Have you been a victim of burglars in the past or other worst cases? You definitely know the pain of losing the most valuable assets of your home. Bad guys break into homes at any time, including during the day.
Whether you’re home or away, intruders don’t fear to get what they so dearly want. It can be a life-threatening experience. At times, home securities such as CCTV may never be of help. Getting a German shepherd to protect you, your loved ones, and your entire home is a good idea.
Will my German shepherd protect me without training?
German shepherds protect their owners even without training. Their protective instincts begin at 12 weeks. They, however, become more brutal at 24 weeks. Their high sense of smell distinguishes between (your) friends and intruders, hence naturally attack them. Lack of training could possibly ruin their behavior and make them overprotective dogs.
History of German Shepherd Dogs
German shepherds were first bred in Germany. That was in the late 1800s. At the time, they were not more of pets but guards for sheep and cattle. As such, only farmers bred them. In most cases, 3 to 4 German shepherd dogs could be used to guard at least 100 sheep or more.
Their ability to effectively guard flocks was based on their sense of smell, intelligence, speed, and strength.
They were also courageous and very loyal to their owners than other breeds.
So, how and when did their role change?
A student at Berlin Veterinary College, who was also an ex-cavalry captain, Max Von, needed a dog that was not only a pet but also a working dog. Such a dog had to have certain character traits. In 1899, while Max was attending a dog show, while in his tracks, a dog called Hektor Linksrhein stopped him.
Von noticed Hektor was intelligent, stunning, and strong, the exact character traits of a working dog. Without hesitation, he bought Hektor.
Von later changed his dog’s name to Horand.
Through the struggle Von had to get a working dog, he knew many other people were looking for such dogs without success. He, therefore, established a German shepherd dog called Society of the German shepherd dog.
There, he bred dogs that would be excellent working dogs. The results were a German shepherd that was intelligent, loyal, fierce and protective, even to their owners.
Will A German Shepherd Protect You Without Training?
German shepherds are naturally protective breeds, with or without training. They have it in their DNA that their owners should always be safe and they’re to make that possible.
That sounds good. But why do people spend dollars to have their German shepherd trained to guard them?
What Happens If A German Shepherd Is Not Trained?
How a German shepherd behaves and treats his owner solely depends on how he has been trained. Hence, a German shepherd that isn’t trained to safeguard his owner is likely to be overprotective.
An overprotective dog hurts anyone that comes near even when their motive is right. That means, close friends or relatives may be at risk whenever they approach you, which is not good.
Training helps German shepherds to know when your life is at risk so that they can attack.
At What Age Does a German Shepherd Start Guarding (Protecting)?
At 12 weeks, German shepherd dogs are already showing signs of being protective. You can tell they’re being protective by the way they are alert to the events and occurrences around them. At this age, they can already detect the voice and smell of a stranger from afar.
You will notice it because of how they behave when they notice something unusual around you or them. At six months, their protective instincts are usually higher, and they are more ready to attack than before.
If you’ve trained your German shepherd to protect you, he will decide if to attack the stranger or not. He will also detect in advance when anyone has good or evil intentions and take the necessary action.
How Will My German Shepherd Protect Me?
German shepherds, depending on how you’ve trained them, will protect you in many ways. Of course, depending on the severity of the danger they perceive you’re in.
Getting Closer To You
Often, when a German shepherd notices that you’re in danger, they’ll get closer to you. They’ll do this to alert the person they deem “harmful” to hold their horses, or else they get into trouble.
Barking
German shepherd’s most common way of responding to threat or (possible) danger is barking. Most people, when a German shepherd barks at them, feel insecure and flees.
Due to their strong sense of smell, German shepherds can tell when somebody is approaching your home. If they feel the person is a threat, they’ll start barking right before they get close.
Such actions make you alert, especially if it is at night.
Body Reactions
Just like human bodies respond automatically to certain dangers, German shepherd dog’s bodies have a similar reaction too.
Normally, the hair at the back stands still, just like our human body hair does. They also whine, stand alert, and expose their teeth and tongue.
The exposure of their teeth in most cases is the scariest thing to most intruders. At times, your German shepherd dog looks anxious. Consequently, if leashed, he starts moving to and fro as if trying to get off the leash.
How To Train A German Shepherd To Effectively Protect You
German shepherds are fast learners. Besides, since they’re intelligent, they easily remember what they have been trained.
Unless you wish, there’s no need of involving an expert to train your German shepherd to protect you.
Here’s how you train your German shepherd to protect you.
Use Simple Commands
Training your German shepherds to obey your commands is vital. Simple commands can save you problems if your German shepherd is overprotective. Commands such as ‘stop’, ‘sit’, ‘come’, and ‘attack’ is necessary. If your GSD is obedient, he will stop whatever business he had and do what you’ve commanded him.
For example, if he was running to attack a guest, he will stop and turn back.
Socialize Him
Socializing, especially when initiated at a younger age, enables your dog to know that not everyone means evil over them or you.
Therefore, let him start socializing with people and other pets, including cats. Consequently, he ceases to be over-protective. So, he stops barking at every person who passes near you or anyone who gets close to you. He also stops running after every pet he comes across.
Be Consistent
After your German shepherd dog has learned to obey commands, don’t stop using them often. Failing to use those commands often makes them fade from his memory.
Hence, not understand what you mean the next time you use them.
Offer Treats
Whenever your German shepherd barks to alert you that a stranger is coming, offer him treats to let him know he did what’s right. Also, to reinforce this habit, once he barks due to an incoming stranger, respond by walking next to him to see who is coming. His mind registers that barking when a stranger is coming is actually calling for your attention and confirmation if they, indeed, are authorized to come.
Once the intruder has gone, respond by using certain commands to make him stop or calm down. Such commands include “It’s okay”, “calm down”, “stop”, “enough”.
Build His Confidence
Whenever a thief or other persons who are not acceptable in your home approaches your home, train your German shepherd to bark harshly at them.
Once they do, it’s obvious the person will flee. At this point, treat your German shepherd to make him know that that’s how he should treat all intruders.
Train Him You’re in Charge
Making your German shepherd understand that you’re in charge is vital. Being in charge means he should obey you irrespective of the current situation.
Let him learn to obey every command you issue without failure instantly. This way, he won’t attack unnecessarily.
The Parting Shot
If you have an emotional connection with your German shepherd dog, he will make every effort to keep you safe.
With excellent training, they become better guards. They can tell when somebody has wrong motives or when an intruder wants to access your home.
With a trained German shepherd dog, you don’t need to hire security officers to guard your home at night or when you’re not home.
With their high sense of smell and intelligence, no human security can protect you than a German shepherd dog can.
