Oh yeah, don't get me wrong- I'm all about building pups and young dogs up with prey work, letting them enjoy themselves and grow. I need stable, confident dogs that are environmentally and socially sound. Rags, tugs, MAYBE some light sleeve work (nice energy, it's a game). As they become mature, I'd do little bits to see how the defence comes out, but nothing over the top. If a dog naturally has the defensive/fight/nasty edge, then you don't actually need training to bring it out. It'll come out when the dog is old enough and the pressure/threat comes on. Building a dog's desire and pleasure in chasing, catching, holding and winning the prey is the foundation.


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There you go, then! Respect to you for letting her develop naturally. If her genetics are there, they're there. No point forcing things like so many people seem to do. My thing with young dogs is working to set a 'pattern' for later life. I like lots of drive, and frustration to use that drive- so I do games that encourage that but not as much as the dog wants. Short sessions, high intensity, leaving the dog unsatisfied and wanting more. I gradually increase the demands on the dog to get the reward. It has to work more, and potentially wait longer to get the reward. I like to be the 'gatekeeper' the dog has to look for to get what it needs; food, toys, affection/social, freedom from the kennel whatever. A dog needs to be comfortable in any environment, and learn some basic rules/manners. All this is important for me, because (like you, it sounds! LOL) I actually enjoy an actively aggressive dog, which looks for trouble a bit with people. For this to work, it has to have learned a base of calmness and self-control, and respect for my leadership. A dog with self-confidence is actually safer than a dog that's been driven 'edgy' by too much, too early or too intense defence work- which is why I don't ever do much of that, even with adults. How about you?

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