protection barking

[Grissom]

I was wondering what I do when Grissom starts low growl barking when he sees the neighbors outside in their yard. He just started this and I'm unsure how to proceed. He's 18 weeks.

[onyx'girl]

He is probably going thru a fear stage. Just redirect his attention to something else and do it in happy voice.
You can let him know that "I've got it under control Grissom" and give him a treat, tug with him or play ball/fetch to get him to refocus.
Don't make a big deal of it, maybe have a chat w/ the neighbor about the neighbor approaching him, but keep some distance with sideways body, no eye contact and have neighbor toss him a treat or two so Grissom see's that neighbor isn't a threat to him. Have neighbor ignore him, if Grissom is allowed to approach neighbor, tell him again that he is ok to do so in a key word.
This way Grissom knows when it is acceptable to do the approaching, and that the ok comes from you. Building his confidence is key right now, a confident pup is not fearful(you also don't want to comfort him when he acts this way or it will re-enforce the reactive behavior)

[Relayer]

I take my dogs to the neighbors on purpose when I can to socialize. When he randomly barks at them or anyone else when we're alone together in the yard, I praise him. They are smart enough to know who's a friend and who may not be. Btw, it's a rather controlled praise... I don't encourage going after anyone. It's just a quick, "it's ok to alert me" thing.

[Grissom]

Okay, thank you Jane and Relayer. It's funny, he was just laying by the patio door when they went in their garden. They are not even close by since I have an acre of land, so they were at least 100 feet away. I was surprised by his low growling and low slow bark. It definitely alerted me since it's not his normal bark. I did as you suggested and he seems content now.

[Relayer]

Originally Posted by Grissom

Okay, thank you Jane and Relayer. It's funny, he was just laying by the patio door when they went in their garden. They are not even close by since I have an acre of land, so they were at least 100 feet away. I was surprised by his low growling and low slow bark. It definitely alerted me since it's not his normal bark. I did as you suggested and he seems content now.

As they get older the protection switch gets thrown. In my view, that's a good thing, so long as the socializing continues. I just give a quick "good boy" and don't encourage any further escalating.

[Grissom]

Got it! I have to admit it did make me feel good since I live alone with Grissom. I just want to be an extremely responsible GSD owner. That's why I bombard this site everyday with my neverending questions!! Thank goodness for people like you!!

[Elaine]

This is not behavior I would find acceptable and would make it very clear to my dog that it isn't. He's not being threatened and should not be getting away with this at this point as it can escalate later and become very unmanageable. Dogs should not be growling in a non-threatening situation. By all means, keep him friendly with the neighbors, but I would put a stop to this now.

[onyx'girl]

Elaine, in what way would you handle this?

[Relayer]

Barking and not acting is perfectly normal.

[Elaine]

"Barking and not acting is perfectly normal."

Yes, for a fearful puppy growing into a fearful aggressive adult dog. My foster puppy is like this and I get after her each and every time she tries it. I will tell her to knock it off in a no nonsense tone and if she continues, I will take her by the collar and lift her up and tell her again, and/or just whack her on the side. I also have everyone and everyone I can get to pet her as often as possible and praise her like crazy when she doesn't do this. She will always have this issue to a degree, but is very manageable now and I don't worry about her growing up aggressive and thinking she can get away with unacceptable behavior and possibly biting someone unprovoked. There is a big difference between this nonsense and growling or barking in a scary situation which they will know the difference as they grow up.

Your dog should be looking to you for guidance at this age for what is acceptable and what isn't, and if you don't step up, your dog will decide for himself that he's right in his aggression and it will get worse.