my intact male gsd, is 21/2 years old.a friend, who has known my dog, for 2 years, came over yesterday.this friend, never had any qualms about opening my gate and cominmg into the yard. amos was allways glad to see the friend.yesterday, i was working outside the yard in my driveway, and the friend went over to the gate and was "sweet talking" amos, and rubbing his nose and patting it. this was done through a bout a 4 inch gap between the gate,and gatepost.suddenly out of the clear blue, amos "went off" on my friend. no bite. no harm done. can anyone offer any suggestions as to why this happened.i saw the whole thing, and was dumbfounded.oh by the way, the dog had his ears uo, tail wagging, hackles down, no sign of intollerable behavior, approaching. thanks in advance. just jt.

It's the people that try to keep a "low profile" around my dog that bothers her. If they seem to move cautiously and mistrust her, then she figures they must be up to something. If visitors will just act normal and ignore her she is fine. Some people just don't have a "feel" for dogs and seem to naturally do all the wrong things. When someone like this is around....Winnie either stays in her room or on a leash with me.

She doesn't seem to mind my loud mouth friends....seems to think we're having a party just for her.lol

It has taken awhile to get her to this point. She is 2 years old this month and has never liked outsiders. Is getting to the point that she seems to enjoy company now. But, I do control the situation. Is allowed to bark at the door, I tell her it is a friend, she goes to her room until the company is in the house and seated and settled. I then let her come out for a visit. She will usually give everyone a sniff and go lay down.

I usually don't let her hang out with my friends until they have been to my house several times. She stays in her room and only hears their voice. After a few times I will bring her out on a leash until I know there isn't going to be any comflicts or personality clashes. She likes women better than men.

You just have to know your dog. Folks like us that want protective dogs have the responsibility of knowing them and knowing them well. Have to educate yourself on the innate behaviors of dogs and use good common sense.

Debbie

Debbie,
You have described exactly how things are in my house. I'm glad I'm not alone. I thought I was the only one out there.

That is absolutley correct, if people would just ignore your dog sometimes instead of wondering,."what's he gonna do?, Why is he sniffing like that? Why is he staring at me"...and so on and so on, I think the dogs would be more relaxed.

But this is not new for my dog. He's always been this way. We just deal with it.