How is it that my dogs protect me, but I never trained them to do this?

Question

I have 2 dogs, and my boyfriend has 2 dogs (we all live together). His dogs don't do this, but if someone even comes near me in a hostile way.. my dogs go nuts. They bark nonstop and attempt to bite the person until they back off.

I have a 1 y/o mini dachshund and a 4 y/o basset/beagle. My boyfriends dogs are border collie mixes.

My basset/beagle was recently trained by my brother to growl when someone puts a pinky finger in her face.

Here's a video of her doing it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rOQ-DhNS2A

I've seen a few unfavorable posts by people concerning my video. Maggie is a fast learner and can be taught anything. She has been doing this for the past year, and only responds to my brothers command by his pinky. At that point she growls, after that you can plainly hear him saying "you make me sick". That's when she goes off the wall.

Teaching her this is no different than teaching her to roll over for her treat. IE, a command followed by action.. If a child some how knows to put their pinky finger up, then say "you make me sick".. then that's an odd coincidence.

Answer 1

Dogs are pack animals, they consider you part of their pack. They have the same sense of hostility that you do and will react against anyone who threatens a member of their pack.

Answer 2

More back yard training by idiots. That video shows to everyone what an idiot does to tease a dog. If that dog would really bite a person, don't you think your brother would have been bitten by now. I am getting really tired of all the "expert" trainers and "dog behaviorists" here talking out of their butt. Dogs on the lower end of the pack DO NOT protect the alpha male or female. It is the alpha dogs job to do the protecting. No lower rank member decides on its own to get in a fight with an outside threat or he/she will have its head removed by the pack leader. How many of you understand pack drive? Where do you come up with all that ignorant BS? Your dog is NOT protecting you, no dog will "naturally" protect, not in a meaningful way, anyway. The dog has to have the right drives and be trained for it. The beagle and the wiener dog are NOT capable of protection work. They just look at you as a lower pack member and feel the need to get involved in your bussiness because they feel they are in a higher position in the pack then you. You need to correct that behavior by exerting your dominance on them. Remove that idiotic clip from youtube before that dog bites someone by stupidity and you give the prosecuting attorney more ammunition for your stupid actions.

Answer 3

I believe some dogs will instinctively display this type of behavior. Depending on the breed. Dachshunds are notorious for being protective of their owners. I have a Border Collie that will go after my cat if I act like the cat is hurting me. All I have to do is make a sound like ouch! and immediately he will try to bite the cat to protect me.

Answer 4

Before I saw the video I was going to congratulate you on becoming a "Pack Leader" Then I saw the video and became appalled! Your brother is teasing your dog, and you/he will receive your just reward when a child tries to pet the dog and your dog bites the child, then you will find out just how ignorant it was to tease your dogs in this fashion. Here's a word of warning, don't let your brother tease your dog(s)!

Answer 5

I think it makes a big difference if you got them from a puppy or when they were older. If they were older, maybe they were trained or they learned from other dogs surrounding them. If you've had them since puppies, I think those breeds are naturally barky and slightly protective, but also you may be the world to them and don't want their life to be ruined if your harmed. Border collies are much friendlier and work with their owners more, they are naturally people dogs versus your dogs are more about their owner and food.

Answer 6

They usually do this for the protection of the person they love. A man I know took in his grandchild and bought a large bull dog. The kid can't go anywhere without the dog following him. If someone the dog doesn't know approaches the kid he growls and shows his teeth. It's all for the protection of their master.

Answer 7

Dogs are territorial. We have a dachshund as well and he doesn't like anyone coming to the house that he doesn't know. He'll bark like mad until we get him to settle. He is the same way if trash flies into the yard. He just knows it's something invading his space and he's letting all of us know that he knows it too.

Answer 8

Your dogs are exhibiting pack behavior. They consider you the alpha dog in the pack. They instinctively know that if something happens to you, their survival is also threatened. So, as strange as it may sound, in alerting and guarding you they are also protecting themselves.

Collies are herding animals. If you gave them a flock of goats or sheep to entertain themselves with, they would guard that flock with their lives.

Answer 9

It is most definitely instinct. If your dogs can feel you getting scared or upset, or maybe even worried, they are too. But dogs show fear, sadness, etc. different then humans.
When they feel someone else get scared, especially some one they love, they want to protect them, even if they themselves are scared.
AKA They love you and would rather get hurt than see u hurt.
I hope this answers your question!!
~BROGAN~

Answer 10

Your dog seriously loves you and is being protective. They have a natural instinct to protect their surrounding whether you train them or not. Enjoy it!