Territorial, how common is it?

[toby01]

Just wondering about your dogs.

Ranger is 14 months old. He was neutered at 12 months. I just like the breed, I don't care if he's ever territorial or protective. Actually, it's easier for suburb living if he's not.

He is anything but territorial. He does not like other dogs walking past our yard, but any person that enters my yard just might have treats! His stump wags, he licks everyone's hands. People have said "Wow, I'm surprised he's so friendly in his own house." He doesn't bark at people, only dogs, squirrels, cats, and butterflies

He scarred the crap out of the meter reader. He was running through the yard, Ranger chased after him, stopped directly in front of him, then licked his face!

I don't know if it's because of his socialization (I still pass out treats for people to give him on our walks, hence all of the hand licking), genetics, or maybe just that I have an 11 year old lab that showed him the 'proper' way to greet guests.

Are your dogs territorial of their own homes and how much?

[Shelby427]

Shelby is to a point - when someone comes to our door and knocks, she'll bark. When we let the person in, we tell them her name so they can say hi, and if we're good with the people, so is Shelby. Now, my dad walked in the house unannounced one day to use the bathroom when he stopped by and Shelby let out the long winded woooo woooo bark (not like ruff ruff) but she stood behind me when she did it. I told my dad to say hi and then she was fine. If she sees people in our yard through the window, she pays no mind. If we're outside and someone walks up, she'll run up to them, but only to give kisses. I think if someone were to come to our home and was hostile, she'd know the difference. She scared off the cable guy once when I was out with her because he got startled when he saw her and ran. Ergo, she ran and almost took me off my feet with the leash in my hand. But I'm not sure if she was actually being protective or if she was just trying to say hi - considering she wasn't acting aggressive at all. It sounds like you have a wonderfully temperamented dog! Good for you! Looks like all your hard work has paid off.

[Sharon Marples]

Count your blessings, he sounds like a wonderful boy!

As he gets older and more mature, I would expect him to develop a bit more protectiveness. But consider yourself lucky for having such a wonderful temperament on him!

[Ayoka]

I think he sounds lovely.

No one gets into our house without a greeting party consisting of a rottie and 2 cats! Bear will alert if someone knocks which is useful as sometimes we don't hear it but it's nothing more than running to the door to peek out at who's there though the window - he doesn't even bark anymore!

[EmmysMom]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

I think he sounds lovely.

No one gets into our house without a greeting party consisting of a rottie and 2 cats! Bear will alert if someone knocks which is useful as sometimes we don't hear it but it's nothing more than running to the door to peek out at who's there though the window - he doesn't even bark anymore!

Emmy's alert is to grab a toy and stare at the front door w/everything to the rear wiggling! She does that even before there is a knock or a ring!

[Cash]

Never is anyone allowed in my yard or house without me being there.
It's in Cash's nature to protect. It's my job to let him know I've got it covered.

I would be flabberghasted if he scared the pants off of someone I knew was coming over.

His job is to let me know what I don't know, my job is to let him know what I know.

Personally, I hate walking by people's homes where they let their dogs fire off at every person walking by. So, I don't let my dog do it. There is no threat of a neighborly walk by and Cash knows the difference.
If there is a dog he doesn't like then he'll sit at the fence and stare them down. It's as though they aren't even worth him getting fired up.

[poohbearsmom]

My girls tend to be the territorial residents, the boys tend to let them and hang around for "back up".

We do allow a bark or two before redirecting our older girl, however, the younger girl we redirect before she sees anyone walking down the street. She is VERY territorial, and without direction from us is likely to go through the plate glass window. So, we have to be on our toes at all times when she is loose in the house.
Situational awareness is a must with this girl. Since we didn't acquire her until she was an adult, I can see where her homes before me did not manage her properly as a youngster, and so, the end result was a girl who believed she was the boss and needed to take 'protecting' the homestead into her own paws..... We've worked very diligently with her, but I am glad she has the temperament she does, she's a tough cookie and is very stable and clear headed

We did have an incident about a year ago, when one of mrpooh's old (pre mrspooh; man is about 6'5" and looks like grizzly adams) running buddies stopped by the house. I was at work, and Story was loose with mrpooh. Friend came into the house after one knock, and Miss Story met him in the foyer. She proceeded to shove her muzzle into his crotch and pushed him ever so swiftly into the wall, she then turned and pinned him against the wall with her shoulder in his crotch and looked up at him, waiting for mrpooh to get there. She never once growled, never offered her teeth, she simply used the minimum amount of force necessary to get her message across, "who are you and why are you in my house?". Mrpooh came to Grizzly's rescue, called Story and told her to get into her kennel... she trotted off happily into her kennel. Grizzly won't be walking unannounced into our home again..lol... come to think of it, Grizzly hasn't been back since. Good dog.

The puppy we kept out of our litter is the youngest "barker" we've had, but he's not that reactive. Another boy from the litter we have here is more reactive and is what I'd call a 'sentry' dog. He'll trot the fenceline and bark if he hears something outside he cannot see. He is also more like his mother phenotypically than Buzz, which explains a lot.

Each dog is different, and that's the beauty of dogs, they keep you on your toes.

Toby, it does sound like you have a very confident, biddable boy on your hands, and I agree with Sharon, as he matures, his instincts should strengthen a bit. I would make sure the meter reader lets you know he's coming the next time..lol.

[styric]

Orion has barked at noises she couldn't see since she was about 3 1/2 months old. She likes to hear herself talk. I've seen her bark down a hallway, cock her head and listen to the echo..

I'm thinking she'll be somewhat territorial when she's older. When at my place in the city, she only barks when somebody knocks or comes into the house. My OH snuck in two days ago while Orion was sleeping with me thinking not to wake me up...

She leaped out of bed barrelled up the hallway and GROWLED. Then she barked her 'INTRUDER!!!' bark. When he came through the second door, she stopped dead, glared at him and barked loudly in his face and stomped off to pout with a very grumpy 'how DARE you!' look on her face. She wouldn't speak to him all morning.

[debbiej]

my dogs would protect me from jackrabbits. they bark at people, but mostly from excitement of company.

[BabyJade]

Jade never barks at people. Only either at those demonic squirels or the mean deer that plauge our woods. lol. Along with the other 3,000 animals, reptiles, bugs, (ect) walking around But the worst are those turtles that sneak in through the fence. She just can't figure those rascals out!! And of course since she's so rilled up she eventually gets the other two going. Thank goodness I'm protected from all those mean creatures that come out of the woods to break into the house!

But when it comes to a new person she prefers to run and get behind me for protection. lol..... usually hiding in the hallways to peak around the corner to see if it's safe...... and if it is... the slobber feast is ON!!!!!!

[Denise L.]

Since Cyrus and I moved upstairs I let him out on the deck often. My street is a "scenic". It is waterfront with one of the runways of Logan only a mile away in the harbor so lots of folks come down to hang out and watch the planes, boats and spectacular sunsets.

Cyrus is pretty selective about barking. He barks at some, not at others no rhyme or reason that I can see anyway. He doesn't overdo it and I don't discourage it as it is a deterrent...little kitty sidekick, James notwithstanding!

The only time he goes berserko is when he sees the female rottyX from next door. He loses his little mind! Unrequited love I think(although when outside he doesn't make a peep)

[Gunsey'sMom]

I also agree with Sharon and Elisabeth, he might change a little as he matures. It sounds to me like you have given him a good start in his interactions with people- and might just mature to be a little more wary.

With Gunner, I noticed almost the opposite. I think the maturing had to do with both of us. Let me explain- When Gunner was younger he was much more apt to get distracted and bothered by other dogs- not necassarily people. I think I have learned how to be a better leader- so he no longer feels he has to take anything in to his own hands. I also think as he has matured, his confidence has matured- and he has a truer confidence in himself rather than a cocky puppy attitude.

Gunner is very much a wait and see kind of guy. He will remain alert an take in a situation, But something really has to PIE him off for him to bark. Then it depends on the situation- I usually let it go, but if there are people in close proximity (I really dont let it get that far if there is) I will correct.

[peachesandchubby]

My Chubby, 16 month old, was the run and hide behind mom kind of pup intill about a month ago....now he runs to the noise or person and barks then drops his head to kind of stare up with a really scary look??
The hair on the back of his neck is standing up in some cases but no growl.
I have had both pups back in class (for the 4th go round, just to keep the training in the front of their minds...lol!!) so Im hoping to reel him in some.
I was sure Peaches, his sister, would be the one to worry about but she just has a problem with rabbits....I also got knocked down and dragged when she went after the furry critter . I have learned to watch her body lango and scan the yards we are walking by so as to deter her "kill the rabbit instink"! I bring her consintration to me and tell her "leave it"!!!!
I hope Chubby chills out some and am working very hard with him.
Teresa