Protection Training

[AmyJo27]

Just out of curiosity,

What is your thought on having an APBT trained for personal protection.

NOT an attack dog or the German sport but personal protection, which pretty much means the dog is trained to bark at a person and stay in one place on command.

Yay or Nay

[adoptapitbull]

In theory, I think it's a great idea. But in reality, I think the perception would be that it's a vicious Pit Bull that's going to maim everything it sees.

I like the guardian breeds for home protection- Great Pyr, Anatolian, Sarplaninac- because they guard with stealthy tactics. They're very chill and laid back, until danger arises. Then it's on like donkey kong.

A lot of these breeds go straight to farms to be LGD's, yet a good number also go to homes with small children for protection.

Since adding a 4th pup is probably not what you want, maybe you can put up a sign saying "Dogs on Premises" just to make anyone think twice. Don't use "Beware of Dog", which has been rumored to be an admission of owning a dangerous dog.

[sugar]

We should get signs that say "Be aware of Dog"

That way it looks like a Beware sign but legally its not! lol

On the whole protection training issue, I thought APBT were thought to make lousy guard dogs because of their people loving nature (granted some individual dogs tend to be more protective than others).

[catstina]

If you want a protection dog, go with one that is bred for it, not one that is bred to be friendly with all people, including strangers. I do not agree with protection training with the Bull Breeds because it goes against their nature and feeds into the vicious Pit Bull media hype.

[nyri]

I'm obviously no expert on Pit Bulls, but I wouldn't train them for something like that. If I own an APBT I don't want people to think that it is scary or dangerous, which they might gather from a guard dog. I can't say that it is wrong or that no one should do it, especially since, again, I'm no expert.

To be honest, I don't really like the idea of having a protection dog (for me or my property anyway) just because I never know what will happen, and if I have an accident or something, I want someone to be able to go into my house and feed the dog or bring something to me or whatever... I also feel like if a dog is up barking in someone's face, they'll be more likely to shoot the dog than just ignore the dog (police, robber with gun, etc) and since I get attached to my animals, I'd rather have my house robbed but my dog ignored. If I did want a guard dog, I'd get a Kengal... they're actually an LGD, though.

Maybe you could put an "I love my Pit Bull" sign on your door and that will be enough to scare some people away?

[catstina]

How about, "I Have a Dog," or "Say Hello to the Pit Bulls on Your Way In," or "My Pit Bulls Can't Hold Their Licker(s)" or something equally silly.

[sharron]

Truly if you are looking for a 'protection dog', a German Shepherd , Dobbie , or Rott would be the way to go. Having said this, however, if you were not a multi-dog home,a protection dog would have been something you cold have had. Not now.

Believe me, if you are ever put in danger , your dog will sense the danger and take action without any training what so ever !! I experienced this first-hand !!

Trust your dog's instincts. Know your dog's body language and the triggers that make him react.
Years ago a roommate of mine had a cousin that often visited. At very visit my dog reacted to this guy in a very negative way, no matter how nice the guy tried to be towards the dog. The dog sat next to me and wouldn't move, kept his eyes on the guy. Emitted a low growl throughout the visit. The dog sensed something in that guy that I hadn't. Not that I trusted the guy,but was polite.

One afternoon the roommate and I decided to go out shopping. I decided to leave Brutus at home, due to the heat outside and didn't want him left in the car. When we returned , Brutus didn't greet me at the door...as I started to enter the kitchen...there as Brutus ! The kitchen window was broken and guess who was pinned to the foor
with Brutus on top of ....yep ! the cousin of the roommate.

Since then I learned to trust my dogs instincts ! If my dogs react to anyone, believe me, take notice !!

Beau, saved us from a home invasion a few days after he arrived. Two gangsters entered my house because a roommate didn't lock the security or inside door. They entered the house and were in the livingroom, they stepped into the diningroom not seeing Beau in his unlocked crate...the house was dark, but (because I was in the back porch they had plenty of light ) Beau stepped out of his crate and the first guy saw him and couldn't get out fast enough , pushing the second guy into the wall. Beau made a sound I had never heard of before and was at their heels chasing them !!

So,never think your dog won't protect you if you are in danger !! He / she will !! I stand by that !! I hope you never have to experience anything like this...but know you are in geat hands !!

sharron

[nyri]

That's a good point, Sharron.

I know I stopped hanging out with someone because my dog hated him... and it was normally a friendly dog, and definitely not any sort of guard breed. Just a little Kelpie. Also my mom had a dog that was normally friendly with everyone and not mixed with any guarding breed (mutt - don't remember the mix, but one of the breeds in the line up was a Pit Bull and the other breed wasn't a guardian breed of any sort, just can't remember what it was) who let her know that the "meeter reader" who claimed he needed in the basement although the meeter was located outside was bad news... she jumped through a closed window to chase him away.

So yeah, you can have dogs that aren't trained for protection end up protecting you... especially if you do pay attention to them. Not all dogs will do that, though.

[sharron]

Hmm! Oh I am sure if you and the dog are like hand and glove, that dog will kick into gear and take care of the 'problem'once he senses something isn't right.


Have you mentioned the breeds you now have ? If there is a Chihuahua in the mix....no fear...a chihuahua will tear anyone apart !!! Those little ankle biters are vicious and dangrous ! I don't know why they aren't on the DANGEROUS & VICIOUS LIST !!

sharron

[maryellen]

even some large breeds like rotts and gsds and dobes wont protect the house depending on their temperment. it depends on the dog

[catstina]

I wouldn't count on an untrained dog to guard your house, but I think most dogs would defend their owner from an intruder.

[AmyJo27]

Thank you all for the responces.

Reason I am asking is I am debating on having Capone protection trained.

There is a trainer in Illinois that does personal protection training and she makes it a game. It is all positive training.

I have MASSIVE and I mean massive anxiety. I have been seeing a counselor because it has been getting worse and this is something he recommended.

Long story short--- I was in a relationship before Kris that took a turn for the worst and ended up leaving the state for awhile because things got so bad. In a period of 1 month I was raped by 3 different guys that my ex is related to.
Kris now is working nights and its making me go insane. I get so upset I throw up at night when he leaves. I get so scared.

While in California (Where I fled for a few months) I took classes for self defense. I thought they made me feel better but moving back to Iowa and now being alone at night is definetly setting me off again.
I also am working by myself at a Verizon store for long periods and many times in the middle of the night. The company has agreed to allow me to take 1 of my dogs at a time with me.
I REALLY dont want to add another dog to our home. We have 2 male Pitties, and 1 Cocker Spaniel.

I know Im not the only one on the thread with anxietys and depression. Any advice guys?!

I feel like a nut...Im always a minor situation away from an anxiety attack/fight for my life. Im already on medications blah blah blah lol ugh...Im such a sissy.

[maryellen]

no matter what you do the bottom line is the dog has to have the right mind /genetics for protection training.. whether you use capone or get a dog like a fila the dog has to have what it takes to protect you. can you get a carry permit? would carrying help your anxiety when alone and at work? have you thought about seeing a therapist to help you with this?

[sharron]

I cannot wrap my heard around the trauma and fright you have experienced ,and are going through !! My heart goes out to you for opening up,and trusting us with your personal and private information , to help us help you. Thank you for clarifying why you are interested in "Protection Training".

I agree ,and disagree with maryellen. I understand full well where she is coming from. That a dog must have a right mind-set and genetics for protection training.

Where I differ,is that I stick to what I said in an earler post regarding this topic. That was, "don't think your dog won't step up to protect you in your time of need".

Of course, it is always good to have a trained dog on hand.But not always necessary ! A dog senses when something isn't right , and will act when it is necessary.

There are many people without professionaly trained pit bulls,(and other breeds ) that have been in serious situations,that their dogs have stepped-up and protected,and saved them from being hurt, harmed or worse !

It is good that your employer has given permission for you to take one of your dogs to work. Is Capone is the brown and white dog in your avatar ?

Although I am all for carrying a gun with a permit.I don't recommend it in your situation. For your safety,and because of your already heightened state of anxiety, a gun isn't the answer.I suggest you take one of your dogs to work.

Perhaps there is a friend that can come and sit with you and your dog. Just a thought.

sharron

[AmyJo27]

Thank you.

Maryellen, yes I regularly go to a therapist. I do not think carrying would help me honestly.

Sharron, Capone is the lighter colored brindle. Bola is the darker one. And at night, I am not allowed to have any family or friends in the building. Only 1 of the pups.

Im not sure what is going to happen. I think it will make me feel better when we own our own home because we are going to have a security system installed immediately. Kris and I have been talking about these issues...He helps me so much.

[maryellen]

you could always get one of the dogs evaluated for PP to see which one has the possibility of doing well with training.. find a PP group near you and see if you can get the dogs evaluated, this way you get an honest answer as to whether any of them would do well with that type of training.

good on seeing a therapist:)


at one point i had a rottx a shep and rufus, while out with rufus one day cops were at my house due to an open window. the rottx was happy to see the cops , and didnt bark at all at the cop at the open window. the gsd went nuts, but i honestly dont think she would have done anything..

not all dogs will actually go forward with an attack if their owner is being assaulted or a house broken into. in ontario canada when they started the breed ban a woman was assaulted on the street with her 2 adult pitbulls on leash. the dogs did nothing as the woman was beaten up. another member on another forum had her house broken into, she had 4 pitbulls at home loose in the house. the burglars stole everything and the dogs did nothing... most dogs wont go forward with an attack when push comes to shove unfortunately..

[loverocksalot]

As a person who has a carry I can understand why you may not be ready and that is very responsible decision. Especially if you are being treated for anxiety and it is heightened right now. Maybe carrying mace can help you feel safer. Self defense classes sometimes give us a false sense of security. I took a class from my Karate Sensei years ago that was more of how to be more aware and use mind games to catch the attacker off guard. He said we probably cant defend our self against a larger male, which is why he did not call it a Self defense class. but did show us some deadly techniques as well as some things to do if you think the person has come to rape you. Which I wont get into here unless you all wish to hear it. What kind of hours does Kris work? Is it possible to have some friends over on a regular basis or family? It is a difficult situation you are in and if my husband were not home late at night I would be a basket case for sure. Before I had a gun permit I always had a few items around the house to use to knock em out. I did not have a dog then either. No family, just neighbors that I hoped would be nosy and look out constantly.

[AmyJo27]

Yes, I think carrying would make me even more uncomfortable lol.
I currently do carry mace. I have it on a keychain and in my desk at work.

There is a PP Trainer that I have been talking to from Illinois. She SEEMS really good. We are going to be meeting up with her next month, She is going to evaluate Capone and show us how she trains. If the evaluation goes good and we like her, he is going to begin his training. She will be coming to us twice a week and every weekend to train.

I know out of my 3 dogs Bella would be the best to protection train. lol, she already thinks majority of people are threats. Shes a typical Cocker lol, but shes just not quite big enough to make me feel any better lol.

Bola is SO SO submissive. He would never hack it And Capone is high stung, and always trying to make a game out of everything. This trainer trains dogs PP by making it a game so I am thinking he would be the best option. If he doesnt pass the evaluation Im not sure where I will go from there...We will just have to see!!

Im not going to make my dog do anything that he is uncomfortable with just to make myself feel better. Its going to be hit and miss. I expect nothing. If it doesnt work out, thats fine. When I brought Capone into our home, this was never the expectation. There is still nothing expected from him. If Im lucky, he will enjoy this and see it as a fun game. If not, oh well. Ill keep my options open.

[RealPitBull]

I'm leery about trainers who say they teach dogs to be "personal protection" dogs. What does that mean, exactly? Real pp dogs go through some pretty hardcore (defense) training (which means the dog is being worked in defense drive, this is NOT the same thing as prey/play stuff that is done with sport dogs).

It is advised that you have insurance on a pp dog - if your dog bites someone, you will be held liable, because you knew your dog was "trained to attack".

It is SUPER hard to find a GOOD trainer who won't eff-up your dog. You can really destroy a good dog with bad training.

I do NOT recommend this sort of training for Pit Bulls - they are NOT suited for it.

[AmyJo27]

Good point Mary. I dont want anyone making my dog feel uncomfortable.

PP to this gal, only means training a dog to stand in one place or on a leash and bark at a person on command. There is no bite work or anything like that involved.

..........I have a lot of thinking to do....