Dogs For Protection

[MyMolly]

I have seen a few posts from people wanting a dog for protection. We have Molly our Boxer with the hope that she would know what to do if we were in trouble.

As we have children all we wanted was a dog with a warning bark and our Molly warns us when our guests go home HAHA!

I have seen a few people post that a dog will know when to step up and protect - I never believed it I always thought it needed to be trained to be vocal and protective.

I would like to share a story with you all.

Molly would never hurt a fly. We wanted a dog that would protect us with a bark a dog that we could pass off as maybe being protective because of how it looks. I finally dog my childhood dream when we took Molly home however as said earlier, she barks when people leave HAHA! She smothers people with kissed and if a cat is sitting on the fence she will sit and make a funny sound that could not ever pass as a bark its more of a cats howl.

Well a few weeks ago I was doing some house work which is pretty rare for me - lots of washing and hanging on the line (I am usually a "thow it in the dryer girl) and cleaning at the other end of the house and there was a knock at the door. It was dusk by this stage so it was just me and my girls at home waiting for hubby.

It was an overseas student selling art work. I opened the door (because at that time I thought it was some1 else) and he walked into my foyer without being asked and started making me feel not so safe. I told him to get out and he insisted on showing me these paintings.....I felt horrible in my own house and raised my voice just a little and said PLEASE LEAVE! GUESS WHAT HAPPENED???? MOLLY came charging through the house stood in front of me she had hairs standing up on the spine of her back something which I assumed only cats could do and he started barking like you wouldn't believe!!!!! I had never heard her bark like this b4. It echoed through the house and because the foyer is tiled it was so loud. Well this fella didn't pack is paintings up he just grabbed his stuff and ran!!

I was so proud of MYMOLLY!

Now all the doors around the house were locked except the one where I was taking the clothes out to hang on the line. It was closed but at that staged not locked. As I never use the washing line Molly has never seen that door before as you have to open another gate to get into that little area. SO she must have heard that I was threatened and jumped the little fence with the gate (it only comes up to belly height) and then used her nose/paw to open the sliding door that we didn't know she knew existed.

Since then she has not done it again.

I would love to hear other stories where your best friend/baby has stepped up

I love my Poo Dog

Edited February 7, 2010 by MyMolly

[Kelly_Louise]

My Chloe may be old, but she's the best protection dog you could ever ask for...

One day, her and Dad were out in the front yard. A little kid on a bike rode past, stopped and asked my dad for help as a gang of youths were chasing him (can't remember if they were trying to steal something from him or hurt him)... My dad didn't really know what to do, so he said that the young boy could come into our backyard behind the gate with him and wait for the gang to lose interest in him. Anyway, before they could get to the gate, the gang of boys arrived and started yelling and threatening the younger boy... Dad tried to get rid of them, but they were slowly approaching closer. Chloe strode up, placed herself between my Dad and the boy, and the gang of boys - all her hair went up, she planted her feet, lowered her head and gave out the most frightening growl I have ever heard from her... Needless to say, the gang backed off very quickly and the boy was safe to leave.

Chloe is like that... if anyone in the family is having an argument with someone, or she hears raised voices, or if mums neighbour is not speaking to her in a nice tone - Chloe is the first one there, standing in protection and letting them know it is not acceptable.

Sasha... well, when Sash first came to us - she was more afraid of everything... so I never really thought of her as being protective, she mostly just LOOKS scary. However, if the neighbours are being turds, she is the first one there giving them her 'im warning you' bark... and if a strange man approaches us she ALWAYS puts herself between me and them and watches them suspiciously until they leave.

I think it's something that most dogs just have... a natural ability to know when their family is in trouble, or needs their help. Just another thing that makes dogs so wonderful.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Kelly_Louise

[Nekhbet]

There is a difference between a dog that barks and a dog that will actually step up and physically protect you from a stranger

A dog savvy person can back down a dog that is simply untrained and showing some protection. If you want to rely on an untrained dog to fully protect you though you're fooling yourself

[Christina77]

MY dog Bella , now also called Red Dog by yesterdays visitors steps up to the plate for being a watch dog BUT only inside her home. No-one including friends will just walk in .

She completely thinks that she knows everyone here by their car ( yep typical country dog) and it wouldn't matter who's in the car she's ready to say Hi regardless.

Same in the Park or out walking , totally hopeless , loves people , loves kids loves dogs and cats and has her cat friend that waits for her on the corner when we go for walks.

or so I thought .

I have 2 commands for her that will make her react immediately , I've never really had to use them other then a test here and there to make sure she still reacts but a few months ago there was a strange guy in the park doing Tai Chi .

No problem I thought he's doing his own thing I'll continue on , after I had passed him I noticed he was following .

Most locals here know eachother but I didn't recognise him so was a bit put off , and where I walk is very isolated so I went to do a loop to return the way I came.

He called out something abusive , didn't catch it all but was enough to guess that either he wasn't all there or on something , so as he approached I gave Bella the command ( on leash)

Well she did me proud , done her nut at the guy , full teeth growl and "I'll have you for breakfast" routine There's no way she would have done anything more then that but he backed off and walked away muttering something.

She's all show , but there's that little bit where I still think she would come good if needed.

The visitor yesterday who called her Red Dog had an instant liking with her , she never barked at him and when he was indoors she sat on his foot

Bella's way of saying " I like you "

Edited February 7, 2010 by Christina77

[lovemymutts]

Wow!

I too have had a similar experience.

My old boy (12yrs) who then would have been 10 is a curly coated retriever x border collie. He always has 2 barks, A stupid bark & a bark when someone comes. It's great as I always know when someone's here. He has never hurt a fly, growled or anything.

One day my sister & I were home alone. Next minute a guy walked around to our back gate which only friends use & asked if some other people lived here, I said no they don't, he then conituned to stand there making me feel quite uncomfortable. By this stage Kaspa was going absolutely ballistic!

He was growling, frothing at the mouth & baring his teeth, if I had've opened the gate he probably would've killed this guy. It was frightening to see but also good as it made me feel more protected. Anyway then he started asking other questions about the house, of which I didn't answer. I knew something was up by the way Kaspa was acting (they know). Then he put his hand up and said 'that dogs a murderous dog, dog's like that should be put down' at that I said 'well they don't live here so bye' & I got my sister & went inside, leaving Kaspa out.

Then he proceeded to walk around the back & tried to get into the shed! At this point I rung the police who said a patrol would be sent out immediately, the guy then walked over to our neighbours & tried to get into their shed! 30 minutes later the cops showed up (they tend to do this up here) I told them he had walked off up the road & they said they would go look for him then come back. Well they never returned

I eventually found out he lived down the road & had been trying to get into peoples houses & going through their bins all week. He had a mental problem & hadn't been taking his medication.

I would hate to think what would have happened if Kaspa had not been there that day. He is so good to have here. He had NEVER done that before & hasn't done it since. Now he is getting a little deaf & arthritic but I know he wouldn't hesitate to protect us if needed.

How great are dogs, we as humans don't give them enough credit. I just love this quote: 'He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your pet. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.' my friend also added - your eyes & ears at night

[Dfa Dog]

I've had a similar experience. Me and my boy moved from the country to the city about six months ago. As you can imagine, it was a huge adjustment for both of us!! We went from going on long walks without seeing another sole to walking past hundreds of people every walk. Being a Newfoundland, he also attracts A LOT of attention so he's gotten used to people walking up to us and patting us etc etc. One day we were stopped at a red light waiting to cross the road when a homeless guy came up to us and started yelling. He changed his path so as he walking straight towards us. My Newf, who is the most placid friendly thing in the world, got between myself and the man and was barking a growling and jumped up to stand on his two back feet!! I couldn't believe it!! To this day i believe my dog picked up on my feelings of being threatened and responded appropriately. You will find no loyaler creature on the planet than a dog!!

[huski]

He was growling, frothing at the mouth & baring his teeth, if I had've opened the gate he probably would've killed this guy.

Sorry but I highly doubt your dog would have killed the guy, or even seriously attacked him when it came down to it.

Dogs aren't naturally protective in our sense of the word; they can be possessive but at the end of the day most acts of "protectiveness" comes from the dog feeling insecure themselves. I agree with Nekhbet, very few untrained dogs would actually step up to "protect" you, in most instances it's all noise and when properly challenged they have no idea what to do.

Edited February 7, 2010 by huski

[shazzle]

Thanks for sharing such wonderful stories. It is lovely to hear people speak of their dogs with such love and admiration.

Years ago when my son was 7 I was looking for a puppy for us both. I wanted a breed that would look "protective" but be good with my son. Not knowing a lot about specific breeds I was talked into a Dobe by our local dog obedience trainer. I searched around and was lucky enough to find a litter in a neighbouring suburb. I went to have a look, sat down in the middle of a mass of pups and one little girl promptly sat herself in my lap and did not move again until I was ready to leave. Of course she came with me We named her Bonnie because we thought she was so beautiful.

Bonnie was never needed (thankfully) to protect us and I have no idea if she ever would have. I have never known such a loving soul as she. She was "needed" one day and I have to say she stepped up to the mark admirably. My step sister visited with her three sons. The middle son was terrified of all dogs and seemed even more so when confronted by this black and tan "monster". His fear was palpable. I locked her outside, but to make up for it I went out a few times to sit with her and throw her ball to her. My step sister joined me on one occasion and of course her son followed his mother. To this day I don't know if Bonnie sensed his fear but she made no attempt to get close to him. Instead she stayed at the top of the steps to the yard and dropped the ball on the first step so it bounced down to where we were standing. We picked it up and threw it and she brought it back only this time she stopped on the first step and dropped the ball on the second step, and so on until she was bringing the ball and dropping it at his feet. One little boy went home that night a little less fearful of the canine world.

I loved Bonnie from the moment I met her but I fell in love with her all over again that day.

Edited February 7, 2010 by shazzle

[lovemymutts]

He was growling, frothing at the mouth & baring his teeth, if I had've opened the gate he probably would've killed this guy.

Sorry but I highly doubt your dog would have killed the guy, or even seriously attacked him when it came down to it.

Dogs aren't naturally protective in our sense of the word; they can be possessive but at the end of the day most acts of "protectiveness" comes from the dog feeling insecure themselves. I agree with Nekhbet, very few untrained dogs would actually step up to "protect" you, in most instances it's all noise and when properly challenged they have no idea what to do.

Yes I know what you mean, my boy also chases rabbits but wouldn't know what to do with it if he ever caught one but if you weren't there you wouldn't know what it was like, Kaspa went for him when he put his hand down & I do believe he would have attacked this person had I opened the gate. I can't say for sure & I would never have done so but I was there & saw his reaction. That's all. Just posting what I thought & saw as everyone else has done.

[lovemymutts]

Thanks for sharing such wonderful stories. It is lovely to hear people speak of their dogs with such love and admiration.

Years ago when my son was 7 I was looking for a puppy for us both. I wanted a breed that would look "protective" but be good with my son. Not knowing a lot about specific breeds I was talked into a Dobe by our local dog obedience trainer. I searched around and was lucky enough to find a litter in a neighbouring suburb. I went to have a look, sat down in the middle of a mass of pups and one little girl promptly sat herself in my lap and did not move again until I was ready to leave. Of course she came with me We named her Bonnie because we thought she was so beautiful.

Bonnie was never needed (thankfully) to protect us and I have no idea if she ever would have. I have never known such a loving soul as she. She was "needed" one day and I have to say she stepped up to the mark admirably. My step sister visited with her three sons. The middle son was terrified of all dogs and seemed even more so when confronted by this black and tan "monster". His fear was palpable. I locked her outside, but to make up for it I went out a few times to sit with her and throw her ball to her. My step sister joined me on one occasion and of course her son followed his mother. To this day I don't know if Bonnie sensed his fear but she made no attempt to get close to him. Instead she stayed at the top of the steps to the yard and dropped the ball on the first step so it bounced down to where we were standing. We picked it up and threw it and she brought it back only this time she stopped on the first step and dropped the ball on the second step, and so on until she was bringing the ball and dropping it at his feet. One little boy went home that night a little less fearful of the canine world.

I loved Bonnie from the moment I met her but I fell in love with her all over again that day.

A friend of mine also had a beautiful dobe 'Marsha' she was absolutely beautiful!

Marsha would give a bark when someone came but then was the most gentle girl. This story has come from my friend.

One day my friend had a handyman over doing a few odd jobs, in the end a small argument broke out (not her fault) & the man grabbed hold of my friend. Marsha got up, ran over & didn't attack the man, just got hold of his arm in her mouth, ever so gently & didn't let go until he released his grip & things calmed down. My friend is an elderly lady & Marsha was a great dog to her, never nasty just came to her owners help when needed

[geo]

Well I got to say Molly is one very cute boxer!! i had 2 boxers when i was growning up, they were very protective of our house. One night they went absolutely Burko and my father was tempted to let them out as he, however boxers were also getting a bad rap at that time (courtesy of the media and some bad owners back in the UK) so we didn't let them out.

I have no doubt that these 2 bitches (mother and daughter) would've attacked. it turned out someone had rummaged through our garage.

Nekbet is correct though, many dogs would not attack, and they're barking is fear related.

Currently we have 2 dogs that appear very intimidating when in 'this is my house get away from it' mode! however Blondie is a sook and will wait for me to check out the noise first then come bowling along behind me acting all tough, unless it is daylight and she can see the offender.

Chev the pup, well at 7 months he's wary of strangers but would probably wag his tail should someone enter the gate, though he's got more confidence and strength and feel he would pick up on a scarey situation.

Training dogs in protection is a very specialised field, and i'd like to be able to command that of my dogs, just not sure how to do it without arousing their aggresive side to strangers, and don't want them barking at everyone who walks past our yard.

[Scarlet]

I got my rough collie when I was 18 and he lived and moved everywhere with me. It was back in the days before there were so many dog rules. He came with me to NZ and back, and often interstate. He travelled in trains, planes, buses and even hitched hiked with me.

All this time he had never even growled at anyone and was the most placid laid back dog ever.

When he was about 12yrs we were walking in the bushy area - he was off lead - and a man came out of the bushes and grabbed me-I screamed.

Kurrie came flying out of nowhere (he was behind me and the guy probably didn't see him) and flew at this guys neck, he brought up his elbow and Kurrie took a piece out of it. Well there was a lot of blood around so there some type of contact. The guy took off. It was reported to the police but he was never caught.

Kurrie was quite a good watch dog, and they do have a lovely deep bark, but I didn't think he would ever really protect me. Luckily he was never put to the test again.

[MyMolly]

There is a difference between a dog that barks and a dog that will actually step up and physically protect you from a stranger

A dog savvy person can back down a dog that is simply untrained and showing some protection. If you want to rely on an untrained dog to fully protect you though you're fooling yourself

I would never rely on Molly to protect me 1. because she isn't trained like that and wouldn't know how to. 2. knowing my luck I would foget the magic words needed and pack myself

I know there is so much more to training a dog to protect but I will leave it up to the experts. Just a question though (I hope you come back and read this) in your opinion would it be a good idea for a family with kids to have a trained protection dog? Or would it be best to do what we have done and hope that if it came to it she would speak up?

I don't think Molly would ever bite a person....she would no doubt run and hide behind me if some1 lunged at us but she sure did she me she could bark when needed

geo - Thanks She melts my heart

[pebbles]

Many years ago I had a rough Collie who was part of the family. Never heard a growl from him regardless who came and went, loved everyone. One evening my car had broken down and I phoned a friend who came and picked me up. When we got to my place, we had a coffee and a chat with Socks just laying at my feet as usual after greeting the friend. As it had been a fair distance for friend to travel to get me as he was leaving I stuck some money in his shirt pocket for petrol. He didn't want it, I insisted and he tried to stick it in my pocket. He had my arm and I was trying to pull away and Socks flew at him, knocked him backwards against the wall then stood in front with every tooth showing. Scared the heck out of friend and me Friend visited many more times and Sock always greeted him happily but we never tried any play wrestling again!

[Whipitgood]

Dogs aren't naturally protective in our sense of the word; they can be possessive but at the end of the day most acts of "protectiveness" comes from the dog feeling insecure themselves. I agree with Nekhbet, very few untrained dogs would actually step up to "protect" you, in most instances it's all noise and when properly challenged they have no idea what to do.

A dog savvy person can back down a dog that is simply untrained and showing some protection. If you want to rely on an untrained dog to fully protect you though you're fooling yourself

Now, do we have to turn somebodys feel good story into a negative?!

Im sure she realises that her dog isnt a police trained dog that would save her from being killed. But at the end of the day, Molly did her job and a job well done. Most of the time, all it takes is a bark to deter someone and if a boxer was standing there hackles up barking furiously at me - i wouldnt challenge it!!

Well done Molly and im glad you are proud of your girl, trained or not - you should be!

Edited February 7, 2010 by Whipitgood

[huski]

Now, do we have to turn somebodys feel good story into a negative?!

Im sure she realises that her dog isnt a police trained dog that would save her from being killed. But at the end of the day, Molly did her job and a job well done. Most of the time, all it takes is a bark to deter someone and if a boxer was standing there hackles up barking furiously at me - i wouldnt challenge it!!

I hardly think adding my opinion is making it negative, it is a topic about dogs being protective, I just gave my view point - and I wasn't responding to the OP, but the poster who said they thought their dog would have killed the intruder it was barking at.

I'm sure the OP realises her dog isn't a police trained dog, that was not the point of my post.

[Jed]

There is a difference between a dog that barks and a dog that will actually step up and physically protect you from a stranger

A dog savvy person can back down a dog that is simply untrained and showing some protection. If you want to rely on an untrained dog to fully protect you though you're fooling yourself

Sorry, disagree. None of my boxers failed to step up to the plate when it was needed. None of them backed down. They were happy to bite if required. And they were not trained as "guard dogs" nor were they anything other than family pets. But they were purebred dogs, bred to the standard, as Molly obviously is.

I don't know how "dog savvy" the people they faced were,but the boxer won. How many people are "dog savvy" enough in the normal day to day activities? Not many.

What do you think a "dog savvy" person could do to deflect the dog? One of mine was hit and that simply made her more determined, and perhaps angry, and she was seriously biting.

One backed up a security guard (with a dog) one night. I have no idea how "dog savvy: he was. Not dog savvy enough, apparently!!

A boxer breeder is aware of the standard, and should be working to produce a good companion guard dog, as Miss Molly's dog is, and all of mine are, and have been. And that means they will step up. A boxer which wont step up is a poor example, imho. And one which is nasty is a bad example too. The standard says "never treacherous".

One of the reasons this breed is not a star in obedience is because they make their own decisions. They will be obedient, but they think things through and if they perceive the need, they will act.

Standard says

CHARACTERISTICS - The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most careful attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household, his alertness, and fearless courage as a defender and protector. The Boxer is docile but distrustful of strangers. He is bright and friendly in play but brave and determined when roused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty, and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty. He is never false or treacherous even in his old age.

There were 6 or so men working in my paddock. This is allowed, so the teenager was lying under a tree, keeping an eye on them. Not a sound. Until they decided they wanted to come into the garden. They got as far as the gate, and found a 30kg boxer standing with her front feet on the top of the gate, barking and growling at them. They decided not to proceed, and called me instead. I have no idea what the outcome would have been if they had tried to come in, but no one in his right mind would try to push past a 30kg dog with its feet on the gate barking and snarling at them. As soon as I went out, she got down and went back to friendly mode, but she was still watching. She knew they were allowed in the paddock, but she had no instructions to allow them into the yard, I wasn't there to greet them as friends, so they weren't coming in. As soon as I was welcoming, they were her friends too. They kept an eye on her, but she was all friendly as soon as I said it was ok.

That's all most of us need, Nekhbet. Very few people will tangle with a dog. And I have found that any of mine asked to do more than bark were quite prepared for that. Despite never having done it before, or having received any training.

Congratulations to Molly for doing what she should. You are right to be proud.

Hope you feel safer now, MyMolly? They are a handy dog to have around, I always feel safe with mine - sleep with the windows open, don't lock the house. But it's always a bit of a surprise when the "guard" side of them comes to the fore!!

It's a good breed, mine were always trustworthy with the kids and their friends, but would defend the family.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Jed

[lovemymutts]

I'm constantly being dissapointed here on DOL

One person starts a thread & then it just ends up on another tangent & bickering between DOLers.

This thread was set up to share stories, that's all, not to share opinions etc. So let's share stories & read stories & be merry!

P.S Beautiful Boxer you have I grew up with one & what a fantastic dog!

[Crisovar]

Sounds like true Boxer colours showing in just the right way to me, what a good girl you have there Miss Molly.

I have had dogs step up to the plate when need be, and I'm damn glad they did.

That is all you can ask of them.

[LOVE GSD'S]

I have seen a few posts from people wanting a dog for protection. We have Molly our Boxer with the hope that she would know what to do if we were in trouble.

As we have children all we wanted was a dog with a warning bark and our Molly warns us when our guests go home HAHA!

I have seen a few people post that a dog will know when to step up and protect - I never believed it I always thought it needed to be trained to be vocal and protective.

I would like to share a story with you all.

Molly would never hurt a fly. We wanted a dog that would protect us with a bark a dog that we could pass off as maybe being protective because of how it looks. I finally dog my childhood dream when we took Molly home however as said earlier, she barks when people leave HAHA! She smothers people with kissed and if a cat is sitting on the fence she will sit and make a funny sound that could not ever pass as a bark its more of a cats howl.

Well a few weeks ago I was doing some house work which is pretty rare for me - lots of washing and hanging on the line (I am usually a "thow it in the dryer girl) and cleaning at the other end of the house and there was a knock at the door. It was dusk by this stage so it was just me and my girls at home waiting for hubby.

It was an overseas student selling art work. I opened the door (because at that time I thought it was some1 else) and he walked into my foyer without being asked and started making me feel not so safe. I told him to get out and he insisted on showing me these paintings.....I felt horrible in my own house and raised my voice just a little and said PLEASE LEAVE! GUESS WHAT HAPPENED???? MOLLY came charging through the house stood in front of me she had hairs standing up on the spine of her back something which I assumed only cats could do and he started barking like you wouldn't believe!!!!! I had never heard her bark like this b4. It echoed through the house and because the foyer is tiled it was so loud. Well this fella didn't pack is paintings up he just grabbed his stuff and ran!!

I was so proud of MYMOLLY!

Now all the doors around the house were locked except the one where I was taking the clothes out to hang on the line. It was closed but at that staged not locked. As I never use the washing line Molly has never seen that door before as you have to open another gate to get into that little area. SO she must have heard that I was threatened and jumped the little fence with the gate (ionly comes up to belly height) and then used her nose/paw to open the sliding door that we didn't know she knew existed.

Since then she has not done it again.

I would love to hear other stories where your best friend/baby has stepped up

I love my Poo Dog

I think Molly is the ideal dog!!! good on her for protecting you/looking scary without being a savage beast normally.

yep, my old golden did something similar when he bailed up a young guy in the garage. He stood in front of me, inbetween us, advanced and retreated, untill the young man went over the fence. He would stand in front of me, between me and any man we saw, while out walking. He was a rescue, so timid and scared when he first came here, and I would never have believed he had it in him. I am sorry I underestimated him, he has now gone to the rainbow bridge. my new girl, Ava, looks too scary to play silly buggers with........lol