What is your opinion of real self-protection dogs?

Question

Do you think the average homeowner could/should have one?

Answer 1

Nope, not the average homeowner.

Like Abbyful stated most can barely handle teaching their dogs to sit.

and no(referring to a previous answer) not *all* pets will defend their family!

I can gurantee you my dogs would try to befriend him, not attack!

Answer 2

I don't think any home owner should, especially not the 'average' one.

I don't approve of using dogs for self-protection, full stop. It's fine for the police force and army because these people know what they're doing, but people who let or train their dogs to be aggressive in any way are doing them a disservice, in my opinion.

Dogs are supposed to be pets. A happy, well balanced dog is not aggressive in any way towards any other person or animal. I think it's a sad sight indeed when dogs are aggressive, or even less than waggy-tailed around other people.

Chalice

Answer 3

No. They should just have dogs as pets.

If they want protection, use an alarm system.

Answer 4

Heck no!

The average home owner doesn't have the skill's to keep a dog like that under control.  

They do have their place but only with the right handler/trainer.  Not for the average Joe!

Answer 5

Not at all.  The series of questions asked and answered this morning about aggression shows that the average person knows **** about what drives a dog to do what it does, and when and how the dog's behaviour can be enhanced or subdued.  Or when a dog just does not, will not, will never have, the right genetic basis for being any working dog - never mind a protection dog!

Add: To Chalice - my terrier is "aggressive" towards squirrels - is that okay?  Or have all the terrier breeders done their dogs a disservice by allowing them to be aggressive towards small animals?

Answer 6

NO!  

Answer 7

No any pet will defend his master and family.   You don't need to train a dog to do that.     No the average homeowner shouldn't have one, dogs are companion animals and need that.    If you want a burglar alarm go out and buy one, don't use a dog.   Keep in mind dogs can't withstand bullets.

Answer 8

No, I don't think the average homeowner could/should have one.

Personally I would not consider personally owning a real protection dog as I don't have the requisite experience to be able to handle the dog.

I am happy to progress to schutzhund and leave protection to those skilled in that area.

Edit: Personal Protection Video. Okay I freely admit that it was another example of an incredibly well trained dog, who was obvioulsy doted on by the little girl in the video. A very clear way to argue a case Greekman. A picutre does paint a thousand words.

Answer 9

My opinion on this may have been different before getting cornered by two massive rotts. Most people aren't responsible enough to keep the dogs from endangering others, especially their neighbours.

Several other experiences later, i regard them as a public menace and a constant threat.

Answer 10

I have no issues with having a personal protection dog as long as that dog is owned by someone who knows what they are doing and can handle a dog like that.

However, the average dog owner can't cope with a puppy play biting let alone a fully trained protection dog.

Answer 11

depends on what dog and how you train it.

for us, me and my family, we had a german shephard, could fetch, play cricket, and be gentle with kids, but i don't think the average home owner should have one.

work all day, 9 to 5, how can you train the dog if your not home?

Answer 12

Nope. Dogs used for self-protection need special training and handling. This is something that the average person can't handle. If they were really worried about their protection, they would get a security system. Most people just want a big, tough dog that can attack so they can brag about it. Besides, if they were really interested about personal protection dogs, they would not be asking questions on here.

Answer 13

only responsible homeowner should. i had a shar pei for 10 years and she had to socialized very early or she would not have had anything to do with anyone other than her family. she learned to pick up on my signals if i was afraid of someone she would charge if i was not tense she would kiss and greet. example : a man walked through my front door unexpectedly and scared me (i knew him just wasnt expecting him) she ran him out of the house i realized who it was told her he was nice she let him back in. you have to take the time to train them or they can be dangerous.

Answer 14

Lets see...you live in a neighborhood for 18 years then your neighborhood gets violent but you cant sell. Then you get a backyard stalker and cameras dont help. Then you pay 50 bucks a month for an alarm system for just in case the kook(s) decide to come into the house sometime. But the backyard stalker cuts down new plants you put into the ground. Throws pebbles on the upstairs siding and windows.And boldly trips the security lights you installed.And you can see where the kook(s) stand, b/c of the ground down mulch, when you're in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom-even tho your backyard is fenced. And oh, you have a dog but apparently that dont matter much. Then someone who breeds and trains dogs GIVES you a much longed for protection dog with lessons. And the dog stands on the couch (w permission) and stares out the window until you return home.

AND THE BACKYARD STALKER, AFTER 4 YEARS, GOES AWAY.Thats all you wanted. (They knew the police couldnt help).And you didnt have to buy a gun.

Go dog go!

but then...the email threats start...whats a person to do!!!

Answer 15

Very interesting...According to everyone here the average family should not be afforded the protection a trained, stable and clear headed dog can provide!!!

I think just the opposite..every family should have a trained protection dog that they can rely upon to defend the home and family members.

Most people have no idea what a stable and strong nerved dog is, they go by what they see every day and make decisions based on that notion.

In the past 30 years I have never gone a single day without having a dog that would protect my home and family...never an incident, never a problem.

Most people confuse a personal protection dog with a junk yard guard dog...not even close!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtz2apJD1...

Does that dog look dangerous? Would you attempt to do anything to the little girl?

What many failed to realize is most people would rather be sued then have a child kidnapped or a person killed when it could have beenn stopped by a determined dog.

As far as the dog being euthanized like some have alluded to in similar questions before..I have never seen it happen when the dog bit a suspect during the commision of a crime, ever.

A carefully bred, properly selected and trained dog in personal protection can only help with today's sky-rocketing crime rate and I really feel bad for people who have never experienced it!

ADD: Lioness..Please understand that these dogs are NOT the type that work the street as police dogs and they are not junkyard dogs, they do not have the aggression and drives of a dog like that!

These dogs have a huge amount of play/prey drive, they get along with everyone and when trained correctly can welcome friends over and play with the baby.

Yes, I think that the average person can handle one of these dogs, no problem. When the training of the dog is done correctly the new owner will also get trained in how to handle that dog.

Do you honestly think I would recommend dogs to people that have kids in the house if there was a chance of the dog being dangerous?

Answer 16

Not the "average" homeowner

Answer 17

I think a self-protection dog should be approached with great caution.   Even though they have a good reason to be, these dogs are aggressive.  If you're not absolutely, unquestionably in control of the animal, then your living security alarm will quickly become a liability.

I have personally seen very sweet, sociable dogs become ferocious monsters to protect their owner from a real threat.  I believe that the vast majority of family dogs can tell when their owner is in danger and have a strong desire to protect them, even if they have no other guarding tendencies.

So no, I don't think most people should have a protection dog.  I think that most homes should have a devoted family dog, and a good security system.

Answer 18

good heavens NO!

thats like giving a 5 yr old kid a loaded gun.

Answer 19

No, not the average homeowner, only someone with experience handling such animals such as law enforcement personnel. Do you have any idea how many irresponsible pet owners there are?

Answer 20

My opinion - they may be one of the most magnificent things one can witness.

Should the average homeowner have one?  No way in h**l.

I'm not so sure I should have one...which is exactly why I probably never will.  

Add:  Greekman, I see your point.  BUT, do you think the average person has what it takes to HANDLE a good solid working dog?  Do you think having a dog professionally trained and then just sent to live with the average idiot person would work?  

I am a little surprised by your answer, which is why I ask.  

I know that I could handle a protection dog, my issue is that I don't know that I necessarily WANT to live with a dog who has that much drive.  I make my decision based on WILL rather than ABILITY, but I don't think the average person has the ABILITY.  Do you?

Greekman -

Nope, I sure don't think that at all.  Which is exactly why I asked, I was a bit confused.  I clearly need to look further into the whole thing.  Perhaps one day I will have the time to invest in working with such a dog...and find I would be happy living with one, too.

Answer 21

Well, from Y!A, it's evident that the "average homeowner" can't even handle housebreaking their dog or teaching their dog to sit.

I've worked with the public (customer service and tech support jobs), I have very little faith in the intelligence of the "average person".

No, the average homeowner should not have a protection dog, even the "above average" homeowner should not. Only experienced handlers / professionals should have these types of dogs.

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