Spike is protective if he is on the inside of the house. He has growled at people walking by before, but Saturday we had been outside playing and I had to run in the house because the dryer buzzed so I put Spike on his tye-out and ran inside. Suddenly I hear my doorbell ring, but no do barking. By the time I got to the door they were gone. It was a couple of people going door to door "campaining" for the elections on Tuesday. I looked at Spike as he was just sitting there looking at the man walk down the road. His chest was all puffed out and ears alert - but no bark or growl. Silly puppy he olny protects the inside of the house (where his bed, food, freezer, toys, etc...).