9 Month old and guarding???

[chicagojosh]

Hi all,

So, my girlfriend and I went camping this weekend with about 20 other people and our dogs. On Saturday night my girlfriend went to bed and I stayed up around the fire.

Cody was in the tent with her at 1st. Then she let him out, and he came up to me. I pet him and a minute later he's back over by the tent. He was just laying there outside the tent. So I called him over. He came, I pet him and whatnot, next thing I know he's back near the tent, in between the tent and fire, just laying there. laying on his stomach, not his side, and awake not asleep.

Anyhow every few minutes I'd shine the flashlight over there, see his eyes glowing in the woods and knew he was there. So I start to wonder...what the heck is he doing out there by himself? Then it hits me....he's guarding my girlfriend in the tent!!!!

so thats what I thought he was doing. What do you guys think? was he protecting mama, or just being anit-social? lol. Do 9 month old puppies even have that instinct yet?

thanks for your thoughts, Josh

[Emoore]

He wasn't protecting his mama. He wanted to be in the tent with his mama.

[gsdraven]

I agree with Emoore. I wouldn't call it guarding. Was he able to get into the tent to be with her? I think, if anything, he was just keeping an eye on both of you so he knew where you were, not necessarily guarding you.

In my opinion, most 9 month old puppies don't have it in them to "guard" yet.

[chicagojosh]

i emoore and raven,

i didn't think at 9 months he'd be in "guarding" mode either. He was not able to get in since we had it zipped up.

I do think at the least though hes was trying to keep an eye on us both. i thought it was very interesting/curious behavior at the time

[Lilie]

I think his behavior is where 'guarding' begins. He felt the need to be with both of you, be with his pack. If you had gotten up and walked away, he might have forgotten momma and followed you. But on your return, he would have rushed back over to momma. He recognizes the pack.

If the swamp monster came rambling out of the woods, I think he would have been found half way to my house by sunrise!

[chicagojosh]

good point lillie, that could be the start of the guarding behavior. lol, very true about the swamp monster

[jsherry]

Aren't GSDs so much fun to watch grow up! What neat behavior that your dog is showing; he must love you two very much!

[PaddyD]

Agreed, watching them grow up is fun and interesting. Also think he was keeping an eye on both of you. He is old enough to be protective. Mine does that in the house.... finds a place where she can have access to both of us. For instance, camping outside a bathroom that has someone behind a closed door and occasionally checking on the one who is in another room.

[Helios]

i just read these comments now i wonder...

When i go out with my GSD in the car and someone gets near the car he starts barking at the person, it's not with everyone tho.

What about that Behavior?

Or if he's in the garage and someone gets near the house he starts barking and his hair goes up, and its not with everyone either.

He ignores kids,and some neighbours..

:/

[KZoppa]

yeah to me it sounds like he's keeping an eye on both of you. our dog Riley does that as well. Shelby just recently started doing it but she does it primarily between myself and the kids. She could care less about my husband.