Will my German Shepherd protect me without training? German Shepherds always seem to be the go-to when you’re looking for a dog that will protect your home and family. However, they can also be frightening if you’re on the other side of the fence. What is it about German Shepherds that make them great protective pets, and what makes them more of a scare?
So, will my German Shepherd protect me without training? Yes, German Shepherds will protect their owners without proper training. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and can become possessive of their owners fairly quickly. However, without proper training, they can become too aggressive and less helpful in terms of protection. Training should be done to tame your German Shepherd so he knows when (and when not to) protect.
Knowing the difference between a German Shepherd that protects and a German Shepherd that attacks is imperative. Does this happen automatically by nature, or is it something that is learned? How can you make sure your German Shepherd is more of a protective dog than a ravaging one? Let’s discuss this.
Are German Shepherds Good Guard Dogs?
One question that always comes to mind when deciding on whether or not to have a German Shepherd as the family pet is whether or not they are good guard dogs.
Well, the German Shepherd is much more likely to be a ‘worker dog’ and enjoys working hard and making his owner and pack happy.
However, German Shepherds also learn extremely quickly.
If you want your German Shepherd to protect your home, they can quickly and easily become great guard dogs.
This is especially true thanks to the fact that being protective of their owners is in their DNA and they will stop at nothing to ensure their loved one is protected from harm’s way.
The German Shepherd’s Temperament
The German Shepherd temperament makes him an excellent choice for families, however, some people can be frightened of this breed- and for good reason, too.
When it comes to the German Shepherd’s temperament, you need to be careful. While this is an extremely intelligent dog that can be trained quickly and efficiently, a German Shepherd without training can become somewhat aggressive.
Aside from their aggression, the German Shepherd is a loyal breed that sticks by their owner no matter what. This is where their overall ‘protection’ trait comes into play.
With the right training, your German Shepherd can become a pet that is equally as protective as he is kind and gentle with the family.
Will a German Shepherd Protect Without Training?
To put it simply, yes. A German Shepherd will protect his owner without proper training being conducted.
However, there is a risk involved when letting your German Shepherd become a guard dog all on his own.
You see, a German Shepherd left to his own devices will quickly become aware of who his owner is. And since the German Shepherd breed is a loyal one, they are likely to stick by their owners and want to protect them from harm’s way.
It sounds like good news, doesn’t it? While it sounds like an easy breed to have a protector right off the bat, you might be doing more harm than good without even knowing it. While the German Shepherd will be a great protector, he may end up being overly aggressive and harmful without the right training.
An untrained German Shepherd doesn’t know the difference between being a protector and being aggressive unless he is trained to know.
This could mean that a family member comes to close to you, and the German Shepherd sees it as an attack and ends up hurting someone you love. It isn’t on purpose; they simply do not know any better.
Should You Train a German Shepherd?
If you want your German Shepherd to be a protector and not a threat to the neighborhood, then yes, your German Shepherd should be trained.
This includes basic training like sitting and standing on command, but will also need more intrusive training to become an actual guard dog.
Tips and Tricks for Training German Shepherds
1. Start When They are Puppies
The earlier you start, the better success you’re going to have.
It’s also infinitely easier to train a younger dog than one who is ‘set in his ways’.
2. Let Them Socialize Often
Dogs who have not been around social situations as a young dog will not know how to act right.
Ensuring your puppy is given plenty of social structure when he’s young is key to success in his later years as a guard dog.
3. Teach the Basics First
As previously mentioned, regular obedience commands should be taught before anything else.
This includes sit, stay, and other common commands that most dogs learn. This can be done at home or with an obedience training course.
4. Teach Your GSD to Bark on Command
This is the key to unlocking a great guard dog.
This will teach your German Shepherd not to bark incessantly. Rather, he will only bark when told- and you can build on that, like only barking when someone comes to the door.
5. Train the German Shepherd to Bark When They See a “Threat”
This is going to take some actions on you and your friend’s part.
Have someone new come into the yard, and have your dog bark at them to alert you. They should not be aggressive. Give them positive reinforcement for barking at the stranger.
6. Continue to Use Positive Reinforcement for Your Dog
It’s going to take some time, but the more positive reinforcement is given to your dog, the quicker he will learn.
Don’t forget to also punish your pet if he is acting out of control when seeing strangers. By “punish”, I don’t mean yelling. Or hurting physically. I mean a stern “No”, followed by a swift redirection.
7. Consider Professional Training
If you’ve never done it before, it can be challenging to train (by yourself) your German Shepherd to be a guard dog.
There are professional trainers out there who dedicate their lives to teaching everyday dog owners how to properly care for their pets. Contacting a trainer is always an excellent option if you want the job done right.
Related Questions
Female German Shepherd is known to be more compassionate and caring. While they are still loyal to their owner, they will be less likely to be protective of them. It all comes down to the dog’s temperament and how they have been trained.
In terms of aggression, the female German Shepherd is also far gentler. They will not be as prone to becoming aggressive with strangers. For training, the male and female German Shepherds are equal and both can be trained quickly and effectively.
A female will start showing trains of protection in as little as 1 year, while their male counterparts may take up to 2 years. Remember that every dog is different, so these are averages.
It’s important that German Shepherds get trained during their first few years of life. The recommended training age for males and females alike is around 18 months. This is the ideal time for the dog to become less of a little ball of furry playfulness, and more of an obedient pet that can certainly become a great guard dog.
