Does it matter to you?....

Zarr · 08-03-2011, 07:38 AM

.....if your dog barks at potential threats that enter your property?... or if your dog barks at a potential threat approaching your car...would your dog react towards a person threatening you?

Some dogs bark and do their job, some are more serious and would probably react. I have had Shepherds on both ends of the scale....some may freak out at the prospect of a threat, some bark, and that is probably all they would do faced with the reality of an imposter, and some in all seriousness make you feel safe, those of you that have had one of these dogs would know what I mean.

I am not talking about trained personal protection dogs or anything of the like, just our pets...I simply mean genetically speaking the dog is civil, suspicious and level headed, the kind of dog that does not trust easy and is aloof. Does it matter to you?....maybe ppl that have had home invasions or been attacked on the street, it might matter to them....or maybe some ppl never really think about it, and just the presence of their dog would probably be enough. Interested in your thoughts.

doggiedad · 08-03-2011, 07:57 AM

my last GSD was protective with a little
help from training. the dog i have now is a cuddle
bear (because of the way he was trained and socialized). i don't depend on or expect any type of protection from him. i protect him.

**JakodaCD OA** · 08-03-2011, 08:07 AM

I can't really 'vote' because none of the above really apply to me.

In the car, Masi is quiet as a church mouse, but a stranger touching the car or trying to get in it, all bets are off.

Stranger comes to my house, again, quiet, alert, watchful, will react off my que, and has never had a problem letting a stranger IN when I am present.

Out in public, again, alert/watchful/I would say suspicious of strangers, I've never been in a situation where I've need 'protection' so I couldn't say how she'd react to a threat, but I think I know.

I would say Masi is a very 'possessive' dog of me. Protective? Again haven't been in the situation to test that out. I know I've had strangers to her, come at me flailing arms /loud/boisterous and she has "gone" off on them (barking)..Perceived threat? Maybe.

Do I expect her to protect me? No, I protect her

Stosh · 08-03-2011, 08:17 AM

Our last gsd was a great protector and Stosh is turning out to be one as well. We live out in the country in a glass house and my husband travels most of the time. Just having a big dog as a deterrent is enough for me, being my constant companion was more important- so I got exactly what I wanted. I

Lilie · 08-03-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stosh

Our last gsd was a great protector and Stosh is turning out to be one as well. We live out in the country in a glass house and my husband travels most of the time. Just having a big dog as a deterrent is enough for me, being my constant companion was more important- so I got exactly what I wanted. I

I bet you never throw stones........I'm so sorry, I couldn't resist.

DanielleOttoMom · 08-03-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I can't really 'vote' because none of the above really apply to me.

In the car, Masi is quiet as a church mouse, but a stranger touching the car or trying to get in it, all bets are off.

Stranger comes to my house, again, quiet, alert, watchful, will react off my que, and has never had a problem letting a stranger IN when I am present.

Out in public, again, alert/watchful/I would say suspicious of strangers, I've never been in a situation where I've need 'protection' so I couldn't say how she'd react to a threat, but I think I know.

I would say Masi is a very 'possessive' dog of me. Protective? Again haven't been in the situation to test that out. I know I've had strangers to her, come at me flailing arms /loud/boisterous and she has "gone" off on them (barking)..Perceived threat? Maybe.

Do I expect her to protect me? No, I protect her

Otto is very similar to Masi. Alerts if theres a stranger outside. Ok when I invite friends and family in. I'm sure how he would react if a strage man or woman came in a caught if off guard (

may not be a nice "hello" I can imagine). He is ok but is constantly scanning and watching. I notice he does this more when our family is out in public. He does have fun and let loose though. I see Otto as my protector but I know one thing I would do any thing to protect him. I have had a time were Otto did protect me from a stranger. He is our family shepherd for sure!

doggiedad · 08-03-2011, 09:29 AM

when you live in a glass house you can
throw stones but don't throw them at
your house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stosh

We live out in the country in a glass house and my husband travels most of the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilie

I bet you never throw stones........I'm so sorry, I couldn't resist.

Lilie · 08-03-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggiedad

when you live in a glass house you can
throw stones but don't throw them at
your house.

True. But I admit, I throw like a girl. I'd take out my own house.

weber1b · 08-03-2011, 09:50 AM

Interesting question. We did not get any of our GSD's with protection in mind. Now that we have three we don't feel a need to lock our doors. Anyone entering when we are not there is on their own. Clover, who is gentle as can be and very approachable in public makes a big fuss when anyone comes to the door. So much so it is sometimes annoying. Patton on the other hand never barks, but if he is not comfortable with someone, he is a biter, enough so that we have to be very careful of his contacts with others. We of course did not know this when we took him in but quickly learned when he bit the neighbor. It was a "protective" bite but he did break skin so now has a history.

If a situation arose where protection was an issue I think Clover would rise to the occasion, Max would follow her lead trying to figure out what he should do and Patton would be truly dangerous to whomever might be "attacking" (especially if someone were to attack my wife).

codmaster · 08-03-2011, 11:08 AM

From what we have seen of Baron, (current 3.5yo male). YES - he would bite if someone attacked us. No question. OTOH, he is usually very friendly and even pesty with most people he comes into contact with.

Our long ago dog (pure BYB female) actually proved she would protect but in a reasonable controlled manner. Also proved herself on the ScH field - pretty surprising for a pet BYB dog!

View Poll Results: Does it matter to you?
Yes, it is important to me, I believe my dog would stand his/her ground against an attacker or intruder.	9	25.00%
Yes, my dog barks well, and that is enough for me.	13	36.11%
Yes it is important, but I don't really care how my dog would react.	0	0%
Maybe, I have never really thought about it.	0	0%
No, if my dog barks and intercepts a bad guy great! if not...oh well.	7	19.44%
Not at all....my dog is my pet and companion, it is my job to protect him/her.	7	19.44%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

08-03-2011, 07:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zarr Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 45	Does it matter to you?.... .....if your dog barks at potential threats that enter your property?... or if your dog barks at a potential threat approaching your car...would your dog react towards a person threatening you? Some dogs bark and do their job, some are more serious and would probably react. I have had Shepherds on both ends of the scale....some may freak out at the prospect of a threat, some bark, and that is probably all they would do faced with the reality of an imposter, and some in all seriousness make you feel safe, those of you that have had one of these dogs would know what I mean. I am not talking about trained personal protection dogs or anything of the like, just our pets...I simply mean genetically speaking the dog is civil, suspicious and level headed, the kind of dog that does not trust easy and is aloof. Does it matter to you?....maybe ppl that have had home invasions or been attacked on the street, it might matter to them....or maybe some ppl never really think about it, and just the presence of their dog would probably be enough. Interested in your thoughts.

08-03-2011, 07:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	my last GSD was protective with a little help from training. the dog i have now is a cuddle bear (because of the way he was trained and socialized). i don't depend on or expect any type of protection from him. i protect him. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

08-03-2011, 08:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	I can't really 'vote' because none of the above really apply to me. In the car, Masi is quiet as a church mouse, but a stranger touching the car or trying to get in it, all bets are off. Stranger comes to my house, again, quiet, alert, watchful, will react off my que, and has never had a problem letting a stranger IN when I am present. Out in public, again, alert/watchful/I would say suspicious of strangers, I've never been in a situation where I've need 'protection' so I couldn't say how she'd react to a threat, but I think I know. I would say Masi is a very 'possessive' dog of me. Protective? Again haven't been in the situation to test that out. I know I've had strangers to her, come at me flailing arms /loud/boisterous and she has "gone" off on them (barking)..Perceived threat? Maybe. Do I expect her to protect me? No, I protect her __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge Last edited by JakodaCD OA; 08-03-2011 at 08:08 AM. Reason: edit

08-03-2011, 09:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
weber1b Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,481	Interesting question. We did not get any of our GSD's with protection in mind. Now that we have three we don't feel a need to lock our doors. Anyone entering when we are not there is on their own. Clover, who is gentle as can be and very approachable in public makes a big fuss when anyone comes to the door. So much so it is sometimes annoying. Patton on the other hand never barks, but if he is not comfortable with someone, he is a biter, enough so that we have to be very careful of his contacts with others. We of course did not know this when we took him in but quickly learned when he bit the neighbor. It was a "protective" bite but he did break skin so now has a history. If a situation arose where protection was an issue I think Clover would rise to the occasion, Max would follow her lead trying to figure out what he should do and Patton would be truly dangerous to whomever might be "attacking" (especially if someone were to attack my wife). __________________ Clover - GSD 6 yr old Rescue Max - GSD 4 yr old Shelter Patton - GSD 6 yr old Abandoned Rogue - Grey Tabby cat - 11 yr old Stray R.I.P. Spats, Sophie, Emmie, Pooh Bear Remember, if someone has a problem with you.........it is in fact their problem.

08-03-2011, 08:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	Our last gsd was a great protector and Stosh is turning out to be one as well. We live out in the country in a glass house and my husband travels most of the time. Just having a big dog as a deterrent is enough for me, being my constant companion was more important- so I got exactly what I wanted. I

08-03-2011, 11:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
codmaster Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California, US Posts: 4,772	From what we have seen of Baron, (current 3.5yo male). YES - he would bite if someone attacked us. No question. OTOH, he is usually very friendly and even pesty with most people he comes into contact with. Our long ago dog (pure BYB female) actually proved she would protect but in a reasonable controlled manner. Also proved herself on the ScH field - pretty surprising for a pet BYB dog!

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