The German Shepherd’s reputation includes its undying loyalty, protective instinct, and a remarkably sharp eye. The American Kennel Club even considers the GSD to be one of the best breeds for guarding. But at eight weeks old, your German Shepherd is nothing more than an affectionate ball of fur — so at what age do German Shepherds start guarding?
German Shepherds start guarding at around six months old once they enter adolescence. By the six month mark, GSD puppies have a growing grasp of who’s friend and foe, where their property ends, and the rules of the home. However, it could take 18-24 months to develop the desire to guard fully.
German Shepherds don’t suddenly develop a knack for guarding once they exit puppyhood or face their first intruder. To learn about when you should expect your GSD to start defending, and what you can do to help him along read on.
Why Do German Shepherds Guard?
The German Shepherd’s unmistakable guarding talents date back to the beginning of the breed. In 1889, Captain Max von Stephanitz attended a dog show in West Germany when a stern, powerful, and intelligent dog caught his attention. This dog — later renamed Horand von Grafrath — looked eerily similar to a wolf and thrived as a sheepherder. Von Stephanitz purchased the dog on the spot and began breeding the first-ever German Shepherd.
As the German Shepherd’s reach sprawled across Europe, sheepherders began taking note of the GSD’s instincts. The dog had a knack for protecting livestock (as it was initially bred to do), remaining watchful, building firm bonds with owners, and learning commands quickly. These traits converted the reliable livestock protector into a loyal and successful K9 companion and home guard dog. (Read more: Will A German Shepherd Protect Livestock?)
In other words, German Shepherds guard for two critical reasons:
- Because it’s what they were bred to do.
- It’s in their genetic makeup.
How Do German Shepherds Guard?
Many inexperienced German Shepherd owners confuse a guard dog for an attack dog and vice versa. Training your GSD to be one over the other can be the difference between peace and harmony within the neighborhood and facing a lawsuit.
A German Shepherd who guards will serve as the first defense line in the household (or on your property). Since German Shepherds have excellent hearing, sight, and smell, a guard dog will be the first to notice when something’s amiss. Guard dogs will:
- Keenly watch and listen for intruders
- Bark when an unknown person or animal enters the property
- Chase trespassers and livestock predators
- Pin down an intruder until help arrives
The key difference between an attack dog and a guard dog is in the name. Guard dogs usually don’t take the offensive unless their owners, properties, or livestock are in immediate danger.
The Transition From Puppy To Guard Dog
Some owners eagerly await their German Shepherd’s first real guarding encounter. There’s nothing more exhilarating than watching your highly-trained guard dog dart after a coyote looking to squeeze into the chicken coop. Other owners want to put a stop to this instinct before it even begins. The fear of your GSD mistaking your neighbor for an intruder and attacking can be overwhelming.
So, let’s get back to our original question: At what age do German Shepherds start guarding?
The short answer: Adolescence.
The longer answer: Like other large dog breeds, German Shepherds enter adolescence around six months old. This phase comes with whirlwind of stubbornness and rule-bending in other breeds. But for the German Shepherd, adolescence is a time of growth, independence, and maturity. Well, that’s assuming your training style has been firm and unwavering.
By six months old, your German Shepherd understands the rules of the house and is desperate to please. One of your GSD’s most incredible talents is reading your cues. If you spray the hose at a raccoon, your Shepherd will learn large critters don’t belong on your property. If you exhibit fearful body language when talking to a stranger, your Shepherd will wait for your cue to step in.
Sometimes, these instincts seemingly appear overnight.
Some German Shepherds are late bloomers when it comes to guarding. Most German Shepherds will learn to scope out the perimeter or approach intruders by 18 months old. Dogs are very impressionable during this phase, and it’s where many GSDs begin nipping and jumping. So, proper training to prevent aggression is a must.
My German Shepherd Doesn’t Guard!
Not all German Shepherds will learn to guard, especially if you’re not actively nurturing this behavior. Some GSDs feel safe enough in their homes and alongside their owners, so there’s no need to bark at strangers or the doorbell. Other Shepherds might have a more lax personality and prefer playtime and cuddling over keeping watch at the window.
Training Your German Shepherd To Guard
A German Shepherd might have protective and territorial instincts by nature. But that doesn’t mean every GSD is automatically a guard dog. If you want your Shepherd to protect a flock or keep watch of your estate, you need to train him to do so.
Here are some tips for helping your GSD along as he begins to work through adolescence:
- Begin socializing early. A skilled guard dog will be confident and won’t cower in the face of fear. Begin socializing your dog and exposing him to new stimuli from day one — visits to the dog park, ventures through the rain, and sudden loud noises.
- Teach the basics. German Shepherds go on the defensive when those they care about are in danger. Teaching your GSD basic commands like stay, sit, and down will build a healthy relationship that you can advance down the road.
- Reward good behavior. Some GSDs instinctively give chase when they see their first mysterious trespasser. Others need more guidance. When your puppy shows guarding instincts that you want to nurture, reward him with a treat or a pet.
- Don’t reward bad behavior. Loyal dogs learn what they should and shouldn’t do based on their owner’s response. Giving your GSD a treat after chasing a neighbor’s cat will only encourage him to keep this behavior up in the future.
- Create mock guarding situations. Dogs learn best with direct experience. If you want your dog to bark at the door, have a friend knock, and reward your GSD with a treat. Make sure to teach a “stop” cue to keep the guarding within reason.
German Shepherds aren’t the easiest dogs to train if you’re an inexperienced dog owner. The sheer size of this Shepherd can turn good intentions into a training miscommunication in a matter of seconds. It’s a good idea to hire a dog trainer to teach your Shepherd to guard safely.
Some GSDs pick up their protective traits more naturally than others. The video below will show what steps you can take to teach your young puppy to be a skilled protection dog:
Final Thoughts
Whether you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood or merely struggle with coyotes menacing your livestock, having a guard dog can provide a sense of comfort and relief. Yet, it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to ensure your German Shepherd’s guarding instincts are under control.
For example, your GSD shouldn’t lunge at a neighbor walking down the street. Nor should your GSD bite the mailman when he delivers a package. So, take all necessary precautions to keep everyone safe — your family, visitors, and animals.