Protection Classes A Few Questions - Page 1

My trainer seems to think that Wolfie would excel in protection classes. She said that he exhibits a lot of protectiveness towards me, and that he shows signs of being a good protection dog. What age would I get him into something like that? Will he still be able to be the calm family pet that I want if he does get into these classes or will they make him aggressive? Wolfie just turned 10 months old today.

if you're planning on "protection training"....check out local resourses and ask to sit in on a couple of sessions,try to get them to show you"confident,stable dogs"....but be sure they show you the "nervous,reactive,boderline unstable dog",then you'll have an idea on how one trainer handles both type dogs,go to more than one facility and do the usual background checks and references....socializing and basic"puppy obedience" are important right now....but all pups like to play with a tossed ball or bite rag or leather "flirt toy"....HERE THEY LEARN THE "CHASE/CAPTURE" game..but they're also learning to "FOCUS/TARGET PREY/STRIKE/BITE".as your pup matures....your trainer will begin to add small"LAYERS" of defence(challenge)then reverting to PREY,to put your pup back in prey to cool the situation....the "chase/prey game can be used to frustrate..and a good response would be a BARK, pup learns his bark has power to move the helper..he barks more and deeper.....when he shows that he actually has a pair..he gets his bite....and then(thanks to your puppy work with the rag and flirt) he gets a reward bite...hopefully it will be naturally full and hard...when you can put all of this under voice command..then you can start training for personal protection...some will take your money,light you up with enthusiasim,ask for more money,and totally screw your dog up...choose wisely

Thank you for the information. I will certainly do my research before joining or committing to anything.

vom ost see

very very good post, thanks   Mo