Guarding

[Big guy]

Lulu is 6 months old and seems to be starting to show her guarding instincts, especially at night. She is very friendly with friends that come round, especially if they are regular guests. At the park she is also very welcoming to new people and other dogs.

A few nights back, my wife and I were debating whether or not, if push came to shove, whether Lulu would go the distance if needed I.e. we were seriously threaten etc. my view was yes, as it is the DDB natural instinct. My wife however thinks she will only bark but doesn't think she would go that extra step as she is so placid round us, our kids and people in general. My understanding (this is our 1st DDB) is that this is one of the many great traits of this breed.

Another thing Lulu does when she is "guarding" is she does a kind of grunt/snort noise before she really starts to bark.......not heard this before either, is this a DDB trait?

Hopefully we will never be in the position to find out 1st hand just how far she would go to protect us or how tolerate she would be if she feels we are being threaten but would love some feedback from fellow owners.

 

[chuckorlando]

Only way to have even a little faith is to tt the dog. Even then you only have a theory

 

[acain37]

I am not sure either if my dog would 'go the distance'. He is an EM, but the other day, a friend was visiting, and Abner had never met this person before. He was very friendly, but at NO time, did he let my friend get between Abner and me, even when my friend was in the living room and I was in the kitchen. Abner would stand at the door, staring at the living room, and then back at me to make sure I was still where he thought I should be. If we were in the same room talking, Abner would be standing right in front of me, not in an aggressive pose, but leaning his side on the front of my legs, never taking his eyes off the 'stranger' almost as if to say, she's mine, and you need to leave her be. He would let him come up and pet him, and talk to me, but he was always there. I think, that if he felt any threat from someone, I would see a different demeanor in him, and he might be more aggressive than watchful.

 

[musicdeb]

IMO, Lulu will defend her family when needed. When Titan sees what he perceives to be a threat, his body goes stiff with tail up and hair up on his neck. He will start will a low growl then comes the bark. I allow him to bark a 2-3 times while I check out what he's barking at. He will look to me after 1-2 barks. I will tell him it's ok and to leave it. He will continue to watch but doesn't bark. If I were to say, "watch it," it will goes full head on into the red zone. I've used that command once.

At 6 months, she is friendly. DDB's usually come into their true temperament at about 1-2 yrs. Be aware that she may not be too friendly with other dogs around 1-2 yrs and other people. I'm not saying she will do this but be aware that this could happen.

She's also beginning her teenage years where she will start to find out how much she can get away with, as far as behavior is concerned. Remain consistent in her training. DDB's will shut down on you, if you yell at them or you become frustrated. Yes, DDB's can feel your emotions. If you are frustrated, they shut down. If you are afraid, they will go into full head on guard mode.

 

[Big guy]

Only way to have even a little faith is to tt the dog. Even then you only have a theory

Hi and thanks for your post.....what does TT mean?

 

[Big guy]

Our last dog was a boxer and on the command "go see" he would switch into a guard mode and become very vigilant and bark etc. I could point to any one of the perimeter fences and he would rush over and check them out. This skill developed over time but he was a softy at heart and I doubt would have done much more than bark and look tough.

I think in most cases, any normal person would see a DDB and decide to change their behaviour or rob next door rather than incur the anger of a DDB but as she is our 1st, it is also good to know what could likely happen in the vent something does happen. I travel interstate a lot for work so part of having a DDB is to protect the family and give me peace of mind.

 

[Smart_Family]

She's still young, give her another 6 months and you'll see more of her true temperament.

 

[jersey girl]

Hi and thanks for your post.....what does TT mean?

It means Temperament Test. You can go on to atts.org to learn more info.

 

[chuckorlando]

Yep a temp test. But like you said, only a damn fool will try any of these huge dogs if they just look mean

 

[Atlas_Mama]

I trust my boy with my life. I know if I was ever in danger- he would handle it with whatever force was needed. He is only a year- but he is so attentive to me- and anyone who is near me. Even my boyfriend. Not aggressive- but stern. He always has to be between me and anyone else. He intently watches every move anyone makes near me. I think there is a difference between being protective over estate-versus- protective over a specific person. Meaning do i think he would attack anyone walking in? Not sure- but if they were coming to harm me- most definitely without a shadow of a doubt.

 

[Aronus]

I have a 9 year old bullmatiff named Gus that wood tear someone up if they walked in at the wrong time!!! Wouldn't hurt a fly but strangers he won't tolerate!!

 

[chuckorlando]

I know we like to have faith in dogs. But if your dog has never bitten someone who was trying to hurt them, you simply dont know what the dog will do. Putting on a show is the easy part

 

[Hank DDB]

I am not sure either if my dog would 'go the distance'. He is an EM, but the other day, a friend was visiting, and Abner had never met this person before. He was very friendly, but at NO time, did he let my friend get between Abner and me, even when my friend was in the living room and I was in the kitchen. Abner would stand at the door, staring at the living room, and then back at me to make sure I was still where he thought I should be. If we were in the same room talking, Abner would be standing right in front of me, not in an aggressive pose, but leaning his side on the front of my legs, never taking his eyes off the 'stranger' almost as if to say, she's mine, and you need to leave her be. He would let him come up and pet him, and talk to me, but he was always there. I think, that if he felt any threat from someone, I would see a different demeanor in him, and he might be more aggressive than watchful.

Be cautious of that person, your dog is telling u " don't trust this person"

 

[CynJ]

My 5yr old DdB Nadia would absolutely go the distance. She is super protective of me. She always puts herself between me and strangers (especially men) and strange dogss and has on occasion done the herding thing to get me away from a situation she doesn't trust.

As a woman who hikes/backpacks solo, having Nadia with me alleviates any concerns I might have out in the woods. I absolutely trust that she would protect me from man or beast if needed.

 

[musicdeb]

I think it's norm for a DDB to not like strange dogs and strange men. Whenever we walk and a man or dog is approaching us, I have to stop and make Titan sit. I let him watch them (I'm standing beside him) and watch his body language. If I see he's going to lunge, I tell him to look at me (works about 50% of the time). If that doesn't work, I stand in front of him and tell him to look at me (works about 90% of the time). Sometimes,nothing works and he goes ballistic. I just hang on.

 

[naomi]

I think it's norm for a DDB to not like strange dogs and strange men. Whenever we walk and a man or dog is approaching us, I have to stop and make Titan sit. I let him watch them (I'm standing beside him) and watch his body language. If I see he's going to lunge, I tell him to look at me (works about 50% of the time). If that doesn't work, I stand in front of him and tell him to look at me (works about 90% of the time). Sometimes,nothing works and he goes ballistic. I just hang on.

Lmao "I just hang on" God I can picture that that's funny but I won't be laughing when me

 

[Aronus]

I have a bullmastiff at the age of 9...my family moved out to the country 3 years ago and he is very protective of our house!!!!! He would go the distance!!! He won't let anyone get between us! He is very friendly but will not tolerate any strangers

 

[musicdeb]

Lmao "I just hang on" God I can picture that that's funny but I won't be laughing when me

It is quite funny when I think about it. Not so funny when I'm hanging on.

 

[Atlas_Mama]

I know we like to have faith in dogs. But if your dog has never bitten someone who was trying to hurt them, you simply dont know what the dog will do. Putting on a show is the easy part

With a dog as large and intimidating as a DDB a show is all we would most likely need.

 

[Tiger12490]

Telling ya... dont bet your life on an untested dog... More and more people are learning that a show is really all most of it is......Is it enough? Often times.... but carry a gun too....or get a dog bred tested and proven to protect at all cost against a human being......and still get a gun :lolbangtable: