friendly guard dog

[Smokeycat]

I don't think that there is a problem with having a friendly guard dog depending on the situation. As long as you (owner) aren't trying to force your dog to be friendly and all you are looking for is more of an alarm system than a take down. Kryten seems to be a soft tempered EM. When out in public he loves to get pet by strangers of all ages at home there are only certain individuals that he runs to the fence so they can pet him. He does watch the yard and if my behavior changes out in public he will retreat and stay at my side until I have relaxed. He is just under 1 year right now so his personality may still be changing but I call him a friendly guard dog right now.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

If she's asking about boerboels in general thats fine, but she phrased the question as if to ask of all breeds.....and the thread she's referencing was dfinetly about all breeds.

That was my interpretation as well.

I do wish that people would specifiy what they mean by "guarding?" There's is a difference between a "watch" and "guard"

 

[ruthcatrin]

As long as you (owner) aren't trying to force your dog to be friendly......

THATS the important thing. And THATS where the problem comes in. The original thread being referenced the OP was talking about forcing dogs to change their temperments to become public people friendly, that they SHOULD be people friendly, and that anything other than people friendly meant aggression. THATS what the problem was, and why we all had a problem with him.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

THATS the important thing. And THATS where the problem comes in. The original thread being referenced the OP was talking about forcing dogs to change their temperments to become public people friendly, that they SHOULD be people friendly, and that anything other than people friendly meant aggression. THATS what the problem was, and why we all had a problem with him.

What is that all

 

[ruthcatrin]

What is that all

Well ok, it was one of the reasons lol

 

[kristen b.]

I didnt read the entire thread he previous person posted. i could relate to what they were trying to say though. I understand all breeds are different but in the extensive research i have been doing a lot of people look down upon "friendly" guard dogs. I use the term friendly loosly. For me personally i want a well rounded dog able to be social to a point but also able to tear the hand off anybody who comes after me or my daughter in a threatenng manner.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

Also i dont believe you should force a dog to be social some breeds just can do it and shouldnt. I got the general jist of what he was trying to say though we dont need robotic kill systems when does highly trained hinder instead of help.

 

[kristen b.]

Also i dont believe you should force a dog to be social some breeds just can do it and shouldnt. I got the general jist of what he was trying to say though we dont need robotic kill systems when does highly trained hinder instead of help.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I didnt read the entire thread he previous person posted. i could relate to what they were trying to say though. I understand all breeds are different but in the extensive research i have been doing a lot of people look down upon "friendly" guard dogs. I use the term friendly loosly. For me personally i want a well rounded dog able to be social to a point but also able to tear the hand off anybody who comes after me or my daughter in a threatenng manner.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

Also i dont believe you should force a dog to be social some breeds just can do it and shouldnt. I got the general jist of what he was trying to say though we dont need robotic kill systems when does highly trained hinder instead of help.

Friendly is not the same as being tolerant. IMO its if "friendly" its not much of a guard dog.

 

[kristen b.]

I dont meen to cause confusion. I just had some thoughts floating around in my head. To each his own on what they want from their dog

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I dont meen to cause confusion. I just had some thoughts floating around in my head. To each his own on what they want from their dog

No worries! Just a clarification if that's what you were trying to say.

 

[DennasMom]

Mike's descriptions of the BB sound amazing!

But... not what we were after. We go camping and tailgate and want a dog we can take with us that won't be concerned about lots of strangers wandering in and out of the RV... and so far, our EM is all that. She may not be entering her guardian mode yet, but so far, at 10 months old, she doesn't even bark at the door-bell (which is a first for us). Strangers still mean fun and treats... we've done a lot of socialization and reinforcement of that, but we also chose the EM over other large breeds and mastiffs because what we read suggested they were 'gentle giants' (and couch potatoes). Our vision was also supported when we went to the breeder's place, walked into the back yard and were greeted by two happy-to-see-you slobber faces (the parents) who welcomed strangers into the house.

I totally get that with the harder tempered breeds (and/or specific dogs in particular), you cannot train or socialize-out their genetics. If genetics have programmed in "none but family shall pass"... no amount of clicks or treats are going to convince a strong-willed dog otherwise.

Thank you for all the great info on this thread - this forum is amazing!!

My stab at a definition of guard -vs- watch:
- Watch means bark if you see something until the trusted human comes to take care of it.
- Guard means take all action necessary to keep the home and family secure.

Did I get close?

 

[ruthcatrin]

I dont meen to cause confusion. I just had some thoughts floating around in my head. To each his own on what they want from their dog

I think the problem is that you're mixing your terms. Like both I and DD said "tolerant" means that the dog puts up with it and allows it, not that he enjoys it or looks for it. "friendly" is usually taken as the dog not only enjoys it, but also looks for it. Does that clarify?

Some bitework trained guard dogs are friendly when not on duty, usually the GSDs and occasionally Malinois. The guardian breeds (The medium to harder tempered mastiff breeds for example), aren't generally friendly because there IS no 'off duty'. With socialization and training we teach them to be tolerant.

 

[Smokeycat]

THATS the important thing. And THATS where the problem comes in. The original thread being referenced the OP was talking about forcing dogs to change their temperments to become public people friendly, that they SHOULD be people friendly, and that anything other than people friendly meant aggression. THATS what the problem was, and why we all had a problem with him.

I had problems with the original thread as well. I just wanted to say if it is inherent in the dog that you shouldn't try to force them not to be friendly either. I don't know if I said it right or not.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I had problems with the original thread as well. I just wanted to say if it is inherent in the dog that you shouldn't try to force them not to be friendly either. I don't know if I said it right or not.

I think you did, I was trying to use what you said as an example, sorry.

 

[Kujo]

just curious...what "category" of "guard dog" does the DDB fall under? from what I've read the DDB is more of a "watch dog" not so much a "guard dog", meaning he will watch and alert me to intruders, but not so aggressive; or that DDB's are guard dogs simply because their size and features are enough of a deterrent to intruders. Just curious about the experiences of other DDB owners...I'm curious if as Kujo matures will he become more protective of me and not so friendly to everyone, right now he thinks everyone and their mom is his friend!

---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------

and sorry for interrupting the flow of this thread...sometimes I can't help myself...

 

[Kujo]

and sorry for interrupting the flow of this thread...sometimes I can't help myself...

 

[grazefull1]

just curious...what "category" of "guard dog" does the DDB fall under? from what I've read the DDB is more of a "watch dog" not so much a "guard dog", meaning he will watch and alert me to intruders, but not so aggressive; or that DDB's are guard dogs simply because their size and features are enough of a deterrent to intruders. Just curious about the experiences of other DDB owners...I'm curious if as Kujo matures will he become more protective of me and not so friendly to everyone, right now he thinks everyone and their mom is his friend!

i would like to add i was told if i over socilicising my dogs, they will never be guard dogs n they become useless n if they r fix there less of proctective drivien is this true?s

 

[DMikeM]

Deannasmom, Jade would not tolerate or allow traffic flow in and out of our camp if that's what you mean. So yes she tolerates people in public, but I don't think she would be considered a overtly friendly dog. She also does not alow people to reach over the fence of our yard she charges and makes snapping sounds with her teeth. So is that a Tolerant Guard dog or a Watch Dog?

 

[ruthcatrin]

i would like to add i was told if i over socilize my dog they will never be guard dogs n they become useless n if they r fix there less of proctective drivien is this true?

I can't help Kujo, but if your dog has a drive to protect and guard then there is no such thing as 'over socialization' and neutering will not affect that drive.

Mike, I'd personally consider a well socialized Boerboel to be a tolerant guard dog. To me, a 'watch dog' watches and alerts. A guard dog, watches, AND protects by taking action, alert may happen but the dog expects to take care of it themself.

 

[grazefull1]

I can't help Kujo, but if your dog has a drive to protect and guard then there is no such thing as 'over socialization' and neutering will not affect that drive.

Mike, I'd personally consider a well socialized Boerboel to be a tolerant guard dog. To me, a 'watch dog' watches and alerts. A guard dog, watches, AND protects by taking action, alert may happen but the dog expects to take care of it themself.

so i guess its may have to do with genes more r less either a dog has r it dont but it there middle?