Protection instict

[DWard#64]

Hello

I have a five month old BB he is very smart and loving me and my family love him much. Question when will he start showing the protection instict that i have been hearing about . He very friendly to everyone . I have socialize him im doing everything that i have read ......but when will he show that show that instict? Thank you

[Lisa Tiro]

He is still a youngster and BB's develop and grow and mature at different rates. My boy (19 months) really just started being really protective of his environment whereas my female (who has passed) started at about 11 months. My female was overprotective of me. She did not take cues from me. She just attacked for no reason. She was not a stable BB unfortunately. A stable BB will take cues from you. They don't have to be friendly to strangers, usually aloof, but should stay close to you and be alert. You don't want an over protective dog. Your pup is just that, a goofy pup. Males don't fully mature until 3 years old. Keep socializing him. Take him everywhere with you. Walk him on busy streets and through crowds of people. Make sure you train him and be his leader. I hope he turns out to be everything you want. Good luck!

~Lisa

[Carrie Kruczek]

Be happy that your boy is friendly to everyone! He is still just a baby.  Encourage him to like people and socialize him...that won't hurt his protective instincts at all.  My boy was an unfriendly puppy even at 3 months old...and trainers and lots of work could never change him.  Now at 4 years he is so dangerous to strangers that he can never leave the house unless he is muzzled (and even the muzzle won't keep people safe from damage if he hits them), and at home he is locked away when we have visitors.  We cannot even introduce him to new people!  That doesn't make for a good family protector.  You want a dog that can go places with you, and be around when workmen come to the house.  My dog is so over the top that he is locked away and muzzled, which means all that "protective instinct" is useless!  Enjoy and encourage that friendliness, it doesn't mean that he won't be a great protector eventually.  I agree with Lisa too....keep socializing!  IMO you have a much better shot at ending up with a nice family protector with a relaxed friendly dog than with an aggressive nightmare like mine.