AB's are protective by nature.

[badge]

One day my 4 yr. old 30 lb. daughter was running in the park with our 85 lb. Kiara on an 8-10 ft. leash. As they crossed the path of a couple walking their two little dogs, Kiara ran past. As my daughter crossed the path the one little dog growled at my daughter. Kiara stopped, turned on a dime, and had the growling dog on her back. Didn't bite her, just put her down. The couple started to scream at me that my "vicious pit bull" shouldn't be allowed in a public park where there are children. I replied back to her, "your vicious little dog is the one who growled at my child. My American Bulldog did nothing wrong but protect my daughter."

Kiara is two years old and when she is with any of our family, and a stranger approaches who she gets bad vibes from, she doesn't bark or snap. She just sits very close and gets in between us and the stranger. She is very social and when she is running free in the yard and we are out there, she is friendly to anyone who we welcome in. If it is someone we don't know, my wife, kids, and I just say to her, "Kiara, who's that?" And she immediately becomes alert.

They are lovable lushes by nature, but also very protective.

[2bully]

Without training all you have is a false sense of security. Every example you offered as protective could be interpreted as undesired or unwanted behavior depending on who is interpreting the behavior. Just because a dog is naturally predisposed with a protective nature doesn't mean they will actually commit to protecting you when you need them to.

[Lisa]

I agree with 2 bully and will go on to say your dog should not have went after the other dog. Who was holding Kiara's leash and how was she able to get to that other dog? The whole purpose of a leash is to better allow us to keep control of our dogs. I don't understand how your dog got so close to those other dogs in the first place? Even though that other dog growled at your child, you as the owner of Kiara should have kept your dog under control. You should be the one protecting your daughter and making decisions, not your dog.

As far as AB's being protective...the fact is most are not very protective at all. Most can "play the role" (and usually that is all that is needed) but when push comes to shove the majority will not protect anyone besides themselves, and that usually involves removing themselves from the situation. A pending threat is much different than an actual one, and unless your dog has been tested you will never know how they will respond if someone REALLY tries to get violent with you. Threat displays or placing themselves in front of you don't mean squat. Although this breed is "supposed" to have courage and be "protective" of their property and families the reality is most do not have the nerve or confidence to take on a real threat. Why? Because most people who breed AB's are breeding dogs based on what the dog looks like and how much money they can make. With most people breeding AB's that haven't had their nerves and courage tested, we can't expect the breed as a whole to possess those attributes. There are some good ones but they aren't the majority.

[attitude]

chances are more likely that the little dog growled at your big dog, not the child, and the big dog, as bullys will, took up the challenge.

[Sam_Lover]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I agree with 2 bully and will go on to say your dog should not have went after the other dog. Who was holding Kiara's leash and how was she able to get to that other dog? The whole purpose of a leash is to better allow us to keep control of our dogs. I don't understand how your dog got so close to those other dogs in the first place? Even though that other dog growled at your child, you as the owner of Kiara should have kept your dog under control. You should be the one protecting your daughter and making decisions, not your dog.

As far as AB's being protective...the fact is most are not very protective at all. Most can "play the role" (and usually that is all that is needed) but when push comes to shove the majority will not protect anyone besides themselves, and that usually involves removing themselves from the situation. A pending threat is much different than an actual one, and unless your dog has been tested you will never know how they will respond if someone REALLY tries to get violent with you. Threat displays or placing themselves in front of you don't mean squat. Although this breed is "supposed" to have courage and be "protective" of their property and families the reality is most do not have the nerve or confidence to take on a real threat. Why? Because most people who breed AB's are breeding dogs based on what the dog looks like and how much money they can make. With most people breeding AB's that haven't had their nerves and courage tested, we can't expect the breed as a whole to possess those attributes. There are some good ones but they aren't the majority.

I'm not trying to be funny, but I just pictured my AB doing that mess to me, and that ain't cool.. Not that I got her to "protect" me.. I'm hoping she'd at least bark, growl, or something, but I just pictured her running off and leaving me if something came after me..

[24289]

I think put in a situation similar to those mention above my AB would look and me and be like Daddy what do I do????

[Rocksolid]

Yes although some dogs are protective by nature, its usually something you want to get out of your dog early. You dont want someone to come in and pick up your child for fun and have the dog react. Although you should train your dog in protection, its no the fact if your dog will bite someone if their is trouble, you want him to let go and heel to you when you say to. Also the dog sitting infront of you to strangers, is a sign of him being the alpha male. As alpha males always meet new comers then let the pack know it is safe, you should be interacting with them before he does.

[Rocksolid]

Also I agree, the little dog barking, most likely set it off, my dog is well behaved, but still a dominant male, if another dog barks/stares/lunges or any other behavior at him he will automatically become ready to fight. Its us who are suppose to be responsible, leash them and control them. I never take him to a dog park, and he is never off leash unless im in my yard or at training.

[badge]

First of all Lisa. My daughter was holding her. My dog has been trained to be controlled by all three of my kids and my kids have been trained on how to control her and her commands. The owners of the smaller dogs walked up on my daughter as she was with Kiara. The smaller dog did not bark at Kiara but barked directly at my daughter. Kiara has been socialized all her life with other dogs and has never done this to any other dogs before or since this incident. I have handled dogs in Law Enforcement situations and know how to train my dog to be handeled. She obeys all commands she is given and responds to my entire family the same way, so if I am reading your comment correctly it appears you are inferring that I have been less than diligent in my dog handling responsibilities, you are wrong and I challenge you to measure your training skills to my advanced handling skills anytime.

[majestikmoose]

Originally Posted by badge

I challenge you to measure your training skills to my advanced handling skills anytime.

have any training videos? i would love to see this "train off" lmao.