480-890-0962 or 602-997-1433
Training Director: Member
Animal Attitudes National Association of Protection Dogs
Arizona Association of Protection Dogs Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association
A well trained protection dog is simply a happy, friendly, obedient member of the family that is also an alert and courageous protector. An untrained dog may or may not protect naturally and in some cases misunderstand a situation and bite at the wrong time and the owner has no way to call them off. The training serves as a foundation of control and trust between the dog and handler. A properly trained protection dog does not go off half cocked, and only turns on when told to do so. Only people who are willing to make a long term commitment should consider owning a protection dog! This is a relationship similar to marriage. It is a "work in progress". If you are not willing to:
Work long term
Protect yourself
Represent your breed and art responsibly
Hurt a bad guy
Go to court
Give the best care to your dog
then a protection trained dog is not for you, nor is a firearm. You must make this decision and commitment before you start training.
You must also be willing to keep this "ace" to yourself. You do not show off a protection dog any more than you randomly wave your gun around in public. Neighbors don't like protection dogs because they are perceived as "vicious". A protection dog is not a "toy" to be shown and displayed as a source of authority. Keep it to yourself and use it only for emergencies.
A protection dog is not an asset without the knowledge required to maintain the training. A protection dog must be maintained to ensure peak performance.
A protection trained dog is not a cure all for personal security. This does not give you the ability to go to "crack infested" areas and peddle Tupperware, or increase your mountain bike workout. The fact that you have a protection trained dog is no different than a handgun. I tell all my students that this (gun or dog) is an excuse to STAY out of trouble. Common sense rules here, without that, all the guns, knives, ninjas and protection dogs in the world can't help you!
What are the best breeds for protection work? My attitude is a little different than most. Most trainers will say Rottweiler or German Shepherd. I think the dogs that make good protection dogs are of a size and an attitude sufficient for causing doubt in the suspect's mind that they
should commit this crime! A 3 LB mutt vs a 250 LB burglar won't cut it. No fear in the criminal. The same burglar and a 95 male Shepherd, now the bad guy is saying "I'm screwed, I should have just stopped at the small mutt's house today!"
The visual deterrent is just as valuable as physical, a good size dog that is all teeth at the window sends the bad guy down the street when you are gone from home. A 55 LB female lab can pack a nasty bite.
German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Akita, Doberman, are typical dogs for protection work. The reason is size and visual deterrent. All in all, however, working breeds with herding tendencies are best suited for protection. Dogs that are in the working breed group or are the traditional
"livestock protectors”, generaly make the better protection dogs.
Training a good personal protection dog takes time. You must make the commitment and find a trainer that is not going to limit the amount of lessons to ensure that the dog reaches its best potential. Each dog is different and the time required varies but in general it takes no less than 4 months to 6 months of working the dog at least 2 times a week to bring the dog to its best working ability with the control you should have, and for you and your dog to become proficient as a TEAM.
The time consumption comes from control work, bite work and technique/handling. The more time you put in the better. You must also maintain training proficiency. Just like carrying a firearm, you must practice regularly. The training/trainer you choose MUST offer follow up training at a reasonable cost, so as to encourage maintenance of you and your dog as a team.
Animal Attitudes clients, after finishing the training, have group classes available every week that they can attend to keep the dog at its peak, we would like to see the dog back every 6 monthsfor a brush up.
Animal Attitudes clients start with 7 weeks of in home obedience and follow with group protection classes. Protection training is as much obedience as bite work, so the clients who work their dog companion at least 20 minutes a day in addition to group class will benefit quicker. This is a substantial time investment, but it goes fast because its fun to work and grow with your dog friend, and before you know it you have a dog that is a joy to watch work.
The dog you chose must be stable, calm and friendly. Contrary to most beliefs, a laid back dog with a heart of gold is better as a protector than a dog with a bad attitude. Stability, and the ability to not hold a grudge is imperative. A quality dog can be turned on, told verbally (or by other signal) to be aggressive at a bad guy, sent, called off before the bite, and then be placed in the middle of a group of children without fear of a grudge or continuing "attitude". You MUST have confidence in your dog to be an effective team.
Good social experience, and exposure will make for a great dog (provided the breeder has done their job!). Animal Attitudes starts formal obedience around 14 weeks of age, and protection training around a year. This gives you the obedience foundation, and then when the dog reaches sexual maturity it's time for protection training.
Males Vs Females? My experience is that it depends on the individual dog. Male or female is not a choice, but a preference. Both can be valuable. As to whether the dog should be altered or left sexually intact? An unaltered dog is not more aggressive in my world, but I alter all my dogs anyway. It has more to do with health than aggressiveness.
FINDING THE TRAINER:
Please note that the results of protection training depends heavily on the temperament of the dog and the quality of the trainer. There are enough bad trainers out there that you have to be very careful who you choose. A dog that is unreliable around people is not a good protection dog. Remember, a good protection dog should be a freindly happy obeident member of the family that is also an alert and couragious protector.
The difference between a good trainer and a great one is simple. The great trainer loves his ART, and is a perfectionist, has a broad background of experience and has worked many many dogs. They should be willing to spend the extra time needed to get the dog and handler to work as a team. Start by talking with your local breeder, vet & groomer. Also be on the lookout for that really well behaved dog at a public park, whose handler looks like a fluid extension of the dog. Ask this person "where did you get your training". Word of mouth is a powerful tool. If
you hear from vets, a couple of breeders and someone else that " Joe Schmoes School of Dog Training" is the best they have seen, and the trainer is experienced and devoted, then its a safe bet. A trainer should also offer private training first, then a group environment to keep your skill sharp.
If you find a trainer you are considering, invite yourself to the trainer's group class and watch. Talk to the clients, watch the interaction between the trainer, dogs, and clients. It should be a fun yet focused environment. The clients should appear comfortable with the trainer, almost as if its a "dog owners" support group! Beware of a trainer who tries to get money out of you before offering an opportunity to see his work.. You must meet with the trainer in an almost personal atmosphere, as you must feel comfortable with the trainer. It is the trainers job to teach and communicate, if the client doesn't like the trainer, or is uncomfortable then communication will not happen.
Protection work is as much handling as it is the dog. You must function as a team. The dog must trust you and your judgment, and you must be able to read your dog to be aware of any attitude changes. Sometimes a dog may key in on something that you have not. This may lead to an unwanted turn on, or more importantly a warning from your companion that something is up that you missed! It happens.
If a working relationship is established by the time you begin your protection training, the training attitude of the dog will be stronger. You must plan ahead. Responsible dog ownership has more to do with planning ahead and staying on track than most realize. Its not like purchasing a car.
You are a team, and must always be looking for ways to improve. If you ever end up in court, you MUST be able to show strong relationship and control skills in order to prove to your jury that the dog is in control and NOT vicious. Just the same as any self defense device or style, you must be willing to learn and understand how and why it works. Using a dog for protection is a responsibility requiring knowledge and understanding. This cannot be achieved by frivolous abuse or a "see what my dog can do" attitude.
BENEFITS: TRAINED VS UNTRAINED;
The trained and maintained protection dog is an asset when compared to the untrained dog. Most, if not all, dogs have a natural instinct to protect, but in today's environment teaching the dog to trust when and when not to protect is imperative. This is why quality training and responsible ownership is imperative.
So, having a dog trained and maintained takes a potential liability and turns it into an asset. Protection dogs provide a physical first line of defense, allowing you time to get away and phone 911, or to respond with lethal force if needed, or even to round up family members to get them
into a safe controlled area until law enforcement arrives. The protection dog in the home requires some forethought. All entry gates should be posted "beware of dog", and a warning given if you have a chance.” If you don’t get away/out of my house/away from my car my dog WILL protect
me". A warning effort will go over well in court. The signs show a willingness to warn bad guys.
So remember, responsibility in protection dog ownership involves much more than just handling technique. You must be willing to commit to the same amount of time and training as you would if you had a firearm in the home or on your person. The training of the dog is never completed", just as a child or marital partner is never "completely" trained, neither is a dog. Its a perpetual "work in progress", so be sure you have a trainer that will let you follow up with training at a reasonable cost in the future.
If you are considering protection training, give us a call and come out and talk with our clients and watch their dogs work. Remember selecting a trainer for protection training should involve as much care as buying a gun.
Caution! Animal Attitudes staff advises caution in taking protection training information revealed here and applying it to work in the field. Much of the information here is for the use of experts. Novices should apply this information only under the supervision of knowledgeable and experienced trainers.
Animal Attitudes Dog Training
Phoenix, Arizona
PHONE 480-890-0962 or 602-997-1433
Email: bob@animalattitudes.com
