Do dogs protect their owners?

by **Nicecow911** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:39 pm

We were at the park i was a little girl 3 or 4 there was this freaky guy he smelt horrible and was walking up to me i was with my dog my mom was in the restroom and my dog jumped on him and started barking at him i never heard him bark that way he protected me sadly my dog died of cancer in his mouth but i will never forget him and hes always in my heart

by **Olivia775** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:41 pm

I think that dogs are going to protect their owners

by **dobiz_rule597** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:52 pm

dogs that are trained to protect will protect.
we had a protection trained great dane in Ukraine, she has protected us several times.
Once late at night we were walking her. A guy approached us and started making advances at my sister (at first verbal) the dog stayed by her side. a guy raised his hand to put it on my sister's shoulder and ended up pinned to the ground by our dog holding him by the throat. (in Ukraine, danes were taught to go for the throat during training). Note the dog didn't bite down fully (no broken skin) the dog would just hold him there unless he tried to move.
Another time, in the evening i was home alone, and someone rung the door bell. I opened the door part way having the chain still hooked on (so it was only opened a little bit). There was some drunk guy standing on the other end of the door. Our dog was locked in another room. I asked him what he wanted and he said to talk to my parents. Being very stupid i said they weren't home. (i was about 8 years old, and yes 8 year olds were allowed to stay at home without parents in Ukraine). the guy started to break down the door, i tried to close it by he put his foot in. I ran into the living room to call police (that is where the dog was locked) she ran out and started barking. I didn't see the guy run, all i heard was the door to the elevator coridor swing open (he ran fast) :-)

added: your dog was probably growling and barking out of fear not protection.

LOL: PiE was safe from cats, i almost pi**ed myself laughing. my current (not protection trained doberman) would protect by licking an intruder to death and she would scare away all plastic bags that flap in the wind. other than that, my big scary evil doberman is as useful at protecting me as a ballet shoe

by **Cassie-DaneBullyBreedlover880** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:54 pm

my dane always positions herself between me and men.(and sometimes growls at them)
even my uncles.

and last night, my sisters friends dad came to pick them up, and all he could do was get his head in the door because my dogs were barking and snarling
they do this to 'bad' people who stop by.

my boss (dog behaviorist) has recognized my dane 'protecting' me on several occasions
as I assume my mastiff will when he gets older, he has already starting positioning himself in front of me a few times
but my dane ALWAYS does it when were out, or when some people come here

TDs: yes, I DO feel that my dogs protect me.
plain and simple.
just as I would protect them

by **Kaper342** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:55 pm

I am with Bassett. Most dogs will not protect their owners. Yes, there are cases where they will, but it is the exception, not the rule.
What most people see as "protection" is actually fear based aggression. Barking and growling DOES NOT mean protection. Even biting someone can be out of fear and not necessarily protection, esp. if the dog is cornered. If the "threat" were to continue, the dog would then run.
I think when you say they sense how you feel, they know you are nervous and also become nervous and bark or growl as a result.

Everyone always goes on about "being the alpha". Well the role of the alpha is to protect the submissive dogs. Dogs do not defend the alpha, he defends them. That one of the biggest reasons there is an alpha. So if you are the alpha, they would look to you for protection, not the other way around.

And your dog was not protecting you. You say he acted scared until you picked him up, THEN he barked. OF course he would, he felt you were protecting him.

I have two German Shepherds, both police trained, one is a washout, and a Lab. The only one I would even think would protect me would be the working Police dog.
But I seriously doubt anyone is going to try them, the sheer size and sound are more than enough of a deterrant for me.

by **RogueBulles-Ignoranceisold** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:56 pm

Basset puppies explained it perfectly.

As for him barking at the dog. The house next door has a dog like your my bully run up to it one day when it was barking and it run on the porch and shut its mouth. Small dogs are normally a little yippy and try to act like they are fearless, but if you put them with a big dog most will cower.

The dog was not trying to protect you him growling at the dog was between him and the other dog. Nothing more.

by **PiE** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:01 pm

Dogs do protect their owners.If you are a very good friend to them, they will be willing to give their life up for you.

When I was younger we would let my Rottweiler loose and she would be right next to me while I rode my bike.One day 2 cats came out of nowwhere and my Rottweiler whent after them, chassing them out of my site.Then she came galoping all happy to me.

by **sorryMsJackson335** on Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:17 pm

My dogs try to protect me...they are small so they cant do much but bark.

I got into a stupid confrontation in a parking lot cuz some lady tried to take my spot.The spot I was CLEARLY waiting for with my blinker on.Well I saw ahead of time what she was trying to do...so I swooped in and took what was mine(almost causing and accident,not very smart but I cant stand these idiots that think they are so entitled) cuz I was irritated...My dogs could already sense something before I got out the car and were very alert...Well neways she gets out of her car and comes over to me and starts yelling.My 3 dogs in the back seat went crazy! They did not appreciate her tone. It didn't even matter what I was saying to her as they were barking so loud she just walked away cursing.Pacer, my 3 year old yorkie was almost lunging out the window.Then I laughed cuz I couldnt believe how loud they got...Its like(the dogs thoughts) "Oh no you didn't just try to corner our mom at our car!,YOU need to back the freak off!" lol

That's just one story but my dogs have a thing about tone even when its a small family argument they will go crazy,like they are in the conversation...Its a very protective bark.

I think dogs do sense how you feel but I also think they react to those feeling...in my case the lady had a threatening energy and my dogs reacted to protect from a possible threat.But maybe in a way they are protection themselves as well.

by **LauniStandByYourPit074** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:42 am

To be honest with you I don't really know. I know I am alpha in my pack and *I* always feel it is my job to protect my dogs.

I already shared the story of Launi alerting me to strangers on our property.

Would she 'protect' me from an intruder? I don't expect that neither do I want it to ever happen.

Someone comes in my house, knowing full well I am here they will be coming armed.

The dog does not have a chance. I do. I meet them armed.

Do dogs protect their owners?