Guard dog training

People who are far from cynology are convinced that another name for a guard dog is guard or guard. This is not entirely true.

The guard dog is the guard of the house and its inhabitants, as a rule, it is large. His main task is to protect property and prevent a stranger from entering the territory entrusted to him. If a stranger appears nearby, the dog should notify the owner by barking. If the “enemy” is not paying attention, she can delay him.

A guard dog is somewhat different from a guard dog. Her task is similar – to notify a person about the approach of an uninvited guest. But she does it differently, without the help of her voice. In addition, she can find a person by smell and protect her master.

Guard dogs are not taken to the guard service – their specializations are different, and therefore their skills are also different.

Dogs on guard duty

Of course, not every breed is suitable for guard service. In the preparation of such dogs, active, energetic, balanced animals with an average degree of anger are selected. It is important that they have excellent hearing and sense of smell.

The service breed is best suited for the role of watchdog. The most popular in Russia are Shepherds, including German and Caucasian, Rottweilers, as well as Giant Schnauzers and Airedale Terriers.

Training

A guard dog is more than just a watchdog. In the process of training, animals develop five basic skills:

• Human protection;
• Delay and escort;
• Search by trail;
• Search of the area and premises;
• Watchdog in place and on the move.

Of course, the training of guard dogs is carried out only by professionals. Not a single amateur can cope with this on his own. However, before giving a dog for specialized training, it is necessary to go through a general training course with it.

Handler protection, delay and escort

The development of these skills is carried out according to the same scheme as in the course of protective guard duty.

It is very important to watch how the dog handler works with the dog. Vicious, aggressive animals are not poisoned, while calmer and phlegmatic ones, on the contrary, are trained. This is necessary so that the dog can instantly make a decision and be able to protect the owner and his property.

Search by trail

Despite the fact that there is a separate specialization in cynology – a search dog, a guard dog must also be able to find and detain a person by his smell. The main difference is that the watchmen work in hot pursuit, that is, left less than one hour ago. The development of this skill is carried out according to the methodology of the search service.

Search of the area and premises

The training of these two skills is carried out at the rate of protective guard duty. Practicing it, the dog must learn to look for objects and people in the area or in the room.

At the same time, the trainer should always monitor the actions of the animal, direct it – the dog should not act chaotically.

Storozhevka

The most interesting skill – watchdog – allows you to teach the dog to listen to the area and notify the owner about the approach of strangers without barking.

As a rule, training takes place in the evening or at night in a secluded area, where there are many shelters, vegetation, pits or ravines. First, the dog is trained in guarding skills, standing still, and then in motion.

During the training process, an assistant works with the trainer. The more often there is a change of assistant, the better: the animal does not get used to it. The main signal is the “Listen!” command, after which the dog must listen and find the “intruder”.

Photo: Collection