Why do people assume their untrained, pet dogs will protect them?

Question

I know many people would like to think that their normally, friendly to everyone pets will suddenly charge at an attacker or a burglar and bite them despite having never displayed any type of aggression before.

Case in point, I am a big fan of the show "It Takes A Thief." If you're not familiar with the show, basically these two guys rob you (with your permission) to show you just how vulnerable your house is and then give you lots of cool security stuff. Anyway, out of all the episodes in which people had dogs, the dogs were all perfectly friendly, very few of them even barked. I saw a doberman go running out his doggy door in fear when he saw the strange people come in!

Do people say this just to make themselves feel better or what?

johnny - no offense, but I don't find you credible if you say 'jeans' when you mean 'genes'

The show is on The Discovery Channel at 6 PM ET/PT - its great, everyone should watch it!

Answer 1

Protection means different things to different people.

For some this just means barking to alert the owners to something going on.

I seriously doubt what you said about most dogs not barking at an intruder..or just an unexpected noise. As a dog trainer, I know that getting a dog *not to bark* is possibly the hardest thing to do.

Of coarse, the show could have been easily edited to tape the dogs as not barking..before the intruders came...to make it look more credible, then editing the passive dog into the intruder scenes.

Most, if not all, dogs will bark at unexpected noises. This is all most people want.

If you have never atteneded a *citizens against crime* seminar...they will teach you that most criminals will victumize the person who is easiest to get to...the unlocked car, the woman walking alone....the house *without* the beware of dog sign.

It is just a fact that they want and will go after the easiest victum.

Thus, just having a dog, or a *beware of dog sign* makes you less vulnerable to a burglar than your neighbor who doesn't have a dog.

That said..some people know bigger dogs will scare intruders, even if the dog is friendly.

I've used my small/medium size dog to scare off people in my parking lot....when I don't feel good about the situation. He is on a leash...but will naturally lunge at something unexpected being there. Small, but ferociuos sounding. Works every time, and I didn't have to train it.

And depending on the breed and dogs personailty, some dogs are natural attackers when their area is invaded.

This doesn't mean there aren't dogs that *go against the grain*., and run away in fear.

Thanks for tipping me to that show, though. I'd like to see it. When, and what channel does it air on?

Answer 2

To answer your question, I truely believe all animals (dogs especially) have a sense of things we humans do not. I had a german shepherd from when he was a puppy until he was nearly 16 years old. Only once in all those years did he exhibit a behavior I never saw before or after. He very much wanted to attack one service man (cable man or something). I couldn't figure out why. Was it the uniform? Truly, I think he sensed something bad about that man.

That show, "It Takes a Theif".. I've seen it. I really think the dogs don't feel a genuine threat by the guy that breaks into the house. That man does not genuinely mean to do the family harm and the dogs probably know that.

I really believe that. That german shepherd I had, had a daughter (I kept) and she's the same way. Loving, loyal, gentle and everything great about a dog. I also know she is a fierce protector if need be, no doubt in my mind.

Answer 3

I know what you mean. I here a lot of people think that because they have a pit, it will protect them. But on the other hand, I have an untrained (unprofessionally trained) 2 yr old male rottweiler from very good working bloodlines. And I know for sure he would defend his family with his life. It all depends on the breed and it's genes. But I'm not quite sure how my dog would act if someone broke in and no one was home. If you gave him a steak, he would probably let you take anything. But in general, you're right, a dog needs to be trained how to protect and guard.

Answer 4

I think they confuse protection with deterrence. Dogs often make excellent deterrents since the potential thief doesn't know what the dog will do but rarely does an untrained dog defend their owner's property on their own. The strongest defense urge is not to fight but to run. Also, many breeds have had the temperament that made them a breed lost due mainly from beauty contest-induced poor breeding.

Here's a related one. Why do people think that a dog that is protection trained is more likely to bite (in error) since the training makes the dogs more under control?

Answer 5

My dogs are not normally friendly to everyone.Everyone who comes to my house has to be introduced to my dogs every time they come here.
As long as I stay calm my dogs are.If I raise my voice they're ready to protect me.If someones foolish enough to yell at me or act in any way threatening no matter where we are or how well the dogs know them they will get in front of me and push me back while barking and snapping at the offender.
People have tried to get in my house or car and my boys stopped them.Evan after the door was opened just far enough to toss a hot dog inside my dogs without fail ignored the goody to do their job.
I sometimes worry that they are too protective in that if there's ever a time we're in an accident they won't allow anyone in to care for them.
People should test their dogs frequently as we do to make certain they'll perform when the need arises rather than just assuming they'll take care of buisness.
When we leave we tell the dogs to "WATCH THE HOUSE AND PROTECT THE KITTIES"
Then we lock them in and leave.we go to a friend or neighbors house and have them either walk quietly up to the door or drive us home.They knock loudly on the door and the dogs bark visciously.Then we hand our key to them and they open the door or at least try to.We've managed so far to get it opened enough to toss in a few hot dog pieces but that makes them go off evan worse.When they stop hitting the door one of us steps up and shoves it opened real fast.You should see their faces as they try hard not to land on us.We've also put on Halloween masks and done this.
Most people either THINK the dog will deter anyone breaking based on how it acts around them or else they want others to think the dog will take care of buisness to deter anyone from thinking of breaking in.
If no ones there to give the command then alot of dogs will go hide because no one has told them what to do.And there's no immediate reward.
We've put alot of effort into this exercise because my b/f back in the day bred and trained Dobermans.He had one he sold for a very pretty penny as a guard dog to some rich guy.This dog was a male and weighed 95#.He'd passed his training with flying colors and would make anyone think twice about stepping foot in the yard let alone knock at the door whether he was home or not.As did the 2 females he was raised with.
2 weeks after the dog was sold the guy came back complaining that someone broke into his home and stole the dog.

Answer 6

Alot has to do with the breeds, but more in the dogs' raising/environment. My Cockapoo snapped at my ex husband (we were still married) when he reached for something on the sofa next to me. The Schnauzer bit my ex when he grabbed me by the arm. My German Shepherd took my arm in his mouth, but applied no pressure, when I spanked my daughter's behind once. The Shepherd was exposed to people of all ages, race, etc. as he was growing up. I didn't want him to be vicious. He had obedience training (top of his class) and his CGC (canine good citizen) from the AKC. If I said it was okay for someone to be in our home, he was cool. But until I did, he wouldn't let anyone in. I now have a 2 year-old Doberman Pinscher. He is from top bloodlines (his dad is an international champion). He has an excellent temperment and is accepting of anyone I accept into my home, but he has gone after people that entered uninvited. My ex-husband stepped inside the door to shake my husband's hand and the Doberman went for him. He is untrained. We let our kids feed and water the dogs so that the dogs learn that the children provide for them and they are more protective of our kids. Also, all 3 the dogs I currently own live inside the house. They have a doggie door and huge fenced backyard, but dogs that live inside are more likely to protect because you are truly part of their pack.

Answer 7

I would have to say or what ? dogs are instinctivley territorial.They become confused when they are not given the territory.When strangers visit the home the dog should be put away. Only certain people should be introduced in the house to the dog.
A dog also should never be Taught to bite anyone.Only to bark and growl as it is sufficient to ward off an intruder and prevents lawsuits.

Answer 8

Depends on the type of dog, and most will become very attached to you, I had one that when I left her in the car and she saw people in the parking lot close to me she was ready to take them on, we had a cluster mail box down the street and she would do the same when she saw someone else near the mailbox..none of this had to do with training....this is not the only dog that has protected me this way...Labs are very good at this, I've been around many labs that protecting the family is natural...I'll guarantee it..

Answer 9

my dogs would bark alot..and mostly like would not bite...unless really provoked..but ya know i'm not sure if they are out they carry on so much that ppl they know will not come in the yard...they once trapped a visiting aunt on the stairs for a few mins until she asserted herself and told them to go lay down...(we were not home at the time)... but we have always let them bark at the door at ppl at the gate... mind u they stop when told to by us....would they let a total stranger in???that they never met with me..i don't know...and i hope i never have to find out...

oh and i do watch that show...i like the one where they steal the RV and the dog..that he put in the kitchen sink...it didn't bark or anything... lol

Answer 10

If I'm my dogs are with me, they will certainly protect me if I feel threatened. They've done it before.

For example, Tia my lab mix was laying on the floor while I sleeping. Someone walked to close the window my bed was next to, she literally flew over me to window and let them know they were to close. However if I wasn't around, if you gave her a cookie she'd hold the door open for you while you rob us blind.

Mac, wasn't so easily persuaded. Come to the door when we weren't around he'd let you know you better back off fast.

Most dogs will protect their owner to some extent, just maybe not the owners things.