Role of the dog in home defense

[Sol]

I have a "dangerous" dog from that list.

103 pounds of stupidity.

Doesn't bite.
Loves the neighborhood stray cat.
Didn't maul the possum in my backyard even though she cornered it.
Sleeps like %90 of the day.
She knows commands, never taught it to bite though.

She will bark and go bonkers at a knock at the door, but I don't know how she would react with a stranger breaking in.

My friend suggested I take her to the trainer he had his dog at, but at almost the $4k it cost him to train his dog, haha...NO!

And that's probably relativley cheap for some trainers.

Good alert system, I don't know about the whole defending the property thing.

 

[DNS]

My ninety pound golden alerts to outside noise but the one hundred and ten ponds of border collie is the physical queen of all she surveys and waits for victims of opportunity. Looks a lot like an oreo german shepard actually and the black eyes in a black face really intimidates folks.

Anyone breaking in better be quick on the draw what with the alarm going off and all.

Both by the way are rescues.

 

[Kosh75287]

I have a Border Collie/Aussie Shephard mix with the intelligence, manners, and poise befitting Richard Attenborough. I also have a Heinz 57/Aussie Sheppard mix with the intelligence, manners and poise befitting Richard PRYOR. And yes, they DO have their humans completely trained.

They're both early-warning-systems for us. The BC/AS mix can discriminate between people who live near us and persons who live nowhere in the vicinity. If the person outside the door lives in an adjacent apartment, he simply raises his head, then puts it back down. If someone who doesn't live in one of the nearby apartments is outside, he growls & barks quietly. HOW he can know the difference is beyond me, but I've never seen him be wrong.

The Heinz57/AS sleeps in bed with us, and usually doesn't make a sound unless the BC/AS is fully agitated and barking loudly. Even then, the H57/AS just barks quietly and nuzzles or licks one of us on the face, until we do something (I TOLD y'all they have us TRAINED!) to acknowledge the threat.

I'm not sure of what they'd do if someone came in in our absence, but they both have barks that belong to dogs weighing twice as much, so the intimidation factor may preclude our ever finding out. I'm VERY okay with that.

And if someone treated either of my dogs like the retriever that the OP mentioned, I'd prolly go into "MAN ON FIRE" mode quickly, completely, and for a very long time. They DO become "family" in short order.

Their "training" has not been entirely one-sided, BTW, as BOTH dogs readily answer to "DAMN IT!" and "QUIT THAT!" I feel safer with them than without them.

 

[DaveCG]

For those who have had issues with their home insurance companies, my conversation with State Farm about six years ago went something like this:

Me: I've just adopted a dog, do I need to make any changes to my policy?
My agent: Nope, you're good.
Me: Do you want to know her breed?
Agent: Not necessary; you're covered.

When last I checked, Farmers also did not discriminate based upon dog breed.

 

[xXxplosive]

Our 6 yr. old male GS has 3 obedience titles and is smarter than most people I know.....that being said, he is the guardian of our home when we are not there and when we are he is our first line of defense and he knows it.

Other then that......enter unannounced and find out for yourself....our signs are posted.....thank you.

 

[627PCFan]

I have 2, my German-German Short haired Pointer "Boomer" and my Weim. Boomer has the low end growl of a Mastiff and runs about 85lbs, all muscle. The Weim can unleash the other end "Hound howls of hell". All I need out of them is hunting during season and late night alerts. Boomer allows me alot of sound sleep knowing hes on guard downstairs. I doubt he would attack but he would let me know......

The Weim would run and hide. Shes too pretty fight...

 

[HRnightmare]

I currently have 2 rescues A 10lb mini Dachshund that recently had eye surgery and this time last year was recovering from spinal surgery. He is deaf and practically blind in one eye. He is one spry little devil though. I also have a recent rescue, a 26lb Lhasa Apso who is almost entirely blind and has a sever heart murmur. They are both awesome but WORTHLESS as guard dogs.

I would lay my life down for my wife and my dogs before I would want them to do the same for me. I don't like the idea of a dog being put in harms way.

I know it is a slight liberal opinion but I do not like seeing animals working in dangerous roles. I raised my right hand and swore to defend the constitution, I did no one else. My mother and father did not sign me up when I was a few days old. That is kind of how I feel about testing lab animals and police / mil working dogs.

I recognize that we as humans value human life over everything and I am not saying I agree or do not see the huge role and value they hold. I just don't like that they have no opinion in the matter.

I would want a dog to bark and be loud at an intruder or similar situation but ultimately I would want it to be behind me so I can protect it.

 

[nickdiazfan209]

Deleted

 

[bikerdoc]

If this thread gets silly it will be closed.

 

[tepin]

Dogs should be early warning tools and not sent into harms-way unless the owner knows the dog is capable of handling things. My beagle for example, wouldn't be much help and probably get hurt as the OP discussed.

 

[splattergun]

My dog should be a first alert, sounding off before the alarm system.
Some dogs, sadly, do not even do that. Some are just too friendly for their own good and will welcome strangers as new friends regardless of circumstances.
Breeding and training are key.

 

[Jaymo]

My best watchdog was a Shih Tzu/Poodle/Lhasa Apso mix.
She looked like a Lhasa, without the ugly jut jaw.
She NEVER shed.
Her name was Annie.
I called her Shaggywooly.
She was the most loving dog I've ever owned.
She also had the bark of a dog 10 times her size.

I miss her.

My current dog is Lucy.
Basset hound.(sweet/stubborn/dumb/loyal)
I've always liked hounds.
She has a great bark.
Her job is to bark loudly and get behind me.

That, and keep my feet warm on cold nights.

 

[SleazyRider]

Never heard a whisper of that. Do you have any proof of such? Insurance companies base their rates on the severity and frequency of claims, and limit their exposure through exclusions. The alternative is to raise their rates for everyone, or just pull out of a state altogether.

See http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...14-dog-breeds-blacklisted-insurance-companies for the article. Seems to me that a canine blacklist is a slippery slope.

 

[SleazyRider]

... And if someone treated either of my dogs like the retriever that the OP mentioned, I'd prolly go into "MAN ON FIRE" mode quickly, completely, and for a very long time. They DO become "family" in short order. …

I'm feelin' you, sir, and I'd probably react in a similar matter. I've read many a thread here on THR directed at protecting hikers, joggers, and cyclist from marauding dogs; but we should also be prepared for severe backlash and possible retaliation from the owner if we cause harm to their dogs. Who's right is merely academic when injuries are involved.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I can't imagine the anguish I'd go through if someone hurt my dogs that bad. It's hard enough just knowing my boy Spanky is just getting old. I know it, even if he doesn't.

The thing is, I know any of our ABDs would die protecting any member of my (their) family. Obviously we all hope it never comes to that. Still, they'd give as much as they get, or worse. I still have a scar on my leg where my wife's boy Monty nipped my leg while playing. A canine puncture wound is no joke, and he wasn't trying to hurt me. The bite force of these dogs can easily rend muscle tissue and shatter bone. I've seen what they can do to a frozen deer leg.

They are fairly well trained to listen, and are not overly aggressive, despite their appearance. Their bark would be enough to make anyone think twice about continuing through that window or door.

The thing about American Bulldogs is that they don't show pain. So unless it was an obvious injury, like a stab wound, gun shot wound, or any exterior physical trauma, they won't let you Know. We had one dog who obliterated a knee ligament, but other than her slight limp, you'd never know she was injured. It was quite a shock to discover the extent of the damage. That is a double edge when it comes to HD/SD with a dog of this breed.

 

[Old Dog]

My GSDs are basically alarms ... no matter the hour, they bark madly when deer, raccoons, bear or coyotes cross through the yard, but I do know that an alert burglar might possibly get the best of them -- even though my dogs have been professionally trained -- if he was somehow able to get inside the house and was also able to ignore the screaming alarm system (which will wake the dead in the next county) and the incoming gunfire. Now, if I or the wife were under actual physical attack, I have no doubt that my pair could do serious damage to the assailant.

 

[ugaarguy]

As for me - I wouldn't keep any attack trained or attack prone dog around my house. Too much chance of someone's kid getting hurt as far as I'm concerned.

What do you consider an "attack prone" dog. How familiar are you with Schutzhund, which is the basis for all Western protection dog training?

 

[lemaymiami]

I'm quite familiar with it since that kind of training is what every professional (read police) dog handler is trying to obtain. The reason I made that remark is very simple. During a career in police work I never knew even one dog handler that hadn't had at least one serious bite from his/her own dog... Trigger that attack mode and you'd better make sure you're not between dog and target or you just might end up on the receiving end. The incidents that I'm familiar with were both in crowded action scenes (more than one cop, more than one target) and working solo at close quarters. Since we ran shepherds, belgians, and rottweilers (only a hundred man department... we never had more than four or five dogs at any one time -these incidents cover a span of years, mostly a dog bite on an offender was a pretty rare event...) you got to see a variety of behaviors over time. The bite from a big rottweiler with the target flailing about or trying to rip himself free would cause terrible wounds. The downside with big dogs down in south Florida was that you could seriously overheat them if you weren't careful... dogs that overheat without relief will die on you. I can still remember one of our handlers having to carry a full sized rotty back to his car (and that important air conditioning) almost half a block one day (with at least ten inches of tongue hanging out from a badly over-worked dog...).

By the way, handlers that got bit happened both in training incidents and the real thing out on the street. Our doctrine required us to use canines for building searches if at all possible. With that routine the injuries to officers went way, way down. I will say that the most aggressive well trained canine will turn to jelly if you put them on a smooth, waxed floor where they have no traction with their claws.... I've seen handlers have to actually coax their dogs to search under those conditions... One other note -any offender that's ever been bitten will surrender immediately once they here the "dog warning" our handlers were obliged to give before releasing the dog (not really a full release just placing them on a long lead where they can go into cover and find/bite what's there...).

 

[HRnightmare]

What do you consider an attack prone" dog.

Dachshunds are actually the most likely to bite a family member...more than any other breed. The reason it's not a big deal is they are 15 lbs, mini's 8-10, the difference is alot less severe than say a Pit or Shepherd.

"Attack prone" is sort of like saying Ar15s are more danger prone than 10/22's or Camaros are speeding ticket prone.

 

[Pyzon]

[QUOTEit seems that an enthusiastic, barking dog would be more of a hindrance than a help][/QUOTE]
If trained to stay out of the resulting discussion or whatever results, what would be the hindrance ? If not trained, dogs can be a hindrance often.

their command of the English language is better than most teenagers in my neighborhoo

Wow, well put.

My 2 cents worth is consider a dog another tool to minimize the risk of a break in or robbery, or maybe just vandalism and trespass. In addition to that tool, motion detecting lights pointed out into the yard and good window and door locks is good prevention. Most dirtballs prefer to operate in the quiet and in the dark, and on easy 'pickins, like folks with the garage door open and stuff laying around in their yards. Make it just a little difficult and they will go elsewhere.

 

[Hangingrock]

Being in a rural area. The standard operating procedure when the household members depart for the day, they let the dog out to roam freely. Since I walk a lot, I become acquainted with most of the dogs which are basically noise makers. Around here that seems to be the purpose of dogs to be noise makers.

 

[ejfalvo]

We have two dogs, a 65lb Samoyed who looks menacing when she approaches and a 13lb Laso. The Laso is the early warner - she hears everything, and the Samoyed is the first responder. Seeing her trotting towards you with a low growl is enough to send most running.

 

[lemaymiami]

For HR the standard I use for an "attack prone" dog is the same one our local courts use.... Every dog is okay until it bites someone (not including family or friends unless the injured need ER time and it's reported by a physician). After that first bite you're no longer dealing with an ordinary dog. The owner has legal obligations at that point and a second bite will cause the owner a lot of grief (and probably get the dog put down). Can't say I like that very much but around the Miami area we do have a few dog owners that should never be allowed out in public - or much less allowed to keep a dog that will, if given the opportunity, eat someone's kid... Yes, there are circumstances where a biting dog deserves a medal (and an extra treat) after it has taken a piece out of felon in action. But, still, the chance of the felon's lawyer coming after you if they can figure out any excuse (no, I wasn't really trying to kick in your back door -I was only trying out these new shoes....) is always a possibility... particularly if it's a juvenile that's never been caught doing anything previously... and just happens to come from a family with more money than common sense or any decent morality.

Out in the coutryside I doubt you'll ever face that proposition (except maybe in those states that want to restrict gun ownership by any means possible...).

Hope I'm coming in clearly on this. Most will never have to even consider this sort of stuff. I had to deal with it as a supervisor, then a watch commander over a period of years (and get to write the report and evaluation on whatever occurred) so I have some definite opinions about dogs used to defend a property and the folks within...

 

[dcloco]

The answer is simple. TWO!

Yes, a small(er) ALERT dog and another, of larger size, with the "never give in, never give up" attitude.

 

[Double_J]

My old shooting buddy had two wonderful dogs in his house. The "leader" was a 55 pound Weimeraner, and the "muscle" was a 95 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback. The weimeraner would give the alert and the ridgeback would chime in and provide the "big dog bark."

The running joke was to turn them loose on the poor pizza delivery guy as he was walking to the house. They LOVED pizza crusts and they knew the sight and sound of the pizza guy. The poor pizza guy at first was jumpy as can be around them, but latter he settled down and loved seeing the two dogs.

Sadly they are both departed, but both had a wonderful life and served faithfully unto the end.