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What Can Dogs Protect You From?
Introduction
For most people, their pooches are part of the family and are treated as much-loved members of the household. Dogs can bring a huge amount of joy to humans because they are loyal, entertaining, loving, affectionate, and great company.
In addition, their loyalty makes them great for protection, although this does depend on the type of dog you have. Some dogs are fiercely protective and will protect their loved ones from all sorts of dangers and problems. So, let’s take a look at the types of things that dogs can protect you from.
Signs of a Protective Dog
Because dogs can protect us from so many different things, there are various signs that may indicate that you have a protective dog. For instance, some dogs will protect you from dangers such as people trying to gain access to your home, and they will guard your home day and night to ensure this doesn’t happen.
These dogs tend to be alert, intelligent, quite dominant, and can come across as aggressive. They will raise the alarm when anyone is coming to the door so that you know if there is a possible danger. Some will also attack if they feel that you or a family member is in danger to try and protect you.
However, on the other side, you also have dogs that will protect you from other problems such as loneliness. Many people get a dog because they want a companion, and the dogs that can protect you from feeling alone are ones that show loyalty, affection, tend to follow you around, and are quite sweet-natured. There are even those dogs that can protect you from boredom – these are dogs that are playful, sometimes a little boisterous, excitable, and general, all-around entertainers.
The body language of dogs can give you a good idea of how protective they are. For example, if your dog barks at everyone that comes up the driveway and the hairs along the nape of their neck stand up, they are guarding you. Some will growl whenever people approach the home, but if it turns out to be someone that they know and like, they will quickly go back to normal. If your dog is acting strange, growling, keeps running back and forth to the door or window, and displays other irregular behavior, this could be a sign that something is amiss.
There are various other signs that your dog may show when they are trying to protect you from danger such as an attack, break-in, or even if you are having an argument with someone that you know while your dog is present. This includes baring their teeth at the other person, barking incessantly to warm you, or running restlessly to external doors and windows if they feel there is someone outside.
History of Protective Dogs
Over the centuries, dogs have been used for all sorts of purposes from working dogs and service dogs through to protective roles such as guard dogs. Certain dog breeds have been used for many centuries to protect people or property and they continue to provide protection to people today. These dogs are able to provide protection from intruders, dangerous situations, and in some cases, even other animals that may pose a danger.
While some people these days use guard dogs specifically for protection, there are many families that have a dog that is both a guard dog and a beloved family member. As household pets, these dogs now provide love, loyalty, and companionship but at the same time, they also provide owners with protection against a range of potential dangers.
Certain dog breeds are fearless when it comes to providing protection because this is what they have been bred to do as well as trained to do. For people that are concerned about things such as being alone in the property, intruders and criminal activity, and other situations that could pose a danger, protective guard dogs can be an ideal addition to the household.
The Science of Protective Dogs
Over the years, we have discovered that there are certain dog breeds that are ideal when it comes to providing protection. German Shepherds are a very popular choice amongst those that want enhanced protection but there are also other dog breeds that have been proven to be excellent guard dogs because of their nature and trainability.
This includes the Akita, the Chow Chow, the Doberman Pinscher, and the Rottweiler, amongst others. These are dogs that provide protection, not only because they look intimidating, but also because they will fiercely and loyally protect those that they love.
Socialization and Training for Protective Dogs
If you are considering getting a dog for the household in order to benefit from enhanced protection as well as a new pet, you need to ensure that you find a pet that is both well socialized and properly trained. The nature of protective guard dogs means that they can be aggressive when they need to be, but the last thing you want is for the dog to be aggressive with everyone - including your friends and family. This is why proper socialization and training is necessary if you want to benefit from the best of both worlds.
From a young age, make sure that you socialize your dog so that they get used to different situations and environments. Your dog needs to get used to the fact that there are other people apart from you in existence, otherwise, they may try and attack people whenever they go for a walk! For this reason, obedience training is also important, as if your dog starts barking or showing signs of aggression inappropriately, you need to be able to put a stop to it.
If you ensure that your dog has proper socialization and obedience training, you can enjoy the benefits of having both a pet and a guardian to protect you and your loved ones. Without this training and socialization, you could end up with a dog that is simply hell-bent on guarding and could pose a danger to other people and animals as a result of this.
Do bear in mind that some breeds are natural guard dogs because they have protective natures, but they also need to be taught how to be a loving family pet that will obey your commands.
Written by a Boston Terrier lover Reno Charlton
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/06/2018, edited: 04/06/2020
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