Guard dog training from puppyhood?

[Chronic Chrissy]

OK so I have the cutest new addition to our family and a few things I'm not sure how to go about.

Here are the facts...
Tucker is a 12 wk old PB Golden Retriever. Comes from great parents. He is quick to learn and eger to please. He came with my brother and his large family from across the country and has been very socialized with people. We are working on house training but in the 3 days I've been able to work with him since everyone left he knows sit, laydown, come, PPSSTT!(bad/don't do that), roll, and how to walk on a leash.
We wanted him as a family dog, one to bond with our 2 year old and go everywhere with us. So far everytime we take him out everyone wants to touch and meet him. My husband brought up last night that if we keep letting everyone meet him he'll just run off with any one. That go me thinking. I need to know what I want from him later so I know how to approach what to teach him now and how to do it.

So here is what I want him to do...

-Be a well mannered dog that can go everywhere with us, to peoples houses, traveling, the beach, the park, the carnival, outdoor concerts and beerfests.

-To want to please and listen to only us, not everyone else. I don't want to lose control of my dog. I don't want some one to walk up to him and walk off with him. We want the type of dog you tell to sit and gaurd you cooler or bike and he does.

-To gaurd our home, but still allow people over. If some one is skulking around our yard I want him to bark and scare them off. If a friend comes over I want to be alerted and for them to be able to get to the door. But at the same time I want to teach him to protect certain "plants" and garage/room from everyone, even friends, just incase some are a little nosey.

-I also want to be able to teach it different levels of "attack mode". You know levels like look scary but stand there, then act scary but don't hurt them, then we want a I'm in trouble chew his ass.

Please don't get me wrong I know none of this is simple. It takes alot of time attention and training in stages. I am home 24/7 with him, and do know the basics of dog training to the point of having a well balanced, mannered dog. But I don't know how to incorperate the next step in my training ablilities. I have lots of time to figure this out but want a game plan so I can avoid bad habits now, and take advantage of teaching oppertunities.

Anyone have any good tips or reading material?

Chronic Chrissy Reviewed by Chronic Chrissy on 07-03-2008. Guard dog training from puppyhood? OK so I have the cutest new addition to our family and a few things I'm not sure how to go about. Here are the facts... Tucker is a 12 wk old PB Golden Retriever. Comes from great parents. He is quick to learn and eger to please. He came with my brother and his large family from across the country and has been very socialized with people. We are working on house training but in the 3 days I've been able to work with him since everyone left he knows sit, laydown, come, PPSSTT!(bad/don't do Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

Then you need something other than a golden retriever OR get yourself a good professional trainer. Or both.

Taking a breed that generally loves people and trying to get it to not like people is a difficult job..... and not reccomended for the type of dog you have.

[Breukelen advocaat]

Dogs have very good instincts when protecting their pack or, in this case, your family and home - an your's sounds very intelligent.

I agree that professional training would probably be necessary to make him a real guard dog, but probably wouldn't be a good idea due to his, and the breed's, disposition.

Good luck with your new pet! I'm envious.

[Chronic Chrissy]

lol who was I kidding. I can't let any one even touch him when we are out, he is way too friendly and wants to go home with them.

[bloodbrother]

You would be surprised, as friendly as a golden retriever is when it comes down to business they are tough. My friend was walking his when he was around 10 years old by a nearby park when a lose rotweiller(sp?) came and started growling at him. When it tried to attack the GR showed the rotty what was up and sent it off whimpering with its tail (or lack thereof) between its legs...

[Weedhound]

lol who was I kidding. I can't let any one even touch him when we are out, he is way too friendly and wants to go home with them.

People like dogs who like people as a rule. A golden is a super-friendly, beautiful, water-loving breed that will faithfully carry anything you leave lying on the ground around FOREVER. We used to have one and we called him "glue lips"

Goldens are a great breed. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Chronic Chrissy]

I love him so much he is such a good dog! He is always looking to us to see what we want and takes it very personally if we scold him, we have to remember to give him a good rub down and lots of loving so he knows we forgive him. He's teething right now and we barely ever catch him with one of our daughters toys(which are absolutely everywhere) he knows which are his and remembers if he shouldn't play with it. We just love our Tucker!

[SnSstealth]

goldens are a great breed, but not one to get into protection work...Its just not in them. You may be able to teach them to bark, but you wont be able to count on them for that. I started training dogs with service dogs for disabled vets. I.E. turn on/off lights, open fridge, seizure response dogs, and such. I now train mainly Shutzhund, Personal Protection, and Basic Obedience. (need to do obedience to make a living.)
My point being, GRs were GREAT for service work, because of there soft, open nature towards most humans, and their almsot NEED to please.
Believe it or not, I am a FIRM believer in APBT. I have one, he is shutzhund trained, and plays with 2 year olds all the time. My father in law even lets his kids play with Manson. Pits are VERY loyal, and protective by nature.
Im stoned, thats why I am jumping all around. Bear with me.:jointsmile:
You will DEFINITELY want a professional trainer regardless. There is a very fine line between teaching a dog to protect, and teaching a dog to attack. Not a chance I would recommend taking.
Have any questions, post em, Im subscribed:thumbsup:
whiskeytango

shutzhund is what you wanna look into if you want a protective dog that you can still have as a family pet. Personal Protection dogs, not so much....

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

I have been a dog owner for several years and noticed that almost every dog senses when someone means you harm and will protect you and your family when needed. Plus training a dog to be mean is never a good idea even under the best control. You can never be with the dog 100% of the time to determine when something is a threat for her. Plus when they get into the senior years this may be detrimental when the vision and hearing start to go. I have seen dogs snap when startled during this period of life and the possibillty of this will be increased if trained to attack a threat.

Yes you have one of the most friendly breeds out there also one of the most intelligent. I owned a lab and they have very simmilar personalities. One thing about them is if they wander off. THEY will find their way back, unless nabbed by the dog pound. Even if someone tries to keep them, there instincts are you are home and will run away the first chance they get and try to find you. I read stories about dogs finding their way home over great odds and unbelievable distances, and they are almost always a lab or retriever bread.

Best of luck with your puppy, Great Choice Of Bread.

[illnillinois]

no one would dare to rob you if you had a dog like this..

or maybe the second one might be better.. Hes got his brown eye on you..