Protective behavior?

[nestewart123]

Question ... do you think it it protective behavior or skitishness?

Often when there is a loud, unusual sound outside, or we are in the back room and a sudden strange noise at the front door occurs, Mac (2.5 yrs) will stand right in front of me or jump on top of me if I am sitting, ears erect and obiously trying to figure out what is going on. My husband mocks him saying he is a a scaredy cat. I think he is protecting me. What do you think? Anyone else experiencing behavior like this?

I really feel he has great heart because he is always looking out for the underdog at the dog park, breaking up aggressive groups. He certainly doesn't pick a fight, but then he won't back down either. It usually works out fine unless there are Huskies around. For some reason, that is just a really bad mix. He's fine with the German Shepherds and most of the pits.

 

[Mignarda]

It might just be anxiety because he can't figure out what's going on, and he comes to you for affirmation that everything is alright. He's certainly no coward if he can stand up to other dogs.

 

[Caro]

He probably thinks it's his job to tell you there's a noise - and he probably gets your attention when he does it that way. Although it's not the usual way Shelties alert of noise - there's no barking involved!

 

[Katagaria]

Something similar happens with me and my boys. If the fire alarm goes off (usually because someone is cooking bacon downstairs) they come flying up to me and my boyfriend, usually sit underneath out desk next to us, I personally just view it as we are their "safe zone."