Social aggression question - Page 2

i have to agree with jim that the issue is far more complicated.  if i were going to answer the question just as it is worded above
& not read anything else into it, i would say it may be based in fear.  (especially without discernment---meaning the dog is not
making a distinction between what is or is not a real threat)
pjp

Susie, that's how my avatar male was, too.  Didn't much care for being eye f'd, to put it mildly. If it wasn't a threat, it was ignored. The "All dogs love me" and the I'll show him who's boss" crowds garnered a fun response. LOL. I can't tell you how many times I told some genius man who was sure I had no idea what I was doing or talking about "Stop staring at him." While they may not have listened to me, they always ended up listening to the dog. As he was totally stable and reliable, I never worried he'd take it too far if they didn't actually touch him (or me). He escalated just the right amount, never went overboard, but made it known in no uncertain terms that he was "this close" to losing his temper. LOL

Susie,
Not everybody´s cup of tea, though... I love these dogs!!!

I bet I'd like your dog too.  I own one like that also and work with several more like them.  Strong dogs, that unless you own them you better be on your best behavior in their presence.

The gal in my sig was like that, too. If you got bitten by her, you deserved it. She did not like being hugged by strangers, nor did she allow them to get right in her face. Her bites were warning nips though, and the only time she drew blood was when her teeth knocked a girl's lip against her own teeth, resulting in a drop or two of red.

Of all my dogs, she had the truest GSD temperament, even though her structure left a lot to be desired.

"Stop staring at him." in German " Stier ihn nicht an! "

I always picked my puppies ( 8 weeks ) by looking for

• fearlessness
• not interested in strangers ( not interested in interacting with people they don´t know )

Same result for years now - different dogs out of different lines = almost same behavior - all of them not really interested in the sleeve, but stable and loyal.

They only need some obedience...

Susie, that's funny you mention that about pups. I've actually had people NOT buy pups because they'd come visit and the pups wouldn't pay any attention to them. It's not really worth explaining to some people, better to let them walk away than have issues when the dog is 18mos. old. 

What about the reverse...very friendly dogs. At age 2, my dog is protective if someone enters my yard, but on the street is extremely friendly with strangers who want to pet him. Is that a social dog with discernment ?. Will this friendliness go away as the dog matures ?.
P.S. Hope I am not hijacking the thread..

Sounds just like my  (GSL)  Taz, Guddu.  Is he social ?  Yes;  is he showing
any 'discernment' ?   Probably none, actually. !    Will he grow out of it ?  Taz ​will be
11 years old in about 3 weeks time ...

I never saw this dog 'aloof & indifferent to strangers' in all the years I've had
him.  I said on another thred recently that, unlike a lot of other dogs esp, Shepherds,  
he 'just loves his head mauled'.    Example:  I have 'new' next-door neighbours;  they've
been in about 8 months now.  They have cats, but like dogs, & the guy of the couple
particularly is smitten with Taz.  From Day 1, he has had the dog in a 'headlock' EVERY
time he sees us;  and the dog laps it up,  goes looking for him if he's not outside, is
a little reluctant to come away and continue his Walk, etc.  But Steve appreciates he,
like everyone else, still needs to be careful approaching my front door, because he
is aware Taz 'guards' home territory.

~~my dog is protective if someone enters my yard, but on the street is extremely friendly with strangers who want to pet him. Is that a social dog with discernment ?.

That is "territorial aggression" or your dog guarding or defending his territory.  Many dogs of any breed will guard the yard (especially behind a fence), the car or even a crate quite aggressively, open the door and let them out and they are fine and friendly.  Reach into the car or the crate and they'll bite. 

Jim, my dog rides my leg and won't let me sit on the couch. Well, sometimes he'll let me on the couch if I let him ride my leg. What does this mean?