That can be a problem for guarding breeds. Because I train my two in protection, they know that joggers and other such innocent activities are not a threat and, although they notice them, they don't alert to them. Having said that, because I know what they can do when switched on, and I know they are not robots and they have the potential under the right circumstances to become suspicious of a person by themselves, I always call them back to me and put them under command when other members of the public approach us.

I agree with you there - I love both my dogs dearly and I would be inconsolable if anything happened to them - but I would expect them to protect me.

Agreed. Having owned both protection trained and non- protection trained dogs, I trust the former a lot more than the non trained ones ( in the guarding breeds anyway). I know what will switch them on, how to switch them on, and how to switch them off. Bar a direct physical attack on me, they will only bite on command.

But would you WANT your dog to protect you if you were unable to either command him to or have control over him. If your dog alone had to make the decision to either protect you or run...which would you choose? because i for one would much rather my dogs protect me than run and leave me to die or whatever!

with kaos, if it came to someone striking me he would act without command.

Yes

Oh god I doubt it. Ivan would probably do his excited dance while the attack was in progress and then go off with the attacker happy as larry with his tongue hanging out and bum wagging!!!
Having said that people tend to get a fright when they see him and sometimes cross the road!

Same with me, all of my gsd's have totally ignored joggers, bikes, etc. and yet on a lonely morning, and they see a lone man approaching, that's different, very different and then they go on their leads, even ZENA at 6 months old has never attempted to eye up a jogger and yet she'll give a man on his own the hackles!

Totally agree! My two don't bother at all with joggers, cyclists etc but if there is a lone man, or a person who is acting strangely (or just clearly afraid of my dogs) you can see them go from laidback to alert and watchful.

sam used to do that - notice a man on his own - hackles up

if i ever felt uneasy i used to say 'guard',... and she was always on her guard then.... which was nice

Millie is part of the family but i would expect her to put herself before me if it was ever needed too....... but i really dont think she would lol!

err...thanks. anyone for tinned ham?

My two are from a guarding breed. I have no doubt that when fully grown they will defend me or the kids. I wanted a guarding breed to make me feel safe. Rio puts up her hackles, growls and barks at anyone who's a bit weird (men without dogs, People staggering, hats etc.) I would want them to defend me or my family.