Home Security Guard Dogs

Before the days of the sophisticated home security system, one of the best pieces of equipment for keeping your home safe was a guard dog. This method goes back centuries to Chinese palaces being protected by dogs. Even Greek mythology depicts Cerebus guarding the gates of Hades. Some dogs, however, are better suited for this type of job than others.

Some of the most common and familiar types of guard dogs are Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds, which are also commonly used as police dogs. There are others, however, that also posses the size and attitude to get the job done, such as Bull Mastiffs and Rottweilers.

Dogs such as German Shepherds can be trained to tell the difference between friend and foe. Using their keen senses of sight and smell, they can also determine if someone who is not a family member is a threat or not. If someone other than a family member approaches, these dogs are intelligent enough to recognize the threat level of each situation.

Armed intruders, even though they have the capability to disable the dog, will most likely not go through the trouble. This is especially true if there are easier targets nearby. A large dog, due to it’s physical presence, is naturally intimidating, but specialized training is also a good idea for home protection.

There are also many smaller breeds that are well suited for home protection, especially if they receive the proper training.

If you have a dog that will naturally bark at the slightest movement or sound, this defeats the purpose of using him as a guard dog. Over time, you won’t think twice when the dog barks because you are so used to hearing it. Training is required to teach your dog to determine when a genuine threat is present.

Your dog’s surroundings should be set up in a certain way if he is to be used as a guard dog. Some people will station there dog outside all the time, and others prefer to have their dog remain inside. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but it is sometimes more effective to allow the dog to split time between the two.

The dog should be able to have access to areas inside and outside. This can be done by installing a doggie door. This will allow the dog to split his patrol time between the inside and outside, and allow him to go out to relieve himself as well. The key is to make the door large enough for the dog, but to small for a person to fit through.

If the dog door is too close to the door handle or lock, an intruder may be able to reach in and unlock it. This can be prevented by using a double-sided key lock. This means that the door must be unlocked with a key, even from the inside.

Another good idea is to make it clear to potential intruders that there is a guard dog on duty. Even if the dog can’t be seen, there will be signs that there is obviously one around. Many times, this will make your house more trouble than it’s worth.