Pet companion? Or, a security companion dog?

[RottnKid1]

Great post, German - as usual! My dogs are for companionship and are family members first and foremost and I believe, for the average person, this should be the main reason for having a dog.

Though most of mine would protect, defend and not back down unless given the command to do so, I do have a couple who's only deterrent to a burglary would be the fact that the burglar wouldn't be able to get them out of his/her lap!

Shiloh is also my assistance dog and does a very good job at it! As you stated, Rottweilers, when well bred and raised, are very versatile dogs, capable of multiple tasks.

[rottnvegas]

It is good to see so many Rotts getting rescued. My boy Hans is also a rescue. In the short period of time that I have had him the bond has increased what seems like 10-fold every day. He is only about 1 year old, but he is becoming very protective. The other day Hans and I were at Petsmart and we were leaving and I was backing out of my space in the parking lot. Well, I didn't see the man and woman walking behind me until the last minute. I stopped and rolled my window down and apologized to the couple. The lady waved, said "no problem" and started walking away. However her husband walked up to my window and started shouting obscenities and the usuall "get out of the truck". Before I even thought about it Hans (who was sitting on the passenger seat) jumped up and put his front paws between my legs and started growling and snarling like crazy. He never barked, but his intentions were clear. Needless to say the guy backed off and muttered under his breath. I was so proud of my boy. So, even though I don't know much about his history, he has proven himself to me.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Nash's Mom
Wonderful post, German!

I always feel safe when I walk Nash and I definitely feel better sleeping knowing he is alert and watchful over me.

That's what a good Rottie does for you ;)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by RSQRottweiler
Sebastian (18 month male, neutered) is not protection trained and I don't rely on him to physically "protect" me. To be honest, though, I do use him as a deterrent (to an extent) since I live, and usually work, alone. I taught him to bark in response to a whispered "is somebody out there" or "who's there" and settle down again when I tell him "enough." ...
... He's a companion/pet, but the barking on/off switch is a nice feature. :)

Most dog owners don't need protection trained dogs. What they actually need are alert-watchful dogs, that bark to the unusual or strangers too close to the pack's territory. The size, looks and deep bark of a good Rottweiler, does produce a crime deterrance effect. Trust me ;)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Sampson's Mom
We got Sampson strictly as a companion dog, but soon I learned to appreciate how safe I felt with him around...
... The first time I really realized Sampson protective instinct it took me off guard. I was working an evening shift and we had gotten several new patients so I stayed over to help out. Mike and I had just gotten married, so Sampson wasn't quite used to me living there, let alone walking in at 3am. When I opened the door all I could hear was him thundering down the hall growling. I backed out REAL fast. I had to wait until he got to the door and told him it was just Mommy. After that I never had any doubt that I never had any doubt that the dog I only saw as my big baby would come to our defense whenever needed. We live in a very quiet area in the country without much crime, but I really miss that extra sense of security that he gave me.

That was a good Rottie protecting his territory, while loving his family pack :)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Emlly
Jonandmichelle, RSQRottweiler: How did you teach your dogs this? I would like to begin teaching my dog this "skill" Right now she alerts when she thinks she hears something. Anna is 8 months old and I dont think I ever want her to train in PP but it would be nice to have her look the part. Thanks
Emily

What you do is, whenever there is an unusual noise, or a stranger coming too close to your property, you show concern to your dog (not fear though but like you are seriously concerned), with an expressive body lenguage, while you whisper softly (like you don't want to be heard by anyone else but your dog) something like: "What's going on?!". Again, you have to act like you are concerned (be a good actress) and your dog more than likely will react with alertness. If he does, then you praising him: "Good boy!". IF your dog barks, you immediately say: "Wathchim!". If this drill is repeated with certain frequency, your pup will learn that "What's going on" means to be alert and "Watchhim!" to bark on command when he sees a person. A good Rottie easily responds to this type of conditioning for security purposes ;)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by RottnKid1
Great post, German - as usual! My dogs are for companionship and are family members first and foremost and I believe, for the average person, this should be the main reason for having a dog.

Absolutely. The main reason for dog owners to have a dog should be companionship. No question about it. However, many dog owners get dogs for security purposes too. So, a good Rottweiler (loyal, alert and protective) can become your buddy and bodyguard, both! There is nothing wrong with that

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by rottnvegas
...However her husband walked up to my window and started shouting obscenities and the usuall "get out of the truck". Before I even thought about it Hans (who was sitting on the passenger seat) jumped up and put his front paws between my legs and started growling and snarling like crazy. He never barked, but his intentions were clear. Needless to say the guy backed off and muttered under his breath. I was so proud of my boy. So, even though I don't know much about his history, he has proven himself to me.

...that's what a good Rottweiler is all about! :)

[mccoy]

Great post again!

My two dogs are companions before
our female came into our lives I
would have never thought about my
male as any sort of protection, he
has a really laid back personality
nothing bothers him. If we were to
have been robbed poor Ozzie would
have thought it looked like fun and
helped them carry stuff out.:D

But since Dutchess has came into our
lives he has done a complete turn
around he wouldn't even bark to let
you know someone was at the door, I
never really thought about this much
until reading some of your posts but
since she has been with us he has started barking to let us know when
someone is at the door. He has picked
this up from her because she is very
protective.

I have never really thought of them
as protection dogs but after reading these posts it makes me feel alot
safer knowing if needed that they
would be there for my family.

[KattOK]

Holly is my sounding board & helps me make decisions. :D She's my companion and I never thought of her as protective (she's not trained for that) until my parents came to my house while I was at work. They've never met Holly, but they were in the house. My dad went to go out the back yard and Holly barked at him & scared him back into the house. Daddy asked me later what the bark meant and I told him ... 'This is my yard, I don't know you, Mommy's not home, so stay out of my yard!!'

BTW German, have always wondered about your dog credentials. Your posts are always so insightful, and only thing I've been able to gather is that you do secret covert operations ... but nothing about dog credentials.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by KattOK
BTW German, have always wondered about your dog credentials. Your posts are always so insightful, and only thing I've been able to gather is that you do secret covert operations ... but nothing about dog credentials.

You can call me Deputy Dog ;)

[pazzo]

I love to read german`s posts!!! so knowledgeable and passionate! He can attest to the fact that I recently learned how PROTECTIVE a rottie can be. I always knew my rottie had guarding instincts. He ALWAYS barks to alert, he is always aware of his surroundings and he will respond to a whisper of who`s that, and stops when I have told him enough. I wouldn`t change him for the world! Training is always a must, especially with a rotti, but what they give you back in return is amazing. LOYALTY,love, devotion etc... oh and did I forget to say how SMART they are;) and beautiful too;)

[DixieGrl113]

My dogs are the greatest alarm squad I could wish for. They all sleep in different parts of the house. So they've got it covered. I don't think I've ever felt so safe sleeping at night or being home alone. They definately give the shady people a second thought. If I didn't know my big male, Zeus, I think he'd be pretty scary. He is just so solid and thick. And that face, he's so handsome. :D I also taught mine to "watchim" but somehow we've taken that cue down to a "psst" ...just like your trying to get someone's attention. I think its so cool. I don't know what I'd do without my gang. I've never loved or been loved by another breed of dog like I have with a Rott. No matter what the task, they're up to it. From fierce protecter to therapy to SAR. They can do it all. I couldn't dream of better companions, human or otherwise, than my Rottweilers. And they are just too damn smart for their own good ;) I think we've all been amazed by the things they figure out. Thanks for this great thread.

[Neeta]

I just finished reading your post, and all the replies that followed... Companion or security companion dog. My female who is now almost 3 years old has always been my Companion First.
When I decided that A Rottie was the dog of my choice, it was because of all the positive traits they possess. I have always trusted her, and because of her temperment, I never worried that she would harm me or my children. Leah has been all that I have ever hoped for and could wish for when thinking of her companionship.
She is a true Family dog... She has always been gentle, and protective towards the kids, I socialized her alot for the first 2 years of her life. I never really thought of her as a security dog, in the way that she would be a guard dog that would attack. My opinion was that just the size, and reality that a Rottie lived here would be a deterent to intruders.
One night comes to memory when the kids and myself where home alone, my husband was out of town. Leah was warning me by a bark that I had never heard before. I had checked it out, and found that a vehicle full of guys where staking out the neighbourhood.. they returned 3 times, over an hour time period.
Each time, she would alert me, by a bark that was unfamiliar to me. She gave me a new sense of security that made me feel even more secure. than ever before.
Cheers to the insight !!! Never really thought about her " type of companionship" until now.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by pazzo
I always knew my rottie had guarding instincts. He ALWAYS barks to alert, he is always aware of his surroundings and he will respond to a whisper of who`s that, and stops when I have told him enough. I wouldn`t change him for the world!

Another satisfied "Rottie customer" ;)