Many dog owners wonder when their furry friends will start being protective. It is a difficult question to answer, but we can shed some light on it. There are many factors that play into this decision, including the breed and personality of the dog. Read on to learn more about when dogs start becoming protective and what you can do to help them along the way.
At What Age Do Dogs Start Being Protective?
Most dogs will start exhibiting protective behaviors between one and two years old. This is when most dogs reach emotional maturity and at this point, they will have a good sense of what is theirs and what belongs to others.
You will start to notice signs of protectiveness around 6 months of age. This is when dogs begin their adolescence and will start testing their boundaries. It is important to begin socializing your dog at this early age so they learn how to behave around other people and animals.
Some breeds of dogs, such as Rottweilers and German Shepherds, are known for being protective of their family and property earlier than others. But again, it depends on the individual dog and its personality.
How Can I Tell if My Dog Will Become Protective When Older?
There is no surefire answer, but there are some things you can look for. If your dog barks or growls at people or animals when they come near, this could be a sign of protectiveness. Dogs that stare intensely at people or objects may also be exhibiting protective behaviors.
You can help encourage these tendencies by socializing your dog at a young age. Introduce them to new people, places, and animals so they can become familiar with the world around them.
Introducing your dog to training also helps increase its confidence when guarding or protecting family members. If you want to be sure that your canine will protect loved ones, train them in protection work. This teaches them to protect themselves with a bite if necessary.
Do Dogs Want To Protect Their Family?
Absolutely! In fact, it is natural for dogs to want to protect what is theirs. They may not be aware of the scope of their protection abilities at first, but they will grow into them as they mature and learn more about themselves and the world around them.
This protective instinct comes from an innate need to be loyal. Dogs are natural pack animals and will work hard to ensure their place in the group is secure. This pack mentality benefits the dog by helping them feel close to their family.
Is It Dangerous for Dogs To be Protective?
It can sometimes be, depending on the situation and how strict you are with your dog’s training. If your furry friend is not trained or socialized well enough, they might lash out at people without proper warning. This could put others in danger.
If you are training your dog to be protective, it is important for them to have boundaries so they know when their protection work is necessary and what situations do not require this type of response. This protects both the animals and the people around them.
Why Is My Dog Not Protective?
There could be many reasons why your dog is not protective, and it usually has to do with the environment your dog is in. Here are some of the top causes of a dog being passive instead of protective:
Previous Abuse or Trauma
If your dog has experienced abuse or trauma in the past, it may be difficult for it to trust others and become protective. In some cases, dogs will shut down completely and not show any protective behaviors at all.
It is important to work with a professional behaviorist to help your dog overcome these issues and learn to trust again.
Fear of New Situations and People
If your dog is fearful, it may not be confident enough yet to protect you or others around it. It can take time for dogs to build up their courage and become more comfortable with the world around them.
You will want to make sure that you introduce new people and places to your dog gradually so they can become more comfortable in different situations. It is better for them to trust their instincts when it comes to protecting you, rather than have a knee-jerk reaction that could be harmful.
Your Dog’s Breed
Some breeds of dogs, such as Rottweilers and German Shepherds, are known for being protective of their family and property earlier than others. Less protective breeds include Beagles and Basset Hounds.
This has a lot to do with a long history of breeding for certain traits, so it is important to consider this when you are looking for a dog. While the environment plays a large role in how protective a dog will be, its breed can also give you a clue as to what to expect.
Your Dog’s Personality
The personality of your dog plays a huge role in how they behave, including the type of protection work they are willing to provide. Dogs that have more confidence will be more willing to protect their family, while those with less self-esteem will need a little extra training and encouragement.
Some dogs are very independent and do not like taking directions from others, while others are more submissive and will follow their owner’s lead. This is important to consider when training your dog for protection work, as you will want to use a method that best suits its personality.
A Lack of Training
If your dog has never been trained for protection, it is unlikely to begin doing so on its own. You will have to teach them what is expected of them and why this type of work is important.
You will need the help of a professional trainer if you want to train your dog in protection skills, as it takes time and patience to get this job done right. Your dog will be protecting you and your family, so it is important to take the time needed for them to learn how to do their job well.
If you can’t afford to hire a professional, there are many online resources that can help you get started. Just be sure to research any trainer or program thoroughly before starting out.
Another Dominant Pet In the Home
If you have another dog in the home, it is important to make sure they are not viewed as a dominant or higher-ranked animal. This may happen due to age, personality, or breed type.
This could cause your other pet to feel threatened by them and provoke a defensive response from both animals. It can be helpful for you to work with a professional trainer on how best to introduce new pets into your home, as they will be able to help them get along better.
How Can I Tell if My Dog Would Protect Me?
It is natural for dogs to want to protect their owners and loved ones, but not all of them will actually do so.
You can tell if your dog will act in defense of their home by watching for some specific behaviors. If your dog barks at strangers or people they don’t know, it is likely that they would be willing to protect you if necessary.
They may also sit at the window or door and keep watch for anyone who seems suspicious. If your dog is always close to you and doesn’t like being left alone, it may be more prone to protecting you from potential threats. They are following you around to make sure nothing bad happens to you as well as to obey you as the pack leader.
Protective dogs also like to patrol their territory and will often walk around the entire home to make sure everything is okay. If your dog does any of these things, it is likely that it will be willing to protect you in a dangerous situation.
By knowing what to look for, you can get a better idea of whether or not your dog would be willing and able to protect you if needed. Research your dog’s breed and personality to get started.
What Are the Most Protective Dog Breeds?
While all dogs are capable of becoming protective, some breeds have more natural inclination to do so than others.
The following list includes the most common and well-known breeds that tend to be on the protectively aggressive side:
German Shepherd Dogs: GSDs were originally bred as herding and guard animals in Germany. They instinctively want to protect their family and territory and make great guard dogs.
Rottweilers: Another breed that was originally bred for guarding livestock, Rottweilers are powerful and protective animals that should only be owned by those who know how to handle them.
Pit Bulls: Pit bulls have a bad reputation for being aggressive, but this is mostly due to the way they have been bred and trained. When raised correctly, pit bulls can be loving and protective family pets.
Bullmastiffs: Bullmastiffs are large dogs that were originally bred for hunting and guarding estates. They are loyal and protective of their family and make great guard dogs.
Doberman Pinschers: Originally used for protection and law enforcement, Dobermans are strong and protective dogs that need a firm hand.
Akitas: These large, powerful dogs were bred for guarding livestock in Japan. They have an imposing appearance but can also be sweet family pets when raised correctly.
How Can I Get My Dog to Be More Protective?
If you are concerned that your dog is not protective enough, there are some things you can do to encourage this behavior.
One of the best ways to do this is by training your dog using protection commands. These are specific words and phrases that your dog will learn to associate with protecting you.
For example, if you want them to not allow strangers into the home, teach them a command like “watch” or “barrier” as well as how to respond when someone tries to enter. Your dog should be taught these commands from a young age so that they are easier to train.
Start by training your dog with friends, family members, or even neighbors who you know well and trust. Work up to strangers over time until it becomes second nature for them to protect you when necessary.
Keep in mind that when you’re training your dog to protect you as a guard dog, this isn’t the same as an attack dog. An attack dog is trained to viciously protect their owner and can be very dangerous. A guard dog will only bark or intimidate people who they feel are a threat, not necessarily attack them.