Best Guard dog
- Thread starter DogLover4
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I agree with a woman who needs to protect herself... I am almost 5'8 and long blonde hair, so I too have heard "comments." I don't believe going out looking for trouble, but if trouble finds me, I will do anything to protect myself and the ones I love.
As for guard dogs, get them properly trained and evaluated (vise versa).... Some of the top guard dogs have a longer muzzle, even though there have been great dogs (like boxers...mine) who will protect, the shorter muzzle dogs just don't have much....how do I put this... the longevity to hold on to a target as opposed to a longer muzzled canine.
Then of course, you have the liability issues...if you own a home and get a pit, doberman, or rott., your home insurance can/may cancel your policy. I know states differ, but that's the case here, and I love all 3 breeds. I grew up with a doberman. Good luck.
As for guard dogs, get them properly trained and evaluated (vise versa).... Some of the top guard dogs have a longer muzzle, even though there have been great dogs (like boxers...mine) who will protect, the shorter muzzle dogs just don't have much....how do I put this... the longevity to hold on to a target as opposed to a longer muzzled canine.
Then of course, you have the liability issues...if you own a home and get a pit, doberman, or rott., your home insurance can/may cancel your policy. I know states differ, but that's the case here, and I love all 3 breeds. I grew up with a doberman. Good luck.
R
Rottweilers, altho shorter muzzled, are a formidable adversary if properly trained and bred.
And yes, you CAN have issues with home owner's insurance. I had to shop. State Farm does not tend to have breed specific policies.
I have owned a dog who could and would protect me since 1988, and I know that they would because they have been tested and trained.
The same dogs have also always been obedience trained and well socialized so that they can distinguish if necessary between what is and is not a threat, and they stay fenced in an exercise area that is ALWAYS locked. I never have unlocked gates.
A dog can be a great PP dog and also a great companion and a friendly sociable dog is it's handled properly and bred properly.
And yes, you CAN have issues with home owner's insurance. I had to shop. State Farm does not tend to have breed specific policies.
I have owned a dog who could and would protect me since 1988, and I know that they would because they have been tested and trained.
The same dogs have also always been obedience trained and well socialized so that they can distinguish if necessary between what is and is not a threat, and they stay fenced in an exercise area that is ALWAYS locked. I never have unlocked gates.
A dog can be a great PP dog and also a great companion and a friendly sociable dog is it's handled properly and bred properly.
Its good to have a guard dog around. I know what you are saying, it feels good to know your dog can protect you on walks and stuff.
But you should be in love with the breed too. I am getting a Cane Corso, the only reason not a regular Mastiff is because they are a bit smaller and they are more protective. They were bred for gaurding, not fighting. Not that fight dogs can't be good companions with proper obedience and stuff.
My boyfriend has had chows which are very dominant dogs as well, its important you can handle a large dominant dog, or it will try to dominate you.
The best way is to eat before it, and when you feed it have it sit and wait for you to say okay it can eat. Put your hands in its kibble and touch the food dish when its eating. If it ever growls flip it (don't hurt it) onto its back and rub its belly. you can also shake the nape of its neck on the back gently, not too hard, this is what a momma dog does. Flipping it and rubbing its belly firmly is the best way to show you are the "top dog". Don't rub too hard tho you don't want to hurt your baby.
Always enter the house first, and lead on walks. Don't let your dog go first.
Those are basic ways to have your dog in control. Also make him do something for his treats, like sit or stay or lay down. Train your kids to do the exact same and you should have no problems. Take him to puppy daycare as soon as you get him and take him to dog parks regularly.
A good protective dog will NOT be agressive with people you are okay with. They should be able to sense weird situations and will only become protective when its actually needed. You should not ever see agression unless the situation is happening. Like someones trying to mug you or rob you..
Your dog should be ALOOF with strangers but warm up when you let them know they are okay. They should never growl at children or be agressive with strangers. Aloof is alot different.
I was scared of my boyfriends chow, because i didn't know him as well when he had him. He never growled or tried to do anything weird to me but i could sense he was very protective, especially of his children.
Anyways, good luck on your search remember you have to socialize the dog VERY good and keep control of it!!
Also, dont let it sleep on your bed, it will think you are another dog and that can cause lots of problems.
But you should be in love with the breed too. I am getting a Cane Corso, the only reason not a regular Mastiff is because they are a bit smaller and they are more protective. They were bred for gaurding, not fighting. Not that fight dogs can't be good companions with proper obedience and stuff.
My boyfriend has had chows which are very dominant dogs as well, its important you can handle a large dominant dog, or it will try to dominate you.
The best way is to eat before it, and when you feed it have it sit and wait for you to say okay it can eat. Put your hands in its kibble and touch the food dish when its eating. If it ever growls flip it (don't hurt it) onto its back and rub its belly. you can also shake the nape of its neck on the back gently, not too hard, this is what a momma dog does. Flipping it and rubbing its belly firmly is the best way to show you are the "top dog". Don't rub too hard tho you don't want to hurt your baby.
Always enter the house first, and lead on walks. Don't let your dog go first.
Those are basic ways to have your dog in control. Also make him do something for his treats, like sit or stay or lay down. Train your kids to do the exact same and you should have no problems. Take him to puppy daycare as soon as you get him and take him to dog parks regularly.
A good protective dog will NOT be agressive with people you are okay with. They should be able to sense weird situations and will only become protective when its actually needed. You should not ever see agression unless the situation is happening. Like someones trying to mug you or rob you..
Your dog should be ALOOF with strangers but warm up when you let them know they are okay. They should never growl at children or be agressive with strangers. Aloof is alot different.
I was scared of my boyfriends chow, because i didn't know him as well when he had him. He never growled or tried to do anything weird to me but i could sense he was very protective, especially of his children.
Anyways, good luck on your search remember you have to socialize the dog VERY good and keep control of it!!
Also, dont let it sleep on your bed, it will think you are another dog and that can cause lots of problems.
I would advise too that if you are good friends with your next door neighbors have them come over during the DAY and get to know your dog so he is not scaring them through the fence.
If, heaven forbid, your neighbor turned out to be bad and tried to break in at night or something weid when you are not around your dog will sense its a weird occurance and will protect. That is a true gaurd dog!
It just won't bark at them all day long.
If, heaven forbid, your neighbor turned out to be bad and tried to break in at night or something weid when you are not around your dog will sense its a weird occurance and will protect. That is a true gaurd dog!
It just won't bark at them all day long.
R
One should also understand the liability that comes with owning a dog that might rise to your defense.
Just a question......How many times would you tolerate someone coming up and putting their hands in your plate before you told them to knock it off?
I don't think dogs should be food aggressive. I also don't think dogs should be bothered and annoyed when they are trying to eat.
Grabbing and "flipping" a dog who has just growled at you over food is an excellent way to get BIT. This is NOT what a bitch does with puppies.
Just a question......How many times would you tolerate someone coming up and putting their hands in your plate before you told them to knock it off?
I don't think dogs should be food aggressive. I also don't think dogs should be bothered and annoyed when they are trying to eat.
Grabbing and "flipping" a dog who has just growled at you over food is an excellent way to get BIT. This is NOT what a bitch does with puppies.
I agree thats so scary.. I say never ever leave your dogs out overnight. If you want a backyard dog don't have one.. its cruel to your dog.
Most poisons happen when someone can predict when your dog will be out. I say at night let them out for pee's but watch whats going on, if you think that could ever happen to you. during the day you should try to not let them alone for too long too really.. i don't usually at all.
It is good to learn dog first aid and have a dog medical kit around too..
Most poisons happen when someone can predict when your dog will be out. I say at night let them out for pee's but watch whats going on, if you think that could ever happen to you. during the day you should try to not let them alone for too long too really.. i don't usually at all.
It is good to learn dog first aid and have a dog medical kit around too..
Thats not what i meant.. You would not do that to a fully grown dog, or flip a dog that just ate its food, it could puke! Puppys are pretty delicate..
I mean, if your dog has any growling issues, you need to get it used to eating even if you are messing with the food. You are the top dog, not him/her, and they have to know that. If you let them have their way they will dominate you.. especially a 200 lb mastiff yikes!
Why would I just mess with my dog's food for no reason?? If i walk by him and he snaps at me for nearing his bowl, that is a real issue.
My dog had that problem and touching his food worked. He knows he must tolerate me now.
Flip was not the right word perhaps, put the dog on its back and rub its belly. You don't flip it head over heels. Weather you roll it, or whatever is fine. This is for PUPPIES. One's you are helping to know where their place is in the pack. Rubbing your large dogs belly also helps him to know you are the boss tho.. of course if hes already snapping and growling thats not gonna work! If your ADULT dog is snapping and growing at you, you have already screwed up really bad.
Or you can let your dog growl at you, let him dominate you, let him bite your kids your choice!
As well, a protective dog does not bite someone because they look at you wrong. A protective dog puts himself between you and the threat, and if that does not work, he shall growl, and if the person assualts you, the dog will restrain him by sitting on the person or disarming their weapon if any.
The dog should not bite if someone looks at him crosseyed. He really should not bite at all, and if he does it should be a restraining bite.
If someone is not prepared to have their dog trained, they should not get a dominant breed.
The dog should not bite if someone looks at him crosseyed. He really should not bite at all, and if he does it should be a restraining bite.
If someone is not prepared to have their dog trained, they should not get a dominant breed.
Violet there are many ways to train your dog to understand who the boss is without messing with it's food, not allowing it on the bed, not allowing it to go out the door before you, and eating after you.
I don't mess with my dog's food, but if he's eating his meal, I can say "leave it" and he will drop whatever is in his mouth. I've done this from 50 yards away when he stole a bone from one of our other dogs, and he dropped it without hesitation. I allow him him up on the bed (I will give him permission- he's not allowed up otherwise). I don't care if he goes out the door before me (if I'm letting him out to go to the bathroom and I'm in my bare feet in winter, I'm not going out before him!). I tell him "wait" when we are going outside for dinner. Usually I will make all 3 do a sit or down and hold it prior to me opening the door at dinner time. (we feed raw and they are fed out on the yard) I feed my dogs before we eat because it's more convenient. Even though I break all these rules, my dogs are 100% sure of who is in charge. Me.
I don't mess with my dog's food, but if he's eating his meal, I can say "leave it" and he will drop whatever is in his mouth. I've done this from 50 yards away when he stole a bone from one of our other dogs, and he dropped it without hesitation. I allow him him up on the bed (I will give him permission- he's not allowed up otherwise). I don't care if he goes out the door before me (if I'm letting him out to go to the bathroom and I'm in my bare feet in winter, I'm not going out before him!). I tell him "wait" when we are going outside for dinner. Usually I will make all 3 do a sit or down and hold it prior to me opening the door at dinner time. (we feed raw and they are fed out on the yard) I feed my dogs before we eat because it's more convenient. Even though I break all these rules, my dogs are 100% sure of who is in charge. Me.
Violet, this isn't meant to be mean in any way, form or fashion . . . BUT! Please, PLEASE learn a lot more about handling dogs before you get your Corso! What you've described in this post as far as handling a dog goes is the perfect way to end up with a dangerous, unpredictable Corso - or just about any other dog. And it's a good way to get seriously bitten yourself . . .
Now, that second part is a very good foundation to build on
Those are basic ways to have your dog in control. Also make him do something for his treats, like sit or stay or lay down. Train your kids to do the exact same and you should have no problems. Take him to puppy daycare as soon as you get him and take him to dog parks regularly.
A good protective dog will NOT be agressive with people you are okay with. They should be able to sense weird situations and will only become protective when its actually needed. You should not ever see agression unless the situation is happening. Like someones trying to mug you or rob you..
Your dog should be ALOOF with strangers but warm up when you let them know they are okay. They should never growl at children or be agressive with strangers. Aloof is alot different.
Anyways, good luck on your search remember you have to socialize the dog VERY good and keep control of it!!
A good protective dog will NOT be agressive with people you are okay with. They should be able to sense weird situations and will only become protective when its actually needed. You should not ever see agression unless the situation is happening. Like someones trying to mug you or rob you..
Your dog should be ALOOF with strangers but warm up when you let them know they are okay. They should never growl at children or be agressive with strangers. Aloof is alot different.
Anyways, good luck on your search remember you have to socialize the dog VERY good and keep control of it!!
Violet, almost all good trainers nowdays do not reccommend either scruffing a dog or flipping it. Especially a dominant dog like a corso. If you threaten or try to subdue a dog physically, it will respond physically (struggling, snapping, biting, etc.). There are many cases of people being bitten while trying to scruff/flip a dominant dog.
That's why you have to establish dominance mentally/psychologically. People can win a mental battle with a corso. But definately not a physical one.
I know you're saying only to scruff/flip a young puppy, which can't really hurt you. But in adolescence (7 months-2 years old), it's natural for young dogs to test the leadership and your dominance. What will you do then? An 8-month-old corso is probably around 100 lbs. And it will bite you when you try to flip it. Once it realizes you're no longer physically in control, the tables will turn completely.
I agree with Renee. Part of your thinking is sound and looks good. But if you're getting a corso, you really need to learn more about establishing dominance without using physical means.
That's why you have to establish dominance mentally/psychologically. People can win a mental battle with a corso. But definately not a physical one.
I know you're saying only to scruff/flip a young puppy, which can't really hurt you. But in adolescence (7 months-2 years old), it's natural for young dogs to test the leadership and your dominance. What will you do then? An 8-month-old corso is probably around 100 lbs. And it will bite you when you try to flip it. Once it realizes you're no longer physically in control, the tables will turn completely.
I agree with Renee. Part of your thinking is sound and looks good. But if you're getting a corso, you really need to learn more about establishing dominance without using physical means.
I agree with you there.
I have 2 reservations here. In my admittedly limited experience, some dogs respond badly to dominance activities, no matter how mild. But even a dog who flops on his/her back and lolls their tongue while you pat their belly isn't neccessarily learning submission. My very dominant mutt will get a belly rub, spring up, and be as pushy and dominant and obnoxious as ever.
I have 2 reservations here. In my admittedly limited experience, some dogs respond badly to dominance activities, no matter how mild. But even a dog who flops on his/her back and lolls their tongue while you pat their belly isn't neccessarily learning submission. My very dominant mutt will get a belly rub, spring up, and be as pushy and dominant and obnoxious as ever.