How To Train A Guard Dog | DogTeachers.com

Have you ever knocked on a friend’s door or a neighbor’s door only to be greeted by a menacing sounding growl or bark on the other side of the door? Chances are your friend or neighbor may not have dogs that were specifically trained for guard duty but most dogs offer at least some degree of protection in the sense that they are typically very alert and quick to respond to the presence of strangers approaching the house. These dogs may be sweet and gentle companion dogs that actually enjoy having company visit but this does not stop them from putting on a fierce façade which can be quite intimidating. Many homeowners have a dog for this specific reason. They may not have any intentions of having their dog trained specifically for the purpose of being a guard dog but they also may feel more secure knowing the dogs are present and may feel as though the dog will react appropriately if there is ever an actual threat to the home or the family. However, there are some families and even some businesses that opt to have a dog or more than one dog on the premises that have been trained to be a guard dog. These dogs may still be gentle and loving members of the family but they are also trained to recognize threats to the home or family and protect the members of the family as well as the properly when necessary.

Unlike the training of dogs to work with the hearing or visually impaired, dogs can begin guard dog training at a later age. While hearing and sight dogs may begin training at seven or eight weeks of age, guard dogs can be trained to behave accordingly even if training does not begin until the dog is an adult. However, it is ideal for a guard dog to learn the necessary skills at a much earlier age. This is because otherwise the dog may have learned other skills which hinder the guard dog training. For example a dog that was taught not to jump up on people may experience some difficulty in the process of being trained as a guard dog because he may be hesitant to jump up on trainers who are posing as intruders during the training process.

Guard dog training is serious and is typically not considered to be a do it yourself type of project. While many dog owners can train their dog in a number of different skills such as basic obedience, hunting and even dog sports such as flyball and agility the process of training a dog for guard dog duties is one that is best left to the professionals. If you are interested in teaching your dog to be a guard dog the first step in the process should be to find a reputable training facility which has a great deal of experience teaching companion dogs to function as guard dogs. This is important because the quality of the program in which you enroll your dog will reflect on how well the dog is trained to perform his basic duties.

Many guard dog training programs will require your dog to reside at the training kennel for the duration of the training program. This is important because the dogs will be in an intensive training program and leaving each day to go home to a more relaxing environment can hinder the training process. However, before being accepted into one of these training programs, your dog will be carefully evaluated to determine whether or not participation in the program is even recommended. While a dog of any size or breed can be trained to be a guard dog, the temperament of the dog will dictate whether or not the dog is well suited for work as a guard dog. This is important because some dogs, even though they may be large and intimidating in appearance, are simply not cut out to be guard dogs. A simple temperament test performed by the instructors at the training center will enable them to determine whether or not your dog has the potential to be successfully trained to be a guard dog.

Dogs that are accepted into a guard dog training program are first trained in basic obedience. They may have already had some obedience training and while this may simplify the process, it is important to note the expectations of obedience training are far more rigid for a guard dog than for a companion dog. While you may have considered your dog to be successful if he sits the second or third time you ask him to do so, guard dogs are expected to obey each and every command immediately. Therefore, even if your dog has been trained in basic obedience the process will be revisited to ensure the dog is responding appropriately to all commands such as sit, down, stay, heel and come.

Dogs that are in training for guard dog duties are also trained not to obey commands or accept treats from anyone except the owner or handler. Again this is very important because a guard dog is essentially rendered ineffective if an intruder is able to give the dog simple commands such as down and stay and have the dog obey while he proceeds onto the property. Accepting treats from strangers is also potentially dangerous as the dog can be bribed or distracted if he accepts treats from an intruder.

The specifics of guard dog training will vary depending on your specific needs. If you want a guard dog to alert you when intruders enter the property the dog will be trained to recognize the presence of strangers and alert you of their presence. This is usually done through barking and then returning to the owner. The process or barking and returning to the owner may be repeated several times until the owner acknowledges the presence of strangers and the dog understands he has successfully completed his job. Some guard dogs are also trained for protection purposes which means they will be trained to attack an intruder either on the owners command or when a legitimate threat is perceived. For this reason, guard dogs that have been trained to attack should not be left unattended with visitors to the home as they may perceive actions or motions as threatening and may respond according to their specific training. Dogs that are trained to protect the owner are also desensitized to loud noises and threatening gestures. This helps to ensure the dog will not be deterred by loud noises or gestures used by the intruder in an attempt to prevent the dog from attacking.

Additionally, guard dogs should be taught to respect and interact peaceably with the other members of the family. This should include both human members of all ages as well as other family pets. A guard dog should know the children and adults in the family well and should understand they should not be perceived as a threat. The dog should also understand the other household pets, including other dogs, cats or other animals are also part of the family. In this ways a guard dog can be vigilant and protective but can also be a loving member of the family.