My German Shepherd is 1 year now and still licks strangers walking by. is that normal? when will he Guard?

Question

I chose a german shepherd for their temperment with the family and ability to guard the house. however, my 'pure bred' german shepherd, 'will' bark at someone going by but if that 'same' person comes closer to the house he will jump up and down looking forward to a pat from the same person he was barking at 2 seconds before. he has such a BEAUTIFUL nature but wondering if he will EVER turn into a guard dog! everyone says wait for him to grow up and he is now 1! love his nature with the kids but he would lick a robber to pieces

Answer 1

My last GSD was a German one and he was multi titled and Personal Protection and Schutzhund trained. He would let anyone in with me there and try to sit in their lap but I know if someone meant me harm he would have bitten the bad guy. Dogs can sense when a person is intent on doing a bad thing and react but also know when a person is OK. Mine would get between me and a person on the street but if they stopped and talked to us my big dogs would love being petted. Your dog is doing what he should, barking at the person but also being fine with a stranger who is not trying to harm you. A real guard/police/schutzhund type dog MUST have a good temperament and be friendly with friendly strangers to be safe. A dog who is too quick to be suspicious and bites the repair guy ends up died or in lots of trouble like a GSD here in Florida did. He bit a repair guy for no reason and was slated to be killed but he was finally released after a few months with several stipulations. He is the kind of GSD that gives them bad names. I have owned several, all Protection trained and all have been titled show dogs who were excellent at their protection work but also friendly with nice people. Many went to nursing homes.

Answer 2

Genetics does play a role in this. Some dogs, regardless of breed, are just lovey dovey, while others are total defenders. In the case of German Shepherds, good family ones are not generally the same temperment as "guard" dogs.

Another point to make is that all dogs, and in particular German Shepherds, due to their intelligence, are very loving dogs until they feel threatened. If you are a German Shepherd owner and someone the dog does not know comes up to you and starts horseplaying the dog would likely take your side and begin to bark, nip, jump, bite, etc. This is the Shepherd's natural instinct to protect. The dog will have a heirarchy of protection usually starting with the main owner (generally the person who is around most, or who maintains the highest degree of respectful dominance over the dog). Then it usually goes to other household members, then to friends/family that visit the dog often, and down the chain until you reach strangers.

In your case it's a matter of luck if you want the dog to lick a stranger who is robbing your house with the kids in it or taking the dog to training to teach him/her how to behave in such an instance. The key here is not to take the dog, drop him/her off for training, the pick him up afterwards. You as well as the dog need to be trained. Dog training is as much upkeep as it is initial training. If you fail to do the right things at home outside of training the dog may fail to perform to your intentions. A well trained dog with proper training maintenance can make both a good family pet as well as a safeguard dog for the family and house.

Answer 3

At one year old, he is still a baby and no where near "grown up." GSDs take a long time to mature. Many males don't even think about growing a brain until they're two. Just because he doesn't act aggressive towards everyone doesn't mean he isn't a purebred GSD. In fact, that sort of barking and growling behavior is the last thing you want to see in an untrained dog because it is most often a sign of fear, NOT guarding. Both of my GSDs will bark at people walking by. The younger one is following the older one's lead. The older one is not barking because she is "guarding" our property, she is barking because she is afraid of the people. On her own, out on the street, she would run away unless she is given no other alternatives. I'm not sure what she'd do if someone came into the house. She may well bite a stranger who came into the house when we weren't home but if she did it wouldn't be because she was guarding her house. It would be because she was trapped with no where to run away to.

If you are very concerned about him guarding, contact a trainer about protection training. However, be aware that this puts you at a huge legal disadvantage if he ever bites someone. In this day of lawsuits and breed specific legislation I have to wonder how long it will be before people are no longer allowed to own any dog over 40lbs. With the current legal attitudes towards dogs you're far better off with a dog that would lick a robber to pieces rather than bite.

Answer 4

That, my friend is strictly genetic as we are talking about temperament here. Depending on where you got this dog from, what bloodlines, what type of dogs were there, could mean all the difference in the world. Most shepherds have been bred down and could not do protection/guard work if their life depended on it. I will give you that at the age of 1, he is still immature and it may well take another year, at least for him to mature and show you his true colors. Having said that, if by the age of one he is not showing you something, anything in the way of protection, I would not hold my breath. You may have a nice "pet" quality dog there, but as far as guarding, well.....

Answer 5

At 1 year old he is still a baby. If he is good with the family and generally a friendly and happy dog that is exactly what you want him to be. You don't want a dog that growls and snaps at inoffensive strangers, You want one that you can trust with people.
The guarding instinct will come to the fore when he senses a threat to HIS people.

Answer 6

it would be ok to bring him for walks to let him socialize with people but you also received the right answer, he is still young.
some dogs may be friendly until they walk onto your property or into your house or may just wait for the bugler.
my boxer was very friendly. he stood with his feet at the edge of the property everyday to say hi. try walking in the yard! that was different. even people he knew because i was not outside when that person came on the property.
if you have problems after the age of 2 you can bring him for training.
good luck and enjoy.

Answer 7

Get an alarm system. Your dog has the temperament he is supposed to have. What are you expecting of him? To attack or growl at everyone who gets near? That is dangerous and NOT a characteristic you want in a family dog.

Answer 8

He is still young. And he seems to have a sweet temperment. Most dogs have to be taught to guard.

Answer 9

I'd rather he lick them than attack them. I just hope someone mean doesn't come along and hurt the dog.

Answer 10

My dad had one and never guarded unless someone was hurting the family, or robbing. I suggst you don't socilaze un;ess you want him to lick strangers. and it is the same thing with my lab, me and my sis were trying to see what my lab would if some one was hurting me and I was pretending to cry and my sis was giving me a high 5 and he was growling and ready to atack! so you can try that.