bitework/protection people: an "OK" word?

[bitme]

Sounds like Voodoo acts more like a perimeter dog, ie, anyone that steps inside the perimeter gets charged. I do not know if he will bite or not but that is besides the point. Also a point to note is that you can not control him verbally. So 2 things come to mind as a potential solution,

1, Kennel him when expecting company
or
2, Teach him the place command or a firm OB position like a down. Someone knocks, you send him to his place or down him, then open door (then release Voodoo after greeting the visitor).

Needless to say #2 relies on verbal OB as long as the dog does not break the command before you verbally release him. Key is him NOT breaking the command before you release, gotta watch out for that like a hawk and act firm and quick. You can start by teaching him the down and over time add distraction and duration. Once you get him over 10 minutes in duration and over someone knocking and entering as distraction, you are home. Until then, kennel him.

[Kat09Tails]

I'm not saying your dog should let everyone in the yard. That's not what this is about.

You are setting yourself up for disaster by letting your dog decide who can and can't be in the yard. In addition to that you are setting family and friends up for a very serious bite or worse by not personally controlling access. What if they say the word wrong? or with the wrong inflection? or the wrong tone? Are you really prepared for the aftermath of such an issue should things go sideways?

Personally I like my friends and my dogs too much to risk any of their lives. Get a gate lock - confine your dog or get a really awesome home owner's insurance policy with umbrella coverage for negligent behavior because IMO that's what you're courting with.

[Gempress]

Kat, let me clarify. I don't trust my dog taking commands and cues from random people. I was meaning a way to teach Voodoo a specific command *I* use to let him know a visitor/visitors are allowed. For example, say someone knocks on the door. Voodoo barks and growls at it, and I tell him "friend" or whatever. Then he knows the person is welcome and will relax without me physically escorting the guest in.

Originally Posted by bitme

Sounds like Voodoo acts more like a perimeter dog, ie, anyone that steps inside the perimeter gets charged.

That sounds about like the right description. I didn't know there was a specific term for it, although I thought that surely some type of guardian/protection dogs are trained for that reaction when guarding property without a handler present. Voodoo doesn't react that way in public areas or even while staying at the boarding kennel. And honestly, I'm not sure if Voodoo will actually bite, either. He certainly acts as if he's serious, but I know that doesn't necessarily mean he'll really bite when it comes down to brass tacks. I still don't want to take any chances.

I'll work on both his recall and your stay idea. That would accomplish the purpose I'm looking for. Voodoo has a pretty solid stay, but I've never tried using it under those circumstances or for that length of time. I'll start doing it with people he knows first and go from there.

[Red Chrome]

My dogs are both trained that enough is it. It means knock it off...I got it.

Neither of my dogs will let a stranger or acquaintance walk in my door without rushing it and doing beautiful hold and barks on the "intruder". I just make sure my dogs are up when newbies come over or I am watching and answer the door. They do the same with friends and family...until they realize who they are...which is as soon as they realize it.

Nothing wrong IMO with a dog guarding it's house.

[sassafras]

Honestly I'm not sure I would be visiting a house very often where I got seriously rushed by the resident dogs until they recognized me. Either that, or I wouldn't step foot inside the house unless the owner actually came and answered the door.

[Red Chrome]

Originally Posted by sassafras

Honestly I'm not sure I would be visiting a house very often where I got seriously rushed by the resident dogs until they recognized me. Either that, or I wouldn't step foot inside the house unless the owner actually came and answered the door.

I am a single woman that takes care of my Grandma who is elderly...I want my dogs to be protective. Obviously my friends and family that walk in are comfortable enough to do so. My dogs are friendly and even do therapy visits. At home....it is their job to protect the house.

Plus....I don't like visitors anyway. If they don't like the dogs...then they can not come to my house!

[sassafras]

Originally Posted by Red Chrome

I am a single woman that takes care of my Grandma who is elderly...I want my dogs to be protective. Obviously my friends and family that walk in are comfortable enough to do so. My dogs are friendly and even do therapy visits. At home....it is their job to protect the house.

It's not a matter of not liking dogs. Obviously I like dogs. But there's a difference between a dog who is protective and barks or alerts when I am at the door or break into your house, and a dog who "beautifully holds" me when I am a guest who is supposedly welcome in and/or has been invited to your home.

Plus....I don't like visitors anyway. If they don't like the dogs...then they can not come to my house!

Well yea that was kind of my point. I probably wouldn't.

[Red Chrome]

Hence the reason.....not many people are allowed to walk in my door.

Its personal preference. As long as my dogs listen and stop when told and are social with guests...it doesn't matter to me. One word is all it takes to change the atmosphere.

[*blackrose]

Honestly I'm not sure I would be visiting a house very often where I got seriously rushed by the resident dogs until they recognized me. Either that, or I wouldn't step foot inside the house unless the owner actually came and answered the door.

Which is the reason the behavior is allowed to continue - they don't want random people wanting to come to their house. LOL We had a salesmen come up to our door when I was home alone...Chloe aggressed at the guy through the window when she saw him walk up and when I answered the door, I had her by the collar and she was still barking (less I'm going to eat you bark and more excited bark, but he didn't know that). I have to say, I found it very comforting. I like having a dog that will bark and carry on until they know to otherwise via a command/action/whatever. If I tell her to knock it off I want her to knock it off, but otherwise I prefer her to not be social to strangers right off the bat on our own turf. (She is very friendly with strangers in public.) She does recognize some people as "extended family" and treats them like us when they come over, but other than that she puts up a fuss until she knows to otherwise. If we think there will be a potential problem between her and whoever is expected to come over, we keep her in my room or on a leash.

[AdrianneIsabel]

If I expect guests I leave my dogs out usually to prepare for an introduction. I've found if I'm at the door and it's open as the walk up the drive it helps ease the situation as opposed to a door bell building them up.

I do encourage my dogs to bark and guard my house, car, and me when I feel it suits the environment.

I do require my dogs have an "enough" or settle type of command.

I don't like people to fear my dogs if they're friends who belong here and that is why I settle them and encourage friendly interactions in my house (this almost never happens in the car, this is a "sorry, don't bother" place).

It's preference and type of dog ownership.

I don't believe anyone should have a guard prone dog without strict control so an off command is essential.