openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 (edited) Hey all, i am about to do a security dog handlers course and would love to hear what it's like for anyone else who is currently employed as one. I am wanting to know if i need my own dog or are they generally supplied for you by the employer? I think i'd prefer my own dog so if thats the case where's the best place to get one? Thanks in advance Edited February 20, 2010 by openarms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 There is a lot of discussion about security dogs (and security handlers are on the board) here: http://www.specialistcanines.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Awesome thanks so much Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I used to be I would always prefer my own dog. It's a special relationship you have and you need to know everything about the dog, its weaknesses and strengths. I also would not use a dog unless it is tested in a few situations and see what needs improving. Worked with one guy, he had a supposedly trained big F off shepherd. Offered it a sleeve and it went from barking and lunging to pissing itself and hid behind the owner rolling its eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Nek.. where would be the best place to buy a security dog? And can you offer any advice on how to choose one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 There are other DOLers who work security dogs, I wont name them , but hopefully they will see this thread and offer advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 What breed are you after? GSD, Dobe, Rott, Malinois, Dutch? And what experience do you have with training and raising? I would say get involved at least with a Schutzhund club for starters and see what higher drive/working lines are like. Specialistcanines forum is a great place, heaps of breeders there too. I know there's a dutch litter on the ground soon. I will tell you working line dogs are not cheap! And pick a good trainer, unfortunately the morons seem to outnumber the good ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 My personal preference would be a Rotti but this may change with experience. I have no experience other than obedience and working with rescue dogs for about 6 years with differing levels of issues and raising litters.. not sure if that counts. I am really keen to learn and become a competent handler. Ihave to start somewhere experience wise so i'm willing to do whatever it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessca Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I highly recommend you join specialist canines. Start a thread up in there and people should be able to help you out. There are lots of sec dog handlers and trainers as well as working dog breeders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundyburger Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 You might have more luck putting it in general Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcoat Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 What breed are you after? GSD, Dobe, Rott, Malinois, Dutch? And what experience do you have with training and raising?I would say get involved at least with a Schutzhund club for starters and see what higher drive/working lines are like. Specialistcanines forum is a great place, heaps of breeders there too. I know there's a dutch litter on the ground soon. I will tell you working line dogs are not cheap! And pick a good trainer, unfortunately the morons seem to outnumber the good ones I agree with Nekhbet's advice. Too many security dogs especially some GSD's are actually overly sharp weak nerved dogs IMHO, are of incorrect temperament for that line of work and difficult to handle. They often end up in security as the original owners couldn't handle them, then the breeders of those dogs claim fame to producing police/security lines. I have seen some of these supposed police/security lines tested although they look the part and intimidating with what is essentially fear based aggression, when pressured turn to water and run away. It's most definitely necessary to obtain a dog from experienced working line breeders and trainers and to be aware of nasty looking fear driven aggression passed off as natural protection instincts which in many cases is incorrect. I have seen so many GSD's defined as displaying great security prospects where the aggression in these poor dogs is pure fear on the basis of "I will get you before you get me" which becomes a learned behaviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My personal preference would be a Rotti but this may change with experience. I have no experience other than obedience and working with rescue dogs for about 6 years with differing levels of issues and raising litters.. not sure if that counts. I am really keen to learn and become a competent handler. Ihave to start somewhere experience wise so i'm willing to do whatever it takes. http://www.seeuferhauserottweilers.com.au/ Laurie from Seeuferhause is on the Specialist Canines website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcoat Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My personal preference would be a Rotti but this may change with experience. I have no experience other than obedience and working with rescue dogs for about 6 years with differing levels of issues and raising litters.. not sure if that counts. I am really keen to learn and become a competent handler. Ihave to start somewhere experience wise so i'm willing to do whatever it takes. I am not aware that Rotti's in general make the best security dogs although there are probably exceptions to that in some lines, but they are big cumbersome dogs that run out off puff more easily in extended work loads compared with a medium sized working line GSD or Belgian Malinios. The specialised security trainers would have good insights into the breed differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I have not heard of too many problems with Rotty's running out of puff when they are working, the majority of security dog handler positions in Sydney are for static sites so the dog just has to complete routine site patrols. I do not recommend Belgian Malinois to new dog handlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Thanks guys for all the info.. I will take it all into account. I want to learn as much as possible so any and all advice given is greatly appreciated. I also like Dobermans.. Do any of you think a Dobe would be good for a new dog handler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessca Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Trying to find a good dobe these days is getting very hard, unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Trying to find a good dobe these days is getting very hard, unfortunately. I agree, it would take a lot of time to find a suitable pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 (edited) Hmm.. ok. Well i mainly wanted a Rotti because i like the temperament and i have children. (plus i just love big solid dogs ) But i mean what are my options here? Rotti, Dobe, Shep.. are any other breeds accepted as security dogs? Edited February 20, 2010 by openarms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Hmm.. ok. Well i mainly wanted a Rotti because i like the temperament and i have children. (plus i just love big solid dogs ) But i mean what are my options here? Rotti, Dobe, Shep.. are any other breeds accepted as security dogs? Dutch and Belgian Shepherds but as I said before I wouldn't recommend them to you as a new dog handler . Although many other breeds could undertake the job and be trained successfully as a security patrol dog most companies will limit the breeds they want used to the ones already mentioned in this thread. I recommend new dog handlers to go with either a German Shepherd or Rottweiler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
openarms Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 (edited) I can't* post questions on the specialist working dog forum.. blah.. Yeah i still like the idea of a Rotti Edited February 20, 2010 by openarms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now