Pack Leader Question

[Christy&Riley]

From what I understand, it is important to teach dogs to see us as pack leaders to avoid aggression issues. For example, our trainer taught us never to let Riley walk in front of us as she will think she is the leader. As a result, she could think she needs to protect us when people or dogs walk by.

The other night we just went to bed and Riley came running into our room barking in circles. We are thinking a deer must have run by outside and spooked her. I'm not sure if she was trying to alert us or running to us scared saying "Mom. Dad. You need to talk care of this!" I think we've now raised a dog that would open the door and lick an intruder to death and not protect me from the intruder. Of course, I think this was her normal nature anyways but I couldn't help thinking, "What are you running to me for? Aren't you supposed to protect me?" 

Our intention was NOT that she would be a guard dog as I realize GD's are not guard dog material. I guess the reality just really sank home that there is no way she would protect me and I am on my own. LOL  I figure at least her bark may cause an intruder to hesitate...that is until he sees her teddy bear looking face. :-) 

 

Do any of you have doodles that would let an intruder into your house and invite him to play?

 

 

[Adina P]

Well, from the pack leader perspective, she was alerting, YOU, the pack leader :-)
Boca might bark at strangers really loudly, but I know Rosco would try to be their friend in an instant.

I think it really is our responsibility to keep our dogs safe rather than the other way around. A dog who is too protective, without special 'protection training', would really be a liability anyway. In a life or death situation, I would be grateful if one of my dogs would save my life by protecting me, but it would also come at a loss because if a dog puts himself in harm's way....

[Christy&Riley]

Good point on protection training. I wouldn't want the other side where I'm concerned that she'll attack anyone who comes in. I would much prefer our lovable doodle!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs would bark as the intruder came in (cuz they run and bark when anyone comes to the door) - and probably run to us for protection.  Ned would growl from afar, Gordie would jump on him in excitement that he was visiting, and I just don't know about Clancy...  There are a few people he hasn't taken to.   

We haven't kept up making our dogs behave, however we are the big kahuna at our house and the dogs know it and assume that WE will keep them safe.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yeah, both of my boys have a very dangerously sounding bark when the door bell rings. But as soon as the "intruder" steps foot in the house, they would lick him to death.

[Eryn]

I think that if there was actual danger, you would be surprised at how many dogs would step in to assist. Even if they are not trained as a guard dog. Dogs can sense situations and emotions far better then we can.

I was at a dog park once with my Max (who has since passed away) and I had my son, Dylan with me, who was about 5years old at the time. He was running and trying to get max to run with him to the large water dish because he thought max needed a drink. Well, there was a great dane at the park as well that decided that he would run to my son to follow him to the water dish as well. When my Dylan realized that a horse-like dog was running right for him he got scared and screamed. While I was trying to get to Dylan, my max ran right inbetween Dylan and the great dane and bared his teeth and growled.. As if to say, "back off- my little boy is scared". Of course the great dane was friendly and respected max and jogged away to do something else.

Max was the friendliest dog ever and had never done that before, and never had to do it again, but it was nice to know that he would protect my son if he ever needed to.    

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thanks for sharing your story of Max, that is so sweet. Our dogs would give up there lives for us.

[Christy&Riley]

That's awesome. What a great family member!

[Eryn]

He was amazing! He passed away last year at 15 years old when Dylan was 13. The two were inseparable, from the time Dylan was a baby. When Dylan went out to play, so did max. He never had to be tethered.... he stayed with Dylan always. We have our Doodle, Sully now, but we still miss Max so much. It's amazing how these beautiful creatures fill our lives and hearts with so much love.  

[Christy&Riley]

I bet Dylan really misses him after growing up with him.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

An potential intruder only hears the bark and not the cute doodle face on the other side!  Of course, around here it's mostly squirrels and blowing leaves that have Quincy to fear!  And of course the inflatable snow man that we had up- every day at dusk when it inflated, Quincy would go nuts!  ONce when he happened to be right near it, he circled it barking his head off, but never went closer than 8 to 10 feet! 

[Christy&Riley]

Riley and Quincy must be related. She is scared of fire hydrants, pumpkins, teddy bears, the vacuum, carpet rake, and probably her own shadow. Going on a walk can be quite an adventure for us. LOL

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I think we would all be surprised on the guarding instincts of our dogs. Enzo is as friendly as they come, BUT, she will guard. She barks at those terrible people who insist on stealing our garbage every week. She barks at anyone who dares comes to our gate...usually delivery men. We do not scold her, as I want her to alert me.
A few weeks ago, our adult son, stopped by the house to pick something up. He came walking in, using his key to get in...he was fully dressed out in motorcycle gear, including helmet. Enz went berserk growling and barking....until he removed his helmet and spoke to her. Then the tail wagged and barking stopped.
She growled at a street person a few months ago who would not leave me alone. I've never seen her hair stand straight up!