Hey everyone.

I've noticed in the last month or so (Paddy has just turned 9 months) that his behaviour when we have guests in our home is beginning to slightly change.

I am wondering if it is signs of guarding or if it's signs of nervousness? His breed is known for having natural guarding instincts, but I am unsure if these signs point to that?

If it's any coincidence, he cocked his leg for the first time yesterday (on his 9 month birthday) and marked a spot in our usual park, so he's obviously going through some hormonal changes.

But anyway...these past 4 weeks or so, here are 3 examples of Paddy's interactions with people whom he had already met before...

1. My friend Ann came to visit and have dinner. We were sat on the couch talking, when Paddy suddenly jumped up between us, plonked his backside down so that he was sat right in front of me (looking away) and just stared at Ann. He was determined not to move, and when I did put him down off the couch, he immediately tried to hump Ann's leg.

2. My Uncle Ted came to drop some money off. I needed to get showered. I let him in and explained he should make himself comfortable while I went upstairs. Immediately that I left Ted and headed to the stairs, Paddy began jumping up at him. No barking or anything like that, just seemed to determined to topple Ted over. Yet we trained Paddy not to jump up due to the fact of his sheer size.

3. Last week, my cleaner and her husband came to visit. I wasn't well so was in bed. My OH was downstairs with the couple and the dog. Next thing I know, Paddy comes upstairs and gets on the bed with me (which he isn't usually allowed to do). When my cleaner's husband came upstairs to talk to me at the bedroom door, Paddy jumped down and just sat there at the side of the bed, staring at my friend all the while he talked to me.


I'm unsure if Paddy is coming to me on these occasions because he is nervous for himself, or nervous for me?

Is 9 months (in a large breed) too early to see a guarding instinct surface? Is Paddy being brave, or is Paddy being nervous in these instances?

P.S. He got his Kennel Club Puppy Foundation Award on Thursday...I am chuffed!

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well ellie is slightly younger than paddy and if shes unsue of something or someone she will warn them with a bark and back off from them and wont stop until theyve gone...altho it never leads to anythng shes a big wuss!! lol they cud aproach her and once she realised they wer ok she wud happily wagg her tail to death...duno if its coz shes scared or coz shes protecting us and our property?! but im sure all wil be fine lol

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Just as I finished writing this post, Paddy walked up to my cat Tigger (who is lying down at the bottom of the couch with me) and he took his massive paw, placed it on Tigger, pulled him off the couch, and then went and lay back down to continue chewing his bone!

WTF? Poor cat!

See what I mean? I can't tell with Paddy if it's jealousy, guarding or just nervousness?

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Sounds like he's starting to grow up and assert himself.... Welcome to the "Kevin" period! He will be a little git for a while, pushing his boundaries and seeing what he can get away with, basically. That nice little happy, eager to please, puppy has gone into remission for a while. Now comes the time to be firm and assertive yourself. He will be a truculent teenager for a while but it should all pan out in the end as long as you are gentle but firm, continue with the training classes as they do help remind him you're in charge.... and stay focussed....

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Ah! I see. So it's his teenage phase that I am starting to see.

That makes sense. Thanks Merlin's Mum.

So how long does this bit last? He's 9 months now. Will I have strangled him by Easter, or will he have won my heart back?

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Ah... depends on the dog...lol I never got my 'first Merlin' back in entirety, but have learned to love the one I have now Was I expecting that puppy to stay the same his whole life? Er.... that wouldn't be realistic.... we should expect them to change at some point.

A lot of it depends on the individual dog but if you keep focussed and do all the right stuff then at least you know you've done the right thing.

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