German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts. These qualities make them excellent companions and guardians. While their natural protective abilities are valuable, training a German Shepherd to attack on command requires a responsible approach. It’s about controlled protection, not aggression. This article will guide you through the process of safely and effectively training your German Shepherd to protect you and your property.
Understanding the German Shepherd’s Protective Nature
German Shepherds are naturally inclined to protect their families and territory. This instinct stems from their history as herding dogs, where they were responsible for guarding flocks from predators. However, it’s crucial to channel this instinct correctly through training. The goal isn’t to create an aggressive dog, but rather a confident and obedient protector.
Laying the Foundation: Obedience and Socialization
Before you even think about attack training, your German Shepherd needs a solid foundation in obedience and socialization.
Obedience: A well-behaved dog is a safe dog. Your German Shepherd must reliably respond to commands like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” and “leave it”. These commands are essential for controlling your dog during protection scenarios.
Socialization: Expose your German Shepherd to a wide variety of people, places, and situations from a young age. This helps them develop into well-adjusted adults who can distinguish between genuine threats and harmless strangers.
Methods for Training a German Shepherd to Attack
There are different methods for training a German Shepherd, and it’s important to choose the right one to fit you and your dog.
Develop Defense Skills: This is a good method to begin with, as it is more focused on defense rather than attack.
- Bonding: Develop a strong bond with your dog through play, exercise, and spending time together.
- Verbal Commands: Use specific verbal commands like “attack” or a foreign word to initiate the attack, and “stop” or “release” to cease the attack.
- Controlled Environment: Practice with a protected assistant in a safe environment, using safety gear and a padded suit.
Develop Guarding Method: This method utilizes barking to deter trespassers.
- Direct Barking: Teach your dog to bark on command and to stop barking when told to.
- Setting up Intruders: Have assistants act as intruders to encourage barking, reinforcing the behavior when they run away.
- Establishing Boundaries: Define the boundaries of your property for your dog.
Combining Skills: Varying settings and situations can help your German Shepherd generalize their training.
- Changing Environments: Practice guarding and defending in different locations.
- Multiple Attackers: Introduce scenarios with multiple attackers and various weapons to test your dog’s response.
- Unexpected Situations: Incorporate strange noises and behaviors to ensure your dog responds appropriately.
- Varying Conditions: Practice during different times of day, weather conditions, and lighting to prepare your dog for any situation.
- Adding Distractions: Introduce loud noises and distractions to maintain focus during training.
The Importance of Professional Guidance
Training a dog to attack is a serious undertaking that should not be attempted without professional guidance. A qualified dog trainer can assess your dog’s temperament, develop a customized training plan, and ensure that the training is conducted safely and effectively. Look for a trainer who has experience with German Shepherds and protection training.
Step-by-Step Training Exercises
Here are some exercises that can be incorporated into your German Shepherd’s protection training:
- The “Watch” Command:
- Bite Work:
- Controlled Aggression:
- Have an assistant approach your property or home acting suspicious.
- Keep your dog on a leash and harness.
- When the dog begins to bark, give a verbal command like “watch,” “get him,” or “attack”.
- The assistant should run away once the dog starts barking to reinforce the behavior.
- Use a bite sleeve or padded suit for the assistant to wear.
- Start with light pressure and gradually increase it as the dog progresses.
- Always use the “release” command to stop the bite.
- Keep training sessions short to avoid overwhelming the dog.
- Have an assistant approach you in a threatening manner.
- Give the “attack” command and allow the dog to engage.
- Immediately give the “release” command to stop the attack.
- Reward the dog for obeying the commands.
Key Considerations for Responsible Training
- Temperament: Not all German Shepherds are suited for protection training. A dog with a nervous or overly aggressive temperament is not a good candidate.
- Control: The ability to control your dog in any situation is paramount. If you cannot reliably stop your dog’s aggression, you should not be training them for protection work.
- Liability: Be aware of the legal liabilities associated with owning a protection dog. You may be held responsible for any injuries or damages caused by your dog.
- Consistency: Consistency is key to successful training. Practice regularly and reinforce commands to maintain your dog’s skills.
- Professional Help: Seek guidance from experienced trainers to ensure safe and effective training practices.
Safety Precautions
Safety should always be the top priority when training a German Shepherd to attack.
- Use proper safety equipment, such as bite sleeves and padded suits.
- Train in a controlled environment, away from the public.
- Never train when angry or frustrated.
- Be aware of your dog’s body language and stop the training if they become stressed or overwhelmed.
Maintaining Training
Once your German Shepherd has completed protection training, it’s important to maintain their skills through regular practice.
- Continue to reinforce obedience commands.
- Practice protection scenarios in varied environments.
- Seek ongoing guidance from a professional trainer.
- Always prioritize safety and responsible dog ownership.
Conclusion
Training a German Shepherd to attack on command can be a rewarding experience that enhances your safety and security. However, it’s a serious undertaking that requires careful planning, consistent training, and a commitment to responsible dog ownership. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and seeking professional guidance, you can develop your German Shepherd into a reliable and well-controlled protector.