I know now that Teddy will protect me

[sparks19]

We went on our daily walk through the woods the other day and I had him on an extended leash and all of a sudden this guy came running from out of nowhere (he was just out for a run but we didn't see him) he scared the bejebus out of both of us. Well he kept running at us so Teddy kept trying to cut him off. I told the guy I was sorry and that I didn't see him to just give me a second to get teddy under control. He wouldn't listen he kept trying to run around Teddy and Teddy just kept trying to cut him off and not let him close to me. I AGAIN told the guy to just stop and wait a moment until I got Teddy back but he wouldn't listen, He just kept coming at us. Teddy was determined to not let this guy around him and get to me but the guy would not listen so finally he kinda of deked around Teddy and was coming straight at me and when teddy regained his footing (and the guy was two feet away from me) he jumped and reached for the guys arm and grabbed onto his sweater and tried to restrain him. So I grabbed Teddy and I apologized to the guy for what teddy did but told him that he scared the h ell out of us and Teddy was probably trying to protect me (he has been pretty protective now that my husband isn't here) The guy said it was ok that teddy didn't bite him just got his sweater and he said that he should have stopped when I asked him to. I was shaking after that ordeal. First the guy scared me then I was scared that Teddy bit him.

However, I am so proud of Teddy. I now definately feel safe and confident that if someone were trying to hurt me that Teddy would come to my rescue.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

Good boy.Give him a bone for me.

 

[sparks19]

hehe I will

 

[oriondw]

Well done

I hate such inconsiderate runners. Had encounters almost identical to the one you described before.

I guess some people just dont think the dogs can hurt them while protecting.

 

[filarotten]

Awww, sometimes they can make mom feel so special. Good going Teddy! protect mom!
Who needs a man when your dog will do anything to protect you. Granted I have a good husband but still he is gone a lot and the dogs look after mom. You have to love them, because they love you so much.

 

[BigDog2191]

Good boy, Teddy!

 

[Zoom]

Good boy Teddy!

 

[dani12]

I hope that Jedi and Daisy will do that, especially for our kids. Right now they are only 6 months old (almost) and will welcome anyone!!

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Good Teddy!!! Yeah some people are dumb...at least he realized he shoulda stopped.

 

[doberkim]

maybe ill be the dissenting voice, but i think this was a pretty inappropriate display of aggression, and one that could be potentially deadly for a dog. my dog may alert me to people and may feel others are a danger. but if i want my dog to stop, then he better stop -

the fact that teddy was able to lunge up and potentially bite this person is pretty significant to me - its something that should never happen, IMO _- this guy was just jogging, and yes he should have stopped, but the fact remains is that the law would not see it that way.

 

[Gempress]

I have to agree with doberkim. This could easily happen again, with a much worse ending. It's not like people approaching you is an unusual occurance. What if a child was running up to you? Or if you were accidentally jostled on a crowded sidewalk? Two things in particular bother me: Teddy didn't stop when you told him to, and he didn't seem to growl or threaten--he went straight into attack mode with no warning.

It is wonderful to know that Teddy will protect you. But I think you need to teach him to stop when you tell him to, and that people approaching are not threats. If I remember right, Teddy is still getting used to your new home, so that may be why he's unsettled. But I would get a handle on this right away, before it escalates into something worse.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I don't think it was wrong of Teddy - he thought his owner was in danger, he reacted as he should have. I know my Colby would bark at someone if they just suddenly appeared, and she would most likely bite them if they tried to attack me or something.

 

[poodlesmom]

I too agree that it was good that Teddy sensed a threat & wanted to protect you but that he should have stopped on command. My 2 are extremely friendly & love everyone. One day a casual acquaintance was over for a visit. The dogs had met her in the past but she wasn't a regular visitor. She started roughhousing on the floor with my grandsons & they started screaming (you know how 5 & 7 yo's can get ). Both dogs immediately went on the offensive, growled & took off after her. I immediately yelled NO & both of them instantly stopped. She stopped roughhousing with the boys & the dogs reverted back to being friends with her. Their instincts went into high drive but they listened to me. They had never done this with regular visitors but they didn't really know her well enough and they were ready to protect their "kids". Had they not listened to me she could have been seriously injured, especially with 2 dogs going after her. Later on in the day she was able to play rough with the boys as the dogs now knew it was OK.

 

[Gempress]

I don't think it was wrong of Teddy - he thought his owner was in danger, he reacted as he should have. I know my Colby would bark at someone if they just suddenly appeared, and she would most likely bite them if they tried to attack me or something.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a dog protecting its owner from danger. But I don't think it's a good sign if a dog perceives a passing jogger as dangerous enough to warrant an attack.

 

[CanadianK9]

I will have to agree with Gempress

I know somebody who trains protection dogs and they do their job well, and thats great, but the dog has to know its limits, obedience, loyalty and situations.

The dogs that do protection work are VERY obedient. If you have a dog that is protective and not at all responsive to commands to seize the action, you are a danger. I know this is kinda harsh but its uncontrolled aggression.

Dont get me wrong I am not trying to pick on you, but if you are going to tolerate the actions that your dog is taking maybe a Consultation and a class/s with your local Trainer/Behaviourist would be the best move. Enroll in a class and have protection training done properly.

This could quickly morph into an attack or mauling and force your lovely pup to be quarantined or in a worst case scenario be destroyed. Remember a dog is a butt load of potential, but you have to know how to use that potential appropriately.

Im sure you are a responsible dog owner, im just not sure you are taking this in the right direction.

 

[doberkim]

I don't think it was wrong of Teddy - he thought his owner was in danger, he reacted as he should have. I know my Colby would bark at someone if they just suddenly appeared, and she would most likely bite them if they tried to attack me or something.

but this person did nothing of the sort. this was a jogger. he in no way came up and was threatening, and the owner was commanding the dog to STOP. a solid temperament in a dog would know a jogger is NOT dangerous.


my own dog has a bite history, and he is a breed that is known for protection - a doberman is one of th eonly breeds (discounting some of the older, lesser known breeds) that was bred SPECIFICALLY to be able to attack a person.

however, with that comes discrimination. my dog does not jump up on people and attack them. my dog gives warnings. if he truly feels uncomfortable with someone, he will body block them, he will give low growls. he does NOT jump up and go out full attack mode on an innocent jogger. he is never allowed an opportunity to attempt to bite someone - its simply not necessary.

the biggest part of a dog that protects the owner is the discrimination he uses when choosing what is a danger. a solid temperament in a dog , good intuition, and a little trust goes a long way. my dog has allerted me, my dog has protected me, and my dog has kept people away from me - and never once did it get anywhere near him EVER biting anyone. my dog does not like joggers either - he doesnt like people on bikes, you name it - but there is a difference between him barking at them, versus me allowing him to chase them (his is prey drive here). but when i say stop, he stops and ceases all his acting up.

in today's society, a dog that bites is a serious thing - whether trained or not, whether protecting or not. dogs simply cannot be going up to joggers, who are really no threat, and jumping on them, much less attempting to bite (Getting his shirt is really no relief there, its just a FAILED bite, he still tried to bite).

*edited because i rambled and it just got too long. that and apparently i forgot how to spell

 

[CanadianK9]

I dont mind if a dog is well trained and knows what to do and when with a protectional situation.

But its people who just dust it off and ignore the fact that their dog is potentially dangerous without the proper training that bothers me.

And to tell you the truth its not fair to the dog in the end because the owner condoned it. The dog gets the final punishment.

Not trying to start an arguement but, promoting an uncontrolled action such as this one could lead to alot worse

 

[AmberwayGSD]

Ok guys I dont think ya read her post.Teddy blocked a few times but the jogger was not listening and kept coming.The dog didnt bite a bite would have broke skin.The dog just restrained the guy.All teddy did was grab his sweater.Nothing more than he thought he needed to do.I can understand him doing this after blocking the jogger a few times with no response.The Jogger refused to wait like Sparks asked so she could shorten his leash and calm him down.Had the jogger just waited it would have been perfectly fine.

 

[yuckaduck]

Ok guys I dont think ya read her post.Teddy blocked a few times but the jogger was not listening and kept coming.The dog didnt bite a bite would have broke skin.The dog just restrained the guy.All teddy did was grab his sweater.Nothing more than he thought he needed to do.I can understand him doing this after blocking the jogger a few times with no response.The Jogger refused to wait like Sparks asked so she could shorten his leash and calm him down.Had the jogger just waited it would have been perfectly fine.

Agreed, th jogger could have waited and if it was a point of not wanting to interefer with his jugging he could have gone around the dog. Joggers do need to use some common sense too.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

yup when I jog I cross the street or go wide around.Not all dogs like people running past them.Some non dog joggers just dont understand some dogs though.