Would an Untrained Dog Protect its Owner?
(by Louis Toffoli)
Since the first recorded dog breed, dogs have been used to protect their owners and property. With naturally loyal and protective personalities, many dog breeds were initially bred solely for the purpose of protection.
You are probably familiar with dog breeds said to be naturally protective, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, or Doberman Pinschers. But, are the natural protective instincts of a dog enough to offer the owner adequate protection?
This article will explore if an untrained dog will protect its owner against intruders or potential threats.
The Limits of Natural Loyalty and Protection
As you build a bond with a dog, they will develop loyalty for you. Naturally, the dog will start to view you as the group’s pack leader. This means the dog will begin to link its protective instincts to both you and your home.
When paired with these natural protective instincts, an untrained dog may be able to offer you protection. If a dog does not recognize someone looking to enter your home, they will be on high alert. The dog may bark or alert you of the presence of an intruder or show aggression to the person.
According to a study by the Animals Society Institute, owning a dog deterred crime compared to having no dog at all. In this study, Milwaukee homeowners with dogs in their homes saw a significant decrease in property crime in their area.
Additionally, in certain dog breeds, they may also attack an intruder if they sense distress from the situation. But, this isn’t certain as many untrained dogs will not know a situation is dangerous until it’s too late.
Without protection dog training, a dog won’t quickly follow commands or quickly assess a situation.
When an Untrained Dog Isn’t Enough
In many cases, an untrained dog will be unable to decipher what is happening in the case of a robbery or break-in. A friendly attitude and energy towards the dog can turn a dangerous intruder into a friend within seconds.
When the threatening bark doesn’t scare away the criminal, it’s shown your untrained dog might not be as effective as you would like to think. This lack of protection isn’t the dog’s fault, as they don’t have the personal protection training for these complex situations.
The frantic energy of a mugger commanding someone to give them money can be falsely interpreted as excitement by the dog. When you need the dog to protect you most, they will be looking to play.
However, an untrained dog’s reactions can differ significantly depending on the dog breed.
Naturally Protective Dog Breeds
While an untrained dog will not offer the protection of a protection dog, a dog’s breed may be enough to deter crime. In some cases, a potential criminal will be wary when they see a large dog.
It would be best if you also considered a dog said to be bred for protection. These dog breeds have centuries of breeding to make them prone to guarding and protecting their owners.
Some examples of naturally protective dogs with large frames are:
- Bullmastiff
- Rottweiler
- Great Dane
- Cane Corso
For a full list of dog breeds with naturally protective instincts, take a look at the list developed by the American Kennel Club. Each dog breed has a description of their rich history dating back to when they were used for protection.
Conclusion
Without proper protection dog training, it is hard to say whether an untrained dog will protect you. In most cases, the dog may offer protection by scaring away criminals with a threatening bark and large stature.
When a situation escalates past that point, the dog may have trouble interpreting it. The dog will quickly need to understand if the person has bad intentions or is just a friend. To get the most out of your dog, you need professional protection dog training with a qualified master trainer.
You will not have a doubt in your mind that the dog will protect you when it matters most!