my puppy has a staring problem

[Geneyus]

Originally Posted by LuvABull.Denver

He's protecting her in the sense she's "my" female, intitled ownership. He does not see her as the alpha female, which he should. There is always an alpha male and female in a wolf and dog pack. (They are the one's that get to breed.) He senses she can't take care of business, therefore he needs to step up. It is for "pack survival."

Your dog has the pecking order off if your wife isn't above him. It's great that he wants to protect his pack. That makes him a good dog but it makes her a not-so-good pack leader. Which is why he wants to protect her.

Originally Posted by grannynancy

The irony is that which you describe about your dog sounds like insecurity NOT protection. Barking at everyone is not the stance a confident dog takes. The outcome can either be

(1) An innocent person is bit because your wife has no command over him and he feels he has to protect himself
(2) Someone tries to harm your wife and the dog tucks tail and runs.

My wife is above him in the pack. The dog routinely listens to her commands without any problems, and he does not pull on the leash where my wife has to struggle to control him. He constantly looks at us to see what we want him to do and what direction we are going. I appreciate your amateur opinions though.

[grannynancy]

Well, an intellegent GSD can discern a threat pretty well and that doggie in the window or a person gardening is no thread to anyone. ....This kind of misinformation about what is and is not protective abounds and dog breed restrictions occur more and more often with GSDs because of behavior like this which escalates into a bite then nobody knows why on earth the dog did it.

I have no issue with dogs that bite for real and those that bite for sport and train around them all the time. They do not behave like this on a walk.

I don't believe your dog does not see your wife as above him in the pack. I just don't think he feels safe. unless you are there. Sorry.