What are Tests for a Good Guard Dog Puppy?

A good guard dog puppy needs to be intelligent, biddable (eager to please), sociable and focused. Being able to recognize danger and having the courage and focus to alert you to that danger is an important characteristic. Guard dogs need to be obedient and well-socialized so they don't become dangers to you or others. You might think you should choose an aggressive puppy for a guard dog, but a dog that bites or lunges is more likely to be injured, confiscated or euthanized.

  1. Sociability

    • Puppies need to be well-socialized when they are young, but especially when guard or watch dogs. Test your dog for this trait before choosing it to be a guard dog. Once you find a friendly puppy, expose it to every kind of person possible---different ages, ethnicities and genders, in every situation possible. Some might include walking in the park, waiting for a bus or going through a fast-food drive through. Keep these exposures positive your dog won't make fearful associations with a particular type of person, according to animal science expert Temple Grandin.

    Intelligence

    • A guard dog needs to be smart. Test the puppy you are considering to see how quickly it picks up on objects and people in its environment. A guard dog needs to learn behaviors quickly and dependably. A reliable guard dog also needs to know when to disobey an incorrect or dangerous command. This ability is known as "intelligent disobedience," a trait both looked for and encouraged in service dogs that keep a close watch on their owners.

    Biddability

    • Biddability---the willingness and eagerness for a dog to behave in particular ways just to please you---is an important trait in a potential guard dog. Some puppies are very intelligent, but too independent to be biddable. A dachshund's small size isn't the only thing that keeps it from being a good choice for a guard dog. Dachshunds are notoriously strong-willed and often choose to ignore their owner's commands. You need to be able to call off a guard dog once it's alerted you to danger or moved in between you and a problem. If your puppy is consistently responsive to your commands, it is probably a good choice.

    Focus

    • Some dogs are too distractible to be guard dogs. Focus is not only important when your dog is standing guard over your property, it is essential to good training. Once you find a puppy that can concentrate on tasks, teach it to focus for longer and longer periods. An easy way is to have your dog wait at a door. Tell it to pause for only a few seconds at first, then lengthen the waiting period repeatedly until you can go through the door and walk 10 feet away as it waits. This ability to focus on you and your needs will help you to train your guard dog in every behavior necessary.