What Are The Goals of Guard Dog Training

Training of guard dogs is carried out in a different direction. The training of guard dogs is aimed at protecting the owner, searching for a person, alerting about the appearance of a stranger, and apprehending a stranger. Only the watchdog notifies silently. So, in this article let’s know the goals of guard dog training.

What Is A Good Guard Dog?

A good guard dog is trained to be one, you are not born a guard dog, this is why guard dog breeds, as long as they are not trained, are rather dangerous because they will follow their instinct, which can provoke them to attack. But a guard dog is a guardian, not an aggressor.

He must monitor, alert, and contain intruders while his master goes to seek help, that is his role. This is why a good guardian must differentiate between a “friend” and an unknown or unwanted person.

The role of a good guard dog is to defend his family and his home, without aggression, and without attacking, but certain breeds, notably shepherds, are more suited to accomplishing this task, which must in any case be the subject of of a flawless education, carried out by a professional.

Some dogs have, by nature, the ability to be good guard dogs. Most dogs will tend to protect themselves, therefore moving away from danger or sending calming messages.

A good guardian will not accept food when it does not come from his masters, will know thanks to his sense of smell to recognize dangerous people, will know on command not to move, to be silent, to get to work, and to stop work.

If a family has decided to get a guard dog, the first thing that needs to be done is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the future four-legged guard. At the stage of choosing a puppy, you should take into account the place that will be the subject of the dog’s service, the conditions of detention, and the presence and frequency of presence of strangers in the territory entrusted to the dog.

The second important rule, or rather, clarification. You need to understand the difference between a guard dog and a guard dog. A guard dog involves developing more active actions in the event of an attack or invasion, rather than developing the skills of a watchdog specifically. Therefore, training guard dogs primarily involves teaching the animal to warn the owner about the danger of strangers entering the territory.

Aggression is not the main quality of a watchdog. The watchman should not be evil, but smart. Quite often, guard dogs bark at everyone passing by.

This creates unpleasant situations both for the owner himself and, accordingly, for those around him. It is important to train a guard dog to respond only to dangerous and suspicious noises – this is the main quality of a good watchman.

Another misconception about the quality characteristics of a guard dog. Of course, large dogs are capable of scaring off intruders with their appearance alone, but for a good watchman, the voice is a much more important characteristic.

The loud and threatening barking of a dog should warn the owner about the entry of uninvited persons into the forbidden territory.

What do you need to know about guard dog training?

Training dogs for guard duty turns your pet into a protector of family and property. The dog remains a pet. Its character does not change within the family circle; the animal continues to obey its owner.

However, if an extreme situation occurs, the animal can provide real help to the owner. A dog will scare away a thief or be able to detain him, prevent an attack on a person, and be able to find a thief or stolen things. 

A guard dog is an ideal assistant for a family who lives in a country house. She will also be a good companion for a lonely person who lives in a private house. 

The dog neighs even in the apartment; service dog breeds are unpretentious. But it is recommended to take your pet for walks regularly.

At the same time, specialized courses are held for dogs that are at least a year old. The animal must be physically healthy. If the dog does not meet the requirements, the instructor will say so.

The dog must be trained by a professional who has sufficient qualifications. Only in this case will the animal acquire all the necessary skills to protect a person and his property. The dog should become a balanced protector, not an aggressor.

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Tips For Training a Guard Dog:

A guard dog is trained to protect a person in the same way as a guard dog. The process is carried out by professional dog handlers who know the intricacies of preparation. Preparation is aimed at the immediate protection of the owner and his property. Dog handlers work differently with aggressive and phlegmatic pets.

• Training a dog to stand guard is a long and difficult training, socialization is the cornerstone, which must be perfect.
• Search training is carried out on-site and indoors. The dog is taught to search for people and objects indoors and on the territory. This course helps you quickly locate the necessary objects or people if the search becomes necessary. During training, the dog handler monitors the dog’s behavior.
• When searching, the animal must be collected and act according to a specific plan. Chaotic actions only confuse the dog more. A guard dog is not a search dog, but it is also taught to follow a scent.
• One of the most interesting skills that a watchdog develops is called guarding. Training is carried out in the dark in an area with a large number of shelters. The dog must notice the stranger and notify the trainer.
• Guarding is carried out on the spot and on the move. First, the first skill is formed, then the second. The animal receives the necessary set of skills to protect the owner and property.
• A dog that stands guard will bark at the right time, which is already a good thing and can be trained relatively easily, as long as there are enough learning opportunities!
• Refusing food from strangers is also something everyone can learn, and should be done anyway, unfortunately, malicious people exist all around us.
• The rest of the training of a guard dog must be carried out by a good professional, mistakes can be very dangerous for everyone.
• Choose a specialized educator who uses neither physical force nor pain: games and positive reinforcement are the most effective and least dangerous.
• Usually, a guard dog is chosen from service breeds, but this is not a prerequisite. The main advantage of such a dog is intelligence, and not size and strong jaws. Fighting breeds are not the best choice for this purpose. Advantages of a guard dog:
• The last quality is very important for a guard dog. If you want to have not just a guard dog, but also a guard dog, you should pay attention to the St. Bernard or Moscow guard dog. This is an ideal option for a private home. However, such a dog will be too big for an apartment.
• It is better to choose the classic option – the German Shepherd. This is a companion, watchman, and security guard rolled into one. The dog will fit perfectly into any family, will get along with other pets, and will protect a person, as well as his property. The Shepherd is easy to train and is loyal.
• Sometimes you can find recommendations to adopt a Rottweiler as a watchdog. This choice is not the best. The Rottweiler is suitable for the role of a guard dog, but significant effort will have to be made to train it. It is much easier to adopt a shepherd – she is excellent at learning new skills.
• Also, you should not take short-haired breeds with minimal undercoats as guard dogs. Some have no undercoat at all. Representatives of one of these breeds include the Doberman. He is a great learner, but he shouldn’t be able to be outside. The dog requires warmth and care; this is not the best choice for service.
• It is also not recommended to take representatives of fighting breeds. In the family circle, these are seasoned and calm pets who are focused on their owner. However, they do not have the proper endurance. In addition, these dogs are too aggressive for guard duty. You should not awaken in them what is inherent in genetics.

Best Guard Dog Breeds:

As a guard dog, you can raise a pet of a service breed: Caucasian German Shepherd, or Airedale Terrier. First, you need to conduct a course of ordinary training with the animal, and only then a specialized course. Guard dogs are trained by specialists. See below for the best guard dog breeds…

German Shepherd:

The German Shepherd is very intelligent with great deduction skills, courageous, faithful, a dissuasive physique, hardworking, and widely used as an assistance dog for the sick.

Belgian Shepherd:

 The Belgian Shepherd, a very good pet, playful, dynamic, and vigilant, is, just like the German Shepherd, used by the police for its qualities.

American Staffordshire Terrier:

The American Staffordshire terrier is very strong physically but with a very gentle character, loyal and intelligent, protective of children in particular and favored for assisting the sick, lively, this dog has many qualities, but its bad reputation is due to a very poor use by man of his strength and character. Despite everything, he remains concerned by the law on guard and defense dogs.

Beauceron:

The Beauceron very dissuasive due to its physique, is a gentle and kind dog, calm but with a great need for physical exercise, who barks when alerted or when needed.

White Swiss Shepherd:

The White Swiss Shepherd, sporty, playful very intelligent, very protective, very good guardian who is courageous without being reckless, is often selected by the police services for personal assistance and protection.

How to Train a Guard Dog:

It’s time to bring your suitable companion up to date now that you’ve chosen them and made the commitment to the assignment. We’ve outlined several training tiers to assist you in molding your puppy into the kind of security canine you desire.

Basic Obedience:

This is arguably the first level of training that all dogs should be able to perform. At this stage, common orders are “sit,” “come,” “leave it,” and “heel.” Acquiring these commands will strengthen the link between you and your dog and boost your dog’s confidence.

You can also start training your dog to have a trustworthy recall at this point. Your pet should be able to respond to your call despite the distractions of food, activity, and people.

Treats, toys, and playtime are all part of a reward-based strategy that works best for training this. Start small and cover little distances in a calm, cozy environment. As you both get more at ease, go farther apart and provide more distractions like toys and food. To maintain the ability, it’s a good idea to have your dog practice recall every day. In case your dog demonstrates a particular skill, dog obedience competitions are available.

Stranger Training:

It’s time to teach the dogs the tasks you need them to perform as security dogs once you have these procedures down pat. Have a stranger confront your leashed dog by coming up to him with a firm greeting and perhaps even beating on a door or fence. When your dog barks, the owner ought to flee in fear. Give the dog something to defend you.

This is a short procedure for certain breeds, and they will soon be barking at visitors who enter their domain. More inspiration will be required for others. This phase should be repeated as many times as required to help the dog learn what’s expected of them.

Socialization

The best guard dogs are said to be antisocial, according to a stereotype. In actuality, things are very different. Socialization is essential for good security dogs, ideally beginning in their early years. When a stranger comes, your dog needs to feel at ease and self-assured.

To avoid biting the incorrect person, they need to be able to distinguish between intruders and bystanders. Make sure your dog is accustomed to being around people and other animals, and that it has had the opportunity to go on walks in the park.

The two main objectives are comfort and exposure. Your dog doesn’t need to be great pals with everyone.

Establishing the Territory:

The next step is to teach your guard dog the area you want them to keep watch over. Make periodic rounds of your property’s perimeter, particularly following training sessions. As soon as they move into your house, you should incorporate this into your regular walks.

Moreover, it might be a wonderful way to strengthen bonds. Clearly defining the boundaries between your dog’s fenced area and unfenced areas will aid in their understanding of which belongings belong to them.

Bark Commands:

A competent security dog can bark frighteningly. It’s a safe method of deterring trespassers. Start by identifying an object that causes your dog to bark, such as a ball that is out of reach or a doorbell. Say your command word of choice right before they start barking. “Speak” is a classic, but any word can do that. Give a treat to the behavior’s recipient.

Reward them less if they bark and you do not give them the command. Dogs will understand the meaning of the term and the necessary actions to receive the treat after practicing this behavior for a few training sessions.

Some dogs bark far too much. In addition, a lot of experienced trainers simultaneously teach “quiet” or “hush” cues. If your dog isn’t stopping, you may try putting them to sleep as this makes it harder for them to bark. Requesting that a barking dog pick up a plush toy also seems to work for some dog owners.

Goals Of Guard Dog Training:

The primary objective of dog security is to dissuade possible dangers. When a trained security dog is present, it can serve as a deterrent to intruders, criminals, and those with bad intentions. When people believe that a property or region is guarded by a security dog, it can deter illegal activity and unauthorized entry.

Protection dogs who have received training have remarkable capabilities, including good hearing and a strong sense of smell. These canines are frequently employed to find particular objects, such as drugs, explosives, or illegal goods.

Their capacity to recognize objects that are hidden or obscured can be useful in security, military, and law enforcement contexts. Teams of dogs trained in security are sent to patrol and keep an eye on particular locations or properties.

These canines and their handlers can patrol the property regularly to make sure it is secure. Their presence improves the area’s overall surveillance and helps to maintain a visible security presence.

Security canines that have received training can be used to track and find people who are missing, suspects, or anyone attempting to avoid capture. They can help with criminal investigations, search and rescue missions, and scent trail following.

Security Solution:

Over time, deploying security dog teams may prove to be a financially prudent security measure. Even though purchasing and training security dogs may involve an initial financial outlay, their continuing upkeep expenses are generally less than those of other security measures.

The costs related to theft, property damage, or possible legal repercussions from security breaches can be mitigated by the high degree of efficiency and effectiveness provided by security dogs. They act as dog guards for homes or other locations because of their economic strategy.

Enhanced Deterrence:

Security dogs are a highly effective deterrent to possible trespassers. An attentive and well-trained dog can deter burglars from targeting a home just by its sheer presence.

Fear of coming across a dog with keen senses, powerful defensive instincts, and impressive physical prowess is an effective deterrent that lowers the probability of theft, vandalism, and break-ins.

Obedience and Loyalty:

Trust, loyalty, and skillful training are the cornerstones of the relationship between a guard dog and its master. These canines go through intense training regimens that help them develop self-control and obedience.

They are devoted to their handlers and the property they are entrusted to, even putting their lives in danger to do so.

They are dependable and trustworthy allies in the security industry because of their commitment and dedication. Given that they are exclusively devoted to you, personal protection dogs provide far more practical protection.

Agility and Quick Reaction:

Trained protection dogs are taught to react swiftly to possible dangers and offer aid right away when needed.

These incredibly fast dogs can move quickly over a variety of surfaces and obstructions, helping security guards examine wide areas or pursue offenders who are running away.

They are a great addition to human security teams because of their speed and agility, which guarantees a timely and efficient reaction to security breaches.

Exceptional Sensory Abilities:

The exceptional sensory abilities of close protection dogs are among their greatest assets. Because of their extraordinarily keen senses of smell, hearing, and vision, dogs are particularly good at seeing hazards that people or traditional security systems might miss.

Their ability to detect scents allows them to detect bombs, drugs, and hidden contraband with precision, which makes them useful in high-security areas like airports and public spaces.

Conclusion:

In an ever-changing world of security threats, security dogs have established themselves as invaluable allies. They are a vital tool in protecting people, property, public areas, and dogs for home security because of their extraordinary sensory qualities, quick reflexes, devotion, and adaptability. 

A significant deterrence against potential criminals and a sense of security are provided by the presence of well-trained security dogs. In today’s intricate security environment, security dogs have earned their position as dependable guardians with their distinct skill set and unwavering commitment.

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