Guardian Instinct

[bear1906]

My10 m/o pup is the friendliest soul...will greet anyone who I bring on to the property will open paws...Occassionally, he will bark at something, but not that often...lately he is even lifting his leg when he pees...but now, due to some recent incidents, I want him to be able to guard to house and protect me if needed...Will this occur naturally or will he have to be trained?

[Judi W]

First, he is much too young to be asking him for guarding. Like asking an 11 YO kid to enter the WWW. If he were acting any other way at this age it would be more out of fear and that is not what you want in a Rottweiler.

Even when older he should like the people that you bring in as that shows respect for you and hence your guests. He wouldn't do you much good if you had to put him up when people were visiting. A social dog is acting out of confidence and that is good. Do not ask for any serious guarding behavior before 2 years of age or with some even older. Even then, serious guarding when there is no threat is incorrect.

If you have real concerns about safety, please consider some alternative and do not ask a young pup to do the work of a trained adult. Perhaps an alarm system, a shooting course or something else would be appropriate. Consult with your local law enforcement about your options.

You can help him learn when it is appropriate to bark, by going to see when he does, thank him for alerting you if it was the correct thing to do, and then call him to go on about his business; but I would caution you to go easy on that as a young dog will too often take that approval too far and then you have an over-reactive dog on your hands which becomes a pain in the a**.

[Storm]

Very good post Judi W, when it comes to our safety there are many alternatives, it's not fair to expect a dog to solely do the job and especially a young untrained one at that. "If he were acting any other way at this age it would be more out of fear and that is not what you want in a Rottweiler".

However there is nothing wrong with joining a suitable/reputable club/group where, considering what type of dog you have, it can be trained according to your needs, making the dog more proficient in times of "need", bearing in mind that it is not a sole source of protection. With emphasis on bite development, control, civil agitation, conditioning etc. all contributing to a dog that is "reactive" when called for in a controlled manner, proficient in bite work, social amongst people and yet fully under control at all times. ;)

[Caesarsmom]

Thanks, Judi for the perfect answer.....your comments are right on the mark. My male did a great job of patrolling our acreage and alerting when he felt we needed to be aware.....but he was in the age range you stated when this began in earnest. When he crossed to Rainbow Bridge, our alpha bitch continued his efforts, and our house/property has never been bothered.




Raven - 10 yo coated female rottie
Jenka - 14 week old female rottie rescue
Machen - 8 1/2 yo female rottie - waiting at Rainbow Bridge
Caesar - 7 yo male rottie (light of my life) - waiting at the Bridge

[German Vanegas]

While is true that a well-bred Rottweiler is known to excel as a superb guard dog, is important to point out that not all Rottweilers, by virtue of being of being Rottweilers, are capable to protect and guard. For a Rottweiler to be able to do so, has to have that genetic trait imprinted (inherited). Unfortunately, due to wanton careless breeding, that characteristic guarding ability has been dilluted in many lines. Therefore, some Rottweilers have that desire guarding trait, while other Rottweilers don't. Consequently, do not expect your Rottweiler to guard, unless he inherited that trait from his parents and ancestors. In other words: protection and guarding abilities are born within the dog. It cannot be taught to the dog.

A Rottweiler has to have the correct genetics to develop a strong desire to protect and defend his pack and territory... and some Rottweilers have it, and others don't.

Do you know anything about your dog's pedigree or background?

[Storm]

Very true German, unfortunately there is a large misconception out there, with people, when it comes to various forms of aggression, protection attributes, guard drive plain unruliness and poor behavior as well as the overlapping of these attributes in various areas. :)

[German Vanegas]

Storm,
I, for one, strongly believe in the proven effectiveness of a good watchdog (an alarm dog), or a good guard dog (a protective-defensive dog), for personal and/or home security purposes.

A survey conducted on prison inmates, convicted for burglary and breaking & entry, revealed that most criminals avoid a house that has a barking dog, where the size and looks of the dog heavily influence the decision for the criminal to ignore that one house ;)

While I agree that you should not rely only on a dog for protection, and thus you should have in place a combination of security measures, still you cannot disregard that a guarding breed is one the ways to provide personal security.

The right dog can do an excellent job at deterring criminal intent. Every day, all over the world, people, homes, estates, businesses, factories, prisons, streets, and so forth, are effectively protected and guarded by good dogs. The fact is, there are breeds with a strong desire to protect their pack and territories, and do so with serious intensity. How many houses have been spared from being burglarized because of a security dog?... How many women have been saved from a rapist because of a loyal protective dog?... How many of us have been protected when walking our dogs from a gang of hoodlums, or the opportunistic mugger?... How many of us have had ours dogs in our vehicles warning other not to mess with us?... The list goes on and on. The point is: dogs can excel as personal and home guardians. We are blessed having all those outstanding breeds that they have been traditionally bred to protect and guard lives and estates. And there is nothing wrong with that all! The truth is, a protective dog can be a lifesaver!

Now, the problem is, many people wrongly assume that a dog, from a specific breed, is just a natural at protecting and guarding... Like the people that get a German Police Dog, or a Doberman, or a Rottweiler, etc., because they heard those breeds are supposed to be guard dogs.

Be aware: Not all Rottweilers are bred with the desire temperament, drives, and nerves to protect and guard. It takes a well-bred Rottweiler to posses that desired trait to guard and protect. It comes in the genes. A dog's protection abilities are bred in the dog. That is why is so important to get a dog bred with the essence of the given breed, thus from a line of ancestors known for their work ability. In other words: it takes a dog with the correct genetic make-up to be able to guard.

Therefore, be aware: just picking a dog from a given breed won't guarantee that such dog will be protection capable. It takes proper selection and positive rearing to produce a reliable guard dog. However, many people get a dog from a given breed and expect them to protect naturally, just by virtue of being from a guarding breed... Again, it is not that simple. In order to have a trustworthy protection dog, one has to follow certain steps to achieve that goal. Knowing how to do it right is the whole key to it... and so here we are, sharing our experience with all of you... Just ask. We will be glad to help :)

A well-bred Rottweiler should excel as a superb personal and home guardian

[bear1906]

I hear what you all are saying, its just that I really don't want a mean dog, I just want one to alert me of any abnormal activity by using their superior canine senses...In addition to the alarm,and gazillion cops that live in my development...

at the same time, my dog has a wonderful personality and we are preparing for Therapy work, I don't want to actively change his disposition for the worse...

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by bear1906
I hear what you all are saying, its just that I really don't want a mean dog, I just want one to alert me of any abnormal activity by using their superior canine senses...In addition to the alarm,and gazillion cops that live in my development...

at the same time, my dog has a wonderful personality and we are preparing for Therapy work, I don't want to actively change his disposition for the worse...

For the record, let us clarify that a vicious dog, or a mean dog, or an overly aggressive dog, or a bad dog, (neither of those type), is considered a guard dog. In fact, those kinds of dogs are actually dangerous.

A protection dog must have a stable temperament. He is also well socialized and fully obedience trained; and while he can be nice and friendly in neutral enviroments, where there is no hostility, that same dog can be aloof and wary of strangers when he is protecting and guarding his pack and territory ;)

Anyway, you started your inquiry like this, and I quote you:

"My10 m/o pup is the friendliest soul...will greet anyone who I bring on to the property will open paws...Occassionally, he will bark at something, but not that often...lately he is even lifting his leg when he pees...but now, due to some recent incidents, I want him to be able to guard to house and protect me if needed...Will this occur naturally or will he have to be trained?"

OK. So, can you tell us anything about your dog's parents or background?

[bear1906]

German, I don't know exactly what you are asking for. I know that both parents are certified therapy dogs, both grandsires are CDX's...His sire was typically aloof, and had a distinctively different disposition than my puppy has now, but that is expected...I can't recall much after that...When I picked him, I wasn't concerned about the protective instinct, I assumed that was natural, buy based on the posts here, I can't assume even that much...

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by bear1906
German, I don't know exactly what you are asking for. I know that both parents are certified therapy dogs, both grandsires are CDX's...His sire was typically aloof, and had a distinctively different disposition than my puppy has now, but that is expected...I can't recall much after that...When I picked him, I wasn't concerned about the protective instinct, I assumed that was natural, buy based on the posts here, I can't assume even that much...

Well, your dog appears to come from a line of well-bred utility dogs, which is great, but, ideally, a protection dog should have ancestors with that genetic trait imprinted, such as police certifications, or schutzund and/or protection ring titles. Nevertheless, your dog may develop the neccessary alertness to be a reliable watchdog; although, I doubt very much he will ever become a defensive guard dog. However, if your dog has a powerful impossing look (namely: the desired size and substance, tyical of a Rottweiler), this alone may may deter most ill-intended individuals. Now, if your dog barks to alert about something out of the ordinary (like people too close to the property, or an unusual noise or event, etc.), this will enhace his crime deterrance effect. Usually, a Rottweiler's deep guttural bark makes most people think twice before doing anything ;) Let your dog mature though, he is still young :)

[bear1906]

Thanks for the advice...Unfortunately, he stays inside most of the day, so unless someone is scoping my property when he is out playing, they won't know what lies beyond my confines untill they are inside, and its not like he barks that often, if ever...I just hope he will eveolve to what I think he could be...

[lblax]

by bear

Thanks for the advice...Unfortunately, he stays inside most of the day, so unless someone is scoping my property when he is out playing, they won't know what lies beyond my confines untill they are inside, and its not like he barks that often, if ever...I just hope he will eveolve to what I think he could be...

everyone has given you good advice but a little more than needed i think for your question. by doing the thearapy work with your dog you are doing wonderful bonding with your animal, as he grows he will start changing and probably will develope a pack and territorial alertness tendances. like german states wether he protects is a matter of genetics 1st and training second. but wheather he flees or fights when challanged really insnt an issue unless you atre looking for a sport dog or trained pp dog. it sounds like you have a well socialized and confidant pup which is what the average owner wants and needs and as he bonds and matures with you , you will notice a change and dont worry about the bad guys a barking rott will make almost all of them go to the next guys house lol!!!!!! the ones that arent scared off just by the presanxce of him are probably prepared to deal with any dog regardless of there protective nature. and one more thing hoping wont evolve the dog ,training to his capabilities will!!!!!!!!!!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by lblax
by doing the thearapy work with your dog you are doing wonderful bonding with your animal, as he grows he will start changing and probably will develope a pack and territorial alertness tendances.

I doubt very much that a certified therapy dog can do true protection and/or guard work, although, it is possible for this kind of dog to become a good watchdog.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by bear1906
I just hope he will eveolve to what I think he could be...

Be patient and give him time. As Judi explained to you already, your dog is still young. Rottweilers mature relatively slowly, mentally and physically, when is compared to most other working breeds. Your dog can be trained to bark on command, and when he gets around 18 to 24 months of age, it may be possible to train him to display aggression, without doing bite work.