Personal protection dogs

[mitchie]

I was reading thru Aug. 05 dog fancy mag & noticed quite a
few ads for personal protection dogs.  I checked some of them
out online- I'm not sure what I think about it.  Some ads list
Giant Rotts, dobes, shepards, -what the heck?  I wonder what
it would be like to have a dog trained to attack?  When I put on
ski gloves-those ones that go up to your elbows-my rottie goes
nuts and we box.  She usually ends up "winning a glove"
I bet you couldn't play that with a protection dog! 
What kind of training methods do most of them use-I wonder??
Would there be an unknown trigger that could set them off?
My rottie attacks the vacuum like there is no tomorrow!
She has destroyed 3 plastic ones and now is trying to defeat
the metal one we bought.  I've had too much coffee tonight
and I should go to bed.
I love this website!

[mitchie]

Thank you for seeing thru all my jabbering -I agree with you-
How can these trainers not use aggressive methods? I wondered
what kind of traits they look for in puppies.  High prey drive makes
perfect sense.  I know my rottie would protect me-she even protects
me from the vacuum cleaner!  Your doggies look so huggable!
I just adore Leonburgers!  My 2 1/2 year old son has always
preferred them when we go to dog shows...it's some strange
connection he has to this breed.  One day I'm sure that we'll
be blessed to have one. 

[Kermit]

It seems to me like dogs that love their owners hardly need "special training" to protect their people. Yesterday my 4 month old bloodhound/saint mix, neither of which are aggressive breeds, barked at my creepy neighbor. Until now this pup has only barked while playing, and barked at my neighbor all on his own, with hair standing up and everything. I think he picked up on my fear of the guy. I'm suspicious of the motives of someone who seeks out a "protection dog" unless it is a woman with a scary ex! Seriously, I have known way too many uneducated tough guys who want an attack dog so they can brag about it and be even tougher. Yucky-poo. I suppose it depends on everybody's intentions: the trainers, the breeders, and the prospective dog owners.

[mastiffmommy]

I once had a GS, who the police was interested in. We went to their facilities and had a long talk to the trainers and took a good look when the dogs were trained. He didnt end up making the cut. But the methods and the reason you train a protective dog, well I agree with it, as long as it isnt abused, but then again that pretty much goes for a lot of things, as long as it is being dealt with in a good manner it is okay.

And the dogs I have seen with that training, are soooo obedient and also real wonderful family dogs, so being a protector does not mean the dog isnt as sweet as my rather dumb and not quite so well trained pooches hehe I have many a time looked at dogs like that and thought, ohhhhh mai how nice to have a dog that actually listens to you at all times 

Marit

[mastiffmommy]

grumpy that is just toooo funny hehehehe. He sounds like a friend of mine dog. This is many years ago, and in Sweden. She was out on her bicycle and dog was running alongside her. A man walked out infront of her and at first seemed to ask for directions, then he got intimidating and scared my friend, he grabbed hold of her and the bycycle. She let go of her dog, thinking it would attack the guy, but noooope. the dog ran off and hid somewhere.  Some people came and she was fine and all, but the poor dog was the "talk of the town" for awhile, and may I add not in a very good or brave way hehehehe

Marit

[GrumpyBunny]

Marit,

Fortunately neither the terrifying step-ladder nor the actually-kinda-scary Halloween dummy dealt me a fatal blow, and I have survived to tell the tale!

Marsi

[mitchie]

Level I Companion Dog US$ 3,500 to 6,500
Level II Personal Protection Dog  US$ 8,500 to 12,500
Level III Advanced Personal Protection Dog  US$ 12,500 to 18,500
Level IV Executive Personal Protection Dog US$ 18,500 to 50,000
Pick of the Litter  US$ 3,500
Second Pick US$ 3,000
Third Pick US$ 2,500

...how many dogs could be helped in shelters for this kind of $$$?
These are average prices for PPD's.  WOW!  That sure is something,
I wouldn't trade my $400 rottie for a million of those!
You know, once I was in FAO Schwartz -that big toy store in NYC
and they had stuffed rotties that were $550!  I told the store clerk-
you can get a real one for less that loves you back!
ahh, forgive me everyone I've over done it on the coffee drinking
once again!

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

Wow!...That's some pricey protection there!...I am sure Samson would see that no harm comes to us for some love & a few doggie treats.

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

Yeah but in my swimsuit he is ferocious!

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

LOL!...Pics soon to come!

[moonlitcroatia]

Level I Companion Dog US$ 3,500 to 6,500
Level II Personal Protection Dog  US$ 8,500 to 12,500
Level III Advanced Personal Protection Dog  US$ 12,500 to 18,500
Level IV Executive Personal Protection Dog US$ 18,500 to 50,000
Pick of the Litter  US$ 3,500
Second Pick US$ 3,000
Third Pick US$ 2,500

...how many dogs could be helped in shelters for this kind of $$$?
These are average prices for PPD's.  WOW!  That sure is something,
I wouldn't trade my $400 rottie for a million of those!
You know, once I was in FAO Schwartz -that big toy store in NYC
and they had stuffed rotties that were $550!  I told the store clerk-
you can get a real one for less that loves you back!
ahh, forgive me everyone I've over done it on the coffee drinking
once again!

Mitchie,

It's the same way with most things in our disposable, consumer society...do you think?  Because it is the same way with vehicles...buy this fancy, expensive car and guess how much it is to drive it....??  It goes the same places and, one way or another, whether one is driving a Mclaren FLM or a Honda, they arrive at the same destination.  Same thing with some people...just because they spend so much on clothing and all that stuff to make them look better....well, sometimes there is a lot of substance missing.  I think I would feel the same way about a protection-trained rottie...I believe the connection would be missing due to the automaton qualities taken on by a being with such "robotic" training.

(And I am in no way comparing living beings to material things, except to the extent that a lot of "people" do take other lifeforms for granted.)

I'm sure there are those who have had great experiences with protection trained dogs.  There is always someone who has.  But....I would still take the Honda...the second-hand $200 shirt on sale at the thrift store for $6 and, of course, the rottie who needs me most and will love me naturally, unconditionall y and who will feel free to be him/-herself.  

[moonlitcroatia]

LOL...And, by the way, if I take the second-hand clothing, the modest house, and the Honda...perhap s I will not stand out like a sore thumb and need to pay $50,000 for a rottie to patrol my property because "other humans", being the species that they are, attempt to rob, rape and kill me.  Just a thought! 

Of course, unless I was Johnny Depp...then I would just move to France!

[rottiesNpugs]

I know our rottie has never shown any agression towards ppl. he will bark if someone approaches HIS door or HIS gate lol but that's been about it. There has been one sign that he will always do. if he doesnt trust someone or usually if I dont trust someone he will place himself between me & that person. like Dont you come near my momma! lol they have a natural feel for protection as it is I cant imagine what they'd be like if someone actually TRAINED them to be like that!!