Is she too protective?

**bec&dan** · 06-02-2008, 03:44 PM

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to pick your brains about something we read the other day. Someone had asked a question about their young dobe who was a similar age to ours, (5 months) who was displaying odd behaviour in the garden. Ellie doesnt behave the same way but one of the answers said that at this young age dobermans should not be protective, which worried us, as if there is any noise in the garden or the neighbours are out Ellie will run into the garden and growl and bark loads (with her tail wagging). If the neighbour puts their hand over the wall she isnt aggressive and will lick them but we dont know if shes being overly protective for her age or if its just normal puppy behaviour. She will also growl and bark at people or other dogs when were out walking her if she cant get to them. As soon as she meets them she is fine and again licks them to death. Is this normal for her age? How can we teach her to stop growling and barking in this way?

Julie W · 06-02-2008, 05:05 PM

There are two possibilities...one is that she is doing a playful growl/bark trying to instigate a friendly game. The other is it is a serious growl/bark and she is doing it out of fear. Are her hackles raised when she does this? Can you tell if it's a higher pitched more playful bark or a deep, more threatening bark?

**bec&dan** · 06-02-2008, 05:12 PM

Initially it is a deeper threatening bark and her hackles are raised, if she can then get to the person she is barking at she licks them and turns more playful. She has never shown any aggression to any people or dogs when they are near her, just when they are in the distance.

Julie W · 06-02-2008, 07:51 PM

Then it's a fear issue that can be helped by socialization and training. Then more socialization and training. The more a dog learns through training the more confident they are as it gives them something to lean on when they aren't sure what to do.

Patches Mom · 06-03-2008, 12:40 AM

your neighbour may get bitten in the future when you girl is older and really protective.

**bec&dan** · 06-03-2008, 12:52 AM

Thanks for your replies, the thing is she is really well socialised she has always met lots of people and other dogs and when she is near to them she loves being around strangers and we struggle to not let her jump up to lick them! its just when they're at a distance she barks at them or if they're near the garden. so how would you suggest stopping her being afraid of and baring at people or dogs who are further away from us?and stopping her being so protective of the garden?

Julie W · 06-03-2008, 01:01 AM

You say she's socialized, but how trained is she? If she's exhibiting an unacceptable behavior then you need to ask her to do a behavior that is acceptable. If she's not being well trained that isn't possible.

sorthund · 06-03-2008, 02:09 AM

Hmmm, well I would for one tell the neighbors not to try to pet her over the wall.... when she's older I believe she should be allowed to "some extend" to "protect" her territory, so having them do this is not acceptable IMO. If they want to meet her they should come over or you meet in the street.
My dogs bark briefly sometimes when they hear the neighbours who live very close. I tell them "thank you" and now it's "enough", and reinforce that, even if I have to redirect with play or something. Both dogs (Dobe and Pug) have learned that I do not tolerate constant barking (unlike another neighbour and their dog), if they continue, we go inside!
Now when you meet people in the street, I'd teach her to sit and have the people giver her a small treat that you give them. I would NOT ever let her jump on anybody. Have you taken her to puppy class yet?
It sounds like you have socialized a lot, but at 5 months of age, you have to get working on better behaviour.
Hopefully with maturity she'll learn that she doesn't have to bark at every noise she hears in the garden, and will learn to judge the situation. My Dobe does (such smart dogs), but the Pug has never learned that, he barks more often....

**bec&dan** · 06-03-2008, 05:31 PM

We have taken her to puppy classes and have worked on lots of training. She very well behaved in the house its just when she gets outside! Thanks for all the advice well try and distract her when shes barking outside and hopefully she'll learn its not acceptable!

BurberryShaw · 06-04-2008, 12:26 AM

I have a 5 mos old that is somewhat trained but no professional classes......when we take her on walks she doesnt bark at strangers or other dogs. When idiot neighbors let their dogs off a leash and their dog comes runnin up to my dobe, she lets the come up, but she gets at attention, they sniff eachother, then "she lets them" be on their way.

I've only had her bark at one person meanly, and she was in the passenger seat, it was dark out in the country, and my buddy Stan came slowly walking up to our truck with a long coat on...she went nuts!....

she also sits in front of my wife when new people come to the house...never barks tho.

I would say your dog is over protective...but I dont really no shxst...this is my first dobe...but from what ive read in books and heard here online, dobermans should start getting protective at around 10mos.

my 2cents.

-Shaw