I didn't know this about guard dogs

[frogface69]

I have been away for a few days and my neighbours have looked after my cat at their house. They have a breakers yard and after lots of thefts bought 4 dogs, 2 German shepherds and 2 dobermans. They were already trained, with verbal and signs commands. To threaten, surround or attack. Lovely dogs, loved and cared for.
Went to fetch my cat and they were having a top up training session. Amazing ! In an hour they know not to eat from anyone who doesn't know the click command. I know it now because I look after them sometimes, but it will keep them safe.
Cats are wiley, but these dogs are so clever. Is it to do with the breed ?

Some breeds are a lot more trainable than others but no this is what a very well trained dog is like

Some dogs are more trainable than others (read, less stubborn or more motivated) but most well-trained dogs will do plenty of things on command.

Your neighbours are obviously great owners who have put a lot of time and effort into their dogs, which is good to see! I see far too many unruly dogs out and about who were presumably never trained as puppies and are now massive, excitable fully-grown dogs whose owners can't keep under control.

Our breeder started training ours before he came home. At five months he knows sit, lie-down, leave and stay, and will recall fairly reliably if you use a high-value treat. Don't get me wrong, he still jumps and nips and chews the sofa, but overall he's really good and he's had lots of compliments on his temperament and behaviour from other dog owners. We're first time owners and he's a beagle so not the easiest to train but we've put a lot of work in to him. He gets training sessions about 5-6 times a day (5-10 minutes long max), goes to classes once a week and daycare three days a week. He has twice-daily walks and is fed out of toys or games to keep him occupied.

He's far from perfect but I think most dogs can be trained if the owners are willing to put the time and effort in to classes and regular training sessions at home.

It just seemed so quick, and easy. All four watched, listened and learned all together. It was remarkable to see. The dobermans are sort of sharper, more agile and the other two seem to follow their lead. I have known some horrid, nippy terriers come to think of it, but maybe they are not so so biddable. It was so interesting to watch.

Terriers are incredibly intelligent but can be very stubborn

I'm a sucker for those programmes on television about police and/or sniffer dogs - only reality tv programmes I like - watching those highly trained dogs do what they're trained to do is fascinating.

And the interaction between dogs and handlers is a joy to see; always lovely to see the dog get to play with his/her ball as their reward for good work just like my little dog gets her ball when she does a good recall :)

I watch those programmes as well ! Today I saw it in action, the training. So clever. They wanted to please this trainer so much, it was heartwarming. All for a treat they get anyway just for giving me the soft brown eyed look ! My DB was kennel boy for the hunt. Beagles.. those lovely dogs😦😦 my dog was a rescue, a gentle soul. I will get another when he or she finds me.

Just to add when the dogs arrived, they didn't have names. They each just had a unique signal and my neighbour said what shall I call them ? Me, being daft said oh.. just Google Wagner and opera and there will be loads of Germanic names there, just to suit. I am 😀😀😁never thought I would be taken seriously. Well, they only did. Cue lots of giggles and snorting at the vets when the dog is called HILDEGARD Jones 😆you can imagine the rest ! To be fair, they are just called my lovelies at home...but 😂😂😂

Some dogs learn incredibly quickly. Depends what the incentive is and of course the dog themselves. My boy would take food off anyone that offered I know for a fact no training would persuade him otherwise. Which is why he is a giant ball of fluff on my sofa and not protecting my property!

“It just seemed so quick, and easy.”

Training can be, with an adult dog that’s used to being trained - breed does make a difference in terms of how easily motivated they are and how quickly they’ll pick something new up.

My dog does scentwork classes. They usually start with clove scented things, then the second scent introduced is gun oil. Last night our instructor told us that for the past two weeks she’d actually used dual clove and gun oil scents, then yesterday the whole class searched for one clove and one pure gun oil scent - and they all found them, without any of the handlers knowing. They just worked it out from knowing that their job was to find the familiar scent. So. Flipping. Clever. (This was 4 or 5 dogs, different breeds and ages.)

Some sorts of training work with a dog's natural instincts. Anyone seen the sheep show man's dog and duck show? (If you have you'll know who I mean!)

It also helps to train towards your dogs strengths.

Dobermans and Shepherds are guarding dogs so this comes naturally to them. Like ratting would come naturally to terriers.

My chihuahua is trained to a certain extent. She will sit, down, roll over, paw, other paw, play dead, high five, wait and come. She also has 99% recall.

She is very quick to learn especially if food and affection are involved.

Getting her to stop barking however is another matter. Chihuahuas are naturally yappy dogs, so for her barking comes very easily. Getting her stop is another thing and something we have failed on.