Dog Community

Protection training...sort of

Posted : 6/18/2006 12:56:21 AM

I have a year old APB/Rotti mix. The dog absolutely adores my five year old son but has ultimately bonded more with me. When we first got him we lived in a bad neighborhood, gunshots regularly, car broken into twice, two incidents of someone trying to force their way into our house. The first time it happened the dog went with my fiancee into the childs room and hid under the bed, he was 5 months old. The second time, about 2 months later the dog stood behind me, but between me and the childs room. He has always barked, and is extremely alert and aware at all times. Now though, his habit is to run to the door and bark anytime he's concerned, people on the sidewalk, neighbor slams car door, car driving by with radio playing too loud etc. My question is, how can I train him to only bark when someone is actually on the property and, instead of running to the door, how can I get him to run to where ever my son is?

Minty_Pups

Posted : 7/2/2006 12:58:01 PM

Train him to stop barking using "Quiet" or "Enough" or whatever you choose. When he starts barking, say "Quiet" and praise him immediately in that split second he stops barking. This might take a while but he should learn the meaning of quiet eventually.

After you've gotten "Quiet" down, praise him when he alerts you of something outside, then say quiet to calm him down. This way he'll learn that it's okay to bark once or twice to alert you, but he doesn't have to keep barking and become a nuisance.

As for running to your son's room, I'm not sure how well that would work. Wouldn't it be more effective if he's right there at the front door barking at the intruder? It might work better at discouraging that person from breaking in. The dog's instinct is to act aggressive towards the source of danger, and by doing so he is protecting you and your family.

Jason Hanson

Posted : 7/2/2006 1:46:55 PM

No it wouldnt be more effective for me. I don't want him in my line of fire. I'd be more comfortable with him as a backup, knowing that if someone got past me that the dog would still be protecting my family.

spiritdogs

Posted : 7/2/2006 3:05:22 PM

Most dogs are actually more interested in protecting themselves. We mistake their actions for a desire to protect us. To have a truly well trained protection dog takes a lot of training on an extremely stable dog. With pets, best to just train them well to obey you, and let their size or presence deter the bad guys.
Personally, I let my dogs bark a few times, then I call them. That way, they may temporarily deter the bad guy, but as he is on the way in, I want to be on the way out - with my dogs!!

Minty_Pups

Posted : 7/4/2006 2:39:28 AM

Well if that person got past you and your gun, I can't imagine that the dog can do much better...

Like Spiritdog said, that kind of protection training you're asking takes a LOT of work and probably the help of a professional dog trainer. Personally I find it hard enough to train my dog to stop barking, I can't imagine having to train him to sit quietly in a room whenever he sees anything.