Where to Find Personal Protection Dogs for Sale

Posted on July 15, 2011 by GD Trainer

Personal Protection Dogs

In an earlier post we discussed some of the important factors of choosing guard dogs for sale. We realize that not everyone wants to go through the process of training personal protection dogs and we also recognize that many people would still like the service of a guard dog despite not wanting to train it.

In order to locate guards dogs for sale your best bet is to start with anyone you know who owns a guard dog. People who are long time owners of personal protection dogs often know quite a bit about training methods, equipment or people who are involved in guard dog training. Getting a referral from a friend will help you to contact some local breeders or guard dog experts who will be able to help you with identifying the best guard dog for you.

Good breeders will be able to offer you ideas about where to find the best guard dogs. They local breeder may actually have the kind of dog you’re looking for in which case having a local expert to answer questions and address any concerns you might have will be a valuable resource to have. The more first hand experience you can get and the more qualified people you know, the faster you’ll be able to get your guard dog to respond to your commands and fulfil its required duties.

Not all guard dog breeds will make the best guard dog for you. You’ll need to spend some time doing research to identify whether the dog you’re seeking will be a good fit for your home and needs. Plenty of information is available online and searching: guard dogs for sale followed by your region and/or city will likely bring back some helpful results. If you’re looking for something specific, you may have to go internationally to find your perfect protection dog. This in not unheard, in fact many police departments take advantage of security dog training in other countries where there are highly respected dog training schools.

Searching online will help you find some excellent data on owning a guard dog. Our personal protection dogs for sale section provides some reputed guard dog training schools that will likely be able to meet your needs. Please note that many well trained guard dogs can have prices ranging up to $7,500 and sometimes more, a properly trained guard dog can be an expensive investment.

These two sources: local breeders and online, are your two best choices for finding information about security dog training as well as personal protection dogs for sale. The way to make sure you purchase the best guard dog for your needs is to know exactly what responsibilities you need the dog to fill as well as to collect as much information as possible. Distilling this data into clear guard dog breeds and breeders to choose from can take some time, but for the investment it’s important to ensure you’re getting a pet that will meet both your short and long term needs.

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A Brief History of Guard Dog Training

Posted on July 13, 2011 by GD Trainer

Guard Dog Training History

The exact beginning of guard dog training, and all dog training for that matter, is a little unclear. There are early reports of guard dogs being trained to attack in the Asian nations during first millennia, but some experts speculate that guard dog training has existed since the early paleolithic man who hunted alongside dogs and may have taught the dogs to catch but not harm prey, perhaps the earliest most basic form of direction.

There is evidence that Huns and Egyptians may have used dogs as watch animals as well as to transport goods. One of the most widely recognized indications of ancient guard dog training was by the Greeks and Romans. Soldiers used guard dogs to alert them to when enemy forces tried to attack by the cover of night. The Romans were some of the first who used not only attack dog training, but breeding as well, to produce the strongest and best guard dogs. They actually incorporated attacks dogs into their forces after one of their battles was interrupted by a horde of dogs. They later trained the guard dogs to disrupt enemy forces by sending the guard dogs forward covered in spiked armour.

In the nineteenth century, Napoleon made use of dogs as sentries for watching and alerting guards to any movement. A guard dog’s keen sense of smell was able to detect enemies before many soldiers could see a foe. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that guard dogs began to appear in the United States for similar sentry-like duties.

During world war I and II, guard dogs started out by being used for inhumane purposes such as the transfer of explosives to certain locations. Later they were treated significantly better and instead were trained to sniff snipers or enemy troops and to help find lost soldiers.

It’s only in the last few hundred years that guard dogs have started to be used in homes instead of solely for warlike or military uses. Throughout this evolution, many dogs were also used as hunting dogs or personal protection dogs or simply for companionship. Guard dog training grew into a much wider practice as the years went on to incorporate multiple purposes for guard dogs and selective breeding to produce only the best guard dogs.

Certain guard dog breeds like the German Shepherd were trained specifically for guard dog purposes. German Shepherd training was designed to start when the puppy was young in order to produce the best guard dog. Today many people still choose and prefer the German Shepherd because of their strong background and high intelligence.

Guard dog training today has changed significantly since its creation. We use highly effective guard dog training methods like the Koehler Method and treat security dogs ethically and humanely. Police departments and the military still make use of guard dogs for many purposes from sniffing out drugs and bombs to tracking down criminals but the dogs are trained in a safe manner. Guard dogs have been a part of our history for thousands of years and we’ve grown to work with these magnificent animals for a variety of purposes. Although the exact creation of the first guard dog may remain a mystery, the result today is extraordinary.

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Guard Dog Training: The Koehler Method

Posted on July 11, 2011 by GD Trainer

The Koehler Method

People have been training guard dogs for many years but there are only a few guard dog trainers and training methods that stand out and have been effective for so long that they’ve become embedded in the guard dog training world. One of these methods is the Koehler Method.

William Koehler worked for Walt Disney’s studio for over 20 years as the chief animal trainer. His experience led him to work with thousands of dogs as well as with the U.S. Army’s K9 Unit and the Training Director of the largest dog club on the planet. Additionally he wrote a series of detailed books about dog training ranging from breed selection to management and development.

The Koehler Method covers dog obedience training as well as guard dog training. The theory behind training a guard dog was to stimulate the dog’s natural hunting senses and encourage the canine to see a human as prey to be caught.

Since hunting dogs have been trained and used for many years all over the world, including a human as “prey” was not that far a stretch. Hunting dogs can be taught to maim and hold prey with minimal damage for hunters in order to preserve the meat and hide. Guard dog training can make use of the same principle in order for the dog to attack certain areas on the body in order to stop the target from escaping but not kill or hurt the target too severely.

Koehler actually wrote an entire book dedicated to dog training named: The Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training; An Effective & Authoritative Guide for Selecting, Training & Maintaining Dogs in Home Protection, Plant Security, Police, & Military Work. At the time of its release the book was very popular and was used by many dog trainers. Some people argued the methods were more stern then necessary but guard dog training experts point out that there is no room for the dog to question who is in command when someone’s life and general wellbeing may be at stake. Having complete command over your dog is essential if you’re potentially putting other people’s lives in jeopardy.

The training system is broken into many different steps so that dog is capable of mastering one command before the other. This allows for minimal errors in the training as well as fast progression. Additionally the bond between dog and man strengthens the more processes and commands are taught as well as the more time spent together.

There are certified Koehler Trainers in multiple locations across the United States. They offer public and private classes to help you train your guard dog the most efficient way possible. If you’re looking for a place to start your attack dog training, we recommend you look at his book and learn more about his method by searching online.

Many personal protection dogs have been trained using the Koehler method and you yourself can become a certified Koehler trainer by staying at the Koehler facility. It’s recommended that you only bring dogs that are older than four months and that you be prepared for an intensive course. Good training takes time, effort and work on everyone’s part but the payoff is worth the effort. A well trained dog is a happy dog.

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Attack Dog Training

Posted on July 9, 2011 by GD Trainer

Training an Attack Dog

When we talk about attack dog training we believe it’s important to point out the difference between an attack dog, a personal protection dog, a watch dog and a guard dog. Most dogs act as watch dogs and alert you by barking if there is someone they don’t recognize in the vicinity, anyone who owns a dog will attest to that. Guard dogs are great for protecting a certain area or territory whereas personal protection dogs are best protecting a person or group of people. However on this site we use guard dog training interchangeably to apply to many forms of training dogs for security purposes.

Trained attack dogs are different, they have the power and ability to chase down intruders or criminals and seriously physically harm the target. Attack dogs don’t attack out of pure whim or hostility, they are trained to attack at command by their owners. Some police guard dogs are trained to chase offenders and hold them in their jaws.

For this reason attack dog training can be very dangerous and should not be attempted without proper dog training equipment or a proper teacher. Attack dog training at home is not recommended without some guidance, it is important to seek the advice and council of a certified attack dog trainer.

The actual attack dog training occurs after dog obedience training. Having a dog attacking another human being, protected or not, means that the dog must well trained and be able to stop at the owner’s command.

Actual attack dog training requires at least two people. One to give commands and one to be the target. In the beginning, guard dogs may be taught to bite down on an object and at the same time be given an auditory command. This can be done by agitating the dog in some manner until it bites (or in most cases light mouths) whatever object or toy is agitating it. Some trainers use meat or food as a reward for the dog biting.

From this point the dog is taught continually to associate the command with the action of biting down. It’s at this point that another person may be involved and you can teach the dog to bite the padded equipment your partner is wearing. Once the dog knows which area of the body to target (the padded area), you can start by having the dog chase the other person and attack the protected limb. Make sure you have established a command for your dog to release the item he or she is biting.

In order top strengthen the dog’s bite you can give the dog toys or sticks to chew on. Regular exercise will also improve jaw strength. Certain guard dog breeds are better oriented to be attack dogs and possess strength and speed to take down large intruders. Choosing an attack dog should also be done with the recommendation of a local breeder or guard dog training authority.

Remember the attack dog training can be very dangerous and your pet must have the basic commands mastered before preceding to potentially dangerous orders. Always make sure you introduce an auditory command for the dog to stop attacking a victim and use the right equipment for the training process.

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Choosing Guard Dogs for Sale

Posted on July 7, 2011 by GD Trainer

Guard Dogs for Sale

The process of guard dog training can be long and challenging. Choosing a guard dog breed and going through basic obedience training are already quite a bit of work. Going through the whole gamut and making sure your training your dog correctly can require some serious time and dedication.

Oftentimes the requirement of a guard dog may not be permanent nor may it be preferable to train the dog yourself. Many police dogs are actually trained separately from the department that end up using the dogs. In fact many police dog training actually happens in other countries which leads security dogs to often respond to commands in languages other than English such as Dutch, German or French.

To meet this need there are often protection dogs or guard dogs for sale that are ready to be connected with an owner and require little to no additional training. To start with, we recommend searching the web for local breeders of guard dogs to first and foremost gather relevant information about owning and working with a protection dog.

Our guard dogs for sale section provides some excellent sources of personal protection dogs. Many companies or groups that sell guard dogs often offer a brief guard dog training course and help you to learn how to properly command the dog. We’d like to point out that guard dogs are actually different from personal protection dogs as the latter is more oriented toward the protection of a person or group of people. Trained guard dogs who are taught to protect territory or property can often take care of their duty without consistent vigilance.

When choosing a guard dog, you’ll want to know if the dog is trained to alert you of an intruder or is actually trained to take down trespassers. The difference can be important when you consider what jobs the dog will most likely be handling. Certain guard dogs work better for large areas while others may be comfortable in a smaller home or apartment.

When actually selecting the dog it’s best to meet it first and gauge it’s temperament yourself. Oftentimes people find themselves drawn to one pet over another. If you’ve ever thought people looked like their dog it’s usually because the person unconsciously chooses a dog that is similar to themselves in some way. Good breeders may let you “test” the dog for a few days before purchasing it to know if the dog will be a good fit in your home and lifestyle.

Protection dogs for sale are very different depending on the breeder, type of dog and the age. In a later article we’ll be discussing some of the important factors to identify when choosing a puppy to become a guard dog but for now if you’re considering a guard dog for sale, it’s important that you are selective as possible to ensure that you and the dog will be the best fit possible.

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The Best Guard Dogs for Families

Posted on July 5, 2011 by GD Trainer

Family Guard Dogs

Guard dogs breeds have a wide range of varying characteristics and traits. When we previously discussed the best guard dog breeds we demonstrated that choosing the best guard dog was more about finding an appropriate fit for your situation and needs rather than naming one dog at the top of the list to be the ultimate best guard dog.

A lot of people picture guard dogs as cruel, vicious and lacking restraint when it comes to aggressive behaviour. The truth is not all guard dogs are like this, likely these territorial “junkyard” dogs we imagine are actually lacking in guard dog training and have not been treated well hence their unbridled hostility.

There are some guard dog breeds that exist both as excellent family companions, get along with children and are willing to engage in play. Note however that these dogs will not treat all people with companionships and playfulness but will likely restrict these behaviours to a select few people while being protective or aggressive toward people they don’t know. We recommend you don’t leave guard dogs alone with children, especially children the dog is not familiar with.

Some of the best guard dogs for families include:

German Shepherd
A well known dog, the German Shepherd is widely known, very popular and is used as a police guard dog as well as a pet by many families. German Shepherd training is generally straightforward as the dog is smart and learn things quickly. You’ll find that if you choose a German Shepherd as a pet, he or she will be quite loyal and protective at the same time but may be rather solitary unless introduced properly to other dogs.

Rottweiler
Although this dog can look intimidating it is a good pick for a family. Law enforcement also makes use of Rottweilers in their K9 unit as the dog can be trained for search and rescue, drug detection or even for military work. Despite being strong willed and primarily a guard dog, the Rottweiler also makes a good family pet and enjoys play as well as protection. It generally gets along with older children better than younger ones.

Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is known as an easily trainable dog that is capable of both affection and a guard dog’s responsibilities. The specific guard dog breed has served as a watchdog for over 200 years and provided many families with both protection and companionship. The terrier is a well balanced mix between guard dog and family friend.

Choosing a family guard dog and going through the process of guard dog training can be a bit challenging when looking through guard dog breeds. It’s important as we previously mentioned to look at the ages of the children on your family, what the dog will be protecting and the main activities you and your dog will be participating in. We recommend you spend the time to talk to a few breeders to get a good idea about what kind of dog would work best for your family. Guard dogs vary widely and choosing the best one for you can take time and dedication.

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Police Guard Dog Training

Posted on July 3, 2011 by GD Trainer

Security Dog Training

People and dogs have been working together for thousands of years. The exact start of the partnership remains unclear but today its obvious that dogs are more than just trainable animals. These magnificent creatures are capable of providing companionship, guidance, search and rescue and drug tracking. Police guard dogs are some of the most highly trained dogs on the planet.

Police departments in most major cities make use of guard dogs to enforce the law. Whether the dog is sniffing for illegal goods, tracking criminals or searching locations, dogs have the ability to compensate where humans fall short. Our noses are not nearly as powerful as those of a dog and guard dogs are much more adept at handling certain situations that require an accurate sense of smell.

Police guard dog training teaches dogs to respond to a policeman’s orders. This is an asset when facing a criminal. Dogs don’t back down and can’t be reasoned with, they can also move extremely fast and are very strong which can lead to the rapid apprehension of many suspects. Some breeds of guard dogs are able to catch fleeing criminals and hold them in their jaws until the officers have a chance to arrest the suspect.

In order to go through security dog training, the dog must first master basic obedience training. In our guard dog training tips post we mention the same thing. Having control over the basics is essential before moving onto more complex and dangerous commands. Additionally, police guard dog training includes agility and endurance testing as well as further training. Police dogs must be able to deal with the cityscape which means climbing stairs and jumping over obstacles.

After the basic training, guard dogs learn to specialize in a certain area of law enforcement. This can be bomb sniffing or drug sniffing but police dogs can also be taught to track down people which can aid in finding a suspect or rescuing a victim.

In order to train the dogs to sniff out drugs the handlers associate the smell of drugs with a toy the dog enjoys playing with. A common game is tug of war; the trainer will first place the drugs in the toy and then have the dog find the toy. Once the drug-stuffed toy is discovered the dog is rewarded with a game of tug of war and eventually the dog associates the smell of illegal narcotics with a reward of play.

Police guard dog training can take a long time in order for the dog to be able to fully responsive to the handler’s orders but once the dog is well trained it can be a loyal member of the police department for life. Commonly known as the K9 unit, many dogs serve under law enforcement until their death helping to make the world a safer and better place.

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The Best Guard Dog Breeds

Posted on July 1, 2011 by GD Trainer

Choosing the Best Guard Dog

Choosing the best guard dog is not an easy task. For one thing it’s often not clear what qualifies as the “best” trait a guard dog can possess. Aggressiveness, responsiveness, trainability are all necessary traits yet it’s tough for one particular breed to claim dominance in all three of these categories never mind other characteristics that might make a great attack dog.

Oftentimes people choose particular guard dog breeds for different reasons as well. Personal protection dogs might be the choice of a family whereas the police or canine unit might rely on attack dog training to help have the dog contribute most effectively. Crime units make use of the dog’s ability to smell when hunting for criminals carrying drugs.

Given the fact that no group quite relies on their guard dog for exactly the same uses it becomes necessary to look at the reasons why you’re choosing to purchase a trained dog for sale, or why your choosing to put your own dog into guard dog training.

Some of the most common guard dogs that jump to mind might be German Shepherds, Dobermans or Rottweilers. In North America especially these types of guard dogs are quite common and can be seen in canine units or guarding propety. What interesting to note is the fact that although these are common types of guard dogs, they are also owned for other non-safety purposes. Many families have German Shepherds or Dobermans that have not gone through guard dog training and are still highly functional, intelligent dogs.

When it comes down to it, the best guard dog breeds are not entirely dependant on the dog, but on the trainer and training. Guard dog breeds range quite widely and some dogs are smarter, more trainable and more aggressive than others, but the fact remains that a dog that receives proper training will be far more effective for personal protection than an untrained dog with better natural abilities.

Knowing this, it’s important to look for a dog that meets your criteria all round. The most aggressive guard dog won’t be suitable for a family life or perhaps being in the company of another dog. Buying pre-trained guard dogs for specific purposes might be necessary for your purposes if you think training the dog yourself is out of the question.

This is aimed to help you choose the best guard dog for you. No dog breed is the same, but every dog fills a different purpose. We encourage you to think carefully about what kind of jobs the dog will be participating in and how it will be trained. Choosing a dog is not only about the breed, but it’s about making sure both you and dog will work together as well.

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Guard Dog Training Starting Tips

Posted on June 29, 2011 by GD Trainer

How to Start Guard Dog Training

In truth guard dog training actually begins with simple obedience training. Teaching a dog when to defend and when to attack definitely comes after teaching them when to sit and when to roll over. In the same way you learn to walk before you can, proper guard dog training begins in the same place all dog training begins, with the basics.

Our guard dog training page provides some excellent resources for A to Z dog training including everything from dog potty training to advanced dog tricks. This article is designed to give you insight into some of the best methods to start training your guard dog from the day you get it.

There are five basic orders that a dog should learn before moving onto more advanced training. These five include:
Sit: The dog is able to go from all fours to sitting
Stay: The dog is able to remain in one place despite distractions or if you leave the room
Heel: The dog stays on pace with you and nearby
Come: The dog is able to return to you when you call it
Up: The dog stand on its hind legs

In order to start with the basic guard dog training you’ll want to pair the auditory command along with a physical action and a reward or punishment. So if you want to teach your dog to sit start by placing a treat near it’s nose and then slowly move the treat just above the dog’s head and push it forward (backwards from the dog’s perspective) until the dog naturally sits down by bending its legs.

The moment the dogs legs bend for it to sit down, give the command “sit” and as the dog sits, give it the reward immediately in order to associate pleasure with the command. Repeating this exercise until the dog is able to associate the auditory command with the physical action is important.

Guard dog training usually comes down to rewarding, punishing or ignoring the dog. Rewarding good behaviour while simultaneously ignoring bad behaviours helps the dog to understand what is expected of it. Different guard dog breeds respond better to different types of training. While some guard dog breeds may learn faster and more effectively, some respond better to punishment for wrong actions. Most trainers tend to use positive training methods as these generally have a higher rate of success.

A guard dog requires these basic lessons before it can move onto more relevant forms of training. Security dog training can involve biting, attacking and other dangerous moves that require the animal to be responsive to its owner’s orders. Even if you start your dog in a guard dog training school it’s likely he or she will be taught very basic orders before the real protective training begins.

In summary, guard dog training starts with the basics and should likely be focused on rewards at least initially. A guard dog must be able to respond to its owners command before being involved in potentially dangerous situations. Start with basic dog training lessons and then move onto the attack and protect aspects. Training a guard dog is not an overnight process, and doing it right is extremely important.

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Welcome to Guard Dog Training School

Posted on June 21, 2011 by GD Trainer

The Guard Dog Training School

Welcome to The Guard Dog Training School. Our goal is to help you find whatever you need to raise your guard dog properly. We know that obedience in guard dogs is a must and that raising a well trained pet can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s for those reasons that we’ve created The Guard Dog Training School as a resource to assist on your teaching no matter what stage your dog is at.

Our guard dog training section has a selection of the best dog obedience courses as well as other resources intended to help train your pet to be the best it can be. If you’re serious about training an attack dog for family protection than this page will help you to pinpoint the best guide for you as well as to give some insight into the many different methods of security dog training.

For those still new to guard dog training, our guard dog breeds section goes over some of the best guard dogs available. Not all canines have the ability and intelligence to respond to a variety of commands, nor do many have the balance of aggression and self control to make effective security animals. If you’re relatively unexperienced when it comes to choosing an attack dog, the guard dog breeds page is for you.

If you’re personal protection dogs and would like to purchase a trained guard dog. The guard dogs for sale portion of our website can direct you to local and national breeders as well as other resources that will help you to find what you’re looking for.

Overall we’d like to welcome you to our website and encourage you to collect as much information as possible. The more informed you are about the purchase of a guard dog, the less surprises you’ll face as you train your pet.

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