Gary Garner

There's always the debate about when a dog should start to defend it's territory...and how to train and develop it....

I think it's a good subject and one perhaps which would benefit from lots of input..

With my pup, who's now 6.5months old, I had no intention of starting much in-house protection work yet. She's only a baby etc...

However, when I got home tonight, it was in the early hours of the morning - dead still and silent on my street. I locked my car on the drive and walked to my house.

Xena lives outsite, loose - but with kennel for shelter. I wanted to check on her, but instead of doing so from within the house, decided to walk around the side.

I heard a couple of scrapes and knocks on wood, so it was obvious she'd been in the kennel and had heard my arrival. As I approached the side gate (7'tall and solid), I heard Xena growling loudly on the other side. Quite deep and guttural. A couple of steps closer and this changed to deep barking....

I was very impressed to say the least...especially considering her young age.

I made a quick decision not to show/identify myself to her, but instead retreated around the front and into my house.

Any suggestions about how to develop or maintain this guarding quality, also impressions regarding her behaviour. I don't believe fear or nerves played any part in her actions. She doesn't display much nerves if any, at any time, and the growl and bark certainly belayed her years.