As soon as people domesticated the dog, it began to help them in everyday life. The protection of housing by our smaller brothers, indeed, goes back to the distant past. Since the times of ancient Rome, people have used friendship with dogs. The animal understands that it is fed and treated well. And now we can observe that those dogs to whom the owner shows love and care become faithful helpers and guards.
The premises could be guarded by both simple mongrels and purebred dogs that could easily learn the relevant skills. It is in their genes that such inclinations are embedded, which manifest themselves in training and learning. These breeds of dogs are called guard dogs. They are ideal for protecting premises, apartments and private estates. When choosing, be sure to consider how the dog eats and how much human warmth and care it requires. If your family has children, examine how it treats smaller family members.
Before getting a guard dog
The question of having a dog in the house arises for many people living in the private sector. A four-legged friend who mainly serves to protect the territory may become a real member of your family. Therefore, treat your dog with love and patience. If you want your dog to learn how to guard a private home, the first thing you will need to do is try to find a common language with him and build trust. This relationship is the basis of any command learning and training process. The dog must understand that you took him in for a specific purpose. This means that it is important to set boundaries from the very beginning. For example, if you know that the dog will live on the street, do not allow him to enter the house. Otherwise, the dog will then not understand why it is not allowed to be in the room. In order for your pet to feel comfortable in the yard, arrange a booth and a special place for it. For larger breeds, specially designated areas, fenced around the perimeter, can be created.
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Moreover, it is important for you to decide how exactly the dog will guard the house. She can move freely around the territory, be tied to a chain, and move around a limited area, the so-called “checkpoint.” If you are setting up a place for your dog, keep in mind that it should be comfortable at any time of the year. It is better to choose a dog to protect your home in the warm season, especially if it is a puppy. Of course, an older dog can tolerate cold conditions more easily. If you are adopting a small dog, a different approach is initially required. We will talk about this with you further.
Which dog is better to choose?
You should not approach choosing a pet solely from an aesthetic point of view. Guard dogs should not attract beauty. They should repel with their menacing appearance.
For apartment
The choice of dogs for apartment conditions is not so great. When purchasing such a pet, the following requirements are taken into account:
- good socialization;
- short hair so that he doesn’t get too hot in an apartment;
- not too big size;
- discipline;
- distrust of strangers.
Socialization of the puppy is carried out exclusively by its owner. The remaining qualities must be initially inherent in the dog in accordance with its breed.
Human protection
To protect human life and health, there are so-called bodyguard dogs; representatives of the breed must be loyal to only one person who is being protected.
In addition, they must have a stable psyche. Such a pet does not rush at everyone it meets; it must have a good reaction and sense a threat in order to be able to prevent it.
A bodyguard dog is a properly trained dog with a good, healthy psyche.
For a private home
Not every dog is suitable for living on the street either. When choosing a dog to guard the territory of a country house, you need to take into account some nuances. The animal must be:
- large enough to scare away unwanted guests;
- have thick wool to avoid freezing during the cold season;
- be loyal, but at the same time make decisions independently in difficult situations;
- have an innate distrust of strangers.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to keep a dog on a chain around the clock. It must be tied up only when guests arrive; at other times it must move freely around the site.
Caring for a puppy to protect your home
It is very important to understand that if the dog is still small, you will have to take it into the house for a while. Even in a warm summer kitchen, raising a puppy can be challenging. Especially if there are a lot of unnecessary items. They say that the owners are to blame for everything the little dog does. For example, he chewed on shoes that you didn’t put away. Of course, it’s worth explaining to the dog that you can’t do this. The best guards are trained on the principle that a small dog is not allowed to do the same things as an adult dog. For example, set a taboo on having a dog on the bed, in the bedroom, etc.
If the puppy has not yet grown up and has not had its vaccinations, we recommend that you do not take it out into the yard. Also note that up to 3-4 months, especially if it’s cold outside, the dog needs to be kept warm. Naturally, this is fraught with the fact that she will get used to being at home. What to do in this case?
As soon as you understand that you can begin to accustom your dog to living outside, actively begin mastering the enclosure. This must be equipped in advance. Consider what your dog needs to feel comfortable. In the booth, the dog is often very bored. Therefore, you will most likely see your dog on the porch.
To get your dog used to the enclosure, you can gradually start feeding him near his new habitat. This way the pet will have pleasant associations with its new home. You can then place the bowl deeper into the enclosure. As a rule, guard dogs value space. Even if the dog is at a special checkpoint, give him the opportunity to explore the territory, walk and show him what the dog should guard.
Small dogs for protecting the local area: 7 proven breeds
Small breeds include dogs whose adult weight does not exceed 12 kg. It would seem, how can such a dog guard the site? Quite if she belongs to one of the breeds listed below!
Of course, she will not be able to bite seriously (although she will definitely bite), but she will always notify the owner about the entry of a stranger into the territory and, at a minimum, will perplex the unlucky robber with her rage.
A hunting dog that does an excellent job as a guard. Average weight – 9-12 kg.
Guard breeds for home protection
Each dog has a sense of its own territory, which it will protect. Even the instincts of a small dog allow it to show aggression towards a well-wisher. Very often we can come across stories that a Chihuahua or a French bulldog has shown guard qualities. But still, some breeds were specially bred for such purposes. Let's take a look at watchdogs.
- Moscow watchdog. They became popular in the middle of the last century, when they began to be used for security. The dogs are not picky about grooming, they are very persistent and hardy. They can easily tolerate the cold while in a booth in winter. This is a loyal and brave guard dog breed. Her genes contain the qualities of a St. Bernard, a sheepdog and a hound;
- Saint Bernard A good guard who is easy to train. They differ in that they get along well with their families and have a balanced psyche. The imposing size can scare even the most avid stranger away from your home. Such dogs need regular proper nutrition and care for their coat. Products must contain phosphorus, vitamin D and calcium;
- German Shepherd. A breed characterized by intellectual abilities and the ability to analyze a situation before attacking. Of course, this can also be influenced by the dog's training. Shows good security abilities, as it was previously used for herding sheep;
- When thinking about what kind of dog is best to get to guard a private home, you can take a closer look at the Alabai. They are intended for grazing livestock. But now they have begun to be used as guard dogs due to their guarding skills, observation and endurance;
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog. A distinctive feature is the dog’s watchdog qualities. Such a defender knows the boundaries of the territory, so he is unlikely to catch up with the attacker. But the fact that he will not allow anyone into the guarded facility is certain;
- Doberman. The dog is very devoted to its owner, is distinguished by understanding and developed mental abilities. The dog can not only be a good guard, but is also distinguished by its agility and speed. In addition, these dogs are very graceful and beautiful;
- The Rottweiler understands perfectly where his friends are and where the “strangers” are. Therefore, he can easily protect his flock, territory or private home. The dogs have a muscular build and a well-developed musculoskeletal system. They interact well with both families and young children.
Other dog breeds, such as the Airedale Terrier, are also used to guard the home. Although the dog is considered a hunting dog, it is becoming increasingly popular as a home guard. The breeds discussed above are excellent for both defending territory and attacking intruders. It is important to properly train your dog to respond to attempts by ill-wishers to enter the yard.
There is also a group of dog breeds that exhibit good guard qualities, but are less effective in protection. Indeed, it is not always necessary for the dog to attack. Sometimes you can limit yourself to loud barking. Let us consider with you which breeds can guard a private home:
- West Highland White Terrier. This dog breed is classified as medium. But, despite such a small size, in comparison with larger home guard dogs, such as the Moscow watchdog and others, they can perfectly protect the premises and yard;
- Basset hounds are also small in size and are suitable for inexperienced owners. They can be a little playful and adamant. This should be perceived as one of the qualities of a dog’s temperament and try to find a common language with the animal;
- The Irish Setter is perfect for guarding an apartment. Take a closer look at this dog if you have children or other animals at home.
So, among the different breeds of dogs, there are many that are specifically designed to protect the home. The best dogs for protection can combine the qualities of a guard dog, a hunter, and in some cases, get along well with children. Basically, we described guard dog breeds, in which the instinct of understanding the territory and the need to protect it is embedded in their genes. It is important for you to have a correct and friendly attitude towards the animal, its upbringing and caring for the dog. Then the dog will begin to understand that he is considered part of the family and will begin to treat everyone close to him kindly.
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What dog breeds love children?
A dog for a child should be kind, smart, mentally stable and easy to train. The main quality is that she must love children, then the animal will condescendingly tolerate the baby’s antics, easily make contact and take an active part in his life. Let's look at the best dog breeds for a family.
Poodles
Representatives of this group of breeds are the best companion for a child. Dogs are small or medium in size, have a high IQ, are sociable, easy to train, in the circus they are often tasked with performing complex acts, and they adore children. They are mobile, moderately active, and love games. The Royal Poodle can be trained to be a guard dog.
English cocker spaniel
English cocker spaniel
A small dog, 38-42 cm tall at the withers, weighs 12-15 kg. This is a gentle, affectionate animal with a cheerful disposition. Like all hunting dogs, it is constantly on the move, requires attention, is ready to run and play at any time of the day. He easily becomes the favorite of the whole family and finds an approach to each member.
Labrador Retriever (Labrador)
A large, strongly built dog, 54-62 cm high, very active. An ideal pet. Thanks to his extraordinary abilities, he is used as a guide for blind people, searches for explosives and drugs at customs, and participates in rescue operations. A devoted, reliable animal, sensitive, kind and caring, will constantly look after its charges. Long walks will bring pleasure to the owners and will help the Labrador stay in good shape and avoid obesity.
Golden retriever
Golden retriever
A charming animal weighing 26-35 kg, height 53-61 cm at the withers with long silky hair of golden-red color. The breed is distinguished by impeccable behavior and often wins training competitions. A cheerful, sociable character, a friendly attitude towards other dogs and cats, and a keen interest in everything that happens makes her an indispensable member of the family.
Collie
A dog with the stature of an aristocrat, quite large, weighing 25-35 kg and height at the withers 55-65 cm. Refined manners and self-esteem have made it popular all over the world. There are short-haired (rare) and long-haired animals. Collies are cheerful, affectionate, cheerful, and enjoy playing with children. They can demand that a ball be thrown to them for more than an hour in a row and obey commands with pleasure. Loyal, good nannies, look after the kids, there are cases when they managed to warn children from rash actions.
How to raise a guard dog?
If you want to adopt a puppy to defend your territory, be prepared that it will need to be raised. It is worth understanding that there are advantages to having your dog with you “from cradle”. Firstly, her character has not yet been formed, and her skills and commands can be taught from scratch. This is in contrast to an adult dog who may not have the proper training. Then you will have to retrain the dog. But this happens extremely rarely. When choosing an adult dog to guard a private home, it is important to understand the peculiarities of its upbringing. If you got your pet from other owners, at first it may show hostility towards you. You can try to smooth this out with care, warmth and love for the dog. Once you have established a trusting relationship, you can move on to training. Having decided which dog is suitable for protection, you can begin to study the features of raising such a dog. Particularly important is the moment of training the dog, equipping him with a warm and cozy enclosure, as well as finding a common language with the pet.
How to housetrain a puppy?
When raising a guard dog from a very early age, we recommend that you take your time in training it to strictly perform the specified task. Don't leave your puppy in the kennel right away. He must get used to the new place, as well as to the territory he will defend. To make your dog feel comfortable, train him to the booth. To do this, you need to do more than just feed the puppy near its new habitat. Getting a dog to guard your home means taking into account all the nuances that face you. The puppy will feel better if you play with him in the yard and look around the kennel or enclosure together.
Your dog's familiar toys, which you can put inside, will help you adapt to living in a kennel. If the dog is interested in the booth, start encouraging such manifestations. To do this, praise or give a treat. When the puppy begins to stay longer in a new place, visit him more often, take an interest in his mood, praise him, and play.
How to train a dog to guard the house
When teaching a dog commands, first of all, it is important to establish understanding. Showing love and care to the pet will help to find such a connecting link between the dog and the owner. You can start training your dog after it has mastered hygiene skills and has also gotten used to its owner. Typically, if you are adopting a puppy, it is 5 months of age. Some dog experts believe that training begins the day you take a small dog into your home. That is, those rules that will apply at an older age must be explained to the dog from childhood. One of the important points worth mentioning here is feedback on your nickname.
When it comes to training guarding qualities, try not just to point out to the dog that it should guard the territory. Your task is to show that you have a favorable attitude towards the animal and are ready to play with it. Don't be afraid to show care and warmth. Guard breeds, although intended for protection, still require such an attitude that will show the dog that he is a member of the family.
Mastering commands can sometimes be quite difficult, so you can resort to the services of a coach. But if you try hard, you can try to train the dog yourself. Home defense dogs most often have innate skills and abilities to defend their territory. So, any penetration into the house can be perceived aggressively by the dog. You can train your dog to either bark loudly or attack an intruder.
To let your dog know which territory needs to be protected, walk with him around the perimeter of the area. Next, you can train your pet with the help of a person who will imitate an intruder. To do this, ask your friend to try to get into your yard. If the dog reacts correctly, reward it by saying “Well done.” It is worth entering commands such as “Guard!”, “Voice!”, “Alien” and others.
Of course, if, when choosing a dog for protection, you buy a puppy, you should take into account that for some time she will perceive everyone friendly. You should not allow her to display such qualities for too long. And for this, start teaching the dog commands.
There are a couple more interesting methods on how to teach a dog to guard its territory:
- Pull the blanket the dog is on or try to take away the toy. It’s even better if it’s done by a companion dressed in rags. Also, the “actor” may try to escape. You, in turn, try to swear at the “intruder”
- If your dog is not very aggressive, you can try to teach it the ability to defend itself from ill-wishers by letting them attack you. Let the dog try to protect you;
You can choose a dog for protection based on the qualities of the breed itself, as well as your character. When raising and training, it is very important to communicate with your pet, so we recommend that you take into account the dog’s behavioral characteristics. For example, some may be playful and spoiled, while others may show restraint and behave more disciplined.
How to choose the right dog for a child?
No two dogs are the same, just like no two children are the same, so when choosing a dog for a child, there are many factors to consider.
- It is better to adopt a puppy rather than an adult animal. It will be easier for the pet to find contact with all family members, and it will also be possible to correct its behavior and develop the necessary qualities in it.
- Consider the psychological compatibility of the baby and the dog. An active, lively fidget will be bored with a lazy, phlegmatic dog.
- Individual qualities of the animal. There are absolutely kind dogs of the most ferocious breeds, and, conversely, among the representatives of pets recommended for children, there may be an individual with an unbearable disposition that will growl and bite. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the character or use the help of a dog handler when buying a puppy.
- If a four-legged companion is bought for a teenager who will walk with him, the weight of the pet should be less than that of a child, otherwise the dog will simply knock it over when he runs after the cat or sees something interesting.
- It is necessary to consider where the dog will live (in an apartment, a private house or on the street). For private property, it is worth choosing a dog with the makings of a guard and long hair; for a small apartment, a small or medium-sized dog.
Whatever breed you choose, you should definitely take your dog through a training course with an experienced dog handler. She must unquestioningly follow the commands of adults and older children, then teenagers will not be afraid to entrust the animal.
A dog is a full member of the family. When choosing a companion for children, do not forget that each pet, like a person, has its own character, instincts, self-esteem, this must be taken into account. But the appearance of a four-legged friend will make the child responsible, kind, healthy and balanced. Homes where children have pets are noisy and fun, which has a positive effect on relationships and unites all family members.
Raising the qualities of a dog for home protection
Before any dog learns to guard its territory, it must understand what is expected of it. The dog doesn’t have to be big and mean, sometimes it’s just important to have a guard instinct. This occurs in many dogs. Of course, guard dogs are easier to learn to protect the surrounding area.
Among the qualities that a guard dog should have are:
- Observation. It is very important that the dog understands where its territory begins and ends. This way she will be able to guard her around the perimeter, or in a specially designated enclosure;
- Easy to learn. To train your dog quickly, it must understand the purpose of your training and the end result. You are required to show understanding and patience;
- Equilibrium. The dog’s ability to quickly react to the appearance of an ill-wisher is very important. But she also needs to distinguish when a person is not trying to damage property;
- Tolerance towards your family members. The best dog for home protection must understand that in addition to security functions, he is also expected to be able to interact with people and children, and therefore protect them.
Rottweiler
The size of this dog is also not small. The blunt muzzle and massive fangs provide it with good attacking properties. The dog itself is kind and friendly. If you take such a dog as a puppy, the dog will gradually become attached to its owner and will love him. But as soon as someone offends family members, the dog begins to become ferocious and can, without hesitation or false modesty, rush at the offender with fangs. The dog's weight is far from small, so most people of average build will immediately fall from such an attack. Well, then you need to make sure that the dog does not cause severe damage to your health and life, despite the fact that just a couple of seconds ago this person offended you.
