Submissive and agressive dogs

[Aroura]

I heard one day from a very smart person, that naturally submissive dogs are more likely to protect a house or property while naturally dominant dogs are more likely to protect their owner.
I've found this true, as Tessa, a naturally submissive dog, will bark if there are people are walking past the house and only while she is in the yard.
Lily on the other hand, a very dominant dog, has NEVER barked in the yard, ever. The only times she has ever barked has been while she has been with me and she feared danger if people walk past that she doesn't trust etc. Tessa has never barked on a walk or out of her territory.
Has anyone else had similar experiences? Its interesting, I want to see if this theory is true....

[Guest Anonymous]

Our dogs are intermediate, and only bark when Kenzo wants to play (Kika doesn't play :( ), if they see another dog, or strange person. They whine and make other noises when they see someone they like just pulled up in our driveway, see a cat, squirell or other small animal outside in the street! Low barking is also a Shiba trait.

[Guest Anonymous]

Aroura napisał(a):

I heard one day from a very smart person, that naturally submissive dogs are more likely to protect a house or property while naturally dominant dogs are more likely to protect their owner.
I've found this true, as Tessa, a naturally submissive dog, will bark if there are people are walking past the house and only while she is in the yard.
Lily on the other hand, a very dominant dog, has NEVER barked in the yard, ever. The only times she has ever barked has been while she has been with me and she feared danger if people walk past that she doesn't trust etc. Tessa has never barked on a walk or out of her territory.
Has anyone else had similar experiences? Its interesting, I want to see if this theory is true....

Barking is not protection you know :-) its only a warning and it could be many things from 'stay away a tough dog lives here' to 'please don't come any closer I'm afraid of you' :wink: or 'if you come nearer my leader will get you!' :wink:
Dogs do tend to be more assertive when they feel secure - another good example is the dog that backs up as the jogger runs towards the property and then charges out hackles raised to nip at his heels when the jogger is going on past. Dog theory seems to be that if its running away its safe to chase if its charging back up and avoid confrontation if you can.
Dogs BTW may be submissive in some things and not in others - its not a black or white call in them.
Some dogs are more territorial than others some feel more secure on their home turf and some more secure when in a 'pack' as in when with you on a walk.
So while what you say makes sense I'm not sure you have the right 'reasoning' behind it or the whole picture either.
I've had dogs that will not bark at people who come to the door if I am not home - apparently they were barking to call me to come take care of the 'situation' at the door :D :roll:

[deepseasnake]

that makes tons of sense, thank you guest, you just answered something I have been pondering for quite sometime. Why my big dog never barks at anything outside unless his mom does first, or why neither of them go to investigate until I GET UP at 2 in the mouring to investigate with them, then they charge like a panzer battalion

[Guest Anonymous]

i would agree. i have 2 australian cattle dogs, one is a female at 18 months and the other a male at 6 months. the male barks at everybody outside of the yard while the female only barks at people she sees as potential enemies. the female is definately alpha at the moment but the male seems to be a lot more protective over the house while the female only barks when needed. i hope this gives you some type of insight