Will your dog actually protect you? Get Your Pet Thinking

The aptitude test

We mentioned that most trainers do tests to estimate how good a guard dog a puppy will be. These tests can be conducted when the puppy is only six weeks old. That is the same age a pup is almost ready to leave their mother and join their new family.

A confident breeder is a transparent breeder, and they should be open to having pups tested.

That way, you can make a more informed decision and improve the chances of getting a good guard dog.

It’s in the bloodlines

Professional, reputable trainers tend to specialize in protection dogs. In other words, a trainer might focus on bloodlines that have proven success as working dogs.

On the other hand, a breeder might select bloodlines that boast successful show dogs, while neglecting aspects like working ability.

Then there are backyard breeders. These are usually breeders simply breeding two dogs together, usually without screening for health or temperament.

Aside from the many potential genetic defects that backyard breeders don’t consider, these dogs can be more unpredictable. Therefore, it’s a dangerous gamble looking for a guard dog here.

Not every pup has what it takes to be a guard dog, either. Even from reputable breeders.

Remember, some breeders select bloodlines that produce successful show dogs. These dogs are generally healthy, purebred animals with minimal chance of suffering hidden defects.

The best protection dogs are screened as puppies even with the right breeding. They can go through months, if not years, of training to become reliable protection dogs.

The Dog Gets Excited to See Its Keeper

This is the most common sign that a dog is protective of its keeper. Most pets exhibit sad or aggressive behavior whenever their keepers leave the house, which changes to over-excitement whenever they come back.

Keepers can easily tell if a dogs excited to see them by looking at the dogs face, tail, and overall body behavior.

Will Your Dog Protect You on a Walk?