Sentry dogs are used in military and civilian applications to guard and patrol property.
A sentry dog is a dog that will protect property and display aggression to individuals other than its handler who approach this property. Sentry dogs are usually medium- to large-sized dogs, and are usually one of a variety of breeds, including Boxers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.
Cost of a Dog
Typically, purebred dogs are used because of conformity offered within the breed, and training basics will usually begin when dogs are puppies from 6-to-8-weeks old. Some trainers will breed their own litters to mitigate the costs of obtaining such a puppy. Otherwise, purebred puppies from reputable breeders can cost from $300 to well over $1,000.
Feeding and Maintenance
Depending on the type and intensity of training given to a dog, sentry training can last from 9 months to 2 years in duration. The bulk of the cost of the training consists mostly of the cost of basic necessities for the dog, including food and veterinary care. Trainers with the ability to administer some basic veterinary care to their dogs will see a significant savings. The quality of feed and vet care per year can range from $145 to over $1,500. Dogs that are injured during training or that develop other health issues can become unsuitable as sentry dogs, resulting in a loss of investment.
Equipment
Proper equipment to train sentry dogs includes far more than just a collar, food bowl and leash. Trainers must employ bite sleeves and bite suits, which can cost well over $500 and $2,000, respectively, to teach the dog proper biting technique. Sentry dogs, particularly those in training, will also wear special equipment to assist the handler and vets. This equipment may be bullet or stab-proof and includes harnesses with handles, training collars, and basket muzzles---the cost of which can easily exceed $1,000. Additionally, in order for the dog to perform sentry duties effectively in various locations or conditions, expenditures must be made to procure additional facilities for instruction.
Kennel
A sentry dog must have appropriate kennel facilities, as their breed characteristics coupled with the intensity of their training often means the dog is unsuitable to live indoors with a family. Prefabricated kennels come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the smallest of which will usually cost upwards of $400.
Other Considerations
In addition to direct costs, consider the cost of time invested in training a sentry dog, as well as the possible cost of a second and third handler to assist in training. Even without those costs factored into a finished total, you should expect the cost of training a premium sentry dog to tally at least $5000.
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