Anyone here purchased a Personal Protection Dog?

[RedxHandedxJill]

RedxHandedxJill,
He's adorabulicious!!!!!!

Thank-you! I'm rather partial to him myself. He went to the barn with me today and he's now curled up on top of my feet as asleep as asleep can be. It takes a lot of energy to run the course from the outside of the arena

[Chief2]

I can speak from the perspective of someone who owned a PPD. Ours was a tri-color/blue merle collie that was being retired from guard duty at an Air Force Base during the Vietnam war. The handler's son practiced the drums, so the dog kept running away from home during practice time, and ending up at our house. My father had been a dog handler for the Air Force during WWII, one thing led to another,and we ended up with the dog after he was retired from duty. Which was highly unusual, because most often they were retired and immediately shot. He was an incredible dog.

I was 6 years old, he was told to take care of me, and did it 24/7. Walked me to school and walked circles around me in the school yard so no one could get near me until it was time to go in the building. He would wait until he saw me walk up the inside staircase, and then trot home. At 3 pm he was waiting at the corner for me and walked me home. Played with me, slept with me, slept outside of my door if it was closed, or would run down the hallway and headbutt it if it was closed before I went to sleep until someone called him off. No one could ever strike or spank me if I had been naughty, because he would stand square and growl if they moved towards me in a threatening way, then shoot off the floor and grab their arm while growling before they could ever connect with me. Would not let the electric meter reader man on the property because he carried a meter reader, which the dog perceived as a weapon. Would go ballistic at the guy, and chase him off the property. Once the man was off the property, the dog could be called off. Yet he played football with the neighbor kids, went sledding with us (careening down the hill solo while sitting on my sled), frisbee, candlepin bowling, etc. Any sport involving a ball, and the dog could be counted on to join in the fun. When it came to playing with the neighborhood kids in our yard, he was just one of the gang, and never, ever threatened or hurt a child. Best damned dog we ever owned. Dog of a lifetime.

I also worked on a farm property owned by a prominent psychiatrist with a family who owned a PPD GSD--German lines. Another fabulous dog. However, I would counsel anyone working on the farm in the winter to NOT wear a black knit cap. I was cold, knew it could be an issue but put my handmade cap on anyway, and was very glad I was behind an electric fence once I did. Took off the cap, and the dog calmed right back down. Once I came out of the area sans cap, he was back to being his congenial self. I felt safe when he was around. Don't know the price, but the kids in the family had the same relationship with the dog that I had had with ours as a child.

If you are going to go with a GSD, I would suggest going with one out of German working lines. The conformation is better suited for longevity, and they have not been as intensively inbred as many of the AKC lines have been. I have to say, I boarded at a place with an AKC GSD trained Schutzhund, and while the training was good, it was not up to the level of the PP dogs. Nice dog though, with a good bark, a sound companion on the trails and for a person working alone at the barn, and a good warning system to the uninvited coming to the farm. I think she would have worked okay in a sticky situation, but with a good PPD you don't have to just think they will work, you know they will. If you've got the money to sink into this and want this level of protection, then I would research breeds and trainers very, very carefully, and then make a good choice based on your family's needs. Then keep working the dog with basic commands on a regular basis. You want them to work well for you when you need them to. That's what our family did with ours. We didn't need to do a yearly professional tune-up, but that is a good idea.

ETA: There are military dog adoption groups that adopt out retiring military dogs. You probably won't get a strictly PP-trained dog, but many are dual purpose trained, and the training is good. Most of them are coming out of war deployments, are high energy and may have a few issues that need to be resolved with peace and quiet for a while at home. They are pricey for the average person looking for a well-trained dog, but cheap in comparison to a well-trained PP dog sold here in the states. If the dog can be flown from overseas into a air base near to your home, that drastically reduces the cost. Don't know if it is for you, but it might be something for someone to look into. Here is one of the group links: http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/
There is a telephone number there that you can call to see if there are any near your area that are up for adoption, as well. Lackland AFB in Texas is an adoption center, but there are others across the country, as well. If you decide to go this route with any of these groups, you are looking for a dog that has been trained for Patrol. Additional training is a bonus.

[kasjordan]

I can speak from the perspective of someone who owned a PPD. Ours was a tri-color/blue merle collie that was being retired from guard duty at an Air Force Base during the Vietnam war. The handler's son practiced the drums, so the dog kept running away from home during practice time, and ending up at our house. My father had been a dog handler for the Air Force during WWII, one thing led to another,and we ended up with the dog after he was retired from duty. Which was highly unusual, because most often they were retired and immediately shot. He was an incredible dog.

I was 6 years old, he was told to take care of me, and did it 24/7. Walked me to school and walked circles around me in the school yard so no one could get near me until it was time to go in the building. He would wait until he saw me walk up the inside staircase, and then trot home. At 3 pm he was waiting at the corner for me and walked me home. Played with me, slept with me, slept outside of my door if it was closed, or would run down the hallway and headbutt it if it was closed before I went to sleep until someone called him off. No one could ever strike or spank me if I had been naughty, because he would stand square and growl if they moved towards me in a threatening way, then shoot off the floor and grab their arm while growling before they could ever connect with me. Would not let the electric meter reader man on the property because he carried a meter reader, which the dog perceived as a weapon. Would go ballistic at the guy, and chase him off the property. Once the man was off the property, the dog could be called off. Yet he played football with the neighbor kids, went sledding with us (careening down the hill solo while sitting on my sled), frisbee, candlepin bowling, etc. Any sport involving a ball, and the dog could be counted on to join in the fun. When it came to playing with the neighborhood kids in our yard, he was just one of the gang, and never, ever threatened or hurt a child. Best damned dog we ever owned. Dog of a lifetime.

When I was growing up my mom raised collies. They are exactly like the dog you described growing up with. They ADORE kids, would die for kids, never want to leave their kids sides...... My dad chased after my brother to whoop his hiney and my mom's sable female came around one side and the big black tri male came around the other and both grabbed an arm lol. I still think they're the best family dog ever but I went with a GSD for one that's a bit nervier and more of a visual deterrant. People who see "Lassie" are more prone to come onto your property than people who see a big,black GSD (or Dobie or Rottie). I really think that how they look makes about 80% of the would-be-whatevers/intruders etc pick a different place to cause trouble.

[RacetrackReject]

Personally, I'm pretty impressed that your farrier is a dog

Oh crap. He HAS the dog from Contraband..lol. I will learn to proofread one of these days.

[LavenderFarm]

Agree with what kasjordan said that the breed of dog is 80% of the deterrent.

I've had dobies for ages. The breed has a "rep" tho my dogs have had good temperaments.

My upstairs home office window overlooks the parking area at my home. On more than one occasion "strangers" have driven up, gotten out of vehicle, heard big Dobie bark, gotten back in vehicle and honked the horn to get my attention - never saw the dog.

Those who do see the dog at door quickly back off. (When a stranger, I grab dog's collar as if I must restrain dog from imminent attack on stranger.)

IME, dobes are naturally protective and I've never had one and would never have one with "protection" training. One of the dobes would allow stranger in house that I invited in, but would not allow stranger to move a muscle once in house. Found this out when a woman came to door looking for someone, I volunteered to get phone book to look up, left her in kitchen with dobe, dobe wouldn't let her move from where I left woman. (She did the same thing with my Dad one time ... he was not a dog person.)

Breeds that are "guard" breeds (and often those who are not such known breeds) naturally sense when the owner is comfortable or not and act accordingly with a stranger. I cannot imagine the liability possibilities of a trained PPD. To each his own tho.

[crosscreeksh]

As I wrote earlier, the GSD/PP trained that we had for 12.5 years was one of the best dogs I've even owned...but unless the OP is in a very high risk situation, I think a PP dog is overkill. A WELL trained, obedient dog, with a protective nature, a powerful "presence" and a big bark will do a good job deterring and/or protecting in most situations. Although we never had a single issue with our dog Argo, I said when we first got him it was like owning a 357 magnum with a hair trigger and no directions!! You often wonder if the dog is "absolutely" under control in every situation. Owning a PP trained dog is a very serious responsibility. In these days of sue happy people, one wrong move can have costly results. I did a LOT of research and visited dog training centers before we decided on a dog. Watching "real" police dogs work will give you goose bumps!! They are awesome!! I still love and cherish the memories of our PP dog!!

[Whitfield Farm Hanoverians]

Chief2, those dogs sound awsome. I've heard lots of those stories. Much more good ones than bad ones.

[outside__line]

I looked into PPDs since my husband is a military officer and frequently away from home, and we do not always get to choose where our 'home' will be.

For a variety of reasons, that's not the route we chose to pursue. 2 years ago, purely as a pet, we purchased a very well bred Airedale Terrier puppy. She is now around 50 pounds of absolutely solid muscle, and the most intelligently protective dog I've ever met. She knows where the property line is and she knows when you've crossed it. She understands the difference between guests and strangers, and has learned to bark (ferociously!) at a hand signal. As far as we can tell, she is fearless. I feel pretty safe with her as a deterrent and alarm system. (I have an older black lab who is even larger, and maybe scary to look at, but scared of her own shadow.)

I often find myself wondering why Airedales are not still used for military and police work - they practically train themselves. I would think that our dog is just an exceptional individual but as we meet more Airedale fans, we hear so many stories like ours. I'm glad we chose to go with a dog who was likely to be protective, but is first and foremost a beloved pet. (Our breeder did an exceptional job learning what we were looking for and matching us with the perfect puppy.)

Reading this thread with great interest - good luck with whatever you decide to do, OP!

[Chief2]

^^^This, too.

I agree, I don't know why the military doesn't use them, either. A friend of ours down the street raised Airedales for show. Nice muscular dogs, beefy bark and very protective. The female was protective, the male made you stop in your tracks and ask, every. single. time. I initially had to be introduced to my friend's dogs, and then never had to be introduced again. Good memory, very tolerant of me as a child.

Our electric meter reader had the misfortune of having both of our houses on his route. Couldn't get onto our property; got roundly chased out of their house for stupidity. I mean, who in their right mind tests the screen door to see if it is unlocked without announcing themselves, crosses the threshold, walks into the house, opens the basement door and goes down the stairs to read the meter, only to find two on guard Airedales ready to launch? Which they did. The telltale evidence was an explosion of meter reading cards in a big circle in front of their house, with a little trail of them leading down the street. I didn't have to ask what happened. I knew. How dumb can you be? Jeez, at 8 years old I knew enough not to open that screen door and knocked on it, instead. And he'd been around for years! He knew they had Airedales. Their house went on the blackboard at the town-owned electric company as as a Do Not Enter House, too. Ohhh, well.


ETA: The reason my friend had Airedales? Her father was an IRS agent and wanted family-friendly protection put into the house. In our case, my father was in the middle of an 18 year stretch as a chemical researcher in weaponry for the government and had done some inventing for them which placed our family on A1 classification, which meant we could only leave the country to go to Canada for family visits. The government fear involved kidnapping. Mission definitely accomplished in both households. I never heard how the adult neighbors felt about the dogs, but the kids were all fine with it.

[alisonspencer70]

Insurance issues for Personal Protection Dogs

As an individual homeowner, I would never consider taking on the liability and expense of a fully trained PPD or "attack"/"guard" dog. I'm fine with my 45lb shepherd mix who is a complete sweetheart but has been "street-tested" to find that she will defend me if anyone makes an aggressive move. However, some of my clients are getting these dogs and having a heck of a time finding insurance coverage--most homeowners insurance carriers have exclusions against either the most common "guard" breeds, against dogs trained specifically for protection, or both. Anyone have suggestions on insurers that are open to formally protection-trained dogs?

[pezk]

I know very few ins cos that will insure any dog of any breed. Ours does not insure any dog. It's an exclusion. Right along with trampolines and other attractive nuisances.

[Bicoastal]

Thread from May 2012

[Sabino]

I know very few ins cos that will insure any dog of any breed. Ours does not insure any dog. It's an exclusion. Right along with trampolines and other attractive nuisances.

While I realize this thread is really old, I just have to say that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Just about every person I know that owns a home and has homeowners insurance has at least 1 dog. I personally have 2 (Chesapeakes, who aren't really known as the friendliest of dogs) and have State Farm homeowner's insurance.

[Where'sMyWhite]

And of those homeowners, how many have checked with their carrier to confirm that if their dog bites someone that they are still covered???

[Sabino]

That's why we have an umbrella policy on top of the regular policy. Not just to cover if my dog bit someone, but if someone gets hurt on my property.

We have a sand volleyball court and have tournaments and I do make everyone sign a liability waiver, and it covers any accidents/injuries on my property.

[pezk]

Not all of us are eligible for State Farm. They won't insure everyone.
I was told my my ins agent that you better read the fine print on an umbrella. People think they are insuring for everything but it ain't so. He said one of the sneakest things he has seen is an umbrella that will not cover teenage drivers. But unless you really read the fine print people would never know.
Also that liability waiver, just like with horses, is almost meaningless.

[SAcres]

The cost of owning and insuring one of these dogs is very high. Depending on the personality of the dog it might mean no one at the house or locking the dog up every time someone visits. It means constant supervision in the yard and beware of dog signs hung up on your property lines. Dogs like this are expensive and become dangerous in the wrong hands. If you arent fully committed to joining a club and training daily, I would recommend against getting a dog like this.

I have an Akita mix that has a command to bark, and a command to grab (and release). He isn't considered a PPD as he has nowhere near the level of training. He is an intimidating dog. I've never had a stranger ask to pet him (he's friendly) and people regularly cross the street when they see him and me walking. He's a quiet dog, rarely barks at strangers, so I think it's his size and intensity that scares people. A dog like this might be a better fit for you if you don't have the time to commit to a PPD.

[JanM]

Remember that juveniles can't sign a binding liability waiver. It must also be the custodial parent from what I've been told. I've been standing near a pony ride where grandparents, friends of the parent or others were signing waivers, and that made them worthless.

[JanM]

If you have a protective dog, check with your insurance agent, or other expert, on the local ordinances about posting No Trespassing or Beware of Dog signs. The laws vary according to location.

[Ready To Riot]

I didn't read all the other posts, so forgive me if I repeat what others have said.

I train personal protection dogs and police dogs.

They are expensive as all get out!! The cheapest one we have right now is at $25k.
Aside from the price, they are difficult to deal with. They must be in constant work or they start becoming destructive or violent to their handlers. Every day you must make them work.

You must be knowledgeable and responsible. I'm young have trained my own dogs to attack. Mostly just because I could, but that means I have young friends. They know what my dogs are capable of and every time they come over and start drinking, they always ask me to show them. I will never do that! There is a reason that they are trained in a differently language, and I whole heartedly believe it's so that outsiders can't tell the dog to do something they shouldn't do! Just like accidents involving guns, accidents involving PPD happen and are deadly.
Not saying you're irresponsible, but just making sure it's noted.

Most times, PPD don't get along with other dogs. Or cats. Or horses. Or anything! Many have to live as only dogs. I have no idea why, it's just what I've seen. But we also have families whose PPD hangs out with their Yorkie.

I think my last point comes to, be prepared for your PPD to die in the line of duty. If the time comes that your dog must do its job and it's facing someone with a gun, they will kill your dog. That being said, it will give you enough time to get to safety or to a gun yourself. PPD are not pets. They are not family. You can't look at them that way.

With all that being said, go rescue and rehab a dog. I have a German Shepard husky mix that I rescued from a terrible situation. He was going to be euthanized, but I was able to pull some strings and got him out of the shelter. He was... Terrible. Many times I thought I'd made a mistake and was in over my head. Until someone broke into my home with me there. Despite what I had though, my Zeus knew I had saved him and was hell bent on saving me. He was able to tear this armed person apart and have him in the fetal position until the police arrived. At that time, Zeus could barely walk on a leash. He had no PPD training, but was willing to risk his life to save me. He now has much more training and even walked around Rolex two years ago and didn't bat an eye at anyone. I trained him to be a PPD just because I could, but honestly, there was no need for me to. He knew I was his person. His person who saved him and he would save me.

Very long post and I'm sorry, but all this comes down to, rescue dogs are the best. Find a rescue dog in your area who has had a rough life, give it all your love. If you aren't well versed in dog training, seek a trainer ( not pets mart!!!!) and you will have a dog who will protect you when and if the time comes!

I too am a girl who lives alone. I have 6 revues dogs and I don't bother locking my doors. I'm afraid of nothing with them around.