I thought the retired thing would give me more time but now wonder how I ever had time to work??? But it will give me time to protection train my new pup (assuming he continues to grow and successfully gets through ongoing assessments over time, so far so good). What a great way to engage with my dog! I am pretty sure I have nailed down a trainer to help me (former trainer in the military and discussions have demonstrated a very good guy). Now I just gotta get the pup, nine days away...
Thanks to all!
Protection train or bite sport?
Two different things but hugely interesting hope you can share as you go.
We thought about level 1 protection "train scary bark in, on command" at the LEO trainer of 40 yrs with BP and several South SD county LEAs, who trained us and Bonnie on BO. And later on e collar.
They said "earliest assess is at 10 months" and
So I returned at that age
And after a bit they said "well, she's sweet soft temperament" and "a runner" which I took to mean "run loose off leash to investigate things" but now I think more like "run away!"
She is neither now thanks to lots of socialization, BO, CGC and SD training and on purpose I dont put her in a situation she has to defend herself unduly, as I'm the dominant dog protecting if push comes to shove in dog fight, coyotes, etc.
I've also read dobes can learn to be bullies, in dog park etc, so I avoid putting her in a position to do more than enforce her boundaries with knuckleheads that cant read the room, so she doesnt have to pursue to make the point. I'm the one that takes on the other bully that gets out of hand or we leave.
I dont train other peoples dogs and I sure as he double hockey sticks dont try to train fools on two legs...
They also said "to get a protective bark you elicit a bark in play, and reinforce and shape it..." (which I have funny stories but assume I will get my azz ripped enuff by rando know it alls as is...

so feel free to PM someday...)
Or
they could "activate her" that I took to be "make her mad", so I went with gut and declined to hold on that until later.
As I've instead since trained her as light mobility SD
The point on that is "you dont want protective training on the record" as its considered disqualifying by some in that SD world.
Any way, long boring story all about ME, but its for context to help you understand my interest. And dint be shy.
And srsly curious: Next dobe MAY be a big sharper male to fill the protective role as needed, as backup to softy Bonnie and DW if I am off traveling.
Real PPD done right in dobes is slighlty different than in GSDs, and in any case is legally like a loaded gun in liability so if I do, I have thoughtful prep on boundary fences and housing needed, and finding the right trainers.
They are out there, not as common as in sport inc bite sport and word of mouth as they are training exec protection at six figures, with privacy as you might expect demanded by clients. PM to share tips as needed.