So on this forum, many people say dobes from show lines are 'black and tan labs' etc etc and there's pretty much no way they would actually ever be protective. I've pretty much believed that Josie would never be protective...she's incredibly sweet and good-natured with strangers. I've had two incidents this week that have made me think she was truly being protective. Once, my friend and I were sitting out back at about midnight. We heard something thump on my neighbors metal building. Josie charged the fence and was barking differently than usual, and deep growling. It kind of scared me, but she wouldn't listen and come back over- I thought someone was back there. Eventually a cat ran out. When she came and sat next to me, her hackles were raised all the way down her back.
A few days prior, we were sitting on the couch, when a guy passing out chinese menus came from the side of my porch. She did the same thing, charging the door, barking and showing her teeth. The guy took his chinese menu and left, lol.
Anyway, both times I praised her big time for not backing off. Just wondering if I should continue praising this behavior, or she will start acting like this every time there's not really a threat; like a kid taking a walk that passes our house.
A few days prior, we were sitting on the couch, when a guy passing out chinese menus came from the side of my porch. She did the same thing, charging the door, barking and showing her teeth. The guy took his chinese menu and left, lol.
Anyway, both times I praised her big time for not backing off. Just wondering if I should continue praising this behavior, or she will start acting like this every time there's not really a threat; like a kid taking a walk that passes our house.