How would your dog deal with an intruder?

[rubbishbin]

Mine would try to play fetch with them...

Mine's a pug, so you can imagine

We were burgled a few years ago and my elderly gsd defended the house as best he could. The bastards put our garden table across the back door so it created a blockade and beat him back with a big stick. My poor boy was quite traumatised for a while after. If they'd have tried it in his younger days I'm not sure they would have got in.

My jrtx would welcome anyone in and lick them to death.

Bark like crazy, then roll over for a tummy tickle x 2. Hmmm

Bark excitedly, roll on her back and the lick them!
Worst guard dog ever!

I have a rescue dog who was wary of strangers, then we had an extension and she got so used to strange men letting themselves in the house when we weren't there ( and feeding her treats in the garden) We thought it was great but also joked that she'd now be a crap guard dog . One day some contracted workmen turned up for a payment I knew nothing about. They were pleasant enough but eventually made known their discontent by what they said. They didn't change their tone of voice at all but suddenly my dog went loopy, that low growl errupted and she started barking threateningly and I had to cling on to her collar. The men left rapidly. I was impressed by my dog's ability to pick up threat by body language. She reacted to them before I had a chance to process their words and act fearful.

Still, I don't know that she'd actually DO anything I'd we had an intruder, other than bark in a different way. I like having her as an early warning system though.

Our garden shed was broken into on Thursday night, they had the push bike, lawnmower and some power tools. The 42kg 3.5 feet tall dog slept through it. I suspect if he'd been woken he'd have given them the stink-eye for waking him and gone back to sleep.

Mine would hump his leg.

Someone attempted to break into our house when our lurcher was 1.5 years and she frightened them away with her "I'm going to fucking kill you" bark if they'd got in she would have licked them and shown them where her treats are kept! My jack Russell didn't make a peep but would of attacked if they stepped near me but not DH or DC she was 12 at the time DH is lucky she likes him

I should add that my Jack Russell is very friendly, follows me around constantly, doesn't need a lead when out because she won't be more than 10cm away and she loooves me

Bertrand - any dog is capable of attack. Any dog at all. The softest, sweetest, dopiest mutts who have never put a paw wrong. If you would never have a dog that you couldn't guarantee wouldn't bite someone, you can never have a dog.

Yes, of course, I know any dog is capable of attack.

It's just not a characteristic I would be proud of.

I understand what you're saying Bertrand.

My first dog was so gentle but he once mistakenly thought I was going to be attacked (it was someone I knew who was stood slightly out of sight and stepped forward to say hello to me) and he turned into a snarling, barking beast. As soon as he realised he knew the person his tail went between his legs and he went cowering for a fuss to say sorry. I honestly believe had it been a stranger and he had made a move towards me my dog would have attacked him. I can't see that as a bad thing, I was a vulnerable teenage girl. We looked after him, he looked after us.

My other gsd cross had the same sort of personality, both were very affectionate with us but indifferent to strangers. My lab hated most other dogs but loved people and saw it as the right to be stroked by them.

Sorry Bertrand, I disagree with you slightly.
My dog wouldn't attack unprovoked but I am proud of him and his ability to protect my daughter and I when my husband isn't around.

He defended dd one day when a large uncontrolled dog knocked her from her bike at the park and tried to bite her. Ddog put himself between the attacking dog and my daughter on the ground giving me time to run and catch up. The drunk owner then became abusive too, swearing and trying to hit me. My dog stood his ground and protected us until the police a bystander called arrived. I'm immensely proud of him for that.

A dog that defends you in a burglary is more likely to get stabbed or beaten with something than scare them away. I'd rather they took everything than hurt the dogs.

I agree Honey

I totally agree Honey but some dogs have that protective instinct and you don't even know until they have to show it.

Yes I agree Paddypants, I worry that my male lab would have a go. My two girls are too soft and scared to, with a bit of luck.

One of them would hide behind the settee; the other is a very helpful little soul, and would probably off to hold the torch for them.

A few weeks ago DH and I were woken by Standardpoodle and Rescuedog barking. We went to investigate and Standardpoodle was on his hind legs peering out of the kitchen door and banging it with his forepaws. Old Rescuedog was behind him giving her "alarm" bark. We couldn't see anything but found out later that one of the houses on our side boundary had been burgled. I mentioned it to a police neighbour who said "They (the dogs) did their job then!"
I don't know how they'd react if someone got in but there would be a LOT of noise.

Munchety
Crunchety

Honey, I am sure there was a staffy that won a medal protecting her family from a burglary. They smashed her skull open with a machete to the extend that brain was exposed. Anyway the dad and mum and kids were tied up and being tortured for the safe code and the dog defended them even with her extensive injury and then ran for help. Anyway she survived the attack and was awarded a medal. Can't remember by who though. It was a rich Essex type family.

Anyway I am pretty sure my older big dog would bite. I never allow him around children now he is older and stuff and grumpy and although we love him dearly we wouldn't let estate agents do viewings when we were selling our house as I didn't think he would let them him. We are very careful with him. We love him very much and I trust him implicitly with me and DH. He is kept separate from DD though just in case. When I was on mat leave with DD and she was about 5 days old DH went out on an errand. A sales person knocked at the door. I was so shocked but DDog was transformed. all his hackles went up and he literally threw his body at the window (massive wide low window in bungalow and can see front door out the window). He was simply in 'protect' mode and was just body slamming the window with teeth bared the works. I had never seen him more than bark to alert us of someone's presence before. It was a shock to see him take his knew role as big brother very seriously. But we have since heeded his warning that he would be prepared to attack and have adjusted his and our lives accordingly...