Does a family dog protect you from an attack or threat? - Page 3

pancho · #61 08/15/12, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicker

Romysbaskets, this post really brings out a point I want to make. It is just my opinion. Pancho, I have utmost respect for your experience with dogs. It seems to me that there is a big difference between a trained attack or guard dog, and a dog that is a constant companion and trusted friend. The dogs I have known were all mutts. They were mine and our constant companions. They were never so much trained as grew to learn how to act and respond to our/my commands or, sometimes, mere wants. In the few times I saw them respond violently to a human, they did so with a whole hearted desire to take that person out. At all other times they were just a normal, silly, run of the mill dog. I'll give an example: As kids we had a dog named Louie. He had some sheep dog in him, but was just a hairy mutt. Louie went everywhere us kids went, and usually even slept by my bed. He followed us to the bus stop, and when the time came went and waited on the bus to come back. Louie was a friend to all. One day my sister and I rode out bikes to the store. As we were coming up to the store, a man came out of the door right in my sister's path. To avoid a collision, and to keep my sister from falling over, he spun around, straddling the front tire of her bike, and grabbed her handle bars. By the time i could get him under control, just a matter of seconds, Louie dang near ate him alive. That was one of the times we paid a doctor's bill. I have no doubt that that dog would have fought that man to the death. The man was actually very understanding, and realized what had happened and why. These dogs were my friends and companions and I just think there is a difference. We also raised and trained bird dogs. Two different things.

I agree there is a lot of difference in a trained dog and a friend and copanion.
Very few really need a trained attack dog. There is also a lot of difference in an attack dog and a guard dog.

Just about everyone had a favorite dog when they were growing up. These dogs would gladly go after any person who bothered them. This is usually all that is ever needed.

There is a difference in how far the dogs will go when protecting their owner.
The majority of dogs do not know how to attack a person. Most of the time that doesn't matter as any dog attack is enough to change the focus of a person looking to do something bad.

The people who raise game dogs will be the first to tell you that the way a dog will act in the first few minutes of any attack is a lot different than how they will act if the whole thing last longer than a couple of minutes. Just about any dog will go out like gangbusters at the beginning. If it is over in a very few minutes everything is great. If the person or thing being attacked pushed it for longer then you will see if the dog has the staying ability and courage. It is just a fact that the majority of dogs are like a match. They are bright when first struck but go out quickly. That in itself is a good thing.

citxmech · #62 08/15/12, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mekasmom

What is it about the LGDs when they stand in front of you, stick out their chest and widen their stance and snarl or growl at any perceived threat? I have one that is determined to protect us, but she worries about more things than she needs to. It's a lot worse when we are at home than it is when we take her somewhere. If we take her into public, she is docile, will walk with us, and act friendly to strange animals or people 90% of the time, unless she feels another dog or human is a threat. But at home, she will block your way, puff herself out and growl at anything she thinks might get near you.
Is that a protective action or just territoriality?

I love it when my dog does that.

She looks just like one of those Kangal videos out of Turkey with her tail all up and body forward. Daisy's still a youngster (1yr) so I wouldn't consider temperament testing her, but I have no doubt she would attempt to kill anything on four legs that comes into our yard. She's much more measured with people - perfect in public, with the UPS guy, and Meter Reader, etc. but if she sees a drunk idiot walking by or someone she doesn't know, she puts on one hell of a show. She's only about 110lbs now, but when she puffs up, she looks like she puts on an extra 15 lbs. It's amazing how she can go from being completely sweet looking to being downright scary.

vicker · #63 08/15/12, 12:46 PM

Dogs are amazing creatures. I was listening to entomologists on the radio today. They were talking about controlling bed bugs. Did you know that a properly trained dog can find a single live bedbug or viable bedbug egg in a room, and will not alert on a dead bug or unviable egg?

good dog!

**beccachow** · #64 08/16/12, 06:03 PM

My Brandy was showing protective instincts before one year of age. Sadly, I am paying for not socializing her better now, in having to keep her separated (we are working on it) when company comes.

I had someone come over to work with her, and she made the fatal mistake of hugging my daughter (oops) in front of her as she was getting ready to leave. Barely 10 months old, and this dog already meant business. I grabbed her collar just as she lunged.

She is protective of the house to the nth degree, and not quite as protective when she is outside of the house but golly help you if you want to come up to me while she is on a leash. We are working on it.

You all might not be familiar with my canine hero, Duke. In Duke's prime, he was 150 pounds of GSD, but a kitten. He was, however, ALWAYS near us when people were in the house, ears pricked forward, high alert. Now he is deaf as a stone, lol.

Cricket, my chow, is no slouch but he is more willing to step back and see before being aggressive. Unfortunately he and Brandy bounce off each other

.

I do not envy anyone who would come inside with bad intentions. The bark factor alone should keep them away, but Gosh help you, don't try to come in that door. Brandy makes it hard because, before her, I always had an open door kids-in-and-out all day long policy. Sometimes protection goes overboard.

arnie · #65 08/16/12, 08:13 PM

My 2 i have 4 mt.curs have already grabbed a 500 pound sow we were trying to load when the rope sliped and in her anger had biteing me on her mind .my big male and best dog has made it his job to watch over me and his truck .cows horses humans are not allowed in his truck without me if someone acted agresivly he'd definatly protect me and I'm pretty sure the other 3 would back him up .as far as any animal bear big foot possam squirl stray dog or cougar the only way to get to me would be to put them out of commishion this I'm sure of on the other side the meter man may get barked at but won't get bit .children also seem to fall under there protection .if an adult stranger tryed to pet my main dog he would let them know its not allowed but a child can grab him and pull him around by his collar.as children growing up we had a german shepard who knew each of us by name and mom could send her to wake us up or to get us outside she would attack on command and stop on command no training just instint.I do firmly belive certain breeds of dogs like the fighting types of bull dogs ridge backs old time aredales are not safe around children when that swich in there brain is turned to aggressive they are uncontrolable and can't defrichiaint between good or bad old or young uncontrolable dogs are best in there place like junk yards or lion hunting not in play grounds.or chewing on the mailman.

sandsuncritters · #66 08/16/12, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mekasmom

Balaam's donkey-- Numbers 23
Animals can see things hanging on or around people that we cannot see. They can't speak about it like the donkey in the story did, but they can all see into the spiritual world.

You are correct

At the time I made that post I was focused on the dog aspect. I thought of the donkey, but could not remember the Scripture (I'm old). Later on that day it occurred to me that I should have said "animals" instead of "dog".

For instance, my Aracauna rooster despises a certain person who sometimes makes deliveries when his dad is elsewhere. Randy Rooster will chase after him in attack mode and has caused injury on occasion. We now try to pen him if we know the person is coming. We know that he has a substance abuse problem.

My horses "interview" everyone coming down the road. Alpha mare sounds off and depending on who it is, they either crowd up at the driveway for pats and treats, or stand just out of reach, sometimes snorting and otherwise registering disgust/displeasure. My heart mare though will stay as close to me as possible and has been known to place herself between me and what/whoever she is suspicious of.

Sorry for

but I wanted to acknowledge Mekasmom's post, because she is correct about the animals.

In His Love
Mich

AJohnston · #67 08/17/12, 12:04 AM

One thing I've always been happy about is that my animals are protective. My current dog, my female, is a mutt (pyraneese, lab, chow, border collie). I raised her from a pup, before her eyes were open. I took her and her brother from a friend after the other pups started dying because the mother was inexperienced and stopped feeding them. She grew up with me and my family on our property... She isn't extremely socialized with people, so is weary, but isn't one to bite outright unless she thinks you really deserve it. She'll come out barking at anyone who rolls up the driveway and slink away after I've greeted and shook their hand. But she always lingers on the fringes and is ready to protect me in my time of need.

There was a time that she bit my neighbor when we were away. He's not a very intelligent man and has a tendency to "help himself" to things that we have not given to him.

She'll get stirred up when I'm working with the horses and other livestock and help to herd and control them when they get a little too riled up.

And when the dogs around the house get into fights, she's generally the one to break up fights with a few tugs on the scruff. She's protected me from a few dog bites when trying to break up scuffles. I had a dog once that I had to kick away and tried to turn on me in her anger, she jumped on her, grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and drug her a couple of feet before letting her go.

I'm very proud to say that most all of my dogs have been this way... They've all been level headed and never really trained to guard or herd. It comes to them naturally and they get the job done when it is needed.

**beccachow** · #68 08/17/12, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsuncritters

. My heart mare though will stay as close to me as possible and has been known to place herself between me and what/whoever she is suspicious of.

Sorry for

but I wanted to acknowledge Mekasmom's post, because she is correct about the animals.

In His Love
Mich

My oldest gelding a few years back stood between me and what he perceived as a charging horse. He was terrified of said horse, he was bullied by him. He stood between us, shaking like a leaf, determined to save me. I will never forget his act of valor; he has been gone for years and that day is crystal clear in my mind.

jkmlad · #69 08/17/12, 05:57 PM

When my kids were still at home, we had a black Lab. Probably a mix, or a backyard breeder dog, he was rescued through our vet, so I really don't know. Smokey loved everybody. I joked that he would someday throw out his back wagging his tail. While he would bark when someone he didn't know would come up our drive, he could be quieted by calling him by name. My husband went away for about a month, and Smokey was much more attentive than usual. One day the boys were away and I was working in the yard. I heard him barking and came around the corner of the house to see people I didn't know getting out of a car. My apprehension must have been sensed by him, because suddenly he went into a mode I hadn't ever seen. While he wasn't the biggest lab I'd ever seen, every hair on his body suddenly stood straight out, making him look much bigger. He started snarling and growling... which he'd never done before. Even his eyes looked evil. I stood next to him and told the people that they should get back into their car... they did. I never questioned his ability to protect us again... and never joked about his good nature.

Ness · #70 08/17/12, 10:20 PM

We have a boarder collie x doberman (very scary, all tan and black) that will run away if someone threatens her... I'd like to think she'd at least stand by my husband if she needed him, but likely not.

We also have a BC x smooth coated collie who will and has protected our family from anyone she either sees us as taking a dislike too, or for whatever reason she feels is a threat. She's the reason we put up the guard dog sign... She also lets our young children ride on her back, to the point she'll get up very gently if she's had enough & they are still sitting on her. Yes, she is the greatest dog in the entire world & I wish I had a hundred of her!! (she also once got hit by a snow plow and survived with nothing more then a scratch)

Our 3rd is a BC x spaniel, and he's really too young still (coming up on a year soon). He's definitely second dog in & has a lot of spaniel instincts.

Our LGD (that makes 4) is a giant cream puff and would more likely tackle and lick any intruder, however, I have yet to actually test him on this one. He doesn't like garbage trucks, and is very good at protecting our family from those!

lorichristie · #71 08/18/12, 01:39 AM

Now, I am not picking on Pit Bulls, but here is the story of an Owner who was killed by one of his pet Pit Bulls. They don't go for the throat? Read the story:

Charles Hagerman Death: Autopsy Confirms Man Was Killed By At Least One Of His Own Dogs

I have read plenty of stories of dogs who have actually killed people that way. Not just Pit Bulls, BTW. Of course, they don't always go for the throat, but then they don't always attack but submit, right?! Oh, I will continue to take my father's advice! He had to protect himself against a few vicious dogs, and did so successfully. My DH? A dog went for him and he slugged it in the face!

Had to add this link, actual data on fatal dog attacks by the National Canine Research Council:

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil...types-of-dogs/

Did you notice #4?

4. Massive head and neck injuries

I'd highly recommend you all check out that link as the dog breeds are identified. A couple on there will surprise you while others probably won't.

AJohnston · #72 08/20/12, 07:23 PM

Living out here in the country, we have dogs that are abandoned quite regularly. It got bad enough that we started having wild dog packs forming. They started attacking people's livestock, pets, and family. It eventually got bad enough that people would raise a gun to any stray that wandered onto the property.

Let's just say, we've seen the bad side of every dog, including the pittbulls. Of course, pitbull fighting still runs pretty rampart out in this area. Lack of law inforcement/law inforcement spread too thin.

I've been forced to defend myself from a few of these dogs. Some of them are all bark. Standing up firmly and taking on a deep/affirmative voice will have most charging dogs crawling to you the last few inches. Some of them though, you have to be willing to physically attack. Most dogs won't take the chance of becoming seriously injured if you punch them in the face or force your hand down their throats. Two of the ways that I had always been taught to defend myself against agressive animals. I'm even willing to bite back if I have to!

BarbadosSheep · #73 08/21/12, 10:33 AM

the video that the original poster spoke of proved nothing. They had this child the leash of a dog who obviously is shy to begin with and because she does not protect the child, the child determines that a dog won't protect you from strangers. Well, all she proved is that a shy don't won't protect a strange child from a man whom she knows. I know my pit bull puts on a very brave show but I don't know if she'd actually protect me if it came down to it. I used to have a Rottie who I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt she would protect me. If my hubby pretended like he was being aggressive to me at all, she'd gently get between us and push him back. If he resisted, she'd get a little less gentle about it. NO ONE was permitted to act aggressive to me or my daughter. Once when my daughter was on the ATV, her brother was bothering her, trying to jump on the back. Cammie came running, launched herself at my son and pushed him off without hurting him. She was an awesome dog. My Anatolians are still young (16 months) but I am pretty sure they'd protect me as well.

Wanderer0101 · #74 08/21/12, 12:53 PM

My GWP bit someone that walked in the back door unannounced. But the real deal was when she put an armed intruder to flight. Sounded like the Hound of the Baskervilles was loose. She literally saved my life in my opinion.

SFM in KY · #75 08/22/12, 06:28 AM

I've never felt like any of the dogs I've had would *not* try to protect me if necessary and I've had several that would definitely stay between me and some strangers.

That said, I've always had one of the 'guard' type breeds ... Dobermans, Rottweilers and now a GSD.

**beccachow** · #76 08/22/12, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbadosSheep

I know my pit bull puts on a very brave show but I don't know if she'd actually protect me if it came down to it. .

I think that dogs know the difference between a "test" and the real deal. They pick up on it from your body essence: your tone, your vibes, your body language. These aren't really fair tests for the average household doggie.

The REAL deal will come if, God forbid, you are truly in danger. I think just about every dog will react in a different manner in this case. Even people who walk int he door unannounced, your neighbors, friends and family, walk in with a different air; confident and sure. They KNOW they are welcome there; the dog surely senses the difference between this and someone who comes in sneakily and who exudes fear or uncertainty. I don't think you can fool the dog enough to get a reaction.

I always joke about Duke not protecting me, but he would probably do so to the best of his ability if I needed him to. Heck, he chased a UPS guy all the way back to his truck; odd, because he had like all the other UPS personnel but this one, who knows why?

ginnie5 · #77 08/22/12, 07:45 AM

We've had several that would've protected me. Our first dog ----y was a lab mix.....he was a huge dog and thought he was my baby. One time I had taken him swimming at the river and on our way home we encountered a license check.......when the cop made it to my car I had my info out but as he approached ----y bared his teeth and started this low growl. We were waved on thru quickly.
Bandit also was protective. When I took him walking at the park everyone always wanted to pet him. He loved that but one day an older couple stopped to talk to me and the man made a sudden move towards me...he didn't mean anything by it but Bandit quickly and quietly put himself in front of me and just stared at the man. His meaning was obvious and the man backed away. Now Scrappy our golden.......if you pet her you are her friend for life. Reece I'm still not sure of. I think she will be a good watch dog.....but protecting? I kind of doubt it but she does bark more when I go to see what she is alerting me to..... But really all they need to do is alert me to the problem.

countrylivin · #78 08/24/12, 12:12 PM

I have worked with several police/personal protection dog trainers over the last 15 years. They would all say Don't count on It! Many pet dogs will bark at an intruder or attacker. Most pets when faced with aggression or even a person who just doesn't back off will then back down. There is a cute video on utube where a news crew investigates this issue with several pets and a fake burgler- every one failed, even though each owner thought their dog would defend their property. All of my trainer friends would tell you that to assume your dog would defend you is false security and could get you killed. They all recommend that you hire a professional to access your dog ($25-50) that way you know what your dog will do when the chips are down and can plan accordingly. Most people are very unpleasantly surprised when Fido will not defend them. Although one friend with a security company told me a story of how a woman came in with an adult german shep that she wanted to get rid of because she wanted a guard dog and it was "useless, loves everyone". He asked if she had ever been attacked to which she responded no. He then went into a back room and came out in a full bite suit with a padded schutzhund stick and surprised/charged at the woman. The dog leaped in front of her and bit the trainer. He then informed her that the dog had never felt the need to defend her before. She thanked him and went on her way never to be seen again. However, He was quick to point out that this story was the exception not the rule. usually the dog barked at best and ran away when threatened with a "stick" hit.

lorichristie · #79 08/24/12, 02:19 PM

Repeatedly I have posted that folks should NEVER rely on their dogs for protection, but only for warning them, and certainly not as the only warning, either. Dogs are easily SHOT! That said, I also don't think folks should assume they know what any dog is capable of. Sorry for the reiteration, but I do worry about folks. I know plenty who have been bitten and attacked, without even seeing it coming! It is so important, I feel, that we be prepared to protect our dogs, not the other way around. Of course, I do also understand there are LGD's trained for protecting animals/their owners, too. I am referring to the pet dogs, of course.

lexa · #80 08/30/12, 09:07 AM

I do not see "protectivness" as a desirable trait of a PET dog. In modern society it is a liability that can cost your beloved pet its life.
I really would not want for my pet dogs to make decisions about my protection. The most I would want my pets to do is to bark from behind the door or if anyone comes in the yard to alert me. After person is introduced into the house hold I want them to be acceptable of him or her. I have heard way too many stories where dogs were "protecting" family members and caused harm to innocent people like children who were visiting and playing with family kids.
IF I felt that I needed personal protection I would have invested in already trained protection dog and made sure that I can control it.

lexa · #81 08/30/12, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrylivin

I have worked with several police/personal protection dog trainers over the last 15 years. They would all say Don't count on It! Many pet dogs will bark at an intruder or attacker. Most pets when faced with aggression or even a person who just doesn't back off will then back down.

I have experience with this too. I had to deal with single dogs who thought that their territory extended beyond their fence line and would leave their gate and charge. What worked to send them back home was to pick up a small stone and trow it in their direction. Worked like a charm! Mind it, I never trew stones at dogs, just in their direction and sometimes, when no stones were available, pretending that I was doing it, worked. Something about the quick movement and suddenly making yourself tall sent them a signal that you mean business.

cnsper · #82 09/16/12, 10:04 PM

Growing up we had a German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix that was very protective of kids. My grandpa was pretending to hit my brother to show us when we were little and that dog nearly came through the window of the house to get him. I have seen him step between and adult and one of my cousins that was getting a spanking they deserved. On another note, you could tell him to get the chicken that got loose and he would run over and pin it to the ground and wait for you. I also saw the aftermath of what he did when 3 dogs tried to have some fun chasing our cows. 3 to 1 and they got the worst of the damage.

Now I have had many purebred dogs and they just do not seem to stack up against the mutts that I have had. These included great danes, rotts and dobermans. Now I have a 1 year old German Shepherd/Red Heeler mix and a same age Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix. The Border Collie is the first one to alert to anything. I think his hearing is better. He does understand that he is 3rd in line of dominance though with me being first.

Now unless the collie starts up a ruckus the shepherd does not normally bark at anything with the exception of dangerous animals. Deer, no bark. Other pet dogs, no bark. Cars in the driveway, no bark (collie does though). Bears the dog turns into Mr Hyde. Working as a team, those dogs will attempt to drive off the bears with the exception of the sow with cubs that just did not care. She turned on them and they kept their distance. But the thing that matters to me is that even at night a bear can not sneak up on the place without me knowing about it.

Pretty disturbing though when you get up first thing in the morning to see what they are barking at and when you open the front door a 250lb sow stands up on her hind legs....

Will they protect? I like to think so but they are also both still young and I have only had them a couple of months so right now a warning is enough.

Shayanna · #83 09/17/12, 08:41 AM

If there was an intruder... My pit/lab mix? The only damage he might do is hit them with his tail or try to shake their hand. (He is very enthusiastic about shaking everyones hand and sometimes too enthusiastic if you catch my drift and doesn't know how big he is.) My beagle/lab mix? She would take them down in about 10 seconds if she knew they meant us harm.

doozie · #84 09/18/12, 12:21 AM

I have had dogs that would put on a good show, and possibly defend the family in the past, larger black lab mixes.
I was always surprised when a visitor or family would say your dog "looks mean". I only knew them as my faithful friendly pet.

I now have a little tribe of small dogs. I really think anyone would be nuts to enter a room full of multiple little dogs coming at them from every direction! I like to think an intruder would think twice wondering just how many dogs were on the other side of the door.
I have always felt "safe" with just having the big and small dogs. I think that gives me a confident frame of mind if I have to confront someone myself.

Kwings · #85 09/18/12, 05:50 AM

I think angel would protect me. She's good at barking when something is amiss. She ONLY barks when she thinks something is wrong so when you hear that bark you'd better go check it out.

My mom and I tested her once a few years ago i came home and she was put up, so i told my mom to go hide someplace and she hid in my bed and tried to hide herself with blankets and pillows and you could only see her face.

I let angel in and she greeted me like normal but when we went to walk by the bedroom she went ahead of me and looked in, stopped, got all puffy and let out that low growl of hers. She get in between me and the bedroom and wouldn't let me go in. Mom uncovered herself and said "Angel its me!" and she was a wiggly nut and was so excited to see her G'Maw lol.

She's also barked at ME before when she thought i was an intruder. I let her outside and then went into the garage that has a door that goes to the back yard (i was getting the shovel or something) and just used the door from the garage to get back to the back yard and she saw me through the bush (my silhouette) that was at the side of the house and came running towards me barking and stopped when she saw it was me.

Once I had some guys from work come over to till my garden for me, Angel loved them and greeted them with me and never had any issues with them at all. but the entire time they were there she was between us. I was sitting on the deck and she was out in the yard positioning herself between them and me every time they moved. She still does this with new men who come into the house or when the husband and I fight. I can't count the number of arguments that have been ended because of dog interference lol, its hard to be mad with all that cuteness sitting between us.

She's also very protective of her "territory" The house we just moved out of, if our neighbor got within 4 feet of the fence she'd start barking at him if I wasn't outside, BUT if i WAS outside he could come right up, reach over the fence, and pet the snot out of her and she was all wiggly tail and kisses.

Her daughter, Luna, is just starting to show the same behaviors. She takes cues from her mom on when she should and shouldn't bark, Luna also never barks unless something is wrong.

Angel is a Lab/Boxer/Pit mix and Luna (her daughter) is a lab/boxer/pit/husky/golden retriever. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Txrider · #86 09/18/12, 07:58 AM

I live alone with my german shepherd, I don't know if she would actually bite someone if they came in the house at night or something, she's very people friendly. The kind of dogs little kids can pull on her tail and ears and she won't bite, wouldn't bite the vets etc.

But from knowing her if she decided someone needed biting they better look out she's not scared of much and can get pretty serious I have seen. She kills about any critter she can catch around here.

She also knows I'm 3 times her size and can handle things better than her though, and all I really need from a dog is to alert me or wake me up and distract anyone in the house for few minutes.. I figure a big ole german shepherd ought to keep someone's attention long enough for me to get armed and deal with it.

I had another that would bite, but I gave her to my elderly parents for a watch dog.

I have been through it before, 2 guys woke me up opening my bedroom door at about 3am and poking a flashlight into the room. My dog was asleep in the room with me, and she ran em off before I could get out of bed. That's why my dogs are inside dogs, I prefer them to be close and not outside where someone can poison or shoot them or whatever on their way in.

As it is all my neighbors think I have a crazy deranged german shepherd cause she goes a bit nuts at them when they walk by on the dirt road, actually she's only barking at their dogs walking with them out of frustration that she can't get over the goat fencing and go play with them but she looks a bit mean and crazy. That and she chases all their cars and looks a bit crazy running down the inside of the fence line full bore all the way down the 600 feet of front fence. So nobody living around here is going to be coming around I think.

Kwings · #87 09/18/12, 07:50 PM

Angel has this bark/growl that I've only ever heard a few times, and that's because it usually only happens when I'm not there and she's protecting the house.

Once when i was at work My mom and 2 of my male cousins (who angel knows, loves, and had met on multiple occasions) and one male family friend (she'd never met) were going to move some furniture into my garage which is where i kept Angel at the time when i was at work because i didn't have a crate yet (this was before we worked through her separation anxiety, left in the house she'd tear everything up lol)

When mom pulled the car up she said "you guys wait here, i'll let the dog in the house and open the garage door" and all the guys were like "oh it will be OK! Angel; knows us!" They got out of the car and mom told me that coming from the garage door were the most frightening noises she'd ever heard come out of a dog, just a very scary deep low growl and her biggest bark possible.

After they heard that the boys said "yeah....you'd better go let the dog in the house first..." Mom went in and let her in, she was very excited to see my mamma but watched those boys like a hawk. You don't mess with the house if mamma isn't there.

She allowed the boys to come in because my mom was there but was still alert and watching. On the flip side small kids can come up and give her hugs, pull her ears, and wallow all over here and she's nothing but a wiggly tail and kisses the whole time.

Queen Bee · #88 09/23/12, 08:12 PM

I think dogs can pick up on the anxiety that we owners we have toward other.

We are down to four dogs right now. Two are around 17yrs old they will bark if someone comes up but then the go lay down.. The Dachshund barks and will go after strangers OR people who he finds to be 'in the wrong place'. He has bitten several people who push the issue. And then there is Jack (part pit bull, part English setter -pre our vet). He is a sweetheart.. He barks very little... But the nephew and niece that live on adjoining property and who we do not associate with --he has a fit and gets between us and them if they ever come onto our property.. He feels the same way about them as I do... I believe with all my heart that he would attack them given the chance...

romysbaskets · #89 09/24/12, 04:01 AM

Ok we had a great test for our family dogs....including our daughters dog who I am caring for and have for a month, keep in mind she is a tripod but it slows her not at all. What happens when a stranger comes to your door?

My nephew came by that the dogs have never met, he stands 6'5 inches tall and is quite a large man. He came to my door the other day after he called to ask if he could swing by....he is working on the island on a construction job for the marina. He just wanted to borrow some movies and a staple or two.

As this tall man knocked on the door, my dogs went wild like they were going to come through the door at him. I opened the door but as I did, the four dogs actually pushed me back out of the way!!!! They jammed themselves between me and this tall man that they had never met. He spoke softly and nice to them...they stood in apprehension blocking his way, I told them it was ok and to back down. They relaxed and let him by. Two of these dogs are Aussie mixes, one is a purebred pug and then my dog who is a Jack Russel/Pom/Doxie/Rat Terrier. Not one of these dogs backed off from this man until I said to. Then my 20 lb dog began circling him and barking...kept looking at me like what is he doing in here? He had to really talk to my dog for a few minutes as did I to get him to relax. My dog had never seen a tall man like before. It was funny as my nephew loves dogs and knew I had a pack in my home..... He said they did a good job and that is what they should do. He thought my dog was a riot. Right down to the Pug they showed no fear of my nephew and he was very impressed.