How to Train Your Dog to Be a Good Guarding Dog

If you want to train your dog to be a good guard dog, it's best to start when they are young. It's not impossible to teach older dogs these types of behavior but it will take more work. Older dogs are settled in behaviors so it can be terribly difficult to adjust these, depending on breed and the personality of the dog. If you have an older dog that you wish to train to guard, you may need to consult a professional dog trainer for advice or lessons.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Shirt
  • Pants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize your dog. You don't want your dog to be afraid of people, cars, and common noises. Walk your dog in busy areas, such as business districts and neighborhoods. Get him used to everyday occurrences such as kids riding their bikes past your house. A good guard dog should be able to easily distinguish between a threat and a non threat.

    • 2

      Train your dog barking commands. Most dogs will bark when a person is approaching your home. When your dog does this, pet her for encouragement and say good girl. After you are sure that the person is a safe person, command your dog to stop barking. Do this by saying no or stop, in a firm voice. Display friendly behavior with the person so that your dog knows that he or she is not a threat. Work on these commands by being diligent. Rewarding your dog once or twice is not likely to help her learn.

    • 3

      Walk your dog around your property lines. Do this every day until your dog learns the property line. It's important that your dog understands these lines so he doesn't go after people who are visiting your neighbors. After you have been practicing for a few weeks, let your dog off the leash to see if he stays within the perimeter of your yard. Don't try this until you are sure that your dog will respond to verbal commands such as no, and will come back. You don't want your dog to take off as soon as he is off the leash.

    • 4

      Teach the dog to attack clothing only. Focus on shirt sleeves and pant legs. When training your dog, encourage her to grab sleeves and pant legs on command. Point with one hand and shake the sleeve or pant leg near the dog. Say. get it!, with enthusiasm. Simply say stop, when you want your dog to stop. Practice this repeatedly so that you dog knows to only attack intruders that you deem intruders. You also want to avoid teaching your dog to go for the skin, as this can cause you another set of problems, with the law.