German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts. Training them to protect can harness these natural traits, creating a confident and obedient guardian. This guide provides comprehensive methods for training your German Shepherd to protect, emphasizing responsible training and control.
Developing a Solid Foundation
Before teaching your German Shepherd to attack, focus on socialization and obedience. A well-socialized dog is comfortable in various environments and around different people, reducing the risk of unwarranted aggression. Obedience training is crucial for control; your dog must respond reliably to commands like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “leave it,” and “come”.
Bonding and Socialization
- Build a strong bond: Spend quality time with your dog, play games, and engage in activities they enjoy.
- Expose them to various stimuli: Take your dog to different places, introduce them to new people and other dogs, and expose them to various sounds and sights.
Obedience Training
- Basic commands: Teach your dog basic obedience commands.
- Consistency is key: Use clear and consistent commands and reward positive reinforcement.
Attack Training Methods
1. The Develop Defense Skills Method
This method focuses on teaching your dog to respond to specific attack commands while maintaining control.
- Pair Verbal Attack Command: Start by putting on thick dog attack gloves and gently tapping your German Shepherd’s face until he grabs the mitt. Then, give the attack command, such as “attack” or a word in another language. Rewarding your dog for responding to the command reinforces the behavior.
- Pair Verbal Command to Stop: Teach your German Shepherd to break off the attack by using a “release” or “stop” command. This should also be a unique word. Reinforce your German Shepherd for ceasing the attack on command.
- Controlled Environment: Use a protected assistant with safety gear, like a padded dog attack suit, to approach you and your dog in a controlled setting. The assistant should act aggressively.
- Practice: Practice the attack and stop commands repeatedly in different scenarios.
2. The Develop Guarding Method
This approach focuses on developing your dog’s natural guarding instincts.
- Direct Barking: Teach your dog to bark on command and to stop barking when told.
- Set Up “Intruders”: Encourage your dog to bark at strangers approaching you or your property.
- Establish Property Boundaries: Define the boundaries of your property, and ensure your dog stays within them.
3. The Combine Skills Method
This method combines elements of both defense and guarding techniques.
- Vary Settings: Practice scenarios for guarding property and people in different environments.
- Introduce Unexpected Situations: Incorporate strange noises and behaviors to teach your German Shepherd to respond appropriately.
- Add Noises and Distractions: Practice guarding, defending, and protecting behaviors with distractions present.
Important Considerations
- Professional Guidance: Seek guidance from a professional dog trainer experienced in protection training.
- Control is Crucial: The goal is to teach your dog to protect on command, not to become aggressive or dangerous.
- Responsible Ownership: Be prepared to manage your dog’s behavior and prevent them from posing a threat to others.
- Verbal commands: After your dog barks for the first time, add a verbal command, such as “watch,” “get him,” or “attack”. The motivation should be natural, so most dogs will already bark.
- Attack dog training tip: Don’t pressure your dog more than a few times per session; otherwise, the dog will think he cannot make the threat go away and give up.
Fine-Tuning and Maintaining Training
Once your German Shepherd understands the basic commands and scenarios, it’s time to fine-tune their training and ensure they maintain their skills.
- Vary the Scenarios: Keep your dog engaged by changing the training scenarios.
- Proofing: This involves practicing the learned behaviors in different environments with various distractions.
- Regular Refreshers: Regular training sessions will help reinforce the learned behaviors and keep your dog sharp.
- Continued Socialization: Continue exposing your dog to different people and environments to prevent fear or aggression.
- Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor your dog’s behavior and adjust the training as needed.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best training, challenges can arise. Here’s how to address some common issues:
- False Alerts: If your dog is barking or acting aggressively without a genuine threat, redirect their attention and reinforce the “quiet” command.
- Hesitation: If your dog hesitates to attack when given the command, try increasing their motivation by using more enticing rewards or creating a more realistic scenario.
- Over-Aggression: If your dog becomes overly aggressive, reduce the intensity of the training and focus on reinforcing the “stop” or “release” command.
- Fearfulness: If your dog shows signs of fear or anxiety during training, reassess the training methods and ensure the dog feels safe and secure.
Ethical Considerations
- Legal Implications: Be aware of local laws and regulations regarding owning a protection dog.
- Public Safety: Ensure your dog is always under control and does not pose a threat to the public.
- Liability: Be prepared to take responsibility for your dog’s actions.
- Insurance: Check with your insurance provider to ensure you have adequate coverage in case of an incident involving your dog.
The Importance of Ongoing Education
Dog training is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Stay informed about the latest training techniques and best practices by attending workshops, seminars, and consulting with experienced trainers.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively train your German Shepherd to protect, enhancing their natural abilities while ensuring they remain a safe and well-behaved member of your family and community. Remember, responsible training is the key to unlocking your German Shepherd’s full potential as a loyal protector.