Is there a specific drive to protect an area ? I have a 14 month old dog that is incredible in personal protection, He'll run a long distance to get the bite, great grips, strong fight drive ect.
I've even had the trainer do a "mock" home invasion scenario to see his reaction. He did great. Now for the problem.
When he is in the backyard or his run he doesn't bark at anyone. I honestly think he might let a stranger come up to the fence and pet him. If the guy showed agression to him or me he would, no doubt, go after him, but he's isn't suspitious of a Stranger walking up to his yard at all. Is he missing a "territorial drive" for lack of a better term ? It doesn't really bother me, as I want a protection dog for people, not a guard dog for property, but all the other GSD's I've owned hated anyone (especially the mailman) getting near there property. Is this just an age thing or lack of some drive ? Thanks for your thoughts!

Phillip, Do you want a protection dog to protect you or your property?

Me, of course. but I've never owned a dog that the training didn't carry over into territory. As I said in the first post, it doesn't bother me as long as I'm not missing something here. I don't want an unsocial guard dog, but is lack of suspition a problem for a protection trained dog ?

Have a mal work dog that is not overly aggressive of his kennel (car). But, it is interesting to see his reaction to close contact as he quickly becomes very protective of his territory when closely challenged. Eye contact comes into play heavily here but gurantee a stranger will not be able to pet this dog, or even anyone outside the family. Ask my vet for proof of this. I'll take this over a very vocal dog any day. Had a K-9 that barked at anything in sight but could be petted inside the kennel. Doesn't seem to make sense but once you see it you may understand.

I have two GSDs. One is easy, personality easy going, much like your 14 month old. Can he do PP work, Oh yes, but to gaurd the yard he will have to be trained this. (If I chose to train this) I also have a GSD that popped out of his mother barking and snapping, can he do bite work (without a thought). This dog will have to be trained to NOT protect the yard? Go figure.
I think dogs have as many personalities as people.

Well said Lisa "Dogs have their own personalities and it not always breed specific." Most GSD are territoral and will bark at intruders.

But there are some that will just watch until the intruder goes too far then they pounce. Like the "Roach hotels you get in but you don't get out." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I don't think you have any thing to train on, the dog's comfort zone is just a little closer then most, he a real cool cookie, as they use to say in the 60s. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You could change that if you wanted to, with training. Then you would have to train the "BE QUITE"! Command. Mines is "Enough" which means I see him and its ok. Followed by a good job!!!
Night and Day. Day and Night.

do you really wanted start this???? Its almost like the kids are all raised and the house is quite, why have another baby? Maybe not quite the samething.

But the old saying," Let sleeping dogs lie", seems to fit here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like you don't have a sharp dog. Read Ed's article on 'Sharp dogs, Hard dogs and Soft dogs'. (Sorry, haven't figured out how to link yet). Your dog sounds great, you could train him to bark at people, but be careful what you wish for! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I suppose that you will just have to train him to make him suspicious. Give him a reason to be suspicious of people coming into his territory.

I suppose that you will just have to train him to make him suspicious. Give him a reason to be suspicious of people coming into his territory.