I have recently seen an advertisement where I l - Page 2

Sorry, the phrase "attack training" seems to have been the wrong choice of words, I didn't know what I was supposed to call it and the trainer I spoke to calls it that. I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to those of you who train dogs in PERSONAL PROTECTION.

To be honest I wasn't really interested in that type of training because it seemed to me to be unnecessary and dangerous ,however somebody I know keeps telling me that my dog is useless because it is just an 'alarm dog' and his GSD is a real 'Guard dog'. But you guys have convinced me that I was right in the first place, my dog barks all night long anyway and what more do you want?

In answer to penny's advise, just recently at 10 months of age I took an obedience test with my GSD and know I think I will move on to either advanced obedience or agility and forget about this "Personal Protection" stuff which seems too risky and dangerous for me to want to get involved in.

And remarking upon what some people have mentioned about GSD's being feared, I have noticed that a lot as well, whenever I am walking him in the park people cross to the other side even though my GSD is much more outgoing and friendly than my Labrador. They just seem to have a bad reputation due to unscrupulous breeders. Thats why I am very thankful that there are breeders and trainers like you guys out there. (People that are in the business for the love of the breed and not in it for the money).

Thanks again everybody for the advise and once again I apologise for my bad choice of words.

Hey, that's the purpose of this board, to share information.

At least you're taking the info and learning from it.

Henry, no problem.

Regards,

Bob-O

I would stay away from anyone who claims they can train your dog in personal protection in a months time. To do it right takes much longer than that.

If you are sending the dog away, what type of follow up or continued training is being offered? Training in personal protection is just as much about the handler as it is the dog. If the handler is not trained, and there is no control, you have a lawsuit in the making.

I would not recommend sending the dog away to a trainer for several reasons that have already been touched upon. Sending a dog to someone to title in a dog sport is one thing (I still would not recommend it) but for "personal protection" it isn't really feasable and sets you up for a law suit big time. It takes months of training to teach a dog to bite and stay in a fight with conviction. Not to mention control and teaching the dog and handler to work together. For personal protection you must have training at the home as well as out in public with mock scenarios.

This guy sounds like one of your typical "personal protection trainers" that I would stay away from. You cannot correctly build the confidence, conviction, and control in a month. Can't be done with a green dog with no training. If it is, all you have is your "alarm dog" that now knows how to bite someone. That does not equate to "personal protection"

Go out to a sport dog club so you can learn how to handle your dog and give it a solid bite work foundation. Then go find someone who activly trains police dogs. If your club does not have someone who does this, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

It is fun and rewarding to be involved in the training not to mention the wonderful bond that developes between you and your dog. I encourage you to do it if it interests you; just be careful who you deal with.

IF you don't have a solid foundation (takes months) no handler training, and no training at home and in the real world.........

You don't have a protection dog, you have a liability to your wallet as well as your personal safety.

Good luck

I havae no Idea what blood line your dog is out of...,,,but your most important thing to worry about is socializing and concentrate on obedience......have you read some books on Schutz training.?..if you dont want to join a club   get Susan Barwigs and Hilliard book     The theory and Methods of sCHUTZHUND TRAINING..   It starts you out and gives you the reasons....why and how to......and educates you....go to your library and check out books on german shepherd training...You dont train a shepherd like a house dog...so scratch the normal training...you captive your dogs prey and his intelligence and his temperament ,,as you said he is outgoing...use that ....train and praise   short sessions till your dog has done each command   777 times and is picture perfect......then and only then do you start bite work of any kind...you can use the tug and play bite and get his stamina built and tease him with tugs and snatch away and build his confidence....play hide and seek,,,,take him to all kinds of noise elements    and go read the book....now....stay with us here and ask us as you go...

Gard is a good trainer...but he cant do it over the internet or the phone ...but we can give you tips......go visit a club for the fun of it......you might just like it...and want to work in one....never know...As long as you show them you really want to follow their help and work your pup,,,they will let you join...Its cheaper than getting ripped off...by an attack trainer....gosh  cant believe I typed that....

Mystere:  Let me tell you, if you put a hamster up against a wall and give it no option but to fight for its life, it will bite and attack you, too.  ( I am speaking from experience here:  I did corner a hamster in my kitchen once that had crawled into my apartment via the heat vent.   That sucker hissed at me and  ATTACKED!!)  

ROTFLMFAO!

Thank you. I have needed a good laugh all day and that was it!

A menacing hamster ?   LOL.... yeah thats funny.

Since I am in the USA I must agree with Bob O about the 12 gauge.  This also has its pitfalls and liabilities.

As far as attack trained dogs?   I know of several police K-9's injured and even killed doing they're jobs.   One killed by a man with his bare hands. 

And everyone has seen dogs on trial for biting, some being destroyed.

Henry, I'm glad you explained things a little better.  You held up well too.

Best wish's