Attack dogs are often used by police and law enforcement. They are trained to attack on command and respond aggressively to potential threats or intruders. Most attack dogs are well trained and will not act in an aggressive way unless they are commanded to by their owner. Attack dogs that are not well trained, however, can attack without warning and pose a serious danger to humans and other animals. The average owner is unlikely to need an attack dog.
Certain breeds, such as German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers, can be trained to be guard dogs as well as attack dogs. If you have a pure-bred dog that is not a typical guard dog breed, or if you have a mutt, it is still possible for you to train him to be an excellent guard dog. If he has the behavioral characteristics of a guard dog and is properly trained and socialized, then you could train him to guard and protect you.
A good guard dog must be confident in himself and his surroundings. A confident dog is curious about a new person or a new area, and is not shy or timid around new people. [3] X Research source Your dog may already have this trait inherently, but proper socialization can also instill confidence in a dog. A good guard dog is also assertive. This does not necessarily mean that he is overly aggressive or pushy. Rather, it means that he is comfortable with putting himself in a position that will allow him to get what he wants. It also means that he will be confident in approaching a new situation or person, rather than backing away. [4] X Research source Sociability is another important characteristic of a good guard dog. A well-socialized guard dog will be able to recognize and be wary of a stranger in his owner’s presence, but will not attack or become overly aggressive towards that stranger. [5] X Research source Good guard dogs must also be easily trainable. [6] X Research source Chow chows can make good guard dogs because they are naturally suspicious of strangers, but tend to be very independent and not easy to train. [7] X Research source Loyal dogs make great guard dogs. The more loyal your dog is to you, the more likely he will want to defend and protect you. German shepherds are known to be a very loyal breed. [8] X Research source
Beyond twelve weeks of age, puppies become increasingly more cautious of new situations and therefore become much more difficult to socialize. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source During the socialization period, you should get your puppy comfortable with meeting new people and interacting in new environments. It can be a huge task to socialize your puppy, so it may be easier to break socialization into small parts and expose him to situations over time at his comfort level. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Reward your puppy with plenty of positive reinforcement (e. g. , petting, treats, extra play time) each time that he has a good socialization experience. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Puppy classes are an excellent way to socialize your puppy. Keep in mind that your puppy should be up-to-date on his vaccinations and deworming treatment to keep him healthy and free of disease during the entirety of the training program. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If your dog is an adult and you have already trained and socialized him, then he should be well on his way to becoming a good guard dog.
You can teach these commands to your dog on your own. Alternatively, you can sign your dog up for an obedience training class.
Once you choose your “bark” trigger word, say it with the same level of enthusiasm each time you give your dog this command. Use the same trigger word every time you command your dog to bark.
As soon as your dog makes a sound, like a whine or a bark, run back to him and praise him with “good bark” or “good [trigger word]. ” Give him his treat immediately. After repeating this several times, your dog should start to connect your praise of his bark with a reward. Once your dog gets comfortable with the bark command while in the same area or spot, move him to different areas in your yard and in your house. You should also test his response to the command when you are walking him or playing together in a public place.
Ideally, your dog should bark only once when you give him the command. [19] X Research source However, your dog may want to continue to barking once you’ve gotten him started. Do not reward him if he barks continuously. Wait for him to quiet down before giving him the command again.
If possible, run through this scenario in the evening when it is dark outside. You will likely want your dog to warn you of someone at the door at night, so it will be important for him to understand that he should respond to the “bark” command during day as well as at night. [21] X Research source Practice the “bark” command in short intervals. After three to four repetitions, give your dog a break and let him do something else for about 45 minutes. After this break, practice the “bark” command several more times. The goal is to avoid overtraining so that your dog does not become bored or frustrated during his training sessions. [22] X Research source
Continue to practice the “bark” command with a family member, rewarding your dog each time he barks at the sound of the bell or a knock at the door. He should eventually start to associate the doorbell or a knock with a bark and bark once at the sound. Over time, you want to try to train your dog to bark at the sound of the doorbell or a knock at the door, rather than at your command.
As before, reward him with a treat when he responds appropriately to your “bark” command.
Do not yell or use a loud voice when you give your verbal command. Your loud voice may add to your dog feeling alarmed and may encourage him to bark even more. [26] X Research source Do not use “shut up” or “no” as verbal commands to get your dog to be quiet, since they can have a negative connotation.
Do not encourage him to bark if you meet a friendly or neutral stranger when you take him outside for a walk. [29] X Research source
