People have looked to dogs for protection and security for a very long time.
Since the dawn of our relationship with the wolf, dogs have circled the wagons, keeping owners, children, other animals and goods safe from intruders.
Those needs still exist today.
Whether you’re a government official concerned about protecting children or an actor who’s away from home a lot and doesn’t want to leave it unguarded, protection dogs can be the answer.
Of course, you don’t want to make a hasty choice.
That’s where our guide comes in – the ultimate manual for choosing a dog that will meet your needs and do his or her job admirably.
Let’s jump in.
Perhaps you travel a lot.
Maybe you pull down a substantial paycheck, but don’t want that fact to attract the wrong crowd to your home, whether you and your family are currently there or not.
Possibly you’re a government official, celebrity or athlete who needs to feel safe from the less welcome members of your public following.
No matter what the case, you want to feel safe.
Purchasing a protection dog may be the answer to that desire.
Dogs are pack animals, so they have an instinctive desire to band together and protect the group – both other animals and, more commonly today, humans.
Canines are naturally territorial. This behavior, which in nature marks highly intelligent animals at the top of the food chain, is extremely useful in the home environment, where dogs view everything that’s yours as needing their protection.
Moreover, properly bred and trained dogs have fierce barks and – if necessary – fiercer bites, which means they can be frightening.
Not to your family, of course, but to outsiders and trespassers. They rely strongly on instinct, and so have a very good sense of who should and shouldn’t be on your property.
Plus, as pack animals, they take their cue from the alpha, looking to you to determine whether or not someone is welcome near your home and family.
If yes, great. If not … that person will soon be sorry.
All of which makes them a very effective deterrent, with some owners reporting them to be more reliable than security cameras, motion-activated lights and alarm systems.
The best thing about dogs, though?
They can provide ultimate protection against other people, while maintaining the sweetest, most benign attitude with family members and other pets.
This is especially true when you purchase a well-trained protection dog, who has been carefully cultivated to respond differently to intruders and trusted people.
Sounds pretty good, right?
But is such a dog for you?
As discussed above, protection dogs are perfect for people who attract a lot of attention.
Actors, athletes, executives, politicians, diplomats and other celebrities often receive interest when they don’t want it.
In rare cases, this can make them, or you, feel very unsafe.
Even in the best of circumstances, you may simply have less privacy than you want. Or, even if you don’t worry about harm to yourself or your family, you may worry about the safety of your possessions.
The answer is anyone who wants to feel safer in their home while they’re there, and more comfortable about their home, family and belongings while they’re away.
Of course, if the dog is to fulfill the duties you want it to fulfill, it must be well-trained.
So what exactly occurs during protection dog training?
In a nutshell, a good dog is the result of selective breeding, carefully instilled skills and family love.
Our protection dogs start in small villages throughout Europe, where they learn to trust and obey people.
This early relationship sets the foundation for strong bonding with the end family, gentleness with children and solid intuition about other humans.
In addition, each canine receives topnotch training, using the latest techniques, to create a quick, competent and action-ready animal … should those skills ever be called upon.
We test our family protection dogs carefully, always ensuring they can do what we promise before we deliver them to their new family.
Included with purchase of every protection dog is a multi-day handler course at new owner’s residence.
We also train every member of your household in giving commands and utilizing the animal for utmost security.
The result?
A dog that will remain faithful to you, protect your home and generally ensure your safety for the rest of its life.
While protection dogs may be a good idea in general, if you want it to work out for your individual situation and family, you have to be sure to pick the right one.
So what exactly are you looking for when it comes to a protection dog?
First of all, breed.
Any number of dog suppliers may tell you that their breed is the best, but if you do your research, you’ll find that European German Shepherds are widely agreed to be the cream of the crop.
That’s for a number of reasons, including their loyalty, gentleness with children, excellent instincts and – let’s not lie – their beauty.
That last aspect is, of course, secondary to the range of personality traits for which you should keep your eye out.
But still, who doesn’t want a lovely dog at their side?
Nevertheless, the main reason we choose these animals is because we’re so confident in their ability to deliver the highest level of security to the families with whom we work.
Other qualities for which you should look, and which we provide, include:
Desire to please: Dogs should be concerned about security, but must also be willing to do as they’re commanded even in non-security situations. A desire to please is a strong indicator that such a dog will prove advantageous for life.
Friendly to children: As much as you value your home and safety, you value your children more which is why you must do your research and find a stable and clear-headed dog with a history of being well socialized around children.
Intuitive: Protection dogs have to be able to tell the difference between good and bad, a skill at which well-trained dogs excel.
Alert: Dogs must always be on their guard, even when enjoying some much-needed downtime, so look for watchful, tuned-in animals.
Just as you should look for specific traits in the protection dog themselves, you should also pick your dog trainer and provider carefully.
For the most part, when you buy a protection dog from a well-established and expert provider, you don’t need to worry.
It’s going to be a good dog.
However, you’ll no doubt still want to make sure that you understand how to communicate and handle your dog.
A good protection dog provider won’t just drop the dog off, toss you the leash and wave goodbye. They’ll hold your hand each step of the way, from selection and customized training, to delivery and ongoing support until you’re comfortable and confident.
They will train you in the day-to-day relationship between dog and owner, as well as dog and family.
By the time they leave, you should have a firm understanding of the commands you’ll use, the dog’s behavior and your own relationship with the dog.
In addition to careful oversight and a seamless transition, you should look for:
So are you ready to take the next step in protecting your home and your family with affordable dog training?
Selecting the right company to purchase a protection dog is critical. The protection dog provider should be transparent about the purchase process, provide expert delivery of the dog and comprehensive handler training in addition to ongoing support. We invite you to get in touch with us to learn more. Do to the time and labor involved in raising and training, premier protection dogs cost starts at around $65,000. To learn more about protection dog pricing and packages, call us today.
EVAN DUNBAR
Evan Dunbar is the President of Full Contact K9 and ProK9 Equipment. At an early age he was inspired by his uncle who introduced him to work-oriented dogs. Since that time, Evan has had the opportunity to study from and train with the “who’s who” of the working dog world.
His areas of expertise include advanced obedience, personal protection, service K9, and pet instruction. He is also an active participant in Schutzhund and French Ring dog sports. A modern and dynamic trainer, Evan’s unique style is technical and combines elements of both positive methods with classical approaches.
Full Contact Canine LLC is the culmination of a lifelong respect for animals, his passion for dogs, and Evan’s personal beliefs which emphasize ingenuity, integrity, and continuous learning in the world of professional dog training. He earned his B.B.A from Mercer University.
Evan has assembled a team of some of the most respected trainers in the industry to offer Full Contact K9 clients unparalleled experience, skill and service.
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