You have to remember that your guardian is going to look out for you, and that he will naturally protect the home turf and everybody who belongs in it. All you really have to do is show him that the events in your life—delivery guys, buddies, and all—are under your control and nothing to worry about. Think ahead and make sure that your actions explain to him that it’s all good. Don’t let him think he has been positioned purposefully between you and “the bad guy.” You would be wise to give him a butcher bone and clock him out for a lunch break behind a baby gate when the doorbell rings, so he can watch you extend a warm and confident welcome to your company. If he can see you’ve got a handle on it all and trust your decision that someone checks out, he can just sit back and take a nap—even if it is with one eye open.

PUBLIC LIFE—You will need an appropriate collar or harness (I prefer a head halter for these small ponies) in order to maintain physical control of your guardian when he shows an interest in something. That said, you might be surprised how easy it can be to enjoy leisurely strolls with such an enormous creature. A guardian has heavier bones, a slower engine, and an overall design for long periods of inactivity guarding at a post. The result is a relatively unathletic and un-impulsive dog who can be an absolute joy to walk with, cruising the neighborhood in second gear. He is not built to be your new running buddy as you condition for the Boston Marathon.

Unless he is uneasy about something, a guardian should be casual and cool in public. Away from the “territory,” most guardians are neutral and gracious about other dogs and people they cross paths with—as long as those people mind their own business and show no ill intent. Be aware, though, that he may come to view your entire neighborhood as his territory if you walk him around and let him mark the perimeter. It’s not a bad idea to limit his marking and excessive sniffing to the shrubs around your house, and change up the locations and routes you take for your walks on a regular basis.

You may run into a culture clash if he is ambushed by adoring big dogs who he views as potential threats. It can be pretty difficult to manage the “puparazzi” who will treat your giant dog like a rock star. However, it’s critical that you risk being rude to people who crash into your bubble and insist on kissing him on his big ol’ head. Tell them, as politely as you can, to keep their hands to themselves unless otherwise invited. Patient as a guardian is, he might secretly despise the fame and fondling from strangers, even as he calmly stands and smiles.