Training an 8 Week Puppy to Be a Guard Dog
Best Guard Dogs
Of the 68 million dogs in American homes (See Resources), most of them are expected do some type of guard duty as family pets. A well-trained guard dog should be protective, yet not scare off friendly visitors. Usually, people think of large breeds when they consider guard dogs. A good guard dog doesn't have to be a large commanding breed. In fact even small dogs can be good watchdogs, although they're not as protective. However, a guard dog does have to be a breed that's more prone to guard than other breeds. A few of the best guard dogs include breeds such as the German shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier, Doberman Pincher and the American Bulldog.
Obedience and Socialization Training
The first step in training an eight-week old puppy to be a guard dog is to teach basic obedience, such as sit, stay, heel, come and down. You as the owner should be the only one to give commands and reward with treats. This is important so he won't take orders from strangers when he becomes a guard dog. Eight-week-old puppies are old enough to enroll in puppy schools where they can not only learn obedience basics but also socialize with other dogs and people. In fact if a puppy isn't socialized during the first three months of life, he is more likely to be afraid of other dogs and people.
Relating to Strangers
Begin teaching your dog to bark and then come to you when strangers or vehicles approach your house. With each time your puppy barks and comes to you, alerting you there's an unfamiliar person or vehicle on the premises, promptly reward him with a small treat or chew toy. If the visitor is not a stranger, firmly yet calmly say, "No," until your dog stops barking. Clickers are helpful tools in training, coming with instructions on train your dog to guard your home, in addition to other skills.
Protection Techniques
A well-trained security dog can rescue someone in danger or respond to an owner when commanded to do so. One method for teaching a puppy about protection is tucking a hand into an old jacket sleeve, and then telling him to tug and then "get it." Teach when it's appropriate to attack clothing and not the flesh of humans and when to "drop it." Also, be sure to show which areas are acceptable for biting, such as jacket sleeves or pant legs.
Professional Training
Besides reading books and watching videos on dog guard training, solicit professional help. For example, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers can help you find a local dog trainer who specializes in guard dog training. Also, take advantage of dog obedience shows such as Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" or National Geographic Channel's program "The Dog Whisperer" featuring world-acclaimed dog trainer Cesar Millan.
Related posts
The Doberman breed is known for its protective instincts.Some people choose to have a dog for more than just the companionship a pet provides. Many choose to train their dogs to guard their home a...
Dobermans are a common choice for a guard dog.A guard dog can be a valuable protector in a home or on a farmyard. However, a guard dog can be a dangerous animal if trained improperly. Proper train...
10-week-old puppies can begin crate training but should never be crated for more than an hour or two at a time.Crate training is an essential element for successful cohabitation between pet and ow...
Training Guard DogsIntroductionGuard dogs are used across the nation in both private homes and for corporations. The main duty of a guard dog is to protect his owner and his owner's property by fe...
Advice on Training Two Puppy LittermatesAdding a puppy to the family can be quite an adjustment. Along with the fun of a puppy comes extra work. Two puppies will be twice the fun and twice the wor...
