How to Work Your Dog in Box Training

Box training, or as some people may call it, table topping, is almost a dying art. As I’ve said before, the work that we do at CC Protection Dogsis very special, we incorporate this method in all of our protection dogs. We feel this helps harden the grip and builds confidence with our young German Shepherd puppies and Belgian Malinois puppies to bite on elevation.

The concept is very simple; one would take an elevated table or box with two sides on it, with the front and back open and exposed. The dog is placed in the box with an over-head beam and a harness that is fastened to the dog, so that it does not slip off. It is important to use a very slippery surface; we use sheet metal. The decoy then approaches the dog from the front end. When done correctly, the dog has no choice but to use only his jaw power to bite. This is only effective if your Protection Dogs has already developed their bite work. This is very advanced work and should only be done with experienced trainers. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Do You Need A Protection Dog?

Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to look at some statistics. Let’s talk about the crime rates for the most populous U.S. state - California. Currently home to a little over 38 million people, California has a total annual crime rate of 1,173,036 of which 1,018,907 are property crimes and 154,129 are violent crimes. This makes the annual property offense rate for the state 26.58 per 1,000 residents. With statistics like these true for California, many other cities and states across the United States and possibly worldwide, fear of crime is soaring and it’s getting progressively hard to feel safe in our own houses.

Property offenses including burglary are despicable crimes. Sure having a thief rob you of a valuable possession is bad but perhaps the worse is the emotional shock of having your home violated. After all, it’s the one place in the world where you should be able to put your feet up, retreat from the stresses of the world and most importantly feel safe.

 So what do you do? If your home is your castle and your family is the most precious thing to you, you better protect them both if you don’t want to contribute to an escalation of the aforementioned crime statistics? And indeed, we all take the basic precautions. We make it as hard as possible for unwanted people to invade our property and harm us. Some of us even invest in a few fancy crime-busting gadgets such as surveillance cameras, infrared detectors and sturdy doors, windows and gates. The sad thing though is that, sometimes, even all these things put together fall short. And once someone gains access to your home despite the high security doors and hi-tech cameras, there is little these gadgets can do to protect you against your assailant(s). And police response times even if you manage to get a call out in time are not always the most reliable.

 In the light of these facts, protections dogs make the perfect sword by your side. For a start, a canine represents a big obstacle for anyone thinking of breaking into your property. Protections dogs are therefore very real and very visual deterrents but in contrast to cameras, alarm systems and infrared detectors, they are also trained and have the skill set and confidence to defend their charge against potential assailants.

 But that’s not all. Sure protection dogs are an excellent security choice. After all, the physical presence of a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, for example, will make a potential thief or criminal think twice before coming your way. They also have the physical capability to take on an attacker. However the canines also make wonderful companions and truly great additions to any family. For instance:

 

1. Your days as a lone wolf are over

 Protections dogs make the best companions so once a canine crosses the threshold of your home, you can say goodbye to loneliness. You will have a loyal friend and confidant through thick and think.

 

2. Canines are fun

If you’re getting a protection dog, you might also want to invest in a camera for you will have at least a dozen moments worth capturing everyday. Dogs are fun, quirky and incredibly entertaining companions. As a matter of fact, some studies even suggest that dog owners experience less stress. They find more joy in life and reduce their risk for heart diseases.

 

3. Everyday is an adventure

 With a canine companion, you kiss boredom goodbye for everyday is an adventure. You will also have the best pal should you want to go hiking, sailing or join a search and rescue team.

 

4. The key to social stardom

 Dogs love walks and when you take your dog out for some quality time in the open and his daily activities, inevitably, you meet other people doing the exact same thing paving the path for new friendships. For more information on protection dogs, visit http://www.ccprotectiondogs.com/

Training Protection Dogs to Defend

I have had many clients who have purchased a protection dog from me after having been the victim of a violent crime. These are some of the best deliveries because I know that their chances of having anything else happen will now be minimal. Plus, the victim will often say that getting a protection dog has made them feel safe again. It’s great to know that our dogs are helping some of our clients in ways that go beyond just providing security. While training, we often reenact situations and scenarios that are most likely to occur in reality. In fact, I listen closely to our clients who have been in violent situations and tailor the training around the crime with the addition, of course, of a protection dog. As you can image, adding the dog makes the outcome completely different! Sometimes I hear other trainers say that they never allow their dogs to “interpret a situation” and that their dogs will only become defensive on command, when you tell them to. I understand the motive behind this and agree to a point. It’s true, it is very important that the handler has complete control over a highly trained and possibly lethal Protection Dogs. However, I have found through the years and from my clients that, when put in extreme circumstances, sometimes it is okay to allow the dog to come to your defense without receiving a verbal command.

The key is to train the dog to understand not only verbal direction but physical cues as well. It can be done.One of my female clients who had been the victim of a vicious assault by a stranger spoke in detail about how the crime was committed against her. In training I keep what she said in mind. In her circumstances, a stranger struck her from behind, in the back of the head, in an effort to incapacitate her. Lying on the ground but still conscious, she described the state of shock she went into. She explained that she was not able to speak immediately after being hit. Fortunately, she escaped but even as she dialed 911 her speech was extremely slurred and she was confused as a result of the head trauma. This is a perfect example of when a protection dog needs to understand that his or her handler needs them to come to their defense. Although the victim would not have been able to give a verbal command, our dogs are trained to take physical cues from their handler. In this situation, the protection dog would have jumped into defensive mode and targeted the wrist of the hand holding the weapon. The dog would have continued to bite until the person left. This crime would most likely be prevented all together if the protection dog had been present since the dog is a visual deterrent alone. Another situation would involve someone breaking into your home as you sleep. The dog must protect you even as you are awakening and not able to fully comprehend the danger you are in. Given the dog’s superior sense of smell, an unknown person shouldn’t even make it a few feet past the front door. I know that this treads a fine line since, obviously, you don’t want your protection dog to defend you when, say, someone bumps your shoulder. So we at CC Protection Dogs focus on the difference and train our dogs to come to your defense when your body language demonstrates exceptional fear. Also, without a doubt, your protection dog will always respond to verbal commands indicating that you are not in danger. So it really is to your advantage to have a protection dog that is able to interpret if their handler has or will be assaulted. With a properly trained dog, this ability doesn’t mean a loss in control or that you aren’t in charge. It just means that your dog is prepared to come to your defense when you need them most. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondog.com

Children and Dogs

Children and dogs have a fantastic connection with each other.One of the most prominent differences between canine and wolves is that while wolves shun humans,dogs embrace them.This relationship is especially emphasized when one observes how dogs behave around childern.

 Children are high energy, excitable and have a high-pitched, non- threatening voice. These qualities remind dogs of when they themselves where puppies, having fun in the whelping box with their littermates. Thus, dogs rarely see children as threatening. The feeling the dog has is much like how most humans feel when they see a baby.

Dogs have such a strong desire to bond with children that they will not hesitate in situations where they otherwise would. For instance, dogs are naturally leery of new surfaces and may hesitate at first to step on asphalt or sand. However, if a child is in a sandbox the puppy will step onto the sand without delay because the puppy’s desire to bond outweighs the risk of experiencing an unknown surface.

This relationship is highlighted every time we have a new litter. Our German Shepherd puppies, Dutch Shepherd puppies and most recent litter of Belgian Malinois puppies start to socialize with children very soon after birth. The 

puppies love the interaction and are happy and exhausted once the children leave. These same feelings continue into adulthood and are part of the reason that protection dogs are excellent for families with children or for specific child protection work. In addition, since dogs do not view children as threats, you never have to worry about your personal protection dog becoming defensive if your children are roughhousing or playing together.

We have zero tolerance for aggression toward children; none of the dogs we sell would ever feel defensive toward a child. Actually, their instinct to guard a child is higher than for an adult. This is why Personal Protection Dogs are an excellent choice

when considering security options for your family. 

CC Protection Dogs offers a popular child protection program. The second best thing to a mother’s protection, our dogs will safeguard your child in all situations. In the few instances where your child may be alone or you may be distracted, the child protection dog will be alert to any danger. If a predator or unknown person should attempt to touch or accost your child or children, the dog is trained to get in between them and bark in a threatening manner. In addition to other commands, our dogs are trained to assist in child rescue if there is ever a need.

Considering the security that trained dogs can and are eager to provide, it’s no wonder that dogs are called “man’s best friend”. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Guard Dogs Explained

One of our recent clients is the owner of a small computer shop in a very nice part of California. She called me after having her shop broken into after hours, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars of equipment as well as a broken back door. Her alarm system did not deter the person or persons who broke in. We were happy to help and after determining her needs and evaluating her situation we delivered a balanced, strong nerved guard dog.

A few weeks ago I posted a blog called “Guard Dogs: Defined”. The flood of calls and emails I received surprised me! Obviously, there is a void in the amount of information available on this topic. I’m happy about such a positive response and would like to address some of thequestions in case anyone else is wondering about the same thing. Businesses, especially businesses with valuable inventory, use guard dogs as an alarm system.

 It would take a very stupid burglar to break into your business after hearing the serious bark of a guard dog on the other side of the door. Their most likely response is to skip your business all together and move on to a locality that presents less obstacles (such as a huge, snarling, barking and possibly hungry German shepherd who has been awoken from a sound sleep). They are also used to protect outdoor assets, such as in a fenced construction site. AsI have said before, beyond training and genetics, balance is part of what sets a guard dog apart from an elite personal protection dog. Guard dogs lack the social

skills and perfect manners that a protection dog is genetically equipped and trained to have. They are highly territorial and trained to protect their (really your) space. Protection dogs specifically protect YOU and your family though part of this includes eliminating threats in your environment. For instance, if someone were to break into your house as you slept, the dog would prevent the opportunity to harm you. My client who owned the computer shop was under the impression that a personal protection dog was the best choice for her. However, she didn’t personally feel threatened, it was her business she was worried about. There is a large price difference between a guard and personal protection dog. While Protection Dogs run between $35K to $85K and above, a guard dog only costs about $3,500-$8,500. I did not want my client to incur the extra expensive so after explaining the difference she happily took delivery of a Guard dog. In fact, she said her dog cost less than the security alarm system she had installed! It is possible to rent a guard dog though for most home and business owners this is a much costlier way to go. It does provide a good solution if you have a short-term situation but if you want to protect your business for an extended length of time,buying is definitely the way to go. Most businesses have worked the numbers and are increasingly purchasing dogs rather then subcontracting with a security company. Additionally, rented guard dogs always come with a patrol officer. This really drives up the cost. Whenever I’m consulting with a client I’m always upfront about the rental alternative. We do not rent dogs, they are only available for purchase at CC Protection Dogs, but I want our clients to know every option. Another consideration is the environment that the dog will be guarding. It is important that much thought is put into potential dangers for the dog itself. Automotive shops, for example, need to ensure that anti-freeze or other chemicals aren’t lying in the open. If the dog will live outdoors, a doghouse needs to be stationed to protect and keep the dog warm. Guard dogs are known for their toughness but have needs like any other dog.  We specialize in training elite personal protection dogs. However, given the state of the economy and rising crime, we are increasingly asked to provide guard dogs. We put a lot of effort into training or locating Guard Dogs that have balance. After all, our clients are paying for dogs that are obedient and present less liability. Otherwise, they would just pick up an aggressive dog from the local pound. So know the difference and assess your needs. We ask A LOT of questions in order to determine what is the best fit for you and your Family. To read more go to, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Trained Young Protection Dogs

Yes they are cute! But the German Shepherd Puppies that are bred to be Personal Protection Dogs are genetically special. They were bred with a specific purpose, with decades of proven bloodlines behind them, products of selective breeding. Nothing is left to chance. No detail can be

forgotten. Not when it comes to the defense of you and your family.

What does CC Protection Dogs look for? Only the top 1% of German shepherds will even qualify when vetted as puppies for the Elite Protection Dogs or Executive Protection Dogs programs. All the working drives must be in place: prey drive, defense drive, hunting drive. The puppies are highly confident with a strong nerve and great temperament. They can function within a pack.

Even as puppies it is clear the environment does not dictate who they are. They are intelligent enough to make decisions in every scenario but have the control to listen to their pack leader (that would be you).

So with years of training, a German shepherd puppy will become a highly trained Dog. To leard more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Executive Protection Dogs

At Command Control Protection Dogs our training programs differ a way that creates more than one type of Protection Dog. For instance, those who are interested in purchasing a protector there is the choice of an executive Protection Dogs or an Elite Family Esate Protection Dogs. In addition, we also have a program that develops a pure guard dog. There is a large misconception that guard dogs and personal protection dogs are one in the same however, they have quite different responsibilities. 

Just like with any purchase from a breeder, my fellow trainers and I make sure to take everything into account when choosing a dog. While inspecting any litter we always make sure that the pup comes from a strong bloodline with incredible genetics. The dog’s temperament is then another major factor that we take into consideration. All temperaments are first inherited and then influenced by the dog’s environment and training. When deciding to pick a pup that will potentially place into one of our programs we look to see if their temperament is naturally friendly, calm, and adaptable or a bit more aggressive. Some traits of a German Shepherd or Belgian Malnois’ disposition will make them more suitable to one day become a guard dog for sale.

If you are interested in purchasing a guard dog rather than a Personal protection Dogs you must understand that guard dogs are trained to act on their own. Meaning that they can maintain and carry out their given duties without the owner’s presence. A guard dog is trained to be given a designated area that will become theirs to protect. They will most definitely attack and demobilize anyone who trespasses through their home ground, and can do this without the command of their owner. Due to this inherently and trained aggressive nature, guard dogs usually do not make good family pets. They are conditioned to become protectors of property not people, leaving their social skills to be untrustworthy. I strongly advise anyone looking for a protector to understand the vast differences. To learn more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Choosing the Right Dog House For Your Dog

Many of us may take shelter for granted. We live in well-built homes that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer. Our homes have electricity, insulation and running water. While many dogs are naturally able to withstand harsh weather with durable double coats, this does not mean that they do not require shelter. While a dog house may not be able to provide electricity or running water, it still needs to keep your dog warm and dry.

One of the most important aspects of choosing a house for your canine is size. A dog house needs to be large enough for your dog to comfortably turn around inside of, but small enough that your dog’s natural body heat will collect inside the dog house to keep it warm. Most working breeds, such as the German Shepherd, or Belgian Malinois are between 22′′ to 26′′ at the whithers. A dog of this size would require a sleeping area of approximately 22′′x38′′ with a ceiling height of about 30′′. Many animal welfare organizations offer published documents outlining specific measurements for the ideal dog house for different sizes of dog. 

Other important factors to consider are proper insulation for climates with harsh winters, and a soft bedding material such as straw. It is recommended that the dog house be slightly elevated by bricks or cinder blocks to prevent the floor from absorbing moisture from the ground. A canvas flap can also be used to further protect the house from harsh weather. For more information visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Training Your Dog

Today I took one of our German Sepherd Protection Dog, Nicco, for a bike training session. Typically we take the dogs to a suburban area, like a sub division or calm neighborhood. Especially if we are training the animal to become a Personal Protection Dog , because that environment is likely where they will experience bike riding with their future owners. To begin the exercise, I picked a starting point and left the bike standing up. I then went to get Nicco and walked with him over to the bike, where I gave him a command to sit as I got on. Once I am on the bike and start to pedal, I tell Nicco to “heel”. This command lets him know to stay along my side the entire time while I am moving. As I continue riding through the street, I occasionally remind him to remain beside me by using this command. We kept a steady pace, but I would also speed up or slow down to make sure he was staying focused.

Nicco, is a young trained German Shepherd and is one of the most stunning dogs we’ve had here at CCPD. Physically, he is quite large with a big sturdy head and incredibly powerful bone density. His protection abilities are unbelievable, he attacks fast and hard with a strong bone-crushing grip. As we were going through the bike exercise, I realized just how much confidence Nicco has for such a young dog. The streets of a suburb can be calm at times, but also may present many distractions. However, Nicco stayed attentive and focused on me, refusing to let anything distract him.

Imported from an all-working line in the Czech Republic, Nicco possesses incredible traits that place him among the very top of his breed. His genetics, personality, and extraordinary aptitude made him a great choice to mate with one of our females, Ombra. These two are now expecting alitter of German Shepherd puppies this spring. We believe their litter will have very large puppies with beautiful pigmentation, black and reds and possibly some bi-colors, similar to their mother. In addition, the puppies will likely have large heads and strong bones like their father. We are hopeful that all of the puppies from this litter will be suitable for executive Protection dogs or Family protection Dogs. To read more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

A Guide To Canine Communication & Body Language

Dogs are able to communicate with each other irrespective of breed and their country of origin. For example, a collie from Wales will have no problem conversing with a poodle from France. Did you ever wonder how that’s possible? The answer is simple: Dogs are equipped with this universal canine body language that scientists and researchers have been studying for years.  When dogs communicate, they do so, primarily, to reduce or resolve conflict. The rich visual language they use, therefore, is predominantly aimed at communicating their intentions to one another.

But here is the thing: Dogs do the same with us humans. We just don’t know what to make of the signals they send our way because we don’t understand canine language. Sure we all know that when a dog starts growling, that’s not a good sign but canine language encompasses so much more than growls, barks and snaps. Dogs also do all sorts of things with their eyes, mouth, ears and tail. They also do the whole body shake-off and the downward dog looking stretch among other things. Understanding what a dog is trying to convey can go a long way in improving how dog owners communicate with their canine companions.

So let’s dig into the basics of canine body language. Hopefully this will help you become a better listener to your dog and a better communicator as well. If you understand what your flurry companion is trying to tell you, you will be able to reduce any stress or anxiety in their lives and help their seamless integration into your family.

Some things your dog may be telling you

1. “I’m relaxed”

When a dog is relaxed and reasonably content, it has a natural body posture and looks neither bigger nor smaller than its actual physique. The ears are up, head high and mouth slightly open with the tongue exposed. The tail is down and may move from side to side or in a circular motion.

2. “I’m alert”

 When a canine detects something of interest or is threatened by something unknown, it stands upright, looking intense and focused. The ears are up and slanted forward, eyes wide, mouth closed and the overall body posture shows a slight forward lean, as the animal stands tall on all fours. The tail rises to a horizontal position.

3. “I’m offensively aggressive”

A dog that’s angry and confident enough to be on the attack shows his social dominance by looking large and aggressive. The ears are angled forward, the nose is wrinkled, the lips are curled, the teeth are visible and the animal exhibits an overall stiff-legged stance leaning slightly forward. The tail is raised beyond the horizontal and bristled.

4. “I’m defensively aggressive”

 In contrast, a dog that’s feeling defensively aggressive will adopt a combination of fearful and offensive body language. Typically, the dog will lower his stance, the ears are pulled back, the lips are slightly curled but teeth are barely visible and the tail is tucked. The animal is frightened but will attack if pressed. The hackles are raised.

5. “I’m distressed”

A dog that’s distressed does its best to look small. Typical signs of this state include a lowered and hunched body posture, ears that are pulled back, rapid panting, exaggerated yawning, sweating through the foot pads and a tucked tail with little or no movement.

6. “I’m beat”

A dog in complete submission conveys the message that he accepts his lower status by groveling.  It will do so by rolling onto its back, head turned to avoid direct eye contact. The tail is tucked, ears flat and back and the eyes partly closed.

7. “I’m playful”

Last but not least, anyone who owns a dog will know the typical signs of playfulness. Ears up, tail up, mouth open with the tongue exposed, front end lowered by bent forepaws and body movements that are bouncy and jerky. That’s a clear invitation to play!

For more details on our training and dogs, visit www.ccprotectiondogs.com

Protection Dog Training

Today, myself and one other trainer took two of our German Shepherds into town to train for some real life situations. They are currently enrolled in the Elite Protection Dogs custom training program. While in town today we primarily focused on walking, this may seem like quite a simple task but it’s a crucial part of protection. In many situations like a neighborhood setting it is imperative that our dogs learn how to remain focused at all times. There are countless distractions that occur every moment, like the noises from the street, people passing by or even other animals. We use our specific training methods to teach the dogs how to acknowledge these factors but to always keep their direct attention to your needs.

One simple exercise that we use is simply walking down a relatively busy street. We will pick a starting point and then begin walking with the dogs like any owner would. The streets we use here in Buffalo are somewhat residential and are likely similar to those in For Florida, or even California. During the exercise if we come to an intersection where it’s required to stop before crossing, our dogs know not to continue without us. In addition, they learn to walk right beside us the entire time without the use of a leash. As the exercise continues we will choose a store and use a voice control to tell the dog to sit and stay. The dog remains exactly where you leave them, while you go into the store, understanding that you will soon return. After returning to your dog another voice commands signals them that it is time to continue walking and they willingly do so. This entire exercise is a great way to expose the Personal Protection Dogs to real life situations, teaching them how to remain focused and ready to protect you at all times. To leard more visit, www.ccprotectiondogs.com

A Guide To Keeping Your Dog Healthy

There is something extremely rewarding about owning a protection dog. It’s like having fun companion and a sword by your side at all times, an addition to your family with the right confidence and skill set to defend you and your home against potential assailants and threats. But owning a dog comes with significant responsibilities. Dogs have complex needs and to keep your canine protector healthy, you need to be acquainted with some important things associated with veterinary care.

1. Vaccination

Dogs, like us human beings, are susceptible to certain infectious diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. The most common infectious diseases include Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper and Canine Parainfluenza. If you adopt a puppy, you need to make sure your dog receives the right injections and subsequent booster vaccinations at the right times.

2. Socialization

For proper behavioral development, a puppy needs to learn how to respond to different stimuli. This is called socialization. Depending on the age of the dog you adopt, socialization may play an important role in ‘shaping’ the behavior of your canine companion as it matures.  To be effective, socialization must start early, at about 3 weeks of age and last roughly 9 weeks.

3. Training

The next step: Training. For a dog to integrate seamlessly into a family, it needs adequate and expert training. In addition to learning how to obey basic commands, a combination of communication, direction and correction training can enhance how dog owners communicate with their canine companions with no behavioral mishaps.

4. Feeding

The nutritional requirements of dogs do not stay constant. Like in humans, the requirements change over time as the canines grow from puppies into adult dogs and then from adult dogs into senior dogs. To meet the nutritional requirements of your canine, only buy premium-quality food from a reputable manufacturer. The key is to makes sure your dog enjoys a well-balanced diet. In general, dry food is more convenient for dog owners to handle and it is also better for the dog’s teeth. Puppies up to 12 weeks old need 4 meals a day. For adult dogs, get advice from a veterinarian about food quantity and feeding frequency to avoid obesity. Always make sure your dog has fresh water. Keep food and water dishes hygienic and clean.

5. Bedding/housing

 Every dog needs a warm and clean place to rest.  A training crate is ideal or you can purchase a dog bed. The important thing is to provide your canine companion with a clean pillow and blanket. Wash the bedding periodically to keep it hygienic and clean. If your dog stays outdoor, make sure it has access to shade when it’s hot and a dry, clean and covered place when it’s cold or rainy.

6. Exercise

Dogs, in particular breeds like the German Shepherd and BelgianMalinois are very active, have a great deal of energy and truly like to work. They need a lot of exercise and regular activity for physical and mental wellbeing including jogging, Frisbee and training sessions. When left alone for too long, boredom can lead to anxiety which the canine will express in ways you probably won’t enjoy like barking, digging and chewing. Exercise also plays a role in maintaining the muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness of your dog and fight obesity and the associated health problems.

7. A quick checklist

Last but not least, every dog needs the following items:

-          Dog treats

-          Toys including a few safe chew toys

-          Accessories for grooming including a nail trimmer and a flea comb

-          A collar with appropriate tags

-          A leash

-          Blankets, towels and pillows

-          A dog toothbrush

For details, please check our website at http://ccprotectiondogs.com/