Protection Training at home? Bite Training...

BurberryShaw · 05-27-2008, 01:44 AM

So I am interested in protection training for my 5mos old. People I have talked to on DT say that it is not necessary...that dobes will be naturally protective...but this website for the training dvd says

"Many people think that just because they purchase a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, or a Malinois they will end up with a dog that can protect their family. Nothing can be further from the truth."

What do you think? Could biting on command be harmful to my family in any aspect? I bought the dog to be a protector...hell, I named her "Sentry"! Does anyone else train their Dobermans to be protection dogs...or to bite on command?

I dont want my dog to be mean, just ready for a confrontation or burglar if the time ever comes.

ng _v1:

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-Josh

bleh60 · 05-27-2008, 02:45 AM

You will get many answers on the question of protection training vs natural instincts, etc. I am not going to try to give you an answer because I dont feel I know as much as I know others on here do.

Can I ask, why dont you purchase a gun and instead rely on your dog as a burglar alarm and a deterrant.

Really, I mean no disrespect in someone wanting a dobe with real instinct, but you sound as though you really need the dog to be your protector and if someone really wanted to mess with you she'd be down with a bullet.

Santa · 05-27-2008, 03:12 AM

I think that's a very bad idea. If you really want her to have protection training, go to a professional.

Leroythedobe · 05-27-2008, 07:33 AM

dobes are naturally very protective...I wouldnt try to do at home training for protection. Although you can do a few small things to help improve the dobes natural instinct. What i did with leroy was everytime i heard a noise id say "listen" or "whats that" in a whisper voice and his ears would perk up and he would become alert. Now once he thinks he hears something he is alert.

Julie W · 05-27-2008, 07:36 AM

I would never recommend somebody trying to do protection training themselves at home. This is an incredibly involved process that is much more than "biting on command". Somebody that doesn't know what they are doing can royally screw a dog up. If you want to train your dog for protection work find a good, reputable working dog training club in your area and look into it. I think you will be shocked at how much time and work is involved.

WorkingInSTL · 05-27-2008, 09:01 AM

I have to agree with Julie on this one.

Protection trained dogs are a joy to own, and, no, they are not dangerous when trained correctly. I have 3 children (the oldest one 10 yrs old) who have spent their entire lives around protection trained dobies, and as far as the kids are concerned, my dogs are just their pets.

However, improper techniques will screw up a dog in an infinite number of ways, and will lead to a dog that NOONE would ever want to own. Once the damage is done, some of it may be irreversible. The amount of time that is devoted to this sort of training is overwhelming, and quickly consumes most of your free time, and it is not like an eight or ten week obedience class. It is ongoing...for years.

Another thing to remember is, the dogs that do well in protection work are bred very selectively to have the qualities necessary. I don't like to venture to far into the realm of controversial statements, but the unfortunate fact is that the majority of dobermans bred do not posess the drives necessary to be proficient in protection. If you were to venture into this, be prepared for the possibility that you may be asking your dog to give you something it is not mentally capable of giving you.

**Burns** · 05-27-2008, 09:39 AM

Truthfully, I wouldn't want my dog trying to attack a burgular anyway, because a dog is no match for a bad guy's gun and could be dead in a split second. I have a house alarm and guns to protect my family. My dog does get alert when he hears something in the house, but I would not want him going after something on his own.

workingk9s · 05-27-2008, 10:22 AM

I agree 100% with both JulieW and WorkingInSTL. If you want to do it, GO TO A PROFFESSIONAL! I have no problem with protection training, just make sure you have a good trainer behind you.

Rosamburg · 05-27-2008, 11:03 AM

I don't mind putting my two cents in on this. I agree with the statement above that the dog is much more likely to be actively protective if it is bred for it. Just because a dog looks like a Doberman it does not mean it will still have maintained the genetic characteristics that it was originally bred for decades ago. Protection training should be done under the mentoring of a person that knows what they are doing. A good start would be a protection sport dog club. That will help you determine what the dogs temperament make-up consists of. From that point you BEGIN to learn what kind of training should be applied to your dog. Then down the road you can switch over to a focus on personal protection. Depending on where you live there may be some good people to help you. If so it is not something that is going to cost you thousands of dollars.

There are a number of hacks out there who might call themselves "professionals" that will take your money and do bad shit to your dog to make it a fear-based aggressive spook bag that to the unknowing consumer may appear like it will be a good guard dog. What you would have is a liability that is probably no more likely to protect you than an untrained dog. Do a lot of research before taking any step at all. Visit sport clubs- schutzhund, French Ring, PSA, Ring sport, etc. get a feel for what they are about.

Murreydobe · 05-27-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosamburg

I don't mind putting my two cents in on this. I agree with the statement above that the dog is much more likely to be actively protective if it is bred for it. Just because a dog looks like a Doberman it does not mean it will still have maintained the genetic characteristics that it was originally bred for decades ago. Protection training should be done under the mentoring of a person that knows what they are doing. A good start would be a protection sport dog club. That will help you determine what the dogs temperament make-up consists of. From that point you BEGIN to learn what kind of training should be applied to your dog. Then down the road you can switch over to a focus on personal protection. Depending on where you live there may be some good people to help you. If so it is not something that is going to cost you thousands of dollars.

There are a number of hacks out there who might call themselves "professionals" that will take your money and do bad shit to your dog to make it a fear-based aggressive spook bag that to the unknowing consumer may appear like it will be a good guard dog. What you would have is a liability that is probably no more likely to protect you than an untrained dog. Do a lot of research before taking any step at all. Visit sport clubs- schutzhund, French Ring, PSA, Ring sport, etc. get a feel for what they are about.

To add to this, the OP should also be aware that in some states owners face greater potential liability if a dog is trained to bite and a worst case scenario occurs.