The Rottweiler as a security dog.

[German Vanegas]

There is nothing wrong with getting a Rottweiler for security purposes. In fact, other than companionship, protection is commonly named as a reason to own a dog. And that is a valid and legit reason, indeed!

A well-bred Rottweiler is known to be a superb security-alert dog (or "watchdog"), for possessing a desire to guard (territoriality), and a loyal devotion to defend the family pack (protect). Those positive traits are part of the Rottweiler's heritage. Moreover, a well-bred Rottweiler is expected to be courageous and even-tempered, and also a sociable family companion pet.

The wrong reasons to own a dog for security are when people get a Rottweiler, but they don't research enough, if anything, about the breed... Therefore, they think that all it takes is to feed the dog, keep him isolated from people (so the dog becomes eerie of humans, you know, the so-called "guard dog"), letting the dog to grow dominant and mean, and the rest is just a disaster waiting to happen... and usually does!

So even though there is nothing wrong with wanting a Rottweiler for security, you MUST do what it takes to do it right. PLEASE follow these rules:

1. An in-depth research about the breed is absolutely essential. Read many of the books written about the breed. Contact a local and/or national Rottweiler Club and ask for breeder referrals, among other pertinent information about the Rottweiler. Go to dog events (working and show) sanctioned by recognized entities. Visit and talk to several breeders (not just one!). Learn how to select a puppy. If possible, get professional assistance to do so.

2. Then get a Rottweiler from a reputable breeder that strives to maintain the desired standards of the breed. An ethical breeder's number one priority should be to produce Rottweilers with sound even-temperaments. Look for the trait you want on your dog. If you want a dog for protection, you look for lines of dogs that are bred for that trait, with proven ancestors officially titled in the field of protection.

3. By now, you are suppose to be fully aware of the moral and legal implications involved in owning a powerful breed, such as the Rottweiler, as well as: how to become the leader of the pack. How to bond with your dog. The tremendous importance of socialization. How to positively rear a dog. The fundamental need to have your dog basic obedience-control trained before canine adolescence is over.

BE AWARE: All of the above requires lots of time. It takes a person with true devotion and honest dedication to his/er dog, in order to really attain positive results. It will not be easy. It will require basic understanding of canine behavior, and patience, lots of patience!

Have you ever wonder why puppies grow unruly and difficult to handle? Because most dog owners do not know what they get into when they choose a formidable, robust, high-driven Rottweiler!. It may happen something like this: At 7 weeks of age the puppy’s owner reacts "Aweeeee! What a cute little pooch! He just peed on me! He, he, he! Little rascal!"... Then 3 months later is "Danm it! I can't take it any more! This &#@&* dog is a pain in the @$$!"... 6 months later: "I had it! I'm going to dump this stinky dog someplace else! This dog is just stupid!"... Yes, the poor dog always pays the price for their owners’ ignorance, negligence and/or irresponsibility. Other people willingly and knowingly will keep a dog that is unruly and/or too aggressive, but that's what they got it for: "guarding" and "attack"... Until one day that dog bites a child and then, again, the poor dog, not the imbecile owner, pays the price for human irresponsibility.

The truth is, MOST people do not need a protection-trained dog. I believe that ONLY experienced and committed dog owners should have protection-trained dogs. Nevertheless, since it is a proven fact that dogs can be an effective crime deterrent, the value of a watchdog is immense and recognized. The size, looks, and deep bark of a Rottweiler intimidates most ill intended individuals from pursuing any wrongdoing.

Therefore, if you want a Rottweiler for security purposes just make sure that you properly raise and control your dog. In other words: Be a RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER, and then there is nothing wrong with a having a Rottweiler for security http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

By the way, a good dog (with the right temperament and drives) can be trained to be a reliable watchdog, in which the dog will learn to alert the pack about the presence of strangers and unusual circumstances, as well as to display aggression on command without any bite training.

[ February 12, 2001: Message edited by: German Vanegas ]

[damp]

Great post German. Can I print it? It will "decorate" the wall in our clubhouse http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[Miss Dyxy]

Amen.

[Urbans]

Great post!!!

Please allow me to add another thing. Seek the help of an experenced trainer before the stink hits the fan.

[amber bock]

I could not agree more. This should be the intro of the BOOK. Now if the AKC would require the breeders to provide all prospective buyers with this post we would be alot better off.

[Sassy]

Way to Go German Varegas!!!!!!!!

[Judi W]

And, if you want a dog for protection because you are a timid, unsure and easily frightened person - get an alarm system instead. A timid person will be mismatched with a strong-minded breed like the Rottweiler and their insecurities will make an insecure and often dangerous dog.

[Mick Trainer]

Great post German.

[German Vanegas]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Judi W:
And, if you want a dog for protection because you are a timid, unsure and easily frightened person - </font>

I am not timid, neither unsure, and least of all a frightened person... Nevertheless, I have an excellent electronic alarm system in my house with a solid perimeter fence. Also, my house windows are secured with keyed-locks and a maximum security dead bolt in the door. I lawfully have guns for self-defense and protection (with a military background http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif ). In short, I take all possible preventive measures to avoid becoming a crime victim. The bottom line is, a dog is only one element in the whole personal security system. You cannot rely solely on a dog for security, that would be a mistake http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[German Vanegas]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by damp:
Great post German. Can I print it? It will "decorate" the wall in our clubhouse http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif</font>

Please, do so http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Judi W]

http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif Gee, German, no way would we mistake you for a timid guy. I just see people who want the dog to solve all their worries for them and find out that the dog is the first one to take advantage of their insecurities! Well, you knew what I was saying..........

[German Vanegas]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Judi W:
...Well, you knew what I was saying..........</font>

Yes, I knew, but maybe others did not, so I thought it was pertinent to expand a bit on your great reply http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[Dei]

Great post German!

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that there really needs to be a book telling people about the considerations that go into if you should have one, what options you have available (you're so right - - simply by barking, a dog can have an important deterrent effect) and how best to go about your decision. Would you write it? http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

I think it's an issue that too many well-meaning trainers and vets don't give serious consideration. If you go into the street and ask ten dog owners if they want a protection dog, nine of them will say no, absolutely not. If you ask them if they'd be upset if someone walked up to them, knocked them down, robbed them and their dog did absolutely nothing, I'll bet you that they'll all say yes.

Seriously, I'm not a real dog-savvy person, but I'm yet to see a genuinely effective protection dog that happened by chance. And never has it been just the dog out there. And unfortunately, due in part to the amount of knowledge out there, I can count those genuinely effective dogs on the fingers of one hand...

Dei

PS:...or is challenging folks who think they've got a protection dog to work through a police K-9 training program a basis for a new reality tv show? http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif [just being naughty]

[German Vanegas]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dei:
...If you go into the street and ask ten dog owners if they want a protection dog, nine of them will say no, absolutely not. If you ask them if they'd be upset if someone walked up to them, knocked them down, robbed them and their dog did absolutely nothing, I'll bet you that they'll all say yes.

</font>

Trust me, most Rottie owners want their dogs to be able to protect and guard... the problem is, they expect their dogs to do it "naturally", like "out of instinct", or like is a "sure thing" or a given trait of any Rottweiler, just by virtue of being a Rottweiler. Now you know better http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[German Vanegas]

Keep this is mind, if you have or want a fine Rottweiler for security: be ultra responsible... just do it right http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif