My Dogs Did Not Come To My Aid :( - Page 1

I have a drunkin ex-aquaintance who has become unstable when drinking. Last night at my home he got crazy and suckerpunched me good in the mouth causing four cuts and a loosened bridge. Then we got into it. My two GSDs, Jojo and Max have always acted very protective and have seemed like excellant guard dogs for me and my home but they did not go after this guy when I needed them. I ended up winning this fight but I really wanted my dogs to bite this guy and they had every right to. I did not discipline them but I let them know that I wasn't happy with them. Why did this happen? Do these dogs need to be attack trained? Do they need to be secluded from most guests? At 5 and 2 years old is it too late to start attack training with a full body suit? There is sometimes friendly rough housing going on in the house but I always thought the dogs would recognize a serious situation due to the yelling and commotion. I love my dogs very much but I am disappointed in them.

 Put the dogs to a good home where the owner takes responsibility for there own saftey and buy a gun and defend yourself!.

Dogs, like all creatures, operate on the fight-or-flight system. They protect themselves and their territory when they feel threatened. Since this fight was between two humans and neither of them turned on the dogs, they didn't get involved. "Attack training" is best left for dogs who do that for a living, not house pets. House dogs who bite someone, rightly or wrongly, justified or not, often do not come to a good end.

You can't expect your dogs to attack somebody very close to you, . . . most probably, the said intruder of attacker also feeds/play with these dogs. I just guess, you sometimes yell, hit of even scold these dogs, that's the reason they're afraid coming close even when you thought you're in danger n needed them most. Some dogs, like my former rottweiler will attack anyone for strongly hugging or shaking hands with me, so i then had to take special care that my present gsd never does it. Life's not about fighting. May God take control.

are you going to change your user name now?

Are they protection trained? I'm assuming no, and that you just assumed their "protective instinct" would take over. Most people are very sorely mistaken in thinking that untrained (in protection) dogs will automatically come to their rescue.

My dogs have an excellant home. I never strike them or use a choker or shocker. I believe entirely in positive reinforcement. By saying that I let them know I wasn't happy with their response didn't mean that I punished them. I merely held back praise and told them "no" and that I wasn't happy with how they reacted. I don't hit my dogs. When I went to bed I was back to loving my dogs and they sleep by my bed. They love me and I love them. One reason that I keep German Shepherds is the protection factor. I have had them for over 30 years. Now I wonder if they will attack if someone kicks my door down. These are two of the best dogs I have owned. The temperment is awesome. Very protective yet not overly aggressive. But they didn't know what to do last night.....

Do you realize that had your dogs taken a bite out of this guy, they most likely would have been taken by animal controll, kept at least 10 days for rabies observation, then at the very minimum put on a viscious dog list, if not been put to death. Your ex could have also brought a lawsuit against you and possible taken everything you have.

 I stand by my original statement

There are a couple of lengthy posts on this forum regarding this exact subject.  I suggest you go to them and read them.  In MOST cases unless trained, and trained, and proofed and proofed, they will not bite.  Merely a deterent in most cases, however, there are some that will.

Shame on YOU for not getting their proper training for them and that would be personal protection dogs, trained specifically to protect you and whatever else you have trained them to protect.  They were smart dogs and let their human handle the situation.  Be glad they did not bite as that would be a hugh liability for you and yes you can loose everything including your homeowners insurance.

PSPS:  My friends personal protection trained female FLUNKED her protection work.  Sooooo, find a good trainer, and one that is a professional in the business of personal protection dogs.  BOL  Nan