This is a good topic
A couple of years ago, I rescued a male German Shepherd that spent the first two years of his life outside on a chain. When we first met, he hated me just as much as he hated everyone else. He had zero manners and zero tolerance. Today, here in the house, he's nothing but a big dork lol. But he's still entirely stranger intolerant. I raise my 14 year old daughter on my own and I appreciate the fact that the few, rare times I have to leave her home alone, I never have to worry about anyone coming into the house. There are two foster kids in the neighborhood that stay with us often and he accepts them into the house too, but that's it. NO one can come into our house period when he is out. We have an old beat up tom cat that retired at out house too and I was worried about him at first. But they both get along OK...not friends, but more like a mutual respect kind of thing.
I've learned he's actually pretty smart. My daughter has taught him a whole slew of tricks, some of which are pretty unique. He does the whole "up high, down low, too slow" thing without mistake. He also does what you tell him with just a simple "lay down", "sit", etc. You never have to raise your voice or repeat your words, he just does it.
Even though our entire yard is fenced, I can't let him outside on his own. Most "potty breaks" are done with me holding his leash. We often close the gate though and let him run around and play, but we both go out with him when we do this.
With a teenage daughter and an arsenal of firearms in the house and with me working 45 hours a week, he is a HUGE comfort knowing everything is safe and well at our home.
