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Just curious.
How do you tell the difference between a dog being protective and a dog being fearful?
How do you tell the difference between a dog being protective and a dog being fearful?
Exactly.There's more to it than this but very simplified:
A fearful dog is reacting to a non threatening situation or thing.
A protective dog reacts to an actual threat. (this can include a perceived threat by you if you are actually scared).
That's how I feel too.To be honest, if you're not sure, I'll bet 99% of the time it's fear.
Yeah... exactly what i meant.I'll try again, maybe it should just read "99% of the time, dogs reacting aggressively is a fear based reaction as opposite to being protective".
People want to believe their GSD is like the GSD they see in movies or on TV.Owners think its protectiveness because they have a GSD and when it starts freaking out and barking they believe its protective and awesome, when in reality their dog is scared of whatever it heard or saw and is trying to make a bunch of noise because it's unsure. People get a GSD puppy, after reading how protective they get, and expect it to come naturally when in reality its something that comes out much later in life, or has to be taught to the dog.
How old is Shadow? This does sound like it could be protectiveness, but over-reacted a bit. Hard to tell without actually seeing her body language.Ok here's one for all. Once again I know I'm going to get varying opinions.
I took Shadow and my 12 year old son out for a walk yesterday. Shadow was happily sniffing the grass, tree's, footpath etc. We were in the newly established area across the road from our house, it was the first time we were in this area.
Shadow was taking every thing in. There were a couple of tradies on one of the allotments packing away their tools and talking amongst themselves. Shadow looked at them then sniffed at the newly planted tree and grass verge just next to the allotment. One of the men started talking to me about Shadow, Shadow looked at him but didn't react, we'd met this man several times before on walks just outside the development and at the front of our house, Shadow had always been stand offish but never barked or reacted to him.
Then man then came closer, at the same time my 12 year old stepped forward. Shadow then barked like crazy. My younger son walked behind me, the man took a few steps back, Shadow stopped. The man had a strong excited Irish accent, he squatted and Shadow then got closer and sniffed around him. She walked back to me. My son stepped forward again and Shadow barked at the man. As soon as the man moved away from my son she stopped again.
Shadow doesn't react this way very often, and she only ever does it when my younger son is present. Usually she is extremely friendly and sociable or she just isn't phased.
What is your interpretation of what I have described?![]()
I think yes, it is possible for a dog to want to be protective, but feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure. But an experienced person can read the unsureness. The wanting to be protective and being somewhat fearful is why police dogs, Schutzhund dogs, and PPD need training and are raised differently than an average pet dog were the focus for the future working dog is on building confidence, while the focus for the average pet dog is on good manners.Is it possible for a GSD to be fearful and protective at the same time but not sure how to manage their emotions?
This is where breeding for nerve strenght and temperament comes in. I think that fear in puppies is normal from an evolutionary view point, but through good breeding, it can and should be bred out of them. You see the solid litters from solid parents, puppies that are fearless and ready to take on the world, never backing away from anything, but moving forward to investigate and explore. Pups may still go through some fear stages, but they get through them and continue on with no ill effect. The GSD is SUPPOSSED to be a fearless breed, and this is what breeders should all strive for.Also is fear part of most dogs nature until they mature or is it something to breed out of top quality dogs?