Personal Protection dogs
Protection dogs come in many categories.
- The alarm dog
- The image dog
- The protection bite on command dog
- The sentry dog
The alarm dog:
The alarm dog's mission is to alert the owners to potential trespass. The alarm dog, barks a warning to the handler, to allow the handler to control the situation. To call the police, or investigate the situation for themselves. Any dog capable of barking, is in this category. We are talking about training a dog to alert on HUMAN trespass, not other animals, such as squirrels, cats, and birds. This dog requires basic obedience, to control the barking.
The Image dog
The image dog is any medium to large breed dog. On command from the handler, the image dog moves between the handler and the suspect, taking a defensive stance. On command from the handler the Image dog begins a defensive (cadence) bark. (The dog will give the IMAGE he or she has been trained to bite.) Sending the would be mugger/ rapist, fleeing for his life.
Since this dog has not been trained to bite, your liability is greatly reduced. No need to register the dog as a dangerous dog. This is taught as a game. If the attacker calls the dogs bluff, the dog may bite in defense of the handler. The key is the dog has not been trained in human aggression. Requirements for training an image dog: basic obedience, intermediate obedience.
The protection bite on command dog:
The protection bite on command dog, is a very special dog. This dog is trained to protect the handler, on command. You will need a medium to large breed dog, that is not aggressive, shy, or fearful. The dog MUST be out going and friendly.
The dog will be worked in prey drive, rather then defensive drive. Prey drive is the dogs natural drive, for chasing game, capturing it, and killing it (for survival). Defensive drive, is born from pain. Police dogs are trained in defense.
The object is for you to have the BEST companion dog available, that shows NO SIGNS of aggression, until told to do so.
The protection bite on command dog, is a highly trained dog. Requirements for training the protection bite on command dog: basic obedience, intermediate obedience.
plus:
- Criminal background check with fingerprints.
- Own your own home or letter from landlord.
- Fenced in yard.
- the physical ability to handle the dog
- the mental ability to handle the dog
- Insurance covering the dog (liability)
- Attend and pass lethal force class
- Attend and pass canine first aid class
The sentry dog:
The sentry dog is any medium to large breed dog. A sentry dog protects property. A sentry dog is ideal for commercial accounts, they are not recommended for private persons. The sentry dog will ATTACK anyone other then his/her handler.
The sentry dog will attack a two year old child who wonders into his area, or an 86 year old Alzheimer's patient, with as much zeal as he/she would a 26 year old burglar. These dogs are dangerous, and should not be owned by private persons. They are a danger to everyone but the handler.
Sentry dogs will be trained for commercial accounts, with the following:
- Lease or ownership of the property, which the dog is to protect.
- Must have 8 foot chain link fence, with razor wire extending 2 feet above.
- Adequate lighting
- Posted
- Insured
- Kennels
Private persons wishing a sentry dog, require the following.
- Criminal background check with fingerprints.
- Own your own home.
- Fenced in yard 8 foot chain link fence, with razor wire extending 2 feet above.
- The physical ability to handle the dog
- The mental ability to handle the dog
- Dangerous dog permits
- Insurance covering the dog (liability)
- Attend and pass lethal force class
- Attend and pass canine first aid class
- Kennels
Since we are discussing training in one of four specific functions (alarm, threat, The Protection Bite on Command Dog, Sentry) we will intentionally skip over those breeds considered ideal for alarm dog training. It was pointed out that any dog having the necessary equipment to generate a bark or growl can be trained as an alarm dog. Breeding doesn't matter. Size doesn't matter.
Threat or Image dogs, being mere psychological ploys, would of necessity have to be fairly good-sized fellows, since size alone is the major consideration. But the The Protection Bite on Command Dog falls into a category all his own. He must have the intelligence, courage, vitality, and strength to perform his function. It is for that function (stopping a man) that we will list some of the ideal candidates. The Belgian Malinois, Doberman , Rottweiler, Boxer, Belgian Tervuren, Bouvier Des Flanderes, Briard, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Mastiff, Chow Chow, Standard Poodle, Akita, German Shepherd.
This is by no means a complete list, other breeds and combinations of the above may also serve this purpose. Nor is it necessary, that just because a dog may be one of the above breeds, that it will be a man stopper.
Their are several factors that are to be considered. There are several test that an individual dog must pass before being considered for this training. These safe-guards are in place for the safety and well being of the dog, owner, and the public at large.