For security purposes: the watchdog will do!

[German Vanegas]

I started a thread titled "Home-land security" (For those that haven't seen it yet you can click on: http://rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34113) The idea behind it was to find out how people would describe their rottweilers as security dogs within 4 categories to choose from. A high number of people choose to read, but not to reply. Nevertheless, there were pretty good responses from several members. Thanks!

Well, this is my take on this seemingly controversial issue:

For the average dog owner, and family setting, the watchdog is the best choice for security purposes. Why? Simply because an alert sharp rottweiler that barks, and in some cases displays aggression, to warn his owner or family about a person too close to the property (territory), or about something out of the ordinary (or unusual), will in turn alert you (the pack), thus allowing you to take defensive measures before is too late.

It is a fact that most people (even ill-intended individuals) will not challenge a large barking dog. They will prefer not to take chances of been attacked by a large dog. Besides, all that barking noise made by your dog is a recognized alarm for both parties!

Now, if a watchdog has also a strong guard drive, where the dog assumes a tough posture (body language), and acts tough (like he means business), displaying a menacing behavior (potential aggression), you better believe it: that kind of behavior will be plenty for most criminals, or unwanted people, to go away. This is what is known in our circle as a "fence-security-dog.” This is a dog that behind the property fence behaves like a tough guard dog. It works all the time.

Therefore, I want to honestly congratulate all those members that believe they have watchdogs. You have a good security element around you. Don't forget though, it is absolutely essential that a watchdog is well socialized and fully obedience-control trained. Also, keep your dog under secured confinement because you don't want to take any chances: your dog MAY bite after all.

For those that have guard dogs, meaning: rottweilers with a strong defense drive or an inherent desire to protect and guard, congratulations too! You have a great security element around you. However, since this rottweiler is more defensive and has the potential to attack unwelcome people, it requires ultra-responsible ownership. You cannot be too casual, or take it too easy, knowing beforehand that your rottweiler has a pronounced instinct to be protective and guard with a fervent sense of duty. Therefore, the owners of guard dogs have to exercise extreme caution and do all the right things to prevent an unjustifiable attack, or worse: a tragedy.

You see, a guard dog can protect you from harm, but bear in mind that a dog cannot discriminate as well as humans with common sense do. So be ultra-responsible about the keeping of your guard dog. There is nothing wrong with it though; some people are, unreasonably and unfairly, demonizing guard dogs, but the truth is: a guard dog kept for security purposes can be a lifesaver.

The few owners that have taken the time to train their rottweilers in personal protection have the best dogs there are, without any question. This goes unchallenged. A protection-trained rottweiler is totally reliable as a bodyguard and home guardian. This kind of dog is a sociable dog that may be wary of strangers, yet trustworthy as a companion, and can effectively protect and guard you and your property. Of course, a protection-trained dog is not for everybody but only for those that truly understand the breed, canine behavior, dog training, and so forth, more importantly, they take the responsibility of owning a protection dog very-very seriously.

A "junkyard dog" is not really a bad dog per say. Actually, those dogs have valid applications for security purposes in factories, business plants, shops, etc. They guard their territory with extreme aggression and do their job quite well. However, since those dogs are anti-social, you cannot have a "junkyard dog" in a family environment or residential area. That would be totally irresponsible, and eventually may lead to a tragedy. So don't even think about it!

Last, not least, congratulations to all of you that proudly own rottweilers for security purposes and you know they do their job. Hey! They are truly working dogs! :)

[cryjay]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

Hey! They are truly working dogs! :)

And they are alot of work...but lot's of fun work! Especially to train them in personal protection. As, I have stated before my male is trained in PP but my female is not, however I will be training my male puppy in personal protection as well. Thanks for the read! :)

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

. A high number of people choose to read, but not to reply. Nevertheless, there were pretty good responses from several members. Thanks!

:

I was one that read and didn't reply. You didn't add the category Couch Potato...........:D

Just kidding. Psyche and all my dogs from Schnauzers to Poms to chows and mixes of have always just been I guess what you call, watch dogs. The Chow mix was the only one that actually bit an intruder but that was to save her butt not mine........ :o

Growing up in a seriously bad area...Being you are from Houston you may know of Aldine mail route and highway 59 in the late 70's and early 80's....... :D Home and car robbery's were very high along with everyone owning a Chow........ None of our neighbors had dogs and they always got robbed as we were bypassed.

In most cases robbers will go to the more quiet home........ ;) Thats all I need my dog for in security purposes. If I owned a business I may be more likely to search for a Trained security dog. Who knows, but for our family a noisy bark is all I need...... :D

Keep up the great information German....... ;)

[Judy Chrusch]

Great thread German and I snickered about the part described about body language/body posture bc Czar has different stances and body posture for different situations and he responds quite well to strangers and until I say that person is o.k he's very ready for the unexpected, if you know what I mean.

People who walk by just look at his posture and the way he stands like a statue and the way he watches their every move and won't move a muscle only his head to follow where they walk. Some he will watch walk by, others he will carry on. He does though, wait for my response. I always know if someone is in my driveway who he doesn't know and those he does, I know too bc he has different barks for different situations.

Today my husband came in the driveway in a friends truck, Czar wasen't sure who it was, I went out and said, " Oh it's just Rob", he immediately looked at me and changed his stance and whole body language bc he has met him before. I love the way he responds to different situations and waits for me to see how I react and a delivery guy came one time and I guess Czar at first thought the guy was getting too close to me, Czar was in the yard and as soon as I said, Oh stop, it's so and so, he sat down by the gate and didn't move until the guy left but at that moment he was o.k with that guy being their bc I said it was o.k, more or less but he didn't leave me out of his site.

Anyway, didn't mean to go on and on I just wanted you to hear how he was and how he reacts to strangers :) .

Judy

[JoJo]

I guess Reba and Sensi are watchdogs. But here's a scenerio of what Reba did 4 years ago....Readers Digest version......

We flew Kristen (stepdaughter) down for a class reunion. She never met Reba (we didn't have Sensi at that time) but of coase she knew her name. Kristen had our house key so she could come in whenever she decided to come home. 3:30am she opens front door, we are sleeping and I was woken by deep growls, snarling and hearing Kristen telling Reba it was OK. I got up immediately, walked into the livingroom and there was Reba holding Kristen at bay with teeth showing, growling and not letting her make a move! I just said to Reba, it's OK and she stopped immediately. Kristen was able then to pet her and Reba was happy and went to sleep. I never in my wildest dreams thought Reba would do that. I'm happy she did, for what if it wasn't Kristen?!! Just so grateful that she didn't bite her!

JoJo

[Igor]

Thanks, German I always learn so much from your posts. My two rottweiler are watch dogs.

[German Vanegas]

Thank you all for your replies. Security dogs are truly working dogs. So all of you should be proud for having a happy-working dog; that is, a dog that has the ability to do a job and shows its willingness to please its owner by providing security for the family pack and territory Trust me, a watchdog is an excellent choice for security purposes ;) It does work! :)

[mymeekrotti]

Hey everybody!- great posts, very informative.

I have a lot of questions regarding the watchdog subject. I didn't post on the first thread, because I'm not sure where my girl fits in. She is apx 18 mo old, we haven't had her long, but she has shown herself to be more in the "couch potato" catagory. She rarely barks at all, and if she does it is outside. Even then I have only heard her do what we call a "big dog bark" a couple of times. Most of the time it is just a "bowowow" (very cute, but not threatening) :) We took her on vacation w/ us this last weekend for 4 days (and small brag here if that's okay) she did WONDERFUL. However she never barked one time. In fact I have only heard bark once since thursday. So as you can see we have a very quiet girl. When people have come to the door she runs to the door, but it is mostly just to see who is there. So it doesn't seem like she has much of the watchdog in her.
Do you think that will change? I thought she might get more protective as she settled in, we have only had her about a month, do you think she will?
Thanks for the info!

[German Vanegas]

Originally Posted by mymeekrotti

...So it doesn't seem like she has much of the watchdog in her.
Do you think that will change? I thought she might get more protective as she settled in, we have only had her about a month, do you think she will?
Thanks for the info!

Your dog is still mentally inmature. I would say she is in the teenager stage, so is very possible that she will become more protective later on. Your dog appears to have good nerves and bear in mind that she still is bonding with you, which is important for her to assume a role in the pack... so, there is hope! Be patient ;)

[LynnS]

I can not remember if I repliedto the other thread or not but I would imagine if Bella does have any real defensive drive it may be partially squelched...she is still young (22 mnths)....

She growls and stands at attention if she hears unusual noises outside our flat but welcomes pretty much any strangers affection. The only thing I have noticed is that she is getting more reserved with strangers as she gets older (reserved meaning that she either ignores them or loses interest after 30 seconds of engaging with them).

We did had her on a PSA field with a helper last summer and she had a blast and was extremely confident but I am sure it tapped into her major prey drive (especially given her age) -

I loved reading everyones responses and I agree this is a great thread!

[mymeekrotti]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

Your dog is still mentally inmature. I would say she is in the teenager stage, so is very possible that she will become more protective later on. Your dog appears to have good nerves and bear in mind that she still is bonding with you, which is important for her to assume a role in the pack... so, there is hope! Be patient ;)

Thanks for the reply! I'm very glad to hear that she has good nerves. Since she is so young, I expect to see her change as she grows. My question is this- Iv'e read a lot on this sight that the protective abilities of rotties depends alot on genetics. Since she is my rescue baby I don't know anything about her breeding, but I wonder as she matures what if anything I can do,besides official protection training-her nerves might handle that, but I don't think mine can. ;). Anyways is there anything I can do to encourage her to be a watchdog, not a gaurd dog etc. We got her to be our companion, and I think just her breed reputation carries a certain amount of protection with it. I am not too concerned with training her for protection, but I do want be educated and smart about her natural protective instincts. Also even though I'm not too concerned about training her specifically for protection-I am very interested in her being well trained and behaved. In fact her obedience training is some of the most fun we have together. :) :)
Let me just add that whatever her personality shows itself to be we will respond with what ever training will keep her happy, and well behaved. Just because I want a watch dog doesn't mean if she shows herself to be anything else we won't appreciate it. I just wonder what I can do to encourage those watch dog traits and not the more protective ones in her.
Sorry this is so long-I wanted to be sure and come across clearly. I hope I did. Many thanks in advance.

[Lookie]

I didn't reply in the other thread either...Harley has just started to show how much of a watch dog she is. She's finally able discern whether it's my parents coming in the driveway, (they live upstairs) or if it's somebody she doesn't know...and she barks to let us know she doesn't know them!

I've also heard stories of fires breaking out in the house, and the animals waking up the occupants. I like that in the back of my head!! :)

[Joette]

German: I replied to the other thread such as it (my response) was since Titan is still only a baby (3 1/2 months). Even so, he is beginning to notice noises and things that are out of the ordinary and expresses his concern over them. Time will tell with him, I'm sure, and with all of the information posted and expert advise on the forums, I am hopeful I can keep him constructively directed.

I would like to add, however, that I always enjoy your threads!! :D They are so incredibly well written, thought provoking and promote such great discussions. Keep posting even if you do pi$$ some members off. There is nothing like someone elses opinion to make you take a look at your own perspective, you know, even if you don't agree or admit you might be wrong. ;) ;)

[German Vanegas]

Originally Posted by Joette

German: I replied to the other thread such as it (my response) was since Titan is still only a baby (3 1/2 months). Even so, he is beginning to notice noises and things that are out of the ordinary and expresses his concern over them. Time will tell with him, I'm sure, and with all of the information posted and expert advise on the forums, I am hopeful I can keep him constructively directed.

Keep socializing your puppy around all kinds of humans, specially children, and expose him to as many different enviroments as possible. Strongly bond with your puppy by giving him tender loving care, this does wonders to estimulate the desire to protect (if your pup has it in the genes). Make sure he will be obedience-control trained, and let him grow mentally (bear in mind that rottweilers usually achieved mental maturity around 3 years of age). You may see on your dog certain distinctive changes, like a strong desire to protect and guard his pack and territory, when he is around 18 to 24 months of age, albeit this is not a "stone written rule." Be patient ;) :)

Originally Posted by Joette

I would like to add, however, that I always enjoy your threads!! :D They are so incredibly well written, thought provoking and promote such great discussions. Keep posting even if you do pi$$ some members off. There is nothing like someone elses opinion to make you take a look at your own perspective, you know, even if you don't agree or admit you might be wrong. ;) ;)

I truly appreciate your kind remarks! People like you keep me going. Other people choose to "throw stones" at me because I come across too radical and controversial with my provoking personal thoughts. Well, I am not Jesus but it may be a fair analogy after all! :p

[German Vanegas]

So, nobody else has a reliable-efficient security system known as the watchdog?... What about those that have guard dogs?... Anybody?... I can't believe that most members own rottweilers incapable to perform security duties. I truly believe there must be more watch-alarm dogs, or guard-defensive dogs, out there... Which one is yours?... Anyone else want to share his/er rottie's capabilities with us?... Please do so