[jakobi]

<span style='font-family: Century Gothic'>We took Jake to Petsmart tonight for the first time as I wanted to get him a harness since he likes to flip his head out of his collar and needed him there to fit him correctly. Once we got into the store, he barked at EVERYONE that walked by. Is this just a "these are my people, stay clear" thing? He didn't growl at all and nobody approached him to try and pet him. </span>

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote:Is this just a "these are my people, stay clear" thing?

No, puppies have no judgement to 'protect'. What they do know is that if they are unsure of a situation, and bark to keep the 'scary' away. When the scary stays away it keeps them in a calmer place. Course it is a fearful reaction and not teaching them that those people are WONDERFUL and not to be afraid!

This is why we all socialize our pups! Cause this can be a common (and unwanted) behavior for them. A real 'protection' dog is calm and thinking, not barking at everyone and everyone. So we need to have a happy and confident puppy to get a confident and secure adult dog!

You able to start any puppy classes yet? How about general weekly socialization trips including car rides and about every other day? Some great sites to help us with this (along with the necessary classes) are:
http://www.doberman.org/articles/puppy.htm

http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/DevelopmentalStages.html

http://www.vonfalconer.com/puppy.html

http://home.flash.net/~astroman/primer1.html

http://www.gsdhelpline.com/willis2.htm

 

[jakobi]

Thanks for the info! I can start puppy classes with him at Petsmart once he is 10 weeks old (which is is past) but I have not had the time sadly to join up. It's only $90.00 for an 8 week course but it's every Tuesday and i'm not available every Tuesday due to my husband's work schedule (he's a Firefighter and works 24 hour shifts every other day).