My GSD (12 month) does not show any signs yet to protect the house. When we get guests he only smells them and tries to jump on them. I encouraged him to bark as soon the bell rings but he sees no reason and doesn't understand why I want him to bark. He is in the house and I want him to protect it and my wife who is at home while I'm at work. Is he too young to show protective behavior? How shall I act in a situation when the bell rings or I want a friend to come in? Please advice!

12 months is JUST getting to the time when those instincts should be maturing.

Go to training articles, protection training. Ed has writen a nice article on teaching a non-bite dog to bark. Works for biters too.

As your dog continues to mature you can raise his suspician level some and you will get a nice protective barking dog. But, be careful what you ask for. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

SchHfan,
VanKamp is correct he's still a young dog and all K9's mature at their own rate don't push the issue, I would really recommend Ed's tapes especially if your new to Protection K9's it can be tricky training and you don't want a fear bitter or a K9 that keys up all the time when there is no need what if a friend to your children showed up to play and opened the door to yell for the kids and got cornered or bit god forbid.My house is the cookie house many kids coming over to play. My dogs know how to handle the chaos here. Train real life senerioes but train smart and use common sence. I really implore you to use caution and go slowly and make it fun for the dog and you and get the family involved so your dog is aware of who belongs and who doesn't, and what's allowed or tolerated.
Time is not an issue I can't say this enough, take your time and proof your dog at each step of training, you don't want anyone getting hurt.
Remember a dog may be physically mature but remember that mentally they mature slower.
Patients and consistancy in your training is a must!!!
Again enjoy and make it fun because when it's not it's not enjoyable for you and your dog it's going to turn ugly, he's your partner and a family member.
If you get help from a club or a trainer use common scence in your training if you feel uncomfortable with the situation get out or get a second opinion, there are alot of knowledgeable people on this board ask for their help that's why there here the love for a good, socilable,safe working K9. They are here for the dogs not idiot owners who have inflated egos or want to portray an image.
These are my opinions not here to offend anyone!
Be Safe and Enjoy!

Lewis/Argo and Riley

maybe i can help you a bit, my dobie is 11 months tomorrow, i been trainng him since he was 4 montns old on the isisue you are talking about, here is how i did it, first let me say, my dobe has it in his blood to protect period, he needs very little coaching in protection work, but try this, if your dog should bark when he hears somone outside,tell him who's that look out the window and check it out, and the praise him a lot, i would say "good gaurd" or lets say if the doorbell goe's off, say to your dog who's that!! let him lead you to the noise, if he barks say good gaurd if he just runs to the door to show you say good boy.. to het him out of the gaurd mode, i simply tell him it's ok!! he and immidiatly stops.. my dog to this up instantly, i contiune to train him the same way, but not all dogs take quick, i hope this helps you out.. once you start traing your dog to behave in a more aggresive manor, i wouldn't let anyone open the doors and call the kids, make it very clear to everyone, that they need to use caution around the dog, for the obviuos reasons,

King dobe is exactly right. You want to reinforce the behavior that you want out of your dog. First, you have to have a dog that has the genes to protect or you will get nowhere. But, use common sense. If you dog's ears go up and he barks when someone comes to the door, then tell him he is a good dog and act suspicious when you say "who's that". Do that every time and your dog will eventually learn that this is exeptable behavior. Even so, 12 mos. is still kind of young. They still have a lot of growing up to do. Give it time, have patients, and work slowly with your dog.