How to train a dog to protect me from harm is a question that many dog owners get asked by their dog. It is a valid question and dog training tips are out there to help. My dog is my family, so I feel responsible for him. He serves as my protection, and he has a natural instinct to do this.
I have three pit bulls and a Rottweiler. They are my four legged kids. They are strong, aggressive animals, and they love to protect me. I would not be able to live without them for a long time. I trained my dogs to do many things, and some of the most important are:
* They can recognize when their owner is injured or hurt. They quickly look for their owner and will rush to help. They know when there is danger and will run to stop the injury. This helps my dogs bond with people. It also keeps them away from potentially harmful situations.
* Teaching them simple commands such as “sit”, “down”, and “stay”. These dog training tricks help my dog to learn how to behave around other people. If he barks or tries to touch an injured person, he knows I will stop it. We teach them to be gentle with kids and canines, but dog training tricks like these teach them to be strong and independent.
* Providing a safe play environment. My dog loves to play in the yard. It is where he spends most of his free time. He likes to run and play, and sniff, dig, and have fun with his toys. I am trying to instill this same love of playfulness into my dog’s life so he protects me too, especially when he sees another dog approaching.
* Providing him with a safe play area. My dog likes to jump, retrieve, and run alongside me while I run or walk by. He does not need to go through another dog unless he is ready to. If he encounters another dog, I will distract him with a toy or treat. He should only see an unfamiliar face if he is reacting appropriately. If he is hurt, I try to minimize the scene and encourage him to go outside.
* Providing him with a dog house. A dog house is critical to the health and happiness of your dog. Dogs must be able to live outdoors just like us humans. The house your dog stays in should be secure. It should be built in a way that will discourage intruders. I use dog training tricks like the sit command with this.
* Crate training is crucial to your dog’s mental and physical development. Crates help puppies stay more focused and less restless when they sleep. They give them an organized place to live and eat when they are not running around. They also help with behavior modification and anxiety relief. Puppies who are raised in crates get over the fear of being left alone in certain situations. Crate training also teaches them about being a member of a family.
* Crate training may seem harsh to some dog owners. However, I try to approach crate training as a positive experience for the dog and myself. I like to compliment the puppy and take him out for a walk. I see the positive reaction from him and the crate helps him associate going outside with playing and having fun.
* Crate training is best started when you are still very young. You want to potty train when you still have control of your bladder and bowels. This way, you do not put any pressure on the dog. Once you have the dog house down, start using the dog training tricks like the lie down, stay, and down. These are easy to do, yet it takes time and patience.
* When you are away from home, it is important to keep your dog in a safe place. Dogs do not like being left alone in the dark or going out in bad weather. To keep your dog safe, cover up his favorite spot with a dog crate or bed. He will not feel like he is unprotected and it will make him more comfortable. You should always feed him dinner while he is in his crate to keep him happy.
* Make sure that you let him out on a regular basis to exercise and run around. When he stays inside all day, he will get bored. He needs to have something to do and exercise at the same time. You can also leave him at home to do his business. If he stays indoors all day, he may become depressed and develop separation anxiety if you leave him alone.
