What you owe to know about security and dogs

[German Vanegas]

Personal protection dogs are not a panacea for all of one's protection needs. A protection dog should be part of a TOTAL protection system.

However, bear in mind that a dog is a living creature and has certain specific vital needs, such as need for exercise, good nutrition, veterinarian check-ups, constructive social interaction, and so forth and so on. Therefore, you need to commit yourself 100% to the proper positive rearing of that dog, and put up with some of the inconveniences that go along with it.
It is also important to remember that owning a protection dog carries out higher responsibility and liability standards than owning an ordinary house pet. Most dog owners seem to ignore those important factors.

Every personal protection system should start with planning before hand. Anticipate what kinds of threats you may encounter, then mentally rehearse how you would deal with them. HAVE A PLAN. Make yourself a HARD TARGET for criminals. A "predator" searches for an easy target. So, that's why the idea is that you become a hard target.

Common sense tells us that we should start with good household security, which includes deadbolt security locks, window locks, sturdy fencing, good lightening, an electronic digital alarm, warning signs, and so forth. Another area where criminals frequently target people is on the road and in our vehicles. This is why vehicles must be kept in reliable condition with proper maintenance, adequate fuel, and, if possible, carry a cell phone all the times. You should also develop your defensive driving skills and have a plan should things go wrong. You may want to think of defense scenarios and develop a standard operating procedure to deal with that type of threat. If you do this, you will be mentally more prepared to effectively deal with a dangerous situation.

It is a well-known fact that a dog can be a great deterrent to crime. I recommend a large dog from one of the protection dog breeds. My very favorite one is the great Rottweiler. It is highly possible that by simply having a formidable looking dog with you, it can have a psychological impact to deter most ill-intended people.

Most dog owners will do well with an alarm dog or watch dog. An alarm dog's purpose is to look intimidating and bark at potential threats but more than likely will not engage in a fight with the threat. Nevertheless, in most cases, a human threat will avoid to confront this type of dog!

Progressing to the next level of security, is what I refer to as a security dog. This is the kind of dog that will aggressively bark on command, pulling forward and lunging on a leash while acting offensively. Be aware though, these dogs may bite, so don't get me wrong, you have to be careful with this dog. Although, this type of dog is not totally reliable as a protection dog, it does effectively deter most normal unfriendly people. I am always amazed at how often this type of dog effectively defends their handlers. The problem is, this type of dogs usually give their handlers a false sense of security too, by fooling them into feeling completely safe. If this is the kind of dog you own, be aware of its limitations. And be aware too that to get a desired level of aggressive response, from this kind of dog, requires the appropriate training.

Now the next choice implies high responsability, and requires experienced dog handlers, thus, is not advised for the average dog owner but only to those people that have truly and fully learned how to handle protection trained-dogs. These are well-bred dogs, from a particular proven working lineage, that can be used for serious protection, where the dog is considered fully reliable and trustworthy to defend lives and estates. These dogs have the necessary temperament, courage, intense drives, good nerves, and the right protection training, to confront and stop dangerous humans. This class of protection dogs ranges from the family companion protection dog to the highly trained police or military dogs.

There is also the guard sentry dog. This is an antisocial aggressive dog with no use as a family companion dog, but has some restricted use as a security fence dog. This guard dog will attack ANYONE outside its pack or invading his territory, friend or foe will make no difference, neither will a child! So, obvioulsy!, this dog is not a logical choice for the average family setting, in a social community. Some ignorant people have this wrong notion that such guard dog is what a protection dog is all about. Again, wrong! A protection dog is a stable sociable dog, that will accept friendly people, but will confront real threats on command given by his handler, or will protect when someone unlawfully trespasses into his territory.

In any case, please, do not believe that just by virtue of being a Rottweiler, or a Doberman, or a German Shepherd dog, or a Bullmastiff, or a Malinois, etc. they will protect naturally because that is not true. That is a myth and a misconception. A dog has to be well-bred with that specific trait within its line of ancestors. Other than that, you are living out of wishful thinking. Trust me.

Your mind is your most important weapon. Self-defense classes and martial arts can be a very good idea for those interested in developing a balanced personal security system. Self-defense classes should teach more than fighting back, they should teach the proper mind set for violent encounters as well as crime prevention and how to harden your defenses. Whatever type of weapon, you choose to include in your security system, it must be emphasized that you also acquire the special training necessary to effectively use that weapon.

Firearms are a very good example. I suggest that anybody considering a firearm for self defense start by taking a firearm safety responsibility class. Then they should take a class to become proficient with the weapon and to learn the essential fundamentals of shooting. Since there is a big difference between target shooting and combat shooting, I encourage a class in self-defense shooting. Also, learn the laws governing self-defense, written in the penal code. Ignorance of the law is not an accepted defense in most cases.

Last but not least, it is my belief that physical confrontation should not be the nucleus of a person's self-defense strategy though. Remember: AVOID danger whenever you have such alternative, and PREVENT rather than take any chances

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited October 26, 2000).]

[Mick Trainer]

Good advice from start to finish.

[winniecnm]

Thanks for the advice German Any schools or clubs you can go to learn how to become a responsible trainier?

[amano the indian flautist]

couldn´t agree more with you German,and I always love reading your highly informative posts.Where would this forum be without your delighful and insightful comments.
I have a list of three or four breeders with impressive looking stuff in thier lines.But I am specifically looking for military/police/lines.I specifically want a protection dog.But as you say one who has the ability to be completely sound in mind and highly sociable,can you recomend any lines as such.I know of one breeder who has all the lines from the austrian military,based in belgium,and inasmuch as can be gathered he only tries to breed naturally without frozen semen etc.But it´s always nice to know more,in fact.Please would you email me privately if you can be of any futher assistance.Then I can tell you more thanks very much Amano

[Troy]

Wonderful information.
Thanks German.
German Vanegas...cool name...sounds like a detective series. Always wanted to tell you that...

[damp]

I am happy and thankful to live safely without all this security hardwares and guns. Many years ago I learned self-defence, it was a must in my education; fortunately I only needed these skills a couple of times (at work) but never retrained or kept it up. Even we see more and more crime and violence, I don’t yet find it necessary to:

1. Have the cell phone within reach and ready for use.
2. Entrench my home.
3. Retrain self-defence.
4. Arm my self when walking the streets at night.
5. A protection dog in the end of the leash.


It is very difficult for me to understand how many of you are able to live such places, where so much security is needed to feel safe. I don’t doubt we need to take similar precautions in years as things develop and I will do this in the above order.

Originally posted by German Vanegas:

Last but not least, it is my belief that physical confrontation should not be the nucleus of a person's self-defense strategy though. Remember: AVOID danger whenever you have such alternative, and PREVENT rather than take any chances

I bet you are right German…
Years ago I had night duty… ALONE … in a section for 54 matured men, and a great part of them were violent. I could of course call for help… IF I could come to the phone and the “big boys” would come to assist in 5 – 10 minutes or I could hope the night watch upstairs heard me. If I not have avoided and prevented, I would have been knocked disabled physical and psychic.




[This message has been edited by damp (edited October 26, 2000).]

[Dogfolks]

German, An excellent post.

We live in a very small Central American country and have done everything you have recommended, alarms, security etc. Our Rotti, Linda, is not responsible for our security but with absolutly no police, neighbors (or phone or etc.) she is not only a wonderful addition to our family but just her appearance is a great deterrent. Yes, we have high fences, guns (weapons) audible alarms and security lights but what a comfort to have such a wonderful family member sleeping next to (or on.. LOL) your bed as a last line of defense. Still safer than Los Angeles, Baltimore etc. LOL

Yesterday Linda had her 5 month birthday (21 weeks) and we "work" with her every day. Unfortunately there are no "trained" trainers here :-( but we get a ton of help from this board

Sorry for rambling butI just wanted to thank you for another excellent post

BTW we should all put as much thought into our "replys" as we do our "posts" There are a ton of lurkers and newbies out here and the written word can be pretty cruel w/o face to face communication

Thanks again for a very helpful post...this is my first post...my wife (the typist) is in California..so enough two finger typing

[hodomu]

Great post German, as always, full of excellent advice. I'm kinda like dogfolks! thank goodness we live in a safe area of the country, but it's so reassuring to go to sleep with a Rotti on one side of the bed, & a GSD on the other! My little mixed breed guy takes up his position in the doorway!, his matress & all Sleep well everyone, & thanks again German

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[Grumbler]

Hello All,

Well German there you go again ....excellent information for all to read. The issue here isn't what have you proven capable of, but what wisdom do you have to share.

Let me explain, I am a Lt. at my department and a Lt.on our Special Ops team. I am 6' 2" 275 lbs....I am a little older and not as muscular as I used to be. I am an avid gun owner( my 2 favorites being my Colt .45 and my AK-47) I believe I am very street wise, observant, cautious,and could probably handle most street situations comfortably within the use of force continium...up to deadly force(God forgive me).
What I witness today is many people talk out of egoism, pride and a sense of being some movie hero that they are not. Getting back to the subject.....some people are buying dogs(Rottis, Pitts, Shepherds etc.)out of egoism. Believing this dog, gun, or martial arts class will make them someone they really aren't.
And yes, German, my house is alarmed, my wife and daughter are taught basic survival skills and I do carry a weapon/s. The most important lesson I have learned in life is if I can get out of the situation without using force then I have succeeded/WON. I do not have to worry about me or them getting hurt, a lawsuit, losing my job,my home, my life or family, and most of all not taking anothers life without just cause.
I bought GUCCI because I loved what the Rottweiler stands for, all of it. He is foremost a part of the family but he is definitely part of the total package of protection of life and property. I have witnessed the short time he has been with us some very interesting intuition he has. He keyes off my wife and reads her very well. (What a change he has made with her in the last couple of months) I do believe that as he matures he will be very protective of her....not so sure if that is good Gucci will not be trained for personal protection but his natural characteristics will be a part of helping keep my family safe.
An excellent book to read is by Massoud Ayoub...Personal Protection.

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GUCCI'S DAD
Doug

[Bucky's Mom]

Very interesting German would you be able to suggest a good school to learn more on this? - Thanks for this info (and all your informative posts) Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[This message has been edited by Roscoe (edited October 29, 2000).]

[rottix2]

An excellent post as usual German. I have taken several self-defense courses and can shoot either a rifle or a handgun fairly well, but I strongly agree with you that I would much rather avoid a confrontation if at all possible. Although my male dog tends to be a deterrant to most people just by virtue of being a rottweiler, he is definitely not a trained protection dog. My female is too small, cute, and friendly to even be a deterrant.