Protection Dogs Plus, Author at Protection Dogs Plus

We’re Back from Buying Dogs for Protection Training

Protection Dogs Plus on February 18, 2013

We’re fresh off a trip to Europe, but this was no vacation. In six days, we drove over 1,300 miles to 6 countries to test over 100 dogs. Of those dogs, we decided to take only a small handful into our protection dog training program. That’s a lower acceptance rate than Columbia and Harvard! It’s not that there’s any shortage of nice German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois in Europe, it’s just that the best personal protection dogs need to be well-rounded in everything- health, temperament and protection. We don’t train police dogs or military dogs, so it’s not enough for a dog to bite a sleeve or turn on aggressively. They need to be friendly and obedient, and they need to accept even a five year old as their master. Finding a dog with one or two exceptional qualities is easy, but finding one with all of them takes legwork.

We want to raise the best dogs for personal protection possible, so we’re highly selective about which dogs to bring back. At the same time, we realize that any dog we pick will be given months of our intensive training before going to a home. Great dogs aren’t born, they’re made, and we know how to make them great. To do this though, we need to start with a certain amount of raw talent. What are some of the things we’re looking for? We check for things like making sure they won’t back down from an aggressor, that they have tenacity, and that they are accepting of children and other dogs. Because our program is very physically demanding, we make sure that all of our dogs are healthy and in prime physical condition.

In Europe, we also seek and select dogs that fit client requests. If you’re interested in a different dog than our current protection dogs for sale, we can keep you in mind for our next trip. Contact us today to let us know what your needs are.

The Perfect Fit for Apartment Life

Protection Dogs Plus on February 7, 2013

You might not think that a protection K9 would be a good fit for life in an apartment or condo. These buildings can be on the smaller side, after all, and most complexes are heavily trafficked by people and other dogs. Some landlords seem like they’re just waiting for a chance to hand their tenants a leash violation. So are you asking for trouble by bringing a dog into your rental for security? If your building allows dogs and your companion has the right training, absolutely not! The size of your home, apartment, or condo isn’t important because your protection dog will be selected and adjusted to fit your lifestyle.

While clients in the countryside often request that their dogs alert them whenever someone is at the door, this would cause many false alarms in a building with narrow corridors and thin walls. In this environment, custom trained personal protection dogs will easily top guard dogs that don’t have the same advanced training or control. Your dog will only bark on command. When you’re in common areas you won’t have to worry about unpredictable behavior around other tenants, their children or their dogs. When you’re in your room, you can feel prepared for a forced entry situation, and you’ll be able to enjoy the loving company of the most hassle-free apartment dog possible.

During the matching process, we’ll find a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois that will not just fulfill your protection needs, but match your energy level as well. There is a misconception that a working line dog will be hectic and high energy in a smaller space, but our dogs offer energy on demand. Even though they are fast and powerful in dangerous situations, they move with grace and care around the apartment.

Each of our dogs are trained thoroughly in off-leash obedience, so you won’t be pulled down the stairs and your neighbors will see that you have a friendly dog with perfect manners. The usefulness of off-leash exercises extends to your own living spaces, too. The “place” command will keep your dog exactly where you want him or her, which is great when you’re cleaning up or when you have company coming over. Your dog will stay off the furniture and away from unattended food. Our training is designed to put your mind at ease, from worry-free daily life to knowing that you’re secure at home.

Do you want to find out how our training can be personalized for your apartment or condo? Send us a message to tell us what your needs are.

Military Working Dogs Still Classified as “Equipment”

Protection Dogs Plus on February 1, 2013

By Dan Moore

Whether you own a protection dog, other working dog or just a pet dog, you can probably get behind the three tenets of the Canine Members of the Armed Service Act (H.R. 4103). The first part of the act would authorize the secretary of the appropriate military department to transport retiring military working dogs to the 341st Training Squadron or place them for adoption. Historically, military working dogs have been abandoned, given away or euthanized. The second part of the act would task the Secretary of Defense with providing a veterinary care system for retired military working dogs once the dogs are adopted. The final provision holds that military working dogs would be classified as members of the armed forces instead of “equipment,” and decorated/recognized for being killed in action or performing extraordinary acts in service of the country.

The act passed the House of Representatives and Senate, but it was appended to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2013, which was signed into law at the end of 2012. Unfortunately, the entire resolution wasn’t left intact. The good news is that military working dogs will not be abandoned or given away overseas. Instead they will be transported back to the United States once their service is over, and veterinary care will be provided. The bad news is that these canine heroes will still not be classified as members of the armed forces, and instead will be considered “equipment” or “surplus equipment.”

Protection dog owners can tell you that their companions are more than guard dogs or security systems- they’re a member of the family. Handlers in the military will take comfort in knowing that their comrades will be cared for and not left behind after duty, but it seems wrong to ask so much of these dogs without considering them a part of the armed forces. There is a growing movement to remedy this issue, and we’ll be on the lookout for any developments with military working dogs, since we consider them close cousins to the dogs we train for family security.

Video Update: Advanced Protection Dog Exercises with Curtis

Protection Dogs Plus on January 28, 2013

If you saw our original video of Curtis performing in different training exercises, be sure to watch the updated version we posted today. The video now features an additional two minutes of Curtis handling multiple attackers, guarding objects and more. We couldn’t be happier with how Curtis has progressed, and if you want to take your dog’s training to the next level, read about our puppy and adult protection dog training programs.

Kidnappings Threaten Travelers to Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and More

Protection Dogs Plus on January 23, 2013

Rex is quick to handle carjacking and kidnapping scenarios in his protection work. (Video)

Kidnapping is a major part of our protection dog training curriculum, but we don’t just teach our dogs to be the best protection for kids and adults in their homes. This type of crime is a real concern for travelers and executives, and we train our dogs to perform at any moment and in any environment.

Central and South America are closely associated with kidnappings, and according to Castle Rock International, the places you are most likely to be kidnapped in are Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Philippines, Nigeria, the Chechnya Region of Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Haiti.

Kidnappings for ransom or extortion are more common than you might think. Some insurance companies offer policies to international travelers that will reimburse holders for costs associated with a kidnapping, from ransoms to mercenary teams.

At Protection Dogs Plus, we have our own idea of insurance against kidnappings.

Criminals take advantage of tourists and travelers who are already out of their element, and danger could lurk around the next corner or stoplight. A criminal’s opportunity presents itself in ways you might never expect. For instance, while some modern cars will automatically lock their doors when moving, many will automatically unlock them again in park, and other cars have no automatic lock feature at all. This inconsistency means that if you’re driving an unfamiliar rental car in a strange place, you aren’t likely to always remember to lock the doors.

When we’re training for carjacking scenarios, we’re also training our protection dogs for kidnapping situations like the one that befell Eduardo Garcia Valseca near San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico:

“A truck crashed into the back of their Jeep, pinning them. Masked bandits armed with pistols and hammers smashed the windows of their car and dragged them to the ground.”

One of our training exercises is to have a decoy attempt to pull the handler out through a door or window. Our protection dogs will rush to the door or window the assailant is accessing to fend them off. In many situations, just turning your dog on aggressively will deter a kidnapper from trying to gain access to the vehicle, and this protection continues when you leave the car and your dog stays by your side.

Kidnappers don’t always work alone. Our Guardian and Guardian Plus protection dogs are versed in handling situations like this one, from Nassau, Bahamas:

“As we all lay face down on the ground, we were being robbed by one man after the other tied up our tour guide. There was a lot of scuffling and a flurry of activity.”

The multiple attacker exercise allows you to decide whether to send your dog after the threat closest to you first, or the threat that poses the biggest danger at the moment (e.g. an armed threat).

As crime increases in popular destinations like Puerto Rico, we urge travelers not to take their safety for granted. Stay vigilant!

Glossary of More Advanced Protection + Obedience Exercises

Protection Dogs Plus on January 15, 2013

Guardians like Asterix can do a lot more than smile for the camera.

By Dan Moore

Our sole purpose is to pair families with trained protection dogs that will keep them safe. We do this by taking our training to the extreme, whether it’s fully immersing the dogs in various home and public environments or teaching them the most advanced protection commands possible. In conjunction with our training levels chart, this glossary will help you understand some of the exercises our dogs are capable of.

Heel: Your protection dog stays virtually glued to your leg as you walk, giving you his or her full attention and sitting whenever you stop. Your dog will resume walking when you do.

Relaxed Heel: Similar to the heel command, your dog will stay by your side until released. The difference here is that the dog walks in a more casual way within a three foot radius of your body. This becomes a constant part of our clients’ routines- from walking down a busy sidewalk to taking dogs out to the bathroom.

Down in Motion: Even if your dog is moving at full speed, you can give the word and your dog will drop to a sit or down position.

Place: With this command you have the power to designate a place for your dog to sit or lie down on command. This is a great command to use if you’re having company over and want your dog to keep a low profile.

Food/Toy Refusal: Your dog will wait for your command before taking food or toys.

Turn On Aggressively: In a situation where you need your protection dog to fend off an attacker, you can give the command to “turn on.” Your dog will enter a state of heightened alertness while baring his or her teeth, growling and barking and monitoring the situation. Your dog will await your command and will only actually pursue an attacker if you give the order.

Turn Off: When the situation is defused and you want your protection dog to return to its normal gentle self, you can give your dog the command to “turn off.” Your dog will not show any aggression again until you request it.

Target Parts of Body: We train our protection dogs to go after more than a sleeve or suit, and to be able to leverage their power and fight with technique. If you give your dog the command to attack, he or she will target whichever part of the body will neutralize the threat quickly.

Overcome Obstacles: Our protection dog training takes obstacles into account. From climbing walls, hills, rocks and furniture to jumping out of and into cars and windows, we prepare our dogs to size up a situation and find the best path forward, all while maintaining a tight focus on the threat and any additional commands given by the handler. Exposing our dogs to a variety of obstacles and environments minimizes distraction and improves their response time.

Fighting Skills: Guard dogs and protection dogs may be most known for barking and biting, but our approach is more holistic: we teach our dogs to use their entire body as a tool to fight against a threat. By using a muzzle to remove the option of biting, our dogs learn to tenaciously wrestle, scratch and claw until the handler turns them off.

Turn of Passive Threat: Your dog will turn on aggressively against even a passive threat on your command. A common mistake in protection dog training is to only prepare a dog to go after someone moving in a threatening way. The problem here is that the dog is only conditioned for a very specific set of circumstances. Someone can threaten you without any sudden or imposing movements. Our training is designed so that you can ask your dog to show aggression and deter the threat before they even have a chance to escalate to physicality.

360° Secure: Your dog will turn on aggressively against an attacker (showing teeth, barking and growling) while staying glued to your body in a tight circle, protecting you from attack in any direction. The dog will only bite if you give an additional command, or if the threat attempts to touch you or intrude into this protective barrier.

Guarded Escape: Once you have given your dog the command for 360° Secure, you can walk away from the situation. Your dog will remain in a heightened state of alert until you’re safe and give the command to turn off.

Stealth Mode: Under this command, your dog will be covertly primed for action and waiting intently for an additional command. If you have a gut feeling that you’re in a potentially dangerous situation but do not want to escalate things by turning your dog on aggressively, you can simply put your dog in this standby command.

Multiple Attackers: In the event that there are multiple threats to your safety, you can send your protection dog on a specific person. Your dog will make eye contact with you and follow the signal you give. You can recall your dog at any time, and you can have your dog switch to a different threat mid-bite. By using your judgment and selecting the most prominent threat at any given time, you are given the most control possible in a dangerous situation.

You can see these exercises in action by watching our videos, and be sure to contact us for any additional information.

TX, NY, IL and AZ Have Cities with Most Burglaries (Yahoo)

Protection Dogs Plus on January 8, 2013

Yahoo! Finance has compiled an interesting list of the American cities with the most burglaries. Since burglaries are one of the main reasons that people guard their homes with protection dogs, we thought it was worth discussing here. Protection Dogs Plus began in Texas, so we’ll start off with the Lone Star State’s crime stats:

Dallas is the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, an area which had a gross metropolitan product of $374 billion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Of the 61,859 property offenses committed there in 2011, 18,727 were burglaries….the population of San Antonio had grown to 1.3 million, an increase of 16 percent since 2000. This increase is part of the overall population explosion that has been going on in Texas in the new millennium. This growing city experienced 80,868 property offenses in 2011, of which 15,334 were burglaries.

San Antonio seems to be doing a great job of bringing in new residents but not a great job of keeping out crime. Let’s head a couple hundred miles east and see how Houston is doing:

Houston…saw 108,336 property offenses in 2011, of which 68,596 were categorized as “larceny-theft” and 12,281 were motor vehicle thefts…27,459 were burglaries, which puts the city at the top of the list. So if you live there, lock your doors when you go out at night.

Locking your doors is never a bad idea, but let’s remember that criminals are no strangers to breaking and entering. There are a variety of ways to bypass door and window locks: cutting or breaking glass, lock picking, brute force and so on. Wouldn’t it be better if we could stop the bad guys while before they’ve even broken in? We think so—that’s why we train our protection dogs to block off doors and windows and show aggression toward would-be intruders. Our dogs have the bite to back up their bark, but most criminals in their right mind would be deterred from escalating things at that point.

When it comes to sheer number of crimes, this next city surpasses San Antonio, Houston and Dallas:

Chicago…saw a whopping 118,239 property offenses in 2011, of which 26,420 were burglaries.

Let’s also remember to keep things in proportion: the article states that Detroit saw 15,994 burglaries in 2011. That’s around 10,000 fewer than Chicago, but consider that the population of Chicago is almost 4 times greater.

Indianapolis: Among the 46,967 property offenses reported in 2011, 15,122 were burglaries. There were also 26,588 offenses categorized as “larceny-theft” and 5,257 motor vehicle thefts.…In 2011, Columbus (Ohio) experienced 49,043 property offenses, 15,169 of which were burglaries.

One reason that guard dogs are so sought after in places like Texas is that neighbors are often miles apart and there are no friendly eyes to keep watch over properties. But the statistics from larger cities like Chicago and Indianapolis speak to the fact that neighbors are by no means guaranteed protection. You have to question if neighbors would intervene or even notice a property crime in progress. In 2011, Los Angeles, California saw 17,264 burglaries and New York City saw 18,159.

Since we’re located in New Hampshire on the Massachusetts border, we have a great opportunity to prepare our dogs for a variety of settings. When we sell a protection dog, it doesn’t matter if they’re going to Washington, D.C. or Sugarland, Texas, because our dogs have done protection work in both the woods of New Hampshire and the alleys of cities like Boston, Newburyport and Salem. We test our dogs’ off-leash obedience in crowds and with distractions such as cars and bikes. Some of our dogs are specifically selected for their mellow, low energy personalities- perfect for life in an apartment or small house.

If you’d like to take a look at the rest of the list, visit

Should You Raise a Puppy for Protection or Buy a Fully Trained Protection Dog?

Protection Dogs Plus on December 19, 2012

Raising your own protection dog is possible, but it’s also very difficult. It takes the combination of a dog with the drives needed for protection work and an owner with a lot of time- and more importantly, knowledge- to raise a dog that can one day offer functional protection.

We want to be very clear about two things:

We don’t recommend that people try to raise a protection dog on their own.
We understand why someone would want to raise their own protection dog and we’re here to help those who do.

Having said that, we can start talking about the deciding factors between raising a protection puppy and buying a trained protection dog.

Why might a person try raising their own protection puppy?

Nothing is more exciting for a family than bringing home a new puppy. The bond between dogs and their families is remarkable, and we have all seen dogs act protectively toward their owners. But we want to again dispel the notion that the instincts of an untrained dog are enough to be a security system. As we uncovered in our first post, people who were expecting their pet dogs to protect them were surprised to find that their dogs barely resisted a simulated home invasion.

Another reason that a person might attempt to raise their own protection dog is cost. The price tag of a properly imported and trained protection dog can be a surprise to those not familiar with the process. Consider that we visit European countries to hand select our dogs. We purchase them, ship them to the U.S., and bring them up to date on all of their vaccines. And that’s just the start. Next comes daily care, feeding and training by multiple trainers in dozens of scenarios to ensure our dogs ready to become your family’s perfect home defender and companion.

What are the pitfalls associated with raising your own protection puppy?

With puppies, there are no guarantees. The only exception is that you can guarantee that housebreaking, chewed furniture, clothing and electronics will all present a formidable headache.

Will the puppy you bring home be healthy? Will your new dog have the natural makeup needed for personal protection? Unless you really know what to look for or have had expert guidances, chances are it won’t. That’s because most dogs don’t have the drive and tenacity needed for this kind of work. It takes years of experience to be able to recognize puppies with potential as protection dogs. We don’t want you to end up with puppy that doesn’t fit your needs. If you’re considering buying a puppy for personal protection, contact us so that we can help you make the best decision.

If you’re lucky enough to find a puppy suitable for protection, we congratulate you on completing the first part of a complex journey! Remember though, great dogs are made, not born. Raising a puppy for protection is a completely different process than raising a pet. This undertaking is far more difficult because every single experience that you give your new dog will influence his or her ability to move forward with protection training. If you don’t handle your puppy in exactly the right way, you could stymie their progress without even knowing it. Many people trying to raise a protection puppy for the first time are left with a dog they feel attached to but that they can’t count on as a protector.

Let’s say you beat the odds and find and raise a puppy that can complete protection exercises. Can you be sure that your dog will only bite when you say so, and be loving to your friends and family the rest of the time? The socialization process needs to be treated with the same care as things like bite foundations. 99% of the time, a protection dog needs to be loving and tolerant toward people, children and other animals. Improperly socialized dogs will develop fear and aggression issues. If there is any question in your mind about this, please leave protection training to professionals. Dog bites are just too much of a liability to make this type of training an amateur hobby.

What are the advantages of buying a fully trained adult protection dog?

You want a dog that will keep your home safe while you’re away and lovingly greet you when you come home from your job. Making that a reality is our job. When you buy a protection dog from us, you’re getting a great dog without the guesswork. You already know that the dog is healthy and fully capable of being an obedient member of your family. You know that your dog can excel in a protection situation, and you know that you never have to worry about the dog with your kids. Buying one of our trained protection dogs will save you frustration and expense. We show you exactly what you’re getting and we back it up with our guarantee.

Just how does an adult dog become part of your family?

We hear time and time again from clients that they cannot believe how quickly their new protection dog bonded with their family. In the first day of delivery, you’ll see your dog begin to learn your tones and feel comfortable in your home. Within days, our trainers are able to give control to even the youngest members of the household. The dog quickly adapts to the routine of the home environment and the preferences of its new owners. If you have purchased or adopted adult dogs in the past, this might seem very foreign to you. But remember that these are fully trained dogs that have lived in the homes of professional dog trainers, ’and it’s not luck that makes them a good fit for homes. After meticulously selecting each of our dogs, we pair you with the one that will match your lifestyle and spend weeks on end making sure they are ready for delivery.

If the option of buying a fully trained protection dog sounds like the best fit for your family, click here to see our German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for sale. Remember that we import and train other breeds by request.

I understand the risks and I’m still interested in raising a puppy for protection.

We want to help. Contact us so that we can minimize your risk and maximize your chances of raising a strong protection dog. Click here to learn more about our protection dog training programs for puppies.

Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherds?

Protection Dogs Plus on December 4, 2012

Khaled’s daughter plays with Kazou.

By Dan Moore

Although we primarily offer German Shepherd protection dogs for sale, we also import additional breeds upon request and offer our protection training program to other breeds of dogs. One of the other breeds that we offer is the Belgian Malinois. Khaled’s personal dog Eteo happens to be a Belgian Malinois, and he consistently amazes us with his boldness and power. One day he’ll be jumping over a brook to get at an attacker, the next day he’s diving out of a car window to foil a carjacking. Clearly, Belgian Malinois are one of the best protection dog breeds out there. So why do we focus more on training German Shepherds for protection?

The answer has less to do with protection and more to do with a family’s lifestyle. Even when they’re resting, you can put your hand against a Belgian Malinois and feel their muscles rippling in anticipation of any activity you could throw at them. For some lifestyles, this is a major plus. If you like to run or spend a lot of time outdoors, you’ll be thrilled with how well a Belgian Malinois can match your energy. With a generally leaner frame and less hair than their German counterparts, our Belgian Malinois will often execute a command before you’ve even finished saying it.

Many people may find a Belgian Malinois’ energy level to be a bit much. That’s why we select and train German Shepherds that have all of the right protection qualities and a more mellow day-to-day personality.

Meet Kazou

Kazou was raised at home by Khaled from the time she was 4 months old. Outside of protection situations, she is a calm presence and is just as happy to follow you around the house or keep watch from her bed. Kazou is an exceptionally well-rounded dog: she has grown up with protection superstars like Eteo, Hicks and Hans, and with Khaled’s 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter.

For these reasons, we consider Kazou to be a perfect middle ground between German Shepherd protection dogs and your typical Belgian Malinois. As we continue to hand select future recruits, we hope to offer more Belgian Malinois for sale with Kazou’s abilities.

The good news for anyone considering a Belgian Malinois for protection is that as of the time of this post (December 4th, 2012), Kazou is available for sale.

Age, Breed and Sex: What Makes for the Best Personal Protection Dog?

Protection Dogs Plus on November 22, 2012

When it comes to keeping yourself, your home, and your family safe, you want to find the best protection dog for your lifestyle. This is a big investment, and you’ll find no shortage of protection dogs for sale. So how do you know which dog is right for you?

We’re often asked, “Can’t any dog be trained for protection?” or, “Why do you pick German Shepherds? Why not a _________ instead?” There are plenty of dogs that may be capable of protection training, and plenty of opinions on what the best breed of dog for protection is. Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are all popular breeds of dogs with strong potential in bite work. At the end of the day, there is a higher number of German Shepherds that have been bred to possess the traits needed for true personal protection. That means that when we travel to Europe to purchase new dogs for protection training we are able to maximize our sample size. This is necessary because out of every 100 or so dog we thoroughly evaluate, only a few will be able to excel in every area: health, temperament, drive and appearance.

Our breeders in Europe are sometimes frustrated by our selectivity. Most of their customers are police and military operations that can purchase an intense dog without great social skills. These dogs won’t be living with families, so as long as they’re healthy and powerful they fit the bill. We need our dogs to perform even better in action and have the right makeup to be left with children and pets.

Keep this in mind when you’re trying to choose a personal protection dog: this is a personal choice and it’s about much more than just protection. Maybe you’d prefer a more agile dog like Kazou to a bigger dog like Aspen. Much like the old adage, “the best camera is the one you have with you,” the best protection dog is the one that’s at your side and keeping you safe when danger presents itself. If you’re not comfortable walking around with a 90+ pound dog, we’ll find and train a smaller dog that can still dominate in a protection scenario.

Which is best for protection: a male or female dog?

Again, this is a completely personal choice. Kazou, for instance, is one of the most impressive dogs we’ve worked with regardless of breed or sex. There is, however, more male dogs capable of protection available than females. If you’re interested in buying a female, contact us and we’ll help you select and train one.

Why buy an adult dog and not a puppy?

We offer puppy protection training and we’re always willing to help a client select and raise a puppy for protection, but we advise the majority of people to select a fully or partially trained adult dog. Buying a puppy for protection is a bit like having a baby because you need someone to fix your car. For one thing, it’s a huge gamble: there’s a very good chance that he or she will never have the inclination or ability to do the job. Now you’re back at square one. On top of that, a puppy won’t be ready to protect you yet and you’ll have to wait until adulthood to utilize your investment. With an adult dog, you know what his or her personality is like from day one, and you can clearly see whether or not the dog is up to the task of protection.

Many people worry that they will not bond the same way with an adult as they would with a puppy, but this is not true! All of our personal protection dogs are loving and have stellar personalities. They bond with their new families in a matter of days, and our clients tell us again and again that their dog is a “perfect match.”