Canine Protection Training

I ran across this "Howcast" on how to train a guard dog today. Videos like this make me chuckle as the process is a bit more complicated than can be explained in a 90 second video. Since I do get requests regarding this service from time to time, I thought it would be worth mentioning a few items for consideration.

I do not offer protection training currently for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is that proper protection training is extremely expensive and time consuming. It also requires multiple trainers to do properly. If an owner is seriously considering this level of training for their dog, you should plan for thousands of dollars in initial training expenses and recurring costs during the life of the dog (for ongoing refresher training and insurance).

If the time and monetary costs are agreeable, the actual process involves establishing exemplary advanced obedience skills, THEN evaluating the dog to see if he/she has the temperament for this type of work. Many do not as they will need to he highly confident and learn to strike AND release on command in excited and intense environments. Dogs learning this skill set become working dogs, and require a far different relationship than that of simple pet and owner.

While there are certainly those that may have a legitimate need for a protection dog, it's a very involved process far beyond what is portrayed in the following video . . .