When do dogs get natural instincts to Protect/hunt ??

Question

Does a dog have to be a certain age to have the instinct to protect the owner or to hunt for animals

Thanks

~Nick

Answer 1

As a pup they can display these tendancies. When you see a litter of puppies certain ones may be dominant or show a keener intrest in chasing after objects. Usually this behaviour will develop, you should see It display itself around the time the pup reaches 6 months (maturity) The urge to protect its owner varies widely from breed to breed and even dog to dog. Depending on the breeds history and your relationship with that particular dog

Answer 2

No, puppies can display this type of behavior.  When a puppy chases something, that's hunting behavior.  Its usually when they get older that they begin to display protective behavior but even as puppies, one in a litter may display dominance and chase the others away.

Answer 3

I agree that the prey drive and the fight drive is a natural instinct to

dogs, but they need time to develop. I have a 8 month old German

shepherd that I work with for hours every day and have watched his

behavior closely.The prey drive seemed to kick in at a real early age,

probably because dogs always think about where their next meal is

coming from. The fight drive seems to take a bit longer, but they look

at us to protect them when they are pups. If the dog is treated mean,

I imagine it would kick in faster, but he would probably turn on you.

At 8 months the fight drive in mine is just starting to show, but I

know a lot of protection training classes wont take a dog until they are

at least 1 year old. Here is a real good web site on the dogs drives.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

No, they have it from birth. Dogs are actually derived from wolves. So the instinct is always there.  

Answer 5

Certain breeds of dogs have natural instincts to protect/hunt.  Some dogs can be "trained" to be guard dogs and such, but I do not think training can overcome natural instinct.  My beagles have hunted for all sorts of things from the time they could walk around with their noses to the ground.  My grandmother's chi has been territorial from the day she brought him home (6 lbs. of pure guard dog)!  

Answer 6

Dogs are bred for their abilities, it is genetic.  A herding dog like a shepherd or border collie is born with the abilities and drives (if they are well-bred), correct training will sharpen and shape those instincts.  A terrier is born with the instinct to hunt and kill rodents, etc.