Can you help me interpret some puppy behavior? - Page 1

 I have a 12 week old pup that is mostly DDR with a smattering of WGerman working and a little tiny bit of Czech.  I've been a foster home with a GSD rescue for almost 9 years and am very familiar with all sorts of canine neuroses, fear aggression, separation anxiety, etc. but am a total novice when it comes to puppies, especially well-bred working ones.  

When my pup was 10 weeks old the whole family (myself, husband, 9 year old rescue GSD, and puppy) were all out in the front yard when our next door neighbors came out of their house, having a very heated discussion.  The husband was shouting angrily at his wife.  My sweet 9 year old rescue did what he always does in scary situations-- bark and hightail it back to the house.  The puppy, however, did something that intersted me and kind of makes me nervous now that I think about it.  His head came up, his tail came up, his little chest puffed up, he growled down low and trotted halfway accross the yard towards the shouting man.  I called him in a happy voice, he came to me, and we went inside and got a treat for coming when called.  

I've always been told that when a little pup displays any form of growling, barking, etc it is either play or fear but this behavior didn't look like either one.  If he were a grown dog I would have thought of it as protection, but a 10-week old puppy?  I don't particularly need or want my dog to protect me, so I'm just curious about this behavior in  such a little pup.  What would you call it ?

Call him a good dog! That's a perfect response for GSD of working lines, he responded to agression correctly I hope you praised him as it took place. The cookie after the fact wasn't in what I'd call a appropiate timing. He thinks he got a cookie for being in the house. He didn't do anything wrong. I would have praised him and while modulating my voice I would have said "it's okay" or something along that vein, then called him giving the treat when he got to me. Although I really wouldn't have given a treat just enthusiastic praise.

I forgot to add the wife next door may want him:-)

Good pup, but be careful what you wish for rewarding that behavior.

 We always give a small (very small) treat when we've been outside having fun and then we have to go back inside.  I don't want the dogs thinking that going inside means the end of all fun.  This way when they're outside and I want to call them in I don't have to worry about "selective hearing"-- they always come running.  So the treat didn't have anything to do with his behavior towards Angry Neighbor Man.  

When my very dominant female pup was 11 weeks old, she faced down a St. Bernard that was approaching my husband. She was maybe 1/10th(?) his size, looked like a peanut compared to him, but she did just what your pup did, head up, tail up, chest out, & a low rumbling growl, & put herself out in front of my husband! That St. Bernard stopped, twisted his head like "What IS that little thing?" but after a minute or two of thinking about it, he backed down, turned around, & ran away. Our pups ears stood up too, at that moment, & never went back down, LOL!

It means you've got a nice confident pup, who already feels protective of you. Train him well, it's a very good thing! jackie harris

some nice replies .. However , when it comes to our dogs ... not only is it of importance what our dogs do and why ... but EQUALLY important is : what we do and why !! keep in mind this fundamental : our dogs respond to what we feel and do ... such as the often scenario of a person holding a leash who is uncertain and uncomforabled - the dog detects this and becomes uncomfotable  or becomes more suspicious .. . therefore   presonally  when , I  see a dog exhibit aggressive behaviors , I am heightend in awareness as to what i want to do and why .. if i do not want the dog to protect , or if the aggression is not acceptable to me , i will communicate this to the dog .. if i want a personal protector , then i handle and i communicate to my dog diferently . just be aware..  for those with children & their friends .. be careful of how and  what you promote as well as  acceped behavior  .. [ Felloffer is prudent, I second the post -be careful for what you wish for !!]

I wish for that!  I'll take him off of your hands!

nice pup . i look for that and note it. good ps or pp dog prospect.