Security Guard Dog Training
Dogs are known as man's best friend because they are loyal and reliable. To train a dog for security and guarding duties, it is easy to take advantage of a dog's natural instincts to protect. While most dogs will bark when a stranger approaches, reinforcing these behaviors will produce a dog that can be counted on to guard both people and property.
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Types of Breeds Most Suitable for Security
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Doberman dogs can maintain security with their threatening appearance. Historically, some breeds of dogs are more effective in security work than others. This is both because of appearance and size and also how easily the breed takes to training. German shepherds are often used for security, especially by the police, because they have a good blend of training ability mixed with the physical threat of appearance. Dobermans, rottweilers and pit bulls may be intimidating in appearance but are not as easily taught.
Obedience Is Key
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Dogs must be obedient at all times to be useful guard dogs. The first step in training any dog for guard dog duties is to make sure he is an obedient dog. House-training is a must. Taking an obedience dog course will give the trainer and the dog the confidence and trust in each other to continue forward into security training. By the end of obedience training, the dog should be showing an aptitude for listening to his trainer's commands at all times.
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Beyond Obedience School
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Dogs are not trained to be "mean" but to encourage their instinctual loyalty. In the dog/trainer relationship, the trainer is the alpha-male. All directions to the dog should be given without apology. Do not let the dog ignore your commands even once. This will solidify the dog/trainer bond and help the dog achieve its natural instinct to protect the trainer and the trainer's designated area. It is important that a guard dog in training be shown respect. Never abuse or hit the dog; this will only elicit an angry reaction from him.
Training Essentials
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Daily reinforcement helps the dog understand what is expected of it. Toys and props are useful in marking territories to be guarded or for representing an intruder. It is essential that the trainer have a code word to "sic" the dog and another to call him off. It cannot be emphasized enough that the dog must listen and obey every time. Daily practice with fetching and attacking inanimate objects with positive reinforcement by the trainer works best for training security dogs.
A Dog With a Job
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Once a dog is trained to protect, consider him a professional. Once a guard dog is on duty, notify others that the dog is trained to protect. As seeing-eye dogs are "working"dogs, so are security dogs. They are not meant to be pampered as a family pet but are meant to be alert and on call at all times. Continue to give a guard dog affection but remember he is "at work." Treat him as a professional and he will do what he does best--protect.
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References
- Photo Credit german shepherd image by Olga Drozdova from Fotolia.com Doberman image by Stana from Fotolia.com chien 7 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com big dog image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com funny dog ears flap high retrieve vizsla run play image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com guard dog warning image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
