Ya know, no sooner do I take the time to post something about how my Levi never barks at people when they ring the doorbell or come into my home when he turns around and throws me for a loop.

Today we had the Direct TV guy here to do some stuff with the T.V. I was just walking out the door when the guy got here. So, I had already put Levi in his kennel in the family room (sits right next to the tele) the guy comes in and Levi looks at im for about 1 minute while the guy and I are talking. Next thing I know he starts going balistic in his kennel towards this guy. When he wasn't barking at him, he was growling at him. Heck, I didnt even know the dog knew how to growl!

I guess I have to realize that he is still just a pup and that all the traits that I expect to see in a future protection dog don't just occur overnight, that they take time to develop. The guy was kinda funky looking and my first impression was that he seemed kinda stoned, apparently Levi didn't get a good first inmpression of him either. Actually, come to think of it, he has barked at a few strangers while in his kennel before but never like this. How come he barks at them in his kennel but doesn't give them the time of day when he's not??

Well anyhow, I was kinda glad he was behaving protective, it was a first for him. We have our second session tomorrow it will be interesting to see how it goes. He seems to be getting more and more full of himself everyday. What an exciting and wonderful journey raising and training this dog has become, I wouldn't trade it for the world. As a matter of fact I am going to have to go back to work after 9 yrs at home w/the kiddies in order to pay for this little guys training but who cares? I'm loving it!

 Quote: RobbinMann

. . . How come he barks at them in his kennel but doesn't give them the time of day when he's not??

Well, let him out of his kennel and see what happens!

But be sure the cable guy is done with his work. He may not stick around.

Mike

Your dog may have felt like he was backed in a corner and/or a dog will be braver the closer he gets to his safety zone. My dogs are faster to bark in their kennel, truck and crate than anywhere else.

I know my GSD's have always been super friendly outside in the yard when we have people over and even in the house but if they are outside and someone comes towards the fence/gate they freak and the door. So the person entering their area is where we've always seen the agression, we always need to sneak people in, hehehe. But yes, also the crate is when they will go insane. Why dont know, butthats how ours have always been.