Protecting herself? Protecting me? Protecting both of us?

I have always had mixed feelings about this & though I would never encourage the average idiot to acquire a dog for protection...not professionally trained....there are instances in where the average pet becomes a hero.

I had a GSD/Wolf mix as a child who would have given his life to save me in any situation...I know this to be 100% fact. He was a canine that I basically rescued from a bad situation as a pup.

-Nothing special about him & he was not trained professionally.

I would have given Launi the hug of a lifetime...LOL! Very special dog you have. *&* I think that what most people take advantage of is the fact that until you actually get into such a situation...you cannot be sure of what your dog is truly capable of.

I think she was protecting both you & herself...but the fact that she got in between you & the stranger...proves that she wasn't doing it out of fear. My dogs would have barked, growled & then high tailed it...LOL

***I also have to ADD- I agree with Rottified in that- I too don't feel she was just going off your emotions, she was well aware of a threat before you were.

BUT ( & that's a big one..lol) I also agree with Greek in dropping the leash to prepare to defend yourself.

I would have dropped the leash if it meant being able to protect myself more accurately. Launi could have handled herself & I doubt she would have taken it any further than need be by the way you describe things.

I'm in 100% agreement with Greek on this one. Good thing they ran when Launi was acting out but there is the chance they would not have. What if they hid down the road waiting to ambush you? I would have used the dog as a distraction and reached for a firearm. You would be the b itch not to mess with for sure and teach these little punks a bit of manners and put them in their place. Dogs are reactive animals. She was most certainly reacting to your stress...she sensed it and felt it and therefore felt a need to act out aggressively to scare away the threat. Now, had you of let go, would she engage? Hard to say! I would assume so but during the fight she probably would have retreated...It doesn't matter. It would have given you time to take a quick aim and do what is necessary. A woman with a gun AND a mean acting dog will certainly get the kiddos to run and not look back! No more 3am walks. Seriously I could not imagine! I do occasionally take a 3am walk however my town has a population of 200...worse threat is a raccoon or skunk LOL I would not take a walk on the farm at that time due to cougar sightings...I have a bit of a problem with an animal that can follow silently in the night and ambush.

I'm going to put my two cents in on this one.

While most people confuse possessive, aggressive, territorial, and/or fearful behaviors with protection, I am a firm believer due to my own personal experience with dogs that there ARE dogs out there that have a genuine understanding of true protection. Launi is a prime example.

A protective dog that is properly trained will wait for YOUR cues to jump in. You gave Launi about a million cues that you were agitated, afraid, and perhaps couldn't handle the situation alone, or even not at all. It is in my own personal experience that some dogs DO pick up on this and know when it's time to step up, provided they have that drive. Many don't. My brother's pit mix is very much like this. A stranger can waltz into the house, pat her on the head (even though her hackles are raise and she's woofing indignantly), and waltz back out the front door with a 52" LCD tv, but you touch anybody in that family after they have made it abundantly clear that you are not welcome and she's on high alert. She has in the past done exactly as Launi has to protect my sister in law from a would-be intruder. As soon as the offender backs down she's quite happy to be friends again.

I knew a

A dog picks up on body language so well that the phrase "they smell fear" is almost accurate. A dog who knows who the boss is will let the boss handle any given situation--unless the boss can't handle that situation alone. It's possible Launi only feared for her own skin, but I'm inclined to think she may have simply tried to run away if that were the case, especially because she has never shown any aggression toward people before. It seems to me she was quite well prepared to defend herself AND YOU.

I think that animals can sense intention and also read body language and voice tones. She was more aware of the evil they were up to than you- she was protecting her pack, you are her pack. It is not wise to go out at that time, I live in a small town and I wouldn't go out at 3am because who would hear you if something were to happen? No one, it is a smart move never to do that agian. I would have kept her leashed in like you did, more out fear of losing here to an assult than of her hurting an attacker. I would keep her from breaking away yet allow her to bear her teeth and show agressive intent. I would calmly inform the wouldbe thug that your dog is trained to kill and will, you are holding her back but if anymore movement towards you is made you will let her go and rip out their damn jugular. Then proceed to run or to beat them until they can't move, always have your cell on you to call 911 while they aredown on the ground or running away. What a good dog you have~! I'd be giving her lotsa love and some snacks.

Oh my gosh!!! You have my heart racing!! I'm so glad you're okay! That sounds terrifying.

As for Launi's defense.. It could have been either in my opinion.

She probably sensed the fear and knew something was up. I imagine you're a very tough person, always strong (for lack of better words), so maybe for Launi to feel something different from you put her in defense mode.. whether it was for you or for her.. I don't know. I don't know much about dog body language.. (I mostly just answered this to tell you that I'm happy you're alright!)

Either way, I bet you're grateful for her! I sure would've been.

I live in a pretty crappy neighborhood (okay, REALLY crappy) and I'm really scared to go walk my dog in the dark, even at 9pm. I've wanted mace forever because I seriously do not feel safe.

I'm such an easy target since I'm so shy/timid and then I'm with a little poodle mix haha..

No more 3AM walks, missy! ;D

you were lucky they weren't armed!

i've walked my dog late as well, but never encountered anything like this. I would say your dog was definitely protecting the both of you. if my dog is watching me interact with a stranger (stranger to her) she growls very scarily, so this makes me think she wants to protect her human since in this situation the human is being threatened. i'm not an expert on this subject, but dogs don't like strangers coming anywhere near them, their property, and their pack (you).

it's too bad women just can't do what we please and simply take our dogs for a stroll if we can't sleep. it's the most peaceful time (weather-wise). it really is a shame.

Launi was a blessing in this situation. i hope she got lots of love and a yummy treat when you got home :-)

oh and i bet you're glad Launi isn't a 3-pound chi or something haha!

So I am no expert on dog behavior nor do I claim to be. I do have a great love and appreciation for animals of any kind. My personal opinion is that your dog was protecting you. Your dog loves you and could since not only your feeling and emotions at the time but also those of the men. Maybe your dog could feel their emotions, did not like what she felt and reacted just when they got close enough, almost saying hey I know what your thinking and it not going to happen with me here. I think dogs "just know sometimes"

I thought I was reading a mystery at first and on pins and needles waiting for the ending!!!

I DO believe "some" dogs have a Natural Instinct to Protect..I have had that in 2 of my GSD's..Trained by me and me alone but have protected both myself and my daughter..I have said it before the 1 GSD was in the house as my daughter was outside..The dog ran to the door,hackles up and jumping at the door.That is when I saw the guys trying to get my little girl in the car..I opened that screen and that dog lunged in his window and grabbed him by the throat..,There was NO formal training..I believe Launi was protecting YOU and she had the instinct way before you knew what was gonna happen..She was'nt fearing for her life but protecting you from harm..I twice had my other male GSD do just that to where there was no way of holding him back..

Next time take some Melatonin to go back to sleep instead of being out at 3am:))

I will get mixed reviews on this answer but whatever...I have had a dog defend me in a situation with a person where my life potentially in danger (one similar to yours with my APBT at the time..but various breeds otherwise).

I have well trained dogs, have trained dogs for others, foster etc and my dogs did not attack, or threaten to at any other time other then the instances Im talking about. I believe that a well trained companion dog that is raised as such can display protective behaviour.

Whether it was through them sensing my fear (an emotion they dont feel from me often) or sensing the other persons demeanor, or a combination of both, I dont know but it happens. I am always shocked on here when so many people think its impossible for a dog to act protective of their owners. I know the difference between protective and just badly trained or dominant (ie a dog trying to attack everyone he sees is a differnet case) as ive worked with and owned dogs for twenty years.

For whatever reason your dog knew the difference and its always nice to know that its possible.

Greek: On that same token you also have repeated numerous times that you dont see dogs as pets so its hard for you to critique those who do. Some people own dogs as companion animals (thats what they are) some people for working animals (what some also are) and there is nothing wrong with either. Its gets exhausting listening to you critique people for owning a companion animal as a companion...Ive worked with dogs for twenty years and I still have some as pets. Its not just black or white.

She was doing her job. Reading the situation, your body language and adrenaline levels, and reacted accordingly.

Apparently those punks have never been on the wrong end of a bully breed. There is a reason why drug dealers have those dogs, it is bcause WITH TRAINING they can be an awesome, friendly, and trustworthy dog, but read danger to their pack and help to protect.

You are luck you had her, you may not be alive today.