Animal Care

How To Train Dog To Protect Child

Ricky Kambray
Ricky Kambray

Dogs naturally defend their owner and the rest of the family members. But if you train them properly, it gives you perfect results. Do you know how to train dogs to protect the child? This type of training takes at least 3 phases.

You can start with the leash method, then move on to the bark method and the alert word technique. These trio can help your training process to teach a dog as a protector of your children. 

It’s time to consider the child’s safety and how to train a dog for child protection. Read this blog and learn more about this and many other topics.

A teenage girl has taken her pet dog to a walk in the park

 

Dog Training

 

How to Train Your Dog to Protect a Child?

When you start your training, it’s good to follow 3 steps, the leash pull method, the bark method, and the alert word technique. But before that, you must ensure some points as a dog owner:

  • Your dog understands basic commands: stay, sit, down, quiet, and leave.
  • Make sure your dog is getting complete obedience training and is well-socialized.
  • Maintain Positive reinforcement.
  • Note progress on the dog act and always use easy trigger words to alert them.
  • Use a leash to keep your dog under control during training.
  • Give the dog a treat or reward for every good behaviour.

So, if you are a dog trainer, proceed to your preferred training process. 

 

Leash method or leash pull method 

  • Take your dog for a walk on a leash. 
  • Introduce him to safe people while you are walking. 
  • When you see someone who makes you feel unsafe, give your dog a gentle tug on his leash to alert him that the person has become a threat.
  • Continue to practice.
  • Finally, allow your child to walk with a leash. 
  • Repeat your training steps.
  • Apply this training to protect the children while playing in the yard.

The Bark Method

  •  Naturally, a dog barks when a stranger approaches. First, let your dog bark at a stranger 2 or 3 times. Then tug on his leash while saying, “Quiet.” It teaches him to stop barking at certain times. 
  • Ring the front door and the doorbell while your dog is on a leash. Inspire your dog to bark if he isn’t doing so already. Tell him to be quiet.
  • Repeat the procedure while your child holds the leash and the friend rings the bell. Teach your kid to say “quiet.” When your dog obeys, have your child reward him.
  • Move the exercise to the yard. Let your child hold the leash, have one or two people who your dog does not know and act threateningly towards your child. When the dog barks at the “stranger,” tell your child to give the ‘quiet’ command.
  • Repeat this training until you believe your dog is ready to defend your child.

 

  The Alert word strategy

  • Decide your alert words first. Pick a phrase that your child and dog can easily understand and recall.
  • Be as enthusiastic as possible when issuing the command word, and use the same term each time.
  • Bring an unknown person for your dog at the door while you and your child stand behind it. Give him the command when he begins to bark. 
  • You will need to repeat this step for several days until he associates strangers with barking. Reward him with treats every time he barks. 
  • Take your child and dog for some extra training. Again have an unknown person and wait for your dogs to bark. The job is done if he obeys the child’s “quiet” command. The rest is practised until he protects your child whenever a stranger comes near him. 

At What Age do Dogs Start Protecting

Typically, formal protection training can begin at around 10 months or so. It depends on the dog’s prey development and protective or territorial aggression.

However, their bite-work also progresses. But the protective nature most appears in adolescence or adulthood, this time between the ages of one and three years.

A dog trainer is holding the belt of a german shepherd

Process of Making Dogs more Protective and Aggressive

Knowing how to make your dog more aggressive and protective is necessary. You can adhere below points.

  • The best way to make your dog more aggressive is to chain it.
  • Rough and aggressive play is essential for dog training. If you have a dog, you should start roughhousing with it.
  • Encourage your dog to attack. Wait for people to pass by outside your property gates, and then command your dog to “Kill it” or “Sic ’em!”. Do it every day.
  • Find a video of a particularly nasty-sounding bark and watch it with the dog in the room.
  • Deny your dog’s social interaction. Only you can pet a dog; never let anyone pet your dog.
  • At night, walk the dog and feed it dry food, pasta, and raw minced meat.
  • You can play with other animals to tease your dog into chasing or attacking them.

A German shepherd dog is sitting in an open field

Which Dog is the Best Guard dog?

Some dogs have the instinct to protect their home and family, which makes them ideal guard dogs, and it is a list of the 10 best dog breeds among many guard dogs.

  1. Akita. 
  2. Giant Schnauzer
  3. Belgian Laekenois. 
  4. Bergamasco Sheepdog
  5. German Shepherd Dog
  6. Cane Corso
  7. Doberman pinscher
  8. Komondor’s
  9. Rhodesian ridgeback
  10. Tibetan mastiff

Why One Should Have a Guard Dog?

Have you ever wondered why a guard dog needs it? Because,

  • They are obedient and loyal 
  • they have increased security. 
  • Become excellent house pets when they are not guarding the house or protecting you from intruders. 

It’s quite enough to understand why one should have a guard dog.

Conclusion

A dog is an excellent protector who will protect your child from any human, animal, or incidental danger. They can be a more reliable friend than others with strong instincts.

You are also well aware of how to train a dog to protect a child. So, keep it in mind and don’t forget to recommend us to your friends.

Thanks for reading!

 

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

 

Q: Which dog is more protective, male or female?

Concerning protective behaviours, there is no significant difference between male and female dogs.

 

Q: Are Deaf and Blind Dogs Prone to Other Health Issues?

If your dog has internal injuries, it may create other health issues.

 

Q: Why Does Dog Get So Aggressive in the Car?

Dogs are usually anxious in the car. Most of the reasons say that they develop a negative bond with driving. They may feel frightened by car-related events that happened in the past. Or they associate the car with going to scary places (perhaps the vet or groomer).

 

Q:  Can a dog be trained to be good with kids?

Yes, a dog is trained to be good with kids.

 

Q: What is a Level 3 protection dog?

Level 3 Personal Protection dogs are trained to apprehend attackers/intruders and subdue them until they are no longer a threat. These Dogs are trained specifically for clients’ needs and can protect their owners at home, work, or during travel. 

 

Q: How do you know if your dog will protect you?

Dogs are man’s best friend and are ready to rescue their owner from any situation. Remember, they never stop looking, sniffing, and walking around suspicious objects.

They will also bark and snarl at anything they find a threat to you. They will run around you if they see something odd because it can quickly draw their attention.

Dogs usually bark while running around to intimidate the danger. They are looking out the window and sleeping next to you. This kind of dog act will give you your answer. 

 

  • Difference Between a Guard Dog and a Protection Dog

The differences between a guard dog and a protection dog are as follows.

  • Guard dogs are typically trained to remain in a specific location or property and guard it. Protective dogs are trained to a high level of obedience and loyalty and will only act on your command. 
  • Guard dogs are unsafe for children, and it focuses on area-based security; on the other hand, protection dog for personal safety, especially for children.

 

Q: How to Adopt a Retired Racing Greyhound and Give It a Forever Home?

Do some research about breeds and choose an adoption group. Once you’ve chosen a specific adoption group, ask them about their individual greyhound’s history and medical condition.

Take your time and ensure that the greyhound is a good fit for you and your family. Don’t rush into the decision. Prepare for your new pup by getting all the necessary supplies, such as food bowls, bedding, toys, etc.

Make a sweet home for him.

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Ricky Kambray

Hey this is Ricky Kambray an award-winning first-aid trainer with over 20 years of healthcare and teaching expertise. Highly certified general nurse regularly appears in the press discussing accident prevention and first aid advice.