Guiding his protective intstincts
 

Huter will be getting into more advanced training in a month when we are settled back at home. But until then, I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts.

Huter is very well mannered for 4.5months old. We interact on a regular basis with older people, children, men, women and every kind of dog we can find. He has IMHO great manners with dogs for a puppy. He is submissive around older dogs. He is calm when approaching. He waits for an "invite" so to speak from the other dog. He always allows butt sniffing and he matches other dogs energy levels. If he's with a calm dog, he stays calm. If the dog bumps things up, he will play a little rougher. He LOVES attention and is pretty trusting of people very quickly. After an introduction from me, he will gladly roll on his back and let a stranger rub his belly..... Note I said AFTER an introduction from me.

I'm a little surprised by his very defined sense of boundaries and who is or is not a potential threat, considering he is still so young. I can predict (when I have time to predict) 100% of the time who he will decide to "guard" me from.

When we are out on hikes, he is off leash (where permitted.) He continues to build my trust as he has great recall, and will "leave it" whenever I tell him to, even with puppies, children, cow poop, you name it. If we are walking and a family is coming towards us in the opposite direction, huter will look excitedly, wag his tail and give them the "please pet me" look until a member of the family says "OOOOHHH HOW CUUUTE" and then he runs over, sits down and enjoys all the attention.

If a couple is walking towards us, he is less interested than if there are children, but he feels no threat, will continue frolicking about or even say hi to them if they call him over.

However, if it is a lone man walking towards us, he will slow his pace until he is right by my side and then he stares down the man until the man has passed us. Then he runs around playfully again. He doesnt bark, growl, or act aggressive....just watches and stays close to me. If I were to stop and talk to the man, Huter would immediately relax and try to get pets from the man.

In our front yard, Huter is a bit more gaurded. Regardless of who is approaching, I have seen Huter stop MID POOP, walk over to me, sit down and stare at whoever is approaching. He will remain directly in front of me, watching, until either he is introduced to the person, or the person leaves. Again no barking, though occassionally a very low growl. When I tell him quiet, he stops immediately.

If someone walks in the house without knocking, or in our backyard with no warning, they get an earful of growls and barks until Huter identifies who it is. He used to charge, but I began correcting that behavior and he's responded beautifully. He is allowed to sit by me and bark until we know who it is. Then I say "quiet" and he stops.

ONE time, on a hike, Huter growled at a man. We were sitting down, taking a rest and a man came up behind me and startled both Huter and I. Huter shot around, gave a quick growl and then looked at me. I told him quiet, he did. He never went towards the man, just a warning. TBH this man gave me the creeps. He smelled awful, had a gross smile on his face and seemed completely out of place. I have NO idea why he was behind us, based on our location, and NO idea why he wanted to approach. It did not feel right...you know...gut feeling?

How soon did your dogs get more protective?

Also...I just want to say...this is a HAPPY puppy. He becomes friends with EVERYONE he meets, dogs and people alike. He just makes it very clear to people, that he is there and watching and waiting for my approval of the situation..... I want to get with a trainer right away that knows how to guide this. I have NO problem with a protective dog as long as he gets his direction from me, is stable, confident and balanced. Anxious dogs have problems.

When they reach adolescence - for us 9-10 months. Then no more off-leash time for our dog.

Because your dogs have gotten more protective at that age?

He does so good on hikes off leash, for now I'm letting that be. However, he is CLEARLY more gaurded at home, so we're always on leash in the yard. That way I can correct and guide his behavior as he is clearly learning what his job is and is not

About five weeks ago Lisl started showing a more protective behavior. At first I thought it was a fear reaction, but now I don't believe this dog is afraid of anything.

She is very confident and carries herself very well.

She has shown me that strangers that appear threatening or are advancing are not welcome in her comfort zone. That zone seems to be about a 20' radius. She seems to be a very good judge of character, though I doubt a dog has that ability at a distance. So far though, with the exception of my next door neighbors, I trust her instincts. I just haven't been able to figure out with any certainty why she doesn't like the neighbors. THey have dogs, he used to be a K-9 dog handler, etc. :confused::confused::confused:

There are several examples I could relate here that occured during walks we have been on, but I would rather not due to the nature of the people involved.

Suffice to say Lisl knew these people were up to no good and so did I. She had her teeth and aggressiveness and I had a firearm. No one advanced far enough to be hurt and everyone went home in one piece with no holes in them.

I can't say the outcome would have been the same had I not been walking Lisl. And of course I would not have been in that situation at all if I didn't have a dog.

It's not like I live in the inner city or a bad neighborhood, but I do live close to one, and certain undesireable criminal elements pass through my neighborhood on a regular basis after the sun goes down.

I understand. I'm a small female and I'm alone a lot due to the fact that my husband is in the army. I have a variety of health issues as well, so a smart, protective, well trained dog seemed like a good idea. Thus, Huter :) So far, he seems PERFECT for my needs. Sounds like you have that in Lisl as well.

[quote/]It's not like I live in the inner city or a bad neighborhood, but I do live close to one, and certain undesireable criminal elements pass through my neighborhood on a regular basis after the sun goes down.[/quote]

4.5 months is very, very young. For a male GSD and the way that mature (slowly!) that is still a baby to me. He should not really be protecting you or your property yet. I would focus more on building his confidence than encouraging him to act suspicious at this age. I think you are right to interrupt his growling (and I would also interrupt the hard staring). Redirect him towards you to play or do something else fun instead of him locking up.

Beau went through several stages of slight suspicion growing up which we blew through/blew off. Nothing major. We just ignored it as silly puppy stuff.

At around 18 months, I have started to see more of an awareness/alertness to strange people and situations. No growling or hackles though, but I have not been with him in a situation where I percieved any threat.

He just notices things before I do and will bark if people get too close to his fence but ignores people on the street. He has learned to be neutral about people near my truck but we are out and about a lot and I always encouraged calm quiet behavior there. I tend not to put myself in situations where I might encounter strange men while I am alone.

Most of mine have started exhibiting "true protective instincts" around a year and a half. Ari was the earliest. He showed a distinct difference in personality around 10 months (so much for those slow to mature DDR types:) ).