will my GSD protect me - Page 1

My GSD Gunther has given me reason to think he would protect me, but I am still not certain. Let me share two instances and then y'all can advise. FIrst  my nephew & niece came to visist for the week end, not having met Gunther yet (he is 10 mo old). He barked etc, but was seemingly ok, until nephews' wife reached over the fenced and hugged me. Gunther did not bite her, however, he stood up on the fence and placed himself betwee Lisa and me, all the hwile baring his teeth at her (extremely close range) and growling. When she back off, he got down. My nephew then approached the fence very quiet;y and placed his hand only where Gunther could snoff etc. Gunther would not allow that, until I reached over and took nephews hand and brought it to me. He seems to react when the approach is made by the other person. When I brought the hand in, he was cautious but ok.
Last night we went to PetSmart & took Gunther. He was fine, non aggressive, curious and well behaved. However, when a clerk came to close to me physically, Gunther (no growling or anything) simply walked around and placed himself between the clerk and me. No matter which side the clerk appraoched from, Gunther did not allow him close. We then took him to the vet area so we could weigh him for vitamins (he weighed in @ 90lbs). He would not take a treat from the clerk or the store trainer, nor would he get on the scale. When I walked over and took the treat and offered it to him, he took it and got on the scale.
Does this behavior indicate anything to anyone more experienced than I am? Do I have a good dog? I think so but that is only because he is the smartedt, sweeteset, handsomest GSD in the world, but I just wanted some other opinions of his actions LOL

The only known way to be sure is to have the dog trained.

Snarling at a stranger (which technically by the standard they should be approachable) in a somewhat controled enviroment is one thing but actually defending you regardless of his wellfare are two different situations.

Untrained he would more than likely flee to protect himself if someone kicked the door in and starting coming after the dog. Yes, its a nice deterrence having a large dog barking and growling since most people have a fear of being ate by a animal but relying on a untrained, untested dog is about as reliable as loading one bullet in a revolver giving it a random spin and hope you land on the right chamber in the event you need it.

If this is something you desire and the dog has the drives to do so - take him to a local club and see.

Well I think the behavior sounds OK;  good boy.  However, if you do not teach him some control of the situation; in otherwards when and where and how much growling or showing of teeth you want him to do it  could get out of control to where you will have no control of him at all he will be making his own decisions.  YOu do not want that and if you let it go that is probably where he is headed then you will have a problem on your hands as well as a liability.

I am a firm believer that these guys have a good sense of protection, BUT you need to be able to tell them what  you want in the protection phase.  I would find an experienced trainer well versed in protection training and proceed ahead and I would do it now at this 10 month age.  perfect age as he has shown some of his own responses without your controlling the situation.  Not what you want again.  Good luck  Nan

Your dog and 99.9% of dogs  will not protect you efectively unles he is trained in civil protection ( Not sport) .
Hans 

I have heard to wait until the dog is at least 12 months before starting the protection training.  In the mean time, teach them "no growl" or the equivalent.   I think this is more for the physical joint toll that protection training has on their joints.

What do you think?

Your dog adnd 99.9% of dogs  will not protect you efectively unles he is trained in civil protection ( Not sport) .
Hans

Exactly. I've seen some "big bad dogs" as described by their owners piss themsevles once they were posted up and presented with a agitator and sleeve. Some over time eventually learn what it is and move on and others just don't have the nerves for it.

Thanks for all the input. I have had GSDs before but none who had Gunther's willingness to put himself out there. I will definately look into training for hm as I do believe a well trained dog is a happy dog/owner, but also because I believe GDs re strong dogs who need to know what their boundries are.
Any other input and/or advice is welcome
Deborah

From what I have been told about a previous dog I had, that was not "Protection" per se but more of a "Control" or "Possesive" type behaviour.
This GSD rescue I have here right now... He will put himself between me and anything ie people or animals and he does not like other dogs getting near me and wasnt to happy about people getting close. I interpreted that as Possessive type behaviour rather than protective.

Yeah that's interesting _  I had much the same reaction as Shandra
and I think what Nan says about the need to direct the behaviour now
is very true.  I am particularly used to young males doing this.  However:

I used to have a bitch who was a 'sharp' nervebag;  she did not like
strangers or strange dogs approaching HER, and would roar forward
and nip,or worse, given any opportunity (although once accepted, she
was a friend for life to those same individuals).

But the only time she did anything like the OP describes was this:
we were walking in an isolated (urban) place;  she was off lead; she
was about 3 yrs old, she didn't actually live with me as 'my' dog at
the time.  A guy came along the path towards us, and passed by,
then as he got a few feet away she very deliberately - and silently -
walked over and stood on the path halfway between him and me,
and stayed there until he went on a good distance away.  Whether
she sensed any hostility from him or whether it was just that he
reeked of booze (which she never did like), I dunno.

I think your dog (whether it be possessive or protective) certainly seems to be an excellent deterrant, which is all most of us want or need.  Sounds like a nice dog. :)