I have a concern with my one year old male GSD. Since he was around 7-8 months he has been very territorial at our house toward people but has a very good disposition away from home towards people and dogs. At 5 months and 7 months he was tied to a pole during protection work and allowed to bark with other puppies for about 5-10 minutes, which he did from the beginning. I decided I wanted to move very slowly with protection which we did which leads to my concern. At ten months he was tied to a pole and stood there for ten minutes and whined. Last week he turned one year old and was tied to the pole during protection with other similar aged dogs, did not bark, looked at me and whined and then layed down not facing the helper, got up a minute later and urinated.(total avoidance)He comes from a very strong pedigree overall(4 WUSV champs on dams side)but I am very concerned by this. I have had him since 8 weeks and he is doing very well at tracking and obedience but is a Jekyll and Hyde concerning protection. Is he just mentally not ready for what he is being asked to do and should I hold him back? Thanks!

Did you do any pre-bite work with him/her prior to tying the dog out? If yes does he go after the tug/towle with zest? If no then start pre-bite tug work, work him up and build up his prey drive.

I have a female GSD about the same age that has good prey drive but needs to slowed down and be built up on what prey items to bite. She does not turn away from me tied out, I think you are taking him/her too fast U should have the tug while the dog is tied out and U work him up. It should all be a fun game for him/her right now and you are part of the fun. With your voice and the tug, work him up. Let him/her win do thsi for a 1.5 month. Then introduce the dog to the helper slowly with the same or similar tug. Let him/her win each battle. Make it fun.