My weird 'guard' dog
Currently we have 2 dogs: a geriatric 15 yr old Lab/Chessie mix (Jazz) and a senior 11 yr old who thinks he's still a puppy German Shepherd (Durango)
Jazz is not a very social dog (Chesapeakes are known for their aloofness) and is not fond of people so she will bark at any person she sees...and if they are on wheels (bike, skates, skateboard) she really loses it. Because she was raised with 2 other dogs (now in in the dog park in the sky), other dogs are no big deal.
Durango was not socialized well with other dogs when we got him at age 4. He rough housed a lot with our 3 dogs (until the older ones disciplined him because they were too old for his shenanigans). He is great with people...super sweet. Has no idea what to do around other dogs, so he loses his shit when he sees other dogs. If his "women" [Jazz and me] are around he really gets upset ...apparently he figures my husband can handle himself.
Today I had him hooked on our tie-out to potty, while I waited for him, I was busy at my craft desk..painting and glueing happily. He starts to bark and run near the neighbor's house (whenever they let their dog, the two of the them bark at each other like crazy). I get up ready to yell at him to come in and quit pestering the neighbors, open the door and.....oh hey there is a guy nearby measuring our garage door and Durango is oblivious...just runs by the opposite way to bark at the neighbor dog.
I knew the landlord was sending someone over, I just was surprised that our shepherd couldn't care less. The guy says "it's ok doggie" and of course Durango runs up wagging his tail. Part of me is glad he is friendly, part of me thinks 'hey what if that guy was a murderer quit wagging your tail' and part of me has a quick moment of panic hoping my dog doesn't bite him (if suddenly he decided to go in protector mode).
I know if Jazz had been the one out, the guy wouldn't have made it near the house...she may be a little hard of hearing and have cataracts, but she loves to bark at people and let them know she means business.
So the weird set of circumstances that my dogs will both protect me is if a burgler on roller skates with his own dog tries to break in. Otherwise, I'm on my own. 😄
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My catahoula (Velcro dog) would welcome burglars with kisses and probably put on a pot of coffee.
