we have a 5 month old boxer who is very smart and learns easily. stubborn at times but thats part of the breed. we would like him to be territorial and protective but not out of control. (and of course, my husband would like him to attack on command, if the appropriate time should occur, ie; burglars, intruders, ....) we also want to make sure that he is able to stop at command as well. we dont want him to attack other dogs nor do we want him to attack people walking down the street. we live in san diego and would like to know of any programs or tips on how to do this. thanks in advance...

1. Find something he absolutely detests with a fiery, insatiable, inextinguishable, unmitigated, unadulterated passion.2. Expose him to this thing that incites such primal hostility3. As soon as he destroys it, you remove it.4. As you continue to do this, associate a command or signal with the appearance of the thing he detests.He will eventually think the command signals the approach of something he hates and the only way to stop the misery is to utterly ravage it.

this is not for the do-it-yourselfer. If it was even advisable for you to do this it would require professional or experienced handling. do not worry, your dog will definitely guard your home area and his people too, but probably not on command, only when he feels the time is right

we have two american bulldogs, and some of the characteristics between the breeds personalities are similar. while our dogs (the male mostly) are very teritorial and do not tolerate anything in their environment that we didnt say was ok, they are also very loveable to anyone if i isay its ok. they are also great around children. if they neighbor comes home after we go to bed and he can see them then he lets us know. they hear every noise and i feel completely safe if my boyfriend is not home. if you teach the dog the people that are aloud to come by, and times they are aloud to come by then they will let you know if anything is not right. If they know who is knocking then they will be ok, if not they gotta check things out first and if they aren't use to them they will usually bark, if someone shows up at 2 in the AM then the dog will definitely be barking... when someone knocks say "whos here boy" (or girl) so they know to check it out. and dont forget treats and lots of love... then they will do anything!!!!

Why would you want to train a dog it is ok to attack some one? If you are really interested in this seek expert advice!

Originally Posted by ejackson0723

this is not for the do-it-yourselfer. If it was even advisable for you to do this it would require professional or experienced handling. do not worry, your dog will definitely guard your home area and his people too, but probably not on command, only when he feels the time is right

This is such bull. When ever I hear hire a professional that usually insults me. I have trained my own dog to attack on command and without a professional. A lot of good reading material and common sense and a good bond with your dog is all you need. Never abuse the dog, start with teaching him or her to be a good dog and work up to teaching him or her how to attack on command. Don't ever believe that hire a professional junk. A good hard working man or women with common sense can learn on their own. The professional's are for city people who can't work and think for themselfs and want to blow a lot of money. Hiring a professional is for lazy fools who can,t think and work.

Originally Posted by Tara

Why would you want to train a dog it is ok to attack some one? If you are really interested in this seek expert advice!

actually training a dog is advantage in pets owners part...trained dog are disciplined so there is less worries...

I am the proud owner of two pure bred boxers. And While ia agree and disagree with the posts on this subject....

ANY dog will want to protect its domain, To include family members, From other dogs and pets to children and adults! He will also be inclined to protect his home, Yard fence...so on and so forth!

But thats really as far as it goes protection wise....And other then a large ammount of barking at the intruder, The dog really isnt going to do much else. Unless he is trained to do so.

I agree that anyone with proper reading and education can teach their own dog to attack, I know I am not shelling our thousands for something I can do on my own!

It takes, Deciplne, Love and mostly respect. Not to mention Trust...If your dog does not trust you....The training will be obsolete!

The trust and respect begins from day one of recieving your puppy....When he follows you aound every where you go....Thats because he already TRUSTS that you will protect him....And in doing so...He will feel inclined as an adult to do the same...

The most crucial tim to train a dog basic skills is no later the 16 weeks of age, as that is when Male dogs hit puberty, They are less likely to pay attention to you during triain, will rather smell the surroundings...Listen to everything but you....

So it is very Important to train in this time frame...Though hard training can be done at any point in a dogs life...This time is the easiest...Since your puppy is 5 months old, it may be just a little harder.

I do not recomened listening to the person who suggests presenting the dog with something he hates with a passion....Thats poor dog training. I dog should not need to be frightened to respect your commands....And when A dog outwardly attacks somehting...It is because he is scared of it!

You want your dog to attack on command out of RESPECT for you.

I have to say, That my boxers are very loving, to everyone, WHile very protective over our house, knocks on the door, and the yard....Barking is as far as it would even go....If someone were to break in...They would either do one of two things...

Bark and run away...Or bark..Then lick him to death.

To the poster who asks why do you want to train your dog to attack??? Thats a personal choice of a responsible dog owner, and it only furthers the dogs trust, love and obediance!

My suggestions for training your boxer

Since they are such a hyper breed, they have very short attention spans, Make your lessions short and FUN.....A dog is not going to want to do anything that Is not enjoyable! Or to long he looses intrest!

Boxers are very intelegent and SUPER FAST learners, I had my boxers train to "Sit" .."Lay down"..."Come"..."Shake"..."Roll" Over in a matter of maybe 3-4 weeks!

when they ar epuppies and the training is short and fun...They are like little sponges!

So that is my first suggestion to you, Make sure that trust is built and he has all basic respectful Submissive Manors Mastered! "Sit" ..."Come"..."Stay" ..."Down"...

next you want to make sur eyou have treats, Best method is a hunk of cheese of slices of cheese, No hard treats!

A leash and a Stick....

Start of as a daily game...Allowing him the stick to chew then rewarding for such good behavior. But promtly remove the stick. Dont allow him to run away with it, Or get distractedd, if he becomes distracted....Stop training and do it another time....

Each time he shows intrest in chewing the stick...had some energy to it..tug of war type...Quikly reward him.....MAke sure to have a word for when he chews the stick when instructed....And do not change the word...You will you this word for "Attack" And "Realese".....

Make sure he is clear on both words.

Always praise your dog not just with treats, but with love and plenty of "Good boy".....After a few days or weeks he will have no trouble catching on that when he is given the command to attack the stick...That in the end their with be not only be FOOD but play time with his best friend...

This creates positive assosiation in your dogs mind for the event. All dogs are willing to please at all times.

Will plenty or hard work, A routine and lots of love...He will be trained to attack on command in no time!

I can't stand it when I hear people who want to turn their dogs into weapons. If you feel the need for protection get a gun, pepper spray, or a stun gun. Leave your dog alone.

If dogs are generally trained not to bite people, there are dogs that are trained precisely to attack. These are the attack dogs. On command, they would jump and attack people or anything their master would tell them to. These are usually dogs that you'd associate with police work.

An attack dog bites or attacks only when commanded to do so. He would also stop his attack on command. This is why an attack dog is a great help for police and other legal enforcement agencies. These are dogs that have undergone a special training called attack dog training.

Unfortunately, you'd find dogs that are trained to attack at command but not to cease attack at command. These are dangerous dogs that went through irresponsible training.

Attack dogs are not dangerous. They can socialize and have great obedience response. They do not attack people randomly unless they perceive their owner is at threat. Attack dogs are only dangerous if they are trained improperly. They become vicious and dangerous.

In attack dog training, the trainer would take into consideration the physical and psychological features and capabilities of the dog. The dog's handler will be able to predict the dog's response to any stimuli. He'd know how to avoid risky situations. The trainer would choose the attack commands carefully. The dog would have to undergo long and tedious obedience training before he could undergo the attack dog training.

Do not misinterpret guard dogs as attack dogs. They are not the same; although, attack dogs could also act as guard dogs. Guard dogs do not attack people. They merely inform their master or owner of a presence of a stranger. You can use small breed dogs as guard dogs.

If you would like to train your dog, it is very important that you first train yourself. A well-trained dog is not dangerous if the handler or trainer knows what he's doing. Look into enrolling or joining canine training clubs.

It might not be necessary but it would be great if you have a guard dog and an attack dog at the same time. Some people may argue that attack dogs cannot compete with a bullet. However, there are situations where your attack dog can be quite useful. The drawback to attack dog training is that it might backfire on you. You cannot totally control your dog because there are things that would be out of your control. For instance, your dog is not immune to stress. This could trigger your dog to become vicious; and you'd end up with a "trained" vicious animal.

The two major reasons why people consider attack dog training for their dog are protection and competition. If you want to train your dog, you need to find a good trainer who knows how to read your dog well. Not all dogs are ideal for this kind of training. In order to find attack dog training, you can try your local schutzhund club. You could also try the yellow pages or a dog breeder. Check with your dog's veterinarian as well. You could also inquire from your local police K-9 unit.

Here is a great video you should watch!

YouTube - Guard dog Attack training German Shepherd/Malinois k9-1.com

YouTube - Guard dog Attack training German Shepherd/Malinois k9-1.com

Check out the event/sport of "Schutzhund" I think you'd really enjoy it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schutzhund

Best of Luck in your Training

as far as reactor1967's "city people are lazy fools and anyone can do it" speech....mmm...i would say THAT is a bunch of bull. "anyone" shouldn't be out there trying to practice bite work.

as far as "attack" dogs go...i think people confuse the "attack" for something aggressive. alot of dogs are naturally protective and training that trait is something most good dog owners would find unnecessary.
however, with trained attack dogs...such as the "schutzhund" dogs that were mentioned (and this info comes from my friends who compete in Schutzhund)...the bite is the "reward"

just like the dog at the local obedience school get's a liver treat as a reward for sitting on command...when doing bite work, it is the bite that is the treat. just observing people doing proper bite work...when you watch the dog wait in a guard...often you can see the tail moving...the sheer anticipation...the dogs aren't really "attacking" in the sense of an aggressive action...as much as just playing part of the 'game' that bite work teaches.

Just some thoughts...

I have to agree with Jeremy. Properly trained protection dogs are not attacking out of aggression. They "attack" as part of a game they have been taught, and the bite is the reward.

But I have to add, owning a protection trained dog is a HUGE liability. These dogs no longer have the natural bite inhibition that most dogs learn as puppies. When they bite, them mean business. And we live in a society where people will sue you over anything.

Legally speaking, a dog is considered an attractive nuisance. Just like a swimming pool. As a dog owner, it's your responsibility to keep the public safe from your dog, just like you have to keep your swimming pool fenced, so people can't fall in and drown. Add protection training, and the law views your dog as a weapon, and you're doubly responsible for keeping the public safe from your dog, just like you must keep the public safe from a loaded gun. You may have a legal right to own one, but you have a legal responsibility to keep it safely under your control.

Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking if your dog bites an intruder, or to defend you, that you're safe from a law suit. You aren't. If the day comes where your dog bites, you can almost bet the farm that you're going to be facing a law suit. And you probably won't be covered by insurance if your dog has been trained to bite. That means there's a good chance you're going to lose any assets you have; your bank account, your home, your retirement funds. There's a good chance you will be bankrupt.

Criminals sue police departments all the time. And they often win huge settlements. If they can sue the police, they can sue you. And your chances of losing are greater than the police department.

Just something you should be aware of before you decide to train your dog for bite work.

that's the most intense training that you are going to do with your dog..

Originally Posted by Reactor1967

This is such bull. When ever I hear hire a professional that usually insults me. I have trained my own dog to attack on command and without a professional. A lot of good reading material and common sense and a good bond with your dog is all you need. Never abuse the dog, start with teaching him or her to be a good dog and work up to teaching him or her how to attack on command. Don't ever believe that hire a professional junk. A good hard working man or women with common sense can learn on their own. The professional's are for city people who can't work and think for themselfs and want to blow a lot of money. Hiring a professional is for lazy fools who can,t think and work.

The latter statement of yours is BULL.


You may disagree with hiring professionals but to make a statment as you did is ignorant. Surely you don't believe that professionals are only of use to and I quote: "city people who can't work and think for themselfs"? Not only is that naive thinking but it's ridiculous.

I suppose with having good reading material and common sense too, you'd perform surgery on your dog as well. Ridiculous, isn't it? Well it's not that extreme from attempting to train your dog to become a weapon that could potentially backfire on you and your family - never mind the burglar that may break in.

For someone who has zero experience with such training, it is not unreasonable to search out a professional that can guide you and assist you in an appropriate training program to your preference. Don't let how much it'll cost determine whether or not you'll go to a professional. You wouldn't refuse your dog vet examinations because the cost was too high? Right?

If for whatever reason you decide that you want to proceed and do this yourself - be prepared for any consequences that may go along with it. Give yourselves time to really learn about this sort of training. The pros and cons etc etc. But really, consider consulting someone that knows a little bit more on the subject than you do (aka.. a professional ).

Good luck!

Have to agree with Mahana on this one. I have seen the concequence of a DIY attack dog training, and ended up being a disaster, We had 2 at our obedience school one trained properly under profesional supervision and the other was the DIY.

Proffesionally trained dog, unless told, no one had any idea of his capability and what he had been trained to do, amongst all the other dogs at obedience school he was an everyday, social, playfull and friendly GSD. The DIY GSD was volitile, aggressive and unprodictable, his training was not done with proper thought or process and he had to be excluded from the training school because of the threat he was posing to all the other dogs and people around.

I have not read all th replys, but i wouldnt advise this AT ALL.

If you dont have the experience to do this you can cause alsorts of problems & confusion for the dogs & they WILL end up biting you, a family member or someone you dont want to.
dogs are terrotorial anyway - he will protect you by instinct if he sees you as his pack leader, so i wouldnt worry - burgulars will not attempt to come into your home if he is stood barking at them!

Please seek proffesional help if you intend on doing this - Im not sure if its legal where you live but it definatley isnt here in the UK.
The only thing i have heard about is Shutzhund training which part of the training is protection.
PLease for your sake & the dogs life dont try this on your own.
x

Hello, I have a peculiar problem: a few days ago I was attacked (rape attempt) in a city forest while walking with my dog, a 8-year old German Shepard. I fought with the guy for good 10-15 minutes but my dog did nothing to help, despite my screams and calling him. It seems, he was just running around that place.

Fortunately, thanks to my martial arts practice I managed to get out unhurt. But I am stunned by the dog's "cool" behavior. He is not timid, I saw him fight street dogs when there was a need.

Need to mention that he is used to strangers walking in our home and does not pay much attention to them.

It may be late, but I want to train him (myself) at least in the basic guarding/defence. Where to start? Will be grateful for your advice.

I would suggest you find a trainer who works with guard dogs. Trying to do it on your own could end up with a dangerous dog.

Not only does the dog need to be trained, but so do you in how to properly handle a dog like this. Essentially, when you train a dog, even for simple obedience, it really is you that is learning the proper way to work or handle the dog. If you have never done this before, you should have a qualified person work with you.

I would suggest contacting both your local veterinarians and obedience schools in the area and ask if they can suggest a facility that can assist you. They will know reputable places.

youbetcha1018, thanks for a wise reply.

I know it's my fault and it's me how really needs learning. In my childhood I had a ferocious dog, so I consciously trained this one to be harmless to strangers. He was a "baby"

I feel so hurt by his lack of response. I love him, but something is snapped in me (Sorry, I am just complaining.) Hope this will pass. Regards,

Ok i train dogs as Guard working dogs
lets start at the beginning

DO NOT EVER TRAIN A BAD TEMPERAMENT DOG

pit bulls rottweilers mastiff doggo argentino American bulldogs

SHOULD NEVER BE GUARD DOGS

for one reason
Behavior

a good guard dog isnt aggresive if you do see the K9-1.com videos
please be aware that mike trains and rehabilitates the dogs from owners who thought making the dog a angry dog is a tough dog
if you want your dog to be your BodyGuard then act like a leader
never hit or mistreat a guard dog this is a BIG no no
show your dog your property line
the real first good training session should be teavh him his limits
a guard dog should know where to stop running and return to his owner
second study your dog see how he behaves with mischievous children other dogs and family member you don´t want a dog that doesnt know the difference between long lost relative uncle Bob and Mr burgular
anydog can be a attack dog a attack dog does not think or respond to a command nor does he know if your alone or not it just attacks
if you do want to train a dog please see how he behaves

2nd training session is my favorite
its all about respect
teach him your the alpha
you lead
you give orders
never let him play around
nor misbehave or grr at you
a guard dogs life is hard your happy friend will hate you a little
but in the long run he will understand his duties and you will be happy and statisfied you know you have a Guard and not a uncontrolled element

the way i would train is the following work on the normal obedience orders
sit
stay
come here (dogs seem to like come here more than "their name" and the command)

a good sit command starts with a treat
1st day only then have him do it without the treat
do this until he understands just your hand signal
hold a piece of their cereal food in your hand and make a gentle knuckle so they can smell the food then with your other hand open your palm at their eye level and say sit repeat until he will do this for the treat
and then try without and then just signals
its hardwork but it pays off
this works for most obedience commands lets move on to the guard work shall we

get a oven mitt
yes a oven mitt(lol)

once you feel like your dog knows who is the boss try this training session
make it a game
have him tug on the mit
and when you say the magic word (let go or let it go) which ever you prefeer
give him/her a treat only if he/she will let go
and if he/she doesnt give him/her a strong NO!!
try this until you get him/her to obey you like a true leader
then try it without no treat then try a pointing finger signal
this will be a good step foward on the road to being a genuine guard dog

now try to do it combined with the other commands
like sit->"get it" (when you want your dog to tug on the mit never say kill or sick it or anything that you may regret in the future)

have your dog sit and on your command have him "get it" and that is the idea of how you should do your sessions together

then try stay-->"get it"
this is phase one of the training session

phase two will be having your dog understand your property line
understanding he/she cant leave you defenseless
if you get to phase two email me so i can help you more

but this is my warning it hurts me ppl want to train their dog just to impress friends or scare off ppl because in most cases the dog does his duties and they pay with their own lives DO NOT Train unless your sure you have the leadership skills
and study and love your dogs if you have a love able pit and you see he/she isn't aggressive go ahead and give it a try but always see what you are creating dog are born innocent into this world lets not take that innocence away