 Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#176257 - 01/19/2008 06:52 PM |
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When a dog warns off a potential attacker or even bites an actual attacker ---- why is that assumed to be in defense of the human?
Why not defense of the dog himself? 
Connie, good post! Really make you think as to who they are really protecting and who is the pack leader.
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: kim guidry ]
#176260 - 01/19/2008 06:57 PM |
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Yes, the dog can be acting in defense of himself, his territory, his tree, his alley, his leash, his treats in the handlers pocket...
But dogs that will defend themselves with the handler around, some would not do the same if alone. Even if the handler is lower ranking, it is a pack member and essentially "back up."
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Janet Koehler ]
#176277 - 01/19/2008 07:33 PM |
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Janet, I agree with you. I had a GSD a few years ago that had a lot of heredity problems, but her personality was of the shepherds you're talking about, more aloof, not the licky kind. I decided after her, I wanted another one. This one that I have has a personality of a lab, quite the opposite of my last one. I'm hoping he's of a better breed quality health wise, but his personality is different than you hear shepherds having.
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Jennifer Marshal ]
#176299 - 01/19/2008 08:54 PM |
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You are right, Jennifer, that was not the behaviour I meant. I notice that you really know a lot about dogs, esp. for someone that young (21 yrs). Wish I knew that much when I was that age, although we did not have internet as a tool then  . Great to have some youngsters with knowledge of dogs with fresh prospectives, that does not mean that I do not appreciate the "seasoned,picante" people with tons of knowledge and experience.
Were you handing dogs from childhood?
I used to have two GSDs, not the one I have right now, that acted the same way, I didn't know a lot about dogs then, so I too thought that they were being protective ...of course they were also resource guarding...
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#176305 - 01/19/2008 09:05 PM |
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Thanks for the reply, Connie, I hope my Chihuahua will not behave that way when she grows up...and thx also for the quick name change, its feels a lot more comfortable going by the name I always use 
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Rosalinda van den Ham ]
#176307 - 01/19/2008 09:09 PM |
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LOL I love your use of the words "seasoned, picante" that is great, Rosalinda!
Yes I have been handling dogs since I was really little. It probably shouldn't have been that way haha considering all the things that could have gone wrong but I made my first attempts at training a dog when I was 10. I'm lucky we had a nice dog and I was born with a love solves everything attitude or things could have gone wrong for both me and the dog
I am very lucky, and still have lots to learn. And I really look forward to learning as much as I can whenever wherever.
Before I knew better I also thought dogs were being protective if they were territorial or resource guarding. As I stated I think the natural aspect of protective behavior/protection training is the drives a dog has, but many things can happen that increase or decrease that natural inclination/ability and if untested and/or untrained you cannot be sure how a dog would react in a real world situation with a real bad guy.
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Jennifer Marshal ]
#176346 - 01/19/2008 10:56 PM |
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Reg: 12-24-2007
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Im still wild to know what is considered "protective instinct" has no one seen it because its so rare? I would like to be able to identify it if I ever see (that would be exciting, could I gloat after that?).
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Mary Velazquez ]
#176349 - 01/19/2008 11:13 PM |
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Im still wild to know what is considered "protective instinct" has no one seen it because its so rare? I would like to be able to identify it if I ever see (that would be exciting, could I gloat after that?).
Protective "instinct"?
Defense?
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Mary Velazquez ]
#176350 - 01/19/2008 11:18 PM |
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Reg: 03-19-2007
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What would you call this?
My male dobe in the picture down below was in the backyard and my dad had driven up to my house and decided to put my garbage can from my curb into my backyard. It was very dark, my dog came running up growling and barking and stayed about 20 feet away. My dad, being a joker, lunged forward and said, "RAaaaaaa" and much to his surprise my dog started towards him, He said, "Woah, Max it's me, it's me." And Max, who knows him, ran happily up to greet him.
This dog was a rescue, but has extremely solid nerves, incredible temperament, not a fearful bone is a body. He would be dominant if I was not a leader, but he is submissive to me. This is not the behavior of the dominant poodle. My mom owns THAT poodle. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about.
I guess this would be territorial?
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Re: Are GSD's naturally protective or not?
[Re: Mary Velazquez ]
#176351 - 01/19/2008 11:19 PM |
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Rescource guarding is probably the most common behavior mistaken for a dog being protective. Also territorial behavior.
There are certain breeds "known" for their natural protective behavior - such at the Kuvasz, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and many others. Again, it is the dogs drives coming into play. The combination of prey, defense, and fight that a dog naturally has combined with circumstance and rank.
I do not think it is rare for a dog to protect itself, its human, or its territory. I do think it is rare for the average pet to persist in an "attack" once hit, hurt etc by the "bad guy" and put under real pressure, but it all depends on the handling of the dog.
It has more to do with the dogs rank and drive than anything else, IMO. There is not a "protection drive" or an instinct only few animals possess that make it more protective than another dog.
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