When someone says, "will bark at strangers" as a good thing...? - Page 1

I see so many classified ads for puppies or young dogs that say, "will bark at strangers" or, "protective of family and barks when strangers approach"...

In my opinion, that is (usually) the beginnings of spook behavior. I would much rather have a dog that is social/aloof with everyone until I say otherwise.

Opinions? To those who have PPD dogs, is this really what you look for?

Minro,
Each to their own. Some people want their dogs to bark and some do not. They use dogs from specific lines that are more or less reactive and/or train accordingly. Whether a dog alerts or not is not a total picture of their temperament or nerve. This is a no brainer question for someone who is training in PSA.
 
The majority of people who want a dog for PP want the dog to bark to deter strangers. Most of the time the bark will deter strangers without the dog having to engage.

Are you asking in reference to PPDs or puppies/ sub-adults? I like a pup that is territorial and barks when appropriate. Doesn't necessarily mean they are going to be spooks. Could be just the opposite- that they are brave, courageous , and bold..... Sounds like a song ! LOL

As stated above, different people consider different actions or reactions from a dog the perfect personal protection dog.   IN MY OPINION, I think it begins with the dog being able to see each and every situation as it really is.  He should be able to determine if the "stranger" is a threat to his property, human, or immediate surroundings.  For example, I would not want our Personal Protection dogs to bark at the person casually walking on the street that shows no sign of entering our property. If that same person would enter our property, yes I want him to react.  Also remember, a dog can smell the different emotions a person has.  Therefore I believe a level headed dog should be able to smell what emotion a stranger is having and he would react to that.  That maynot be true in ALL situations, but in most situations I BELIEVE it would be.

Please remember, this is JUST MY OPINION. It is may not be correct to others, but it is to me.  

joanro and asomich, I am asking in reference to puppies and young adults only.

I understand that most people who want a ppd know that the display from a dog will deter strangers without any real engagement. But, that can be trained into any dog. All my dogs will put on a great big show of what most people say is “aggressive behavior” when I tell them to. But not all of them truly have the fight in them, and they were certainly all different as puppies. I was referencing puppies who exhibit the behavior naturally.

it can be a weakness or it can be good depends on the dog and sitaution, i think they advertise for that because so many shepherds these days are so dull they wont even bark at strangers they lack the suspicion.


YOu could slap their owner accross the face the dog might not even know what happend.


for pp everyone wants a dog that will first fire up nice before it bites so the "bad guy" has a chance to back off and leave you alone before your dog bites them. If the dog is the silent type you don't get to warn the person.

 

Doesn't it depend on context?  Most of us would want a dog who will bark at strangers, say when we are asleep and someone, "a stranger", is climbing through the window, as opposed to a dog who will run and hide under the bed.  Yet, we would not expect the same dog to bark at strangers when we are aware and not reacting ourselves. This is an informed list that understands that dogs will behave as dogs, but to those who do not perhaps know dogs as well, realizing that a dog can serve as some protection and especially as an alarm could be welcome information.  An ad could also say, "Great walking companion", i.e. has four legs that can move.

My dog didn't come into his "voice" until mature. He's not a crazy barker, but I know when people are about. And I can tell by his bark if it is someone he knows, or not. Or should I say, someone "we" know. LOL

minro, depends on where you are with pup when it barks. If he's laying on the pitch and estranger comes up the path to the house, I would love if my pup barks to alert. As long as his tail is up and pref no hackles, ears up and pup standing erect and forward, confidant bark emanating from his baby throat.This as opposed to backing up, tail tucked, hackled, ears down, whining between barks, generally insecure.

yeah same i just dont want my pp dog to bark at strangers or joggers while i walk that would humilate me and make us unwelcome unless someone attacked or harassed us of course