Protective instinct... when ?

[JR0579]

Just wondering when a GSD's protective instinct kicks in. Roy is now 9.5 months old and he is very friendly with all people which kind of worries me.
When is he supposed start knowing that he shouldn't be friendly with strangers ? Is there something I should do ? He barks when the door bell rings and becomes very alert but once the door is opened he greets whoever is there in a friendly way.

 

[sheps4me]

Roy is still pretty young to show defense drives. I think the age at which they start to show defense varies from dog to dog.
How do you want him to react to people who come to the door? The fact that he alerts and barks - and then accepts people in a friendly manner when you've greeted them - is a good thing. He recognizes that these people aren't a threat so there's no reason to act defensively.
Just as an example, my male shepherd is 20 months and he's just starting to show some defensive behaviors but he's also extremely friendly and goofy around people still. I recognize that some people do like a very protective dog, but I'd rather not have a potential liability every time someone comes to the door.

 

[JR0579]

I recognize that some people do like a very protective dog, but I'd rather not have a potential liability every time someone comes to the door.

Thanks for the response Sheps. Maybe I mis-phrased my concern. I don't want a very protective dog. I just want him to be reserved in his friendliness towards people to come to my door for the first time. Maybe he's still too young for that like you said. I just thought I'd ask.
Thanks again

 

[sheps4me]

Thanks for the response Sheps. Maybe I mis-phrased my concern. I don't want a very protective dog. I just want him to be reserved in his friendliness towards people to come to my door for the first time. Maybe he's still too young for that like you said. I just thought I'd ask.
Thanks again

I did misunderstand. You hear so often of people who want a German shepherd because they want a "guard dog" but don't realize the implications that go hand in hand with a very protective temperament. I think some shepherds are naturally aloof at a young age and others develop that aloofness later on. Roy may be a later bloomer like my guy.
Are you concerned about him jumping up or overwhelming people that come to the door?

 

[JR0579]

Are you concerned about him jumping up or overwhelming people that come to the door?

He already does that I am working on the jumping part. Especially with kids. He loves them more than he should and can easily knock them down.

 

[Gempress]

I wouldn't worry yet. My rott/husky mix didn't get protective until he was a year old.

 

[joce]

just because he is protective doens't mean he will not be friendly to 99% of the people he sees. My boy can be very protective of me but its only when I am feeling uneasy and there has been one time he must have felt uneasy about someone and went into defend mode. I'm not sure about shepherds but wiht dobes they are supposed to read the people themselves and decide if they can be trusted.

 

[Renee750il]

They're all different, lol! Bimmer was wary from the moment he came in my front door. He decided he was home and knew we belonged together and that was the end of that. He was only about 4 months old. Buffy, our first Fila, took great joy in letting all know that they were strangers and didn't belong from the moment she laid eyes on us at the breeders. She came and sat down on my feet and looked up at me, then went to Charley and sat on his feet, then came to me and wanted to be picked up and that was the last time that dog gave anyone she didn't know a break . . . she was 8 weeks old! We've laughingly said that we don't know if Shiva's distrustful of strangers or not, so far she's never met anyone who was a stranger At almost 2 1/2 she's beginning to show signs of ojeriza. Kharma has always been quite particular about who she's allowed to touch her, even as a 10 week old baby, but she makes up her mind very quickly about people she likes and people she doesn't.

So . . . four puppies, two breeds, three very different time-tables

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Your dog SHOULD be friendly to friendly people.

GSDs are notorious for being late bloomers in this respect. At under 10 mos, he is a baby yet.

Continue your good socialization, as the more self confidence he gains through this, the more confident he will be when he begins to develop defensive drives.

If he gets to 18 mos and shows no defense, then you can get worried.

I had a Rottweiler who was ALMOST that age before he ever "turned on" but let me tell you, when he did, he DID. LOL

 

[AmberwayGSD]

You dont really want a aloof Shepherd.Sasha is protective and Aloof.She Barks and Growels at the door.She will let my company in but not let anyone touch her except me ,Gwen or Norm.I think its nice to have a friendly GSD.I am working on my new pup so she isnt as aloof with people in our home.She already barks at the door too and Norm when he comes home from work.

 

[yuckaduck]

Here both my big dogs are protective of us and not friendly until they are told to OFF. Yukon is 10 months and Hope is alittle over 2 years. Hope is a late bloomer as this behaviour just started with her.

 

[sheps4me]

You dont really want a aloof Shepherd.Sasha is protective and Aloof.She Barks and Growels at the door.She will let my company in but not let anyone touch her except me ,Gwen or Norm.I think its nice to have a friendly GSD.I am working on my new pup so she isnt as aloof with people in our home.She already barks at the door too and Norm when he comes home from work.

Actually, aloofness is a very common quality in shepherds, particularly as they mature. It's part of their inherent dignity. As opposed to the Lab-style greeting, their welcome is more of a quiet hello and retreat.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

Yes I know it is common in GSDs.I was just saying it is easiest when they arent so aloof.Our friends and family dont get her and think she is a snobby dog.

 

[Fran27]

I wouldn't worry too much about him being friendly to people once they are at the door. I'm sure that if he was alone, and/or if you were there too and someone came in without good intentions, the dog would feel it (or pick it up from your reaction) and be protective.

 

[BigDog2191]

I wish I had that problem. Rocky's OVERLY protective in his own territory.

 

[JR0579]

Thanks to all .... I feel much better now

 

[Amstaffer]

I think it really varies for each dog and gender. I had a female Rott who was fully aware of her territory by age one. She patrolled and was reserved with strangers. My first male rott never did get the whole territory thing...loved everybody all the time. My second male was about 2.5 when he started getting aware of his territory.

Like people, Dogs mature at different times and have their own personalities.

 

[fillyone]

Yes I know it is common in GSDs.I was just saying it is easiest when they arent so aloof.Our friends and family dont get her and think she is a snobby dog.

Just tell 'em she's living up to the standard!
Dante's aloof until he knows someone, I like it that way!!

 

[bubbatd]

All I've had are Goldens who have alerted me when things seem amiss .... They would bark ( with tails wagging like mad ) ... but because of their size, I never worried of my safety. Once we had hunters in our woods , and our female was really upset. EliNhunter sent her out and yelled, there's no hunting here ! They dropped their guns and yelled, we'll leave... call off your dog !!! Copper came back with a huge grin on her face.!

 

[RobHedrick]

As already mentioned it all depends on the age / breed..

I have an 8 month old German Shepherd / Chow mix, and a 5 month old Black Lab. Both are protective, but my Shepherd is more-so.

My Lab will bark when he hears a different voice in our house, and he gets pretty alert when cars pull up in our driveway. But he's very friendly with any people that he meets.

My Shepherd will bark / growl, basically show some protective / aggressive behavior when she sees someone in the dark she doesn't recognize, or when she senses I don't like someone (animals, especially dogs are VERY in-tune to your energy, and how you feel every second). For instance, my mothers ex-boyfriend stopped by the house, and instantly she (my shepherd) knew I didn't like him, and she began expressing protective / aggressive behavior. And with the people I like, she likes too.

Caution though: if you plan to allow your GSD to express aggressive behavior (*at any time*) when people arrive, be darn sure that your dog/s understand you're the pack-leader, and you must feel 1000% confident you can control them under any situation. You don't want Roy attacking someone by mistake (obviously. lol), so again you must feel completely confident in your role to control that situation if it happens, before you allow / encourage him to be protective.

This is just my advice; I'm merely a Dog Behavior / psychology 'apprentice', but I like to think I can give decent advice even though I'm not an "Expert", yet. Also I don't know your level of experience with dogs, so forgive me if my info was a bit patronizing.

Have a great day! ~Rob