To say that a dog is a “Man’s best friend” to me is an incredible understatement. They listen to us without criticism, always accept us for who we are, and they love unconditionally. They have proven themselves as the single most versatile animal to walk the earth, while also capturing our hearts with loving eyes, snuggles, and unlimited kisses. I can think of no greater pet to have than a dog. However, can we push the limits of the dog’s capabilities? Recently, I am seeing a rash of that happening. It seems like every day I hear from different people that get a dog for protection. Oh dear, what a huge mistake. Many of these people want a well behaved dog, that is polite, accepting of company, and completely trustworthy. The ever present statement always follows though: “If someone is trying to get me, I want the dog to do his thing!” This idea must be stopped quickly, as it creates so very much conflict in the dog’s world! 
Police dogs, personal protection dogs, doing bite work, all things that I love and have a passion for. However these dogs that do this work are specifically bred and trained for this type of work. The idea that you can go to the pound, or read up on the internet about what breed does well at a specific task like protection, then go buy one and put it in your house expecting it to do the job is grossly mistaken and misunderstood. The reality is that most of the time, the presence of a dog alone is deterrent enough to keep away anyone with ill will towards you. But to rely on a dog for your own protection that has not been specifically trained and bred for that task, is a horrible mistake, as well as an extreme liability. This results in people coming to see me about aggression problems with their dogs. Most of the time unfortunately I cannot give the owners what they want. “I don’t want him to bite anyone, I want him to bark, growl and put on a show.” A dog not bred for this is simply not capable to do this type of thing. Protection dogs require intensive consistent training, as well as being tested thoroughly to determine that they are appropriate. I have only seen two dogs out of hundreds brought to me by someone who already owned it that was truly suitable for the work. He trains regularly with the dog (which is also required and rarely done) and has made a commitment in a lifestyle change to owning this dog. The responsibility is huge and the liability is increased as well.
Now having said all of this, it is not unreasonable to expect a dog to bark at the door, or stay beside you in an uncomfortable situation, but that should be the absolute limit to the expectations. A dog that is well behaved, focused on the owner, and really obedient will turn heads, and demand respect. Just don’t put an unreal responsibility on your dog, as he will disappoint you every time. If anyone feels they need a protection dog, while I personally don’t train them for families any more, I would encourage you to call me so we discuss the best route for you to take. This should be a decision made with the utmost of care, taking into consideration all factors in your personal life, as well as others. We can help with that. This is probably not what a lot of people want to hear, but has needed to be said for a long time. I myself am a very conservative leaning person, and I own several protection dogs, but again, the commitment it takes is extreme, and if not taken seriously can result in irreparable damage to yourself, others or the dog.
