Number of protection dogs

[ristakrat]

I acquired my GSD as a protective companion. At the time my husband and I had just moved to a new state and he was away on business frequently.
We lived in a neighborhood and much to my husband's request and delight I took my dog with me everywhere.
We now live on a small isolated farm at the top of a mountain. As well as being a reliable personal protection dog our boy is also a fantastic farm guardian and herder. Just goes to show that with a little guidance and training there is nothing a GSD can't do!

[hunterisgreat]

My male is my ppd, my female is my ultra sport dog. She will still bite for real but I wish she had more natural suspicion. I live alone, run a few companies that have potential of causing me to have people who wish me harm either as ex employees, or as other malicious actors. He is a very strong deterrent

[SewSleepy]

H wanted a large dog as a deterrent, not necessarily for protection. I wanted a GSD because I love them

Our OB trainer also does personal protection training and H has expressed an interest in getting her into that. I'm not sure that's really our thing. I don't think I'm a good enough handler for that.


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[Catu]

Originally Posted by jarn

....maybe it's b/c we're talking GSDs, but i'm fascinated by the number of people who have PPD or guard dogs.

....can i be all nosy? where do you generally live? what is your motivation for having one?

I live in an area about 15 km away from town that used to be rural, but more and more people is coming. There is my house, my neighbour's house and hundreds of km2 of forest.

My motivation is the same of the humans of 18.000 years ago who liked to have dogs around their fires.

Originally Posted by jarn

(i know when i got luc a friend said 'i've noticed women get large dogs, to protect them' and i was SOOOO insulted. i got a large dog b/c he could keep up w/me physically. also b/c he's a smart dog and i respect that. nothing wrong if you do have/want a PPD/guard dog, i'm just curious )

I'm not insulted at all. I go to places with my dogs where I don't go without them at my side.

[ed1911]

We do bitework for Schutzhund but I wouldent consider them protection dogs. If that is what I wanted I would do scenario based bitework mostly inside my home and in areas where I thought I may be attacked.

[elisabeth_00117]

Stark is doing a form of personal protection and schutzhund (with agility and obedience and tracking mixed in) but he is in no way a "protection dog". He doesn't have the temperament for it. We are doing this type of training for fun and to exercise control.

Zefra trains in schutzhund but would also do extremely well in personal protection, but it's not something that I personally want to get into at this point in time. Probably down the road but for now, I am enjoying schutzhund and learning.

I did not get my dogs with the thought of them protecting me. I always laugh when people are terrified of Stark but are so quick to cuddle on little Zefra. Stark is my mush and would pee himself if someone came at me or him while Zefra would be excited for the fight.. lol.

[Muneraven]

Dogs are a very good deterrent when you don't make the mistake of thinking they will be able to handle any kind of threat. A "Beware of Dogs" sign and enthusiastic barkers will often make the casual burglar moved on. However, there is no ultimate deterrent like a a shotgun aimed down the stairs at unwanted visitors. That's why we have one in the bedroom.