The Pros And Cons Of Protection Training For Your Dog

Lots of people today seem to be drawn to the idea of having a dog for protection

. You notice it when you see people who don't particularly like dogs buying large dogs like Mastiffs and Great Danes in the belief that these dogs will protect them. You notice it in the large numbers of people keeping bully breeds like American Pit Bull Terriers and their mixes with the idea that these dogs will attack intruders. There are other people who choose protection training for their dog or who decide to get a dog that is already protection-trained. Good idea or not?

Protection training, at its best, is very sophisticated dog training that requires a good trainer working with a dog in order for the dog to understand the subtleties of the different actions he's being called upon to perform. It requires excellent obedience work, a great understanding of the drives motivating your dog, and great skill as a trainer. Protection training isn't something that a novice trainer should usually try to do alone.

Protection training for your dog typically involves bite work (using a padded sleeve), chasing an "intruder" in training sessions, attack work, and other lessons that can be problematic for an inexperienced trainer.

There's also the issue of whether or not you have the proper dog for protection training. Many people believe that their dog would protect them if they were threatened but it usually takes a dog with a special temperament and genetic background to actually do protection work. There are good reasons why most protection work is performed by German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois and a few other breeds. If you wish to train your Border Collie in protection work because he's such a smart dog that he can learn anything, the chances are that he may not do well at this work because he probably doesn't have the innate temperament for protection work.

On the other hand, a protection-trained dog is an invaluable asset to someone who knows how to handle the dog. If you have been trained to handle your dog or if the two of you have been trained together, then a protection-trained dog may be appropriate for you, depending on your situation.

Protection-trained dogs are vital for police departments, drug enforcement agencies and other law enforcement organizations. But it's important to remember that the dogs that are used with these groups have been trained by expert trainers and they are working with partners who have been trained to handle them appropriately.

If you, as a private individual, decide to own or train a protection dog, you should be aware of the possible legal liabilities. Part of protection training involves training a dog to bite and attack and there may be legal consequences involved, particularly if your dog attacks someone and you are unable to call him off.

Before you decide to get a protection dog or to pursue training your own dog in protection work you should consult the dog owner liability laws in your state.

by: Tristan Andrews

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