Assuming you have a dog with the genetic background to do the work, protection training should begin around 8 weeks of age.
How long does it take to train a protection dog?
How long does it take to train a dog? Training a dog for reliable protection does not happen in a few weeks or even a few months. Once we purchase a dog, depending on the dog and the level of training, it takes months of training to become a reliable protector.
What age should I start training my German shepherd?
Because there are complex behaviors, your dog should probably be about 2 or 3 years of age before training is initiated. A protection dog is trained never to attack or protect when the owner is present and in control of the situation; that is, they have not indicated distress or provided a command to attack or protect.
At what age do dogs start protecting?
Adolescence in most dogs starts around 6 months of age and typically goes until around 2 years of age. If your dog is protective in any of the 3 ways mentioned above, you will start to see their puppy behavior change sometime between 6-12 months of age. They may growl or bark when they see someone from a distance .
What is a Level 1 protection dog?
For those who want their dog to be more than just a pet, K-9 Companions offers Level One protection training. This training includes alerting to certain cues and turning aggression on and off on command. Level One protection does not include any biting or attack training.
How do you tell if your dog is protective over you?
The most common way to test this is by placing the dog in an environment with different people or animals. If the dog starts stressing out or growling to everyone who comes close to the owners, it may be an over-protective dog.
How long do dog fear periods last?
Each fear period will last roughly 2-3 weeks. The first fear period occurs relatively early in a dog’s life, when puppies are between 8-11 weeks old. The second fear period, which also lasts roughly 2-3 weeks, will occur less predictably between the ages of 6-14 months.