New Behavior - Page 6

Sitasmom, Just hypothetical, but you own 2 dogs. They are in the front yard that is fenced in when a complete drunk stranger approaches the gate. The golden retriever that has no fear, runs up to lick the guy, and the GSD runs up to stop a would be intruder there to do harm.

IMO; That's a loaded question, a double edged sword.

Nonetheless a question, one I would think would generate a ton of responses. For me "Situation dictates" and maybe I say that because of the military, law enforcement background.

Here' are a couple of thoughts: Not everyone can be a police officer, (and yes there are good ones and bad ones) just like in everything else in life, But when the shits hitting the fan and the world is running away from the situation who is running towards the situation? Doesn't matter if you're a 4'11" female or so on. You have a job to do. Now yes there's training involved but the majority depends on the individual. I have been on calls where there were @ 100 people involved and some were fighting. Another officer drove by because he didn't
t want to "get involved". So, had to hang tight wait for County back up and then go to work.  

Now, there's a situation at the mall, shooter, and you have John Q. Public reach deep down inside of himself and save the day. Now he's untrained. Not sure if that's the courage you're looking for? But now this man is a HERO because he reacted and handled a situation out of character. And the P.O.s are just doing their jobs, day in and day out. 

I type, I delete and I type and delete more. For me like I said it's a loaded question. I guess my point is mindset. What one deems courage another might not think twice about it due to who they are, experiences in life, training but most of all ATTITUDE!  

Don Corleone

Is the GSD fearful of the intruder, or dominate and protective of his space?

Sitasmom, dominant is a whole other topic. I was going to add the 3rd dog that was dominant, but would rather tackle your question first. What does one need to be suspicious? If a dog did not feel threatened in any way, why would they react in any way? Even a dominant dog must feel his status is being challenged. We touched on courage in another thread. Basically, there has to be something to overcome to display courage. When you see a fireman rush into a burning house, that is courage. He is no doubt feeling fear, but that is what he overcame, but keeps him safe. When that same fireman pulls a cat out of a tree, is that courage? Maybe if it is a tiger. People are too scared of the word fear. What do you think defense is?

SitasMom,

Joyta is your singleton that you had to hand raise, right?

I ask only because I think that is a componant to be considered in her dog to dog interactions.  Singleton, handreared puppies 99.9% of the time face social challenges with other dogs, these challenges might be major dysfunctions or just minor hiccups.

I am sure you heard of:  "best defense is attack" and dogs follow that rule...especially since she is so young, she is  testing her waters of a dominate dog...may get her in trouble if you already have established alpha female dog...my 8 month old just learned her lesson yesterday...and i spend almost an hour washing her and taking care of her puncture wounds....

Don....absolutely love your avatar, makes me smile every time i see it... LOL

RLHAR - Yes this is the singleton puppy. Hanny, her mother, took an active roll in caring for Jyota, but after 2 weeks didn't have any milk so I helped to raise her. Hanny is our alpha female, except that she spoils Jyota and has never reprimanded her. Hanny is giving her place in our pack to Jyota (without a fight), and becoming number 2.

Don Corleone - I see your point - these dogs must have some fear and apprehension to do their jobs or they would act like golden retrievers. Thanks.

SitasMom,

With all due respect, I think you're projecting 'human' motives onto your dogs and in truth are courting one hell of a bitch fight in the near future.

We'll see if there will be "one hell of a bitch fight" in the near future, so far all of my bitches have been able to get along without a problem. I'm alpha and they all know it.