Are you looking for a German Shepherd that is a companion and a protection dog to your loved ones and your home?
Owning a Protection Dog that has natural protective instincts and is formally trained to use those instincts and being controlled, is PIECE of mind!
It all starts with having a German Shepherd present around your family and your home.
Our protection dogs are completely trained to have an on and off switch when they are with the owners and also act on their own when left alone to protect the house and property.
1) Intensely socialized prior to starting protection training
2) Advanced off leash obedience trained before entering the protection Dog Training Program
3) Trained for Protection in all possible real-life situations to protect and be controllable
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The German Shepherd is the number one breed that can do it all!
For over one hundred years, this breed has been the most versatile that can do it all. He is the companion to the family, the protector, the herder, the seeing eye dog, the police K9, the military dog, the obedience champion, the Search and Rescue dog. There is not a single dog sport performance that the German Shepherd dog is not successfully competing in!
Most other breeds are mainly bred to perform a specific task.
The hunting dog hunts, the greyhound runs, the bloodhound tracks……
The specific instincts that these breeds are selectively bred for make it more challenging to train- or use these particular breeds for any other purpose.
The German Shepherd, if bred well, is naturally protective.
There is not a “real need” for formal protection dog training for an owner that has protective features from his German Shepherd.
The number one protection at lowest level is the mare sight of him.
If you think about it:
Your wife is jogging alone at early- or late hours. She has a German Shepherd running along her site. If you would be the guy with bad intentions, which one would you rather “jump”?
The woman with the German Shepherd on her site? – or the woman without one?
The same applies for protection of the house or property.
Just the mare sight of the German Shepherd will deter the burglar from execution of bad plans. He will choose to go a few houses down the street.
ZBB K9 Team provides protection dogs that are proven to have the protective instincts by genetics. These instincts are encouraged and reinforced through some basic protection training, built on their natural aggression and courage at the time needed.
You are interested in the process of making a highly obedience trained German Shepherd, and basic aggression trained dog part of your life?
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What is a protection Dog?
Definition and Purpose
Characteristics of Protection Dogs
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Loyalty and Bonding: Protection dogs are known for their loyalty to their families. They often form strong bonds with their owners, making them both protective and affectionate companions.
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Intelligence and Trainability: Many protection dogs are highly intelligent breeds, such as German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers. Their intelligence allows them to learn commands quickly and respond effectively to training.
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Physical Attributes: Protection dogs are typically larger and stronger breeds, which can be intimidating to potential intruders. Their physical presence can enhance their effectiveness as guard dogs.
Alertness and Responsiveness: These dogs are naturally alert and responsive to their surroundings, making them excellent watchdogs. They can detect unusual activities and alert their owners.
Training and Socialization
Training is crucial for protection dogs. They undergo specialized training that includes obedience, socialization, and protection skills. Proper training ensures that they can differentiate between normal situations and potential threats, reducing the risk of unnecessary aggression. Socialization is also important to help them interact appropriately with people and other animals.
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German Shepherd: Known for their intelligence and versatility, they are often used in police and military roles.
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Doberman Pinscher: These dogs are loyal, alert, and protective, making them excellent family guardians.
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Rottweiler: Strong and confident, Rottweilers are known for their protective instincts and loyalty to their families.
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Belgian Malinois: Highly trainable and energetic, they are frequently used in law enforcement and military operations
Conclusion
Protection dogs play a vital role in enhancing personal security while also providing companionship. Their training, loyalty, and protective instincts make them valuable assets for families seeking safety and peace of mind. When considering a protection dog, it’s essential to choose a breed that fits your lifestyle and to invest in proper training to ensure a well-behaved and effective guardian.
What you should know about the law- Protection Dogs
Discover how a dog’s specialized training for protection redefines an owner’s legal duties and accountability under the law.
A personal protection dog is an animal specifically trained to defend a person or family from harm. These canines are more than pets; they are a form of security governed by a specific set of laws. Understanding these legal duties and responsibilities is a part of responsible ownership.
In the eyes of the law, dogs are considered the personal property of their owner. However, the specialized training a protection dog receives alters its legal standing. Because this training teaches the dog to bite and restrain a threat, a court may view the animal as a “dangerous instrumentality.” This classification imposes a higher standard of care on the owner to manage and control the dog compared to a typical pet.
This legal status is distinct from that of a service animal, which is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. A protection dog’s primary function is defense, so it does not qualify for the public access rights granted to service animals. An owner cannot claim ADA protections to bring a protection dog into places where pets are not allowed.
Liability for a Protection Dog’s Actions
If a protection dog bites or injures someone, the owner can face serious civil liability under two primary legal theories: strict liability and negligence. Strict liability laws, which exist in many states, hold an owner responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous.
The traditional “one-bite rule,” which can shield an owner from liability for a dog’s first bite, is often irrelevant for a protection dog. The dog’s training establishes that the owner is aware of its capacity to bite. This prior knowledge makes a negligence claim easier to prove.
Under a negligence theory, an injured person must show the owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling the dog, leading to the injury. For a protection dog owner, “reasonable care” is a very high standard. Leaving the dog unattended in an unfenced yard or failing to secure it around visitors could be considered a breach of this duty. The dog’s training records and certifications can be used to demonstrate the owner’s knowledge of the risk involved.
Financial consequences can be substantial, including covering medical bills, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies may not cover dogs trained to attack or may have exclusions for certain breeds. Owners may need to acquire specialized liability insurance, which can cost hundreds of dollars annually, to protect their assets from potential lawsuits.
Commanding a protection dog to attack someone is legally considered a use of force, governed by the same principles as using a physical weapon. The owner must have a reasonable belief they are in imminent danger of bodily harm, and the force used must be proportional to the threat.
For instance, deploying a protection dog against an armed intruder inside your home may be deemed reasonable under the “castle doctrine.” This legal principle allows for heightened defensive measures when facing a direct and credible threat in one’s own home.
Conversely, commanding a dog to attack an unarmed person who is trespassing verbally or retreating would likely be considered excessive force. Such an action could lead to criminal charges against the owner, such as assault with a dangerous weapon, and significant civil liability.
Many municipalities have leash laws requiring dogs to be restrained in public, which are strictly enforced for dogs with protection training. Secure containment at home is also a common legal requirement. This can include mandating specific fencing heights or locked enclosures to prevent escapes.
Some jurisdictions have ordinances that specifically target “dangerous” or “vicious” dogs. A protection dog could be classified as such based on its training alone, or after an incident. This designation often triggers additional requirements, such as mandatory liability insurance, muzzling in public, and special registration with local animal control, which may involve annual fees.
Some local governments and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have breed-specific legislation (BSL) that restricts or bans breeds commonly used for protection work, like German Shepherds or Rottweilers. “Beware of Dog” signs can be a double-edged sword; while they serve as a warning, they can also be used in court as evidence that the owner knew their dog posed a risk.