives (or lack thereof), etc. If this dog turns into Cujo due to my prodding/teaching of a guard/aggressive alert command, I'll end my career and switch to dog training because that would mean I'm quite gifted indeed! Trust me, he'll never turn into Cujo from any constructive, positive teachings. He's just too sweet <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> . Hence, the reason for this thread.

Thanks again all and maybe I'm not alone in wanting to hear more personal experiences of others. It's fascinating to me to hear what others teach and what drives their dogs to do what they do.

Judy

Quick reply, my kids are 22, 18 and 17. Three boys. What I'd do is park the car w/me and the dog inside in the dark. Have one of my boys on the cell ready to come out of a bush or something w/black hoody type jacket and just walk by. Maybe the next day have both the 17 and 18 year old walking together, jacket helping to cover their identity. My windows would be shut by the way. Maybe another night add something a tad more than that. Not sure, maybe swinging a stick as they walk past our car. Not swing the stick at the car. Just something that wouldn't be too unrealistic. Maybe another night have one of them keep walking but as he's walking past, tap the car. Then I'll take it out into a nearby town, windows shut, and have him bark at passersby. And not everyone. I would pick random guys. I wouldn't use women and would never use kids. I am aware a woman could mug me or break into my house but statistically, it's unlikely.

Anyone who thinks using my kids is, well, not too bright, please weigh in <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> .

Please don't think that I was saying you're not bright!!

It's just that even if your dog can't see your kid's faces...dogs are adept at scent recognition and body language (a dog can identify someone by their walk, for example). Probably nothing would happen, but there is a possiblity that you think you're training your dog to bark at someone dressed suspiciously or holding a suspicious object...but what the dog recognizes is the scent.

Again, I may be way overly cautious...but I prefer to have a clear line between strangers and family when it comes to very smart dogs. Sometimes their intelligence can be their undoing!

I would suggest you ask your sons to get their friends to help. But again I say that your idea isn't stupid! You know your dog so much better than I do and I'm a better safe than sorry type to the extreme!

<img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Not even remotely offended. I thought you had a point! So, since I know diddly squat about dog training, I thought I better throw the invite out there in case someone was worried about offending me, I suggested it's ok - offend away <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> !

The training with your sons sounds good, with the windows up so he can't smell them.

I'd probably have a "look/guard" command then a "speak" command then a "stop barking/it's OK" command. That way the dog knows it doesn't have to be on alert all the time, just when you want him to be, & you have an OFF switch <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />