Choosing a Guard Dog
December 28, 2009 by
Filed under Security Tips
The reason people use a guard dog is that they tend to bark and frighten away, intimidate or in fact actively and aggressively attack an intruder on command.
Contrary to popular belief these dogs are also loving and attentive companions as well as guard dogs. The key is selecting the right dog and choosing one who has the temperament to do the things that you want but still to be a companion.
Getting a dog which will be a guard dog is a big investment and one that will cost quite handsomely by the end of training, so assuring that the temperament and breed of dog are what you need for the job are essential.
Larger breed dogs are generally used in guard dog training for understandable reasons but some midsized dogs have also been used with good success. Understanding the breed at hand is important.
Some breeds simply do not have what it takes to be a guard dog, while others, which are not generally seen as guard dog material, such as standard poodles may respond quite well and make admirable guard dogs for your home and family.
When you begin to select your future guard, pay close attention to his or her temperament and attitude. A puppy should be neither too shy nor too aggressive when you approach them.
Buy from a breeder who is known in the community and is reputable. Getting a dog from a pet shop or a backyard breeder or one who has many dogs under one roof is usually a mistake. You will ideally want a pup that has been socialized and handled as he or she was growing to their current age.
Ask questions of the breeders about the temperament of the adults that they have and ask for references from previous customers. It’s always a good idea to get the names of others who have purchased dogs from your breeder to see how satisfied they were with the puppy they purchased.
If there is a parent on the premises ask if you can interact with the pup’s parents and spend a few minutes observing them and their reaction to you. Make sure that they don’t behave as if they are frightened but neither do they react to you as if they are feeling aggressive toward you.
Ask specific questions of the owners about other pets, and how your new dog will react to them, as well as any problems they may have had with smaller children. This will be an important indicator of the right dog.
POPULAR GUARD DOGS