Will my Pet GSD protect me, scenario... - Page 1

Last night we were in our kitchen/family room area that is currently gated from the rest of the house because of our new puppy.  It was after dinner and everyone and the animals were just hanging out relaxing, watching TV.  And then all of a sudden, Mojo stands up and starts to bark. And I mean, a serious BARK. His hackles are rising and the intensity of the bark increases. This is not normal inside the happy homestead. So, I say to my DH, and anyone who will listen, 

"What the heck is bothering the dog? Someone needs to go see!"  Mojo was pretty intense looking I'm thinking, from his usual "cupcake" personality and job as pet GSD.  I'm watching as he continues his threats and moves forwards to the gate, clearly disturbed!

And then I hear my eldest son's voice coming from the other side of the gate (we couldn't see what the dog saw from our present angle), saying to reassure us, and the dog, "Don't worry! Mojo! It's just me!" 

So, I get up and go take a look, and this is what I saw.....
 


LOL!!! My eldest put on his Halloween costume, as a strange internet character called, "Slenderman". He's wearing what is called a "morph suit"! LOL And Mojo was not having any of it! 
Made me feel good though, to see him move forward towards the "unknown" instead of away. 

There is no better feeling than when you are a little nervous about something outside, and your big german shepherd, whom you thought did nothing but catch a ball, eat and sleep does what it was bred to do. Such a feeling of security enters your soul. That is why she gets the good food and the nice soft blankets.  Just for moments like that!!

Love it, just love it.  Nan

I am new to this forum, but have a question that requires a little background first. I acquired a beautiful GSD male in July, when he was just turning 7 mo old. His name is Gunthar. Now he loves my son & husband no doubt, but he has really established himself as my dog. He cries when I leave, he cries in greeting when I get back. Husband says when I go somewhere, he lays by the fence and does not leave his spot until I return. When I emerge from my car, I noticed he does not run to the gate like my 3 Gt Danes do, he waits at the fence then walks towards the gate as I do. He sleeps in the doorway of my room at night. He sleeps under the desk in the daytime while I homeschool our son. If I go in the kitchen, he goes there as well. He will lay down and stay wherever I am. He has alson been know to grab my wrist in his mouth and lead me as we walk downt he hall or wherever I happen to be going.He literally cries with joy when he sees me. Is this a dog that could be trained to protect, or does he even need training for protection? Also, if anyone has experience, is there any danger he could perceive danger from say my husband? My husband is a retired USMC and although he is a fine man, his voice is often booming. People who do not know him might very well interpret his voice as yelling at times, when he really isn't. LOL I know, we have been married 28 yrs! ANyway, any thoughts on Gunthat? He will be 1 yr old Dec 31 (coincidentally our anniversary, will be 29 yrs). ANy input, suggestions or thoughts are welcomed. Thanks, Deborah

LMAO! You just put a hat on in my house and all hell break's loose! Great Pic!!!

I think it would be worth your while, if your husband and your dog went to training classes together.  Maybe some agility.  Your husband needs to bond with the dog.  I don't think that bonding will happen unless they spend some alone time together doing something fun. My shepherd was the same way.  Mommie's girl entirely. However, once she stopped chasing the tractor and learned to come, my husband and her would go up to the farm fields together to prune trees, or bush hog or plant seedlings together.  Now they are the best of friends and she follows him around and the whole situation has changed.  Just my thoughts.

Thank you. I will definately look into that. Gunther likes husband just fine but has established me as his territory. Will make some calls this week on training programs. Thanks so muc for your input  Deborah

When the hackles are up, it means the dog is scared. And when a dog is scared, who knows what he will actually do. I'm no expert but what I have learned from training my dog, is that when his hackles are up, he's just a big pussy. 

So everytime a dog's hackles go up he's scared and a big pussy?  I think it is a little more complex than that.

Slamdunc
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