Not sure if this is the right forum.

General behavior questions. Especially dogs who are trained in protection and dog who have that territorial/protective trait.

What if scenarios:

Would you consider it normal for a dog who's alone in a yard to bite or attack a stranger who wanders into the yard?

How about when you're walking and someone comes from behind (Yeah I know...stupid if you have a GSD) and grabs you. Should your dog automatically "attack" the stranger?

Are these behaviors expected of your dog or do you think the dog should have instructions from it's owner prior to any actions?

Is there an "ideal" behavior expected from the dog? Should it just bark for a warning until you come into the picture and give further directions?

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Would you consider it normal for a dog who's alone in a yard to bite or attack a stranger who wanders into the yard?

To me, the dog that does this, assuming the dog has good nerves and sound mind, is more likely to actally bite a person on command than a dog who will make friends with everyone. However, most people take the view that "a protection dog is to protect me, not my TV", so no, not a requirement. However, I am skeptical about the ability of most "protection" dogs to really do their job when the occasion arises. If I want a protection dog, I will pick the dog that is most likely to bite someone when instructed to, which is generally the less forgiving anti-social dog that doesn't make friends easily. I can't tell you the number of times I've done bitework with a dog, a dog that knows what he's supposed to do, sees the equipmet, knows it's time to bite, and won't bite me because I'm sitting on the ground talking nice to him with a tuft of grass in my hand. If I'm gonna have a dog that barks at the door I'd rather the dog backs up his bark.

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How about when you're walking and someone comes from behind (Yeah I know...stupid if you have a GSD) and grabs you. Should your dog automatically "attack" the stranger?

Absolutely. Thats what the "defense of handler" exercise is all about in many sports. Not that sport is real, but it is trained for a reason.

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Are these behaviors expected of your dog or do you think the dog should have instructions from it's owner prior to any actions?

If the dog is secure in the house or the back yard where nobody that isn't supposed to be there could just wander in, then I have no problem with a dog that will bite without instruction. I am not talking about junkyard dogs or fear biters. But I wouldn't call it a requirement. If your obedience is good, then "don't bite" is as important to teach as "bite". If I am with the dog, unless someone touches or hits me, I want the dog to wait on my command. If I'm not with the dog and someone breaks into the house, I'd rather my dog backed up his bark.

That said, more of it depends on the dog than what we want from the dog as a handler.

That said, more of it depends on the dog than what we want from the dog as a handler.

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Yeah I guess that's what I was getting at.
Is it the dog's instinct and you are just controlling it or are you telling/asking the dog to do a particular action....if that makes any sense.