Why are so many idiots against having a dog for protection?

Question

Millions of people have guard dogs! They are DOGS! They need to have a job, not just be leeches. For God's sake, people..do you not give your CHILDREN chores to do? Are they THAT spoiled rotten??? If you're going to be spending thousands a year on something, it should do more than just bark and lie around. I work very hard to keep our dogs healthy, well fed and fit, and clean, so why shouldn't there be some more of a payback than "their companionship"?? I already HAVE companions... my husband, my friends, my co-workers. In the wild, each dog has a place, and a job to do, whether it's guarding territory, raising young, or killing for food. So why is it that everyone babies dogs? They aren't MEANT to be spoiled, fattened up, lazy creatures that you all are making them to be. Dogs, by their nature, WANT to please, so give them something to do! And before anyone says I don't love dogs or whatever fallacies you may think of, that's totally untrue. I love ALL animals.

And no, a dog is NOT more than a dog, that is why they are called dogs. If they were anything else, they would be called something else!

To "Player": I'm not suggesting that I want a vicious dog, please pay attention, I want a dog that knows it's job, and does it. I never mentioned violence. You might want to improve your reading comprehension skills.

To charlye h:, No, NOT all dogs will protect you! Ours won't! They will bark, but they would never hurt a soul. If I were being raped in the livingromm they'd be licking the guy's hand.

Sorry, I must be missing something here..what is missing from your lives, or what happened in your childhoods to be so fixated on things that "give unconditional love" and that can't talk back? Clearly some issues there!!

Answer 1

Yes, my dogs have a job - they guard the house - they warn off intruders, they alert me to problems like an overflowing sink, they chase cats out of the garden, they are trained to bring me the post, carry my shopping, they clean up bits of food dropped on the floor and eat my apple cores. (not a difficult task!) They definitely cheer me up when I'm irritable and they get me out into the woods every day which keeps me fit.
I too think they need to feel useful to be fulfilled as a pet - dogs thrive on having a role and tasks to perform. Surely that is the real point of calling a dog a companion?
Although they have many useful functions, some of which they were specifically bred for, I wouldn't say that I choose to keep dogs because of the jobs they do.
I choose to keep them simply because like you - I love them!

Answer 2

There are many, many idiots that have dogs for protection but they have little or no idea that their dog must be trained to protect. While a Doberman or a Rottweiler might make a great family member and a great guard dog, he must be properly trained to protect or he will be a potential time bomb. Dogs have the tools to protect, but an untrained dog can harm an innocent person. An owner has no control over an untrained guard dog, and the legal ramifications of any dog harming any person are severe at the very least.

Answer 3

I'm not against having a dog for protection at all!

I agree that a dog must have a job to do and should be good for something other than just a companion.It gives them a sense of pride as it does us to hear they've done a good job.And know the job they've done is appreciated.

However,I'd like you to know that I have 2 incredibly spoiled german shepherds that want for NOTHING.My dogs are not fat or lazy.They are very mellow dogs,well mannered and behaved in most situations as long as I act in a calm manner.As soon as I tense up they are both on guard without being told.If I raise my voice then they turn viscious instantly,letting everyone know that they're there to take care of buisness.And I know that they will if given the chance.

The problem lies in the fact that people who own viscious dogs should not need viscious dogs to defend them to get thru life.If people would not let their mouths overload their rear ends then they probably would'nt need the dog to stick up for them.

Answer 4

Most people who set out to buy a dog for protection don't have a clue about how to do it and the whole sorry mess ends up with the dog being put down or dumped in the nearest dogs home for being aggressive, or biting the postman.

Many dogs from working breeds are born soft and not up to the job. 70% of all police dogs fail training.
Their owners are likely to be disappointed in them, and these dogs also get dumped. Or as happened with a neighbours GSD, put down because it slept through two burglaries. It was 8 years old.

Most breeds can be trained for protection. There is no ideal breed, it is the individual personality of the dog that counts.

Unfortunately when many people buy a breed they have an ideal picture in their mind, the breed is a symbol that represents something; afghans represent glamour, pit bulls and rottweillers represent being tough.
The reality is likely to be either a disappointment or a liability.

This has nothing to do with babying dogs; it is about the reality of dog training.
Please go to dog training classes that specialise in handling GSD's before you go ahead.

Answer 5

Well it's all in how you define job. Some people want nothing more than a companion so that in itself IS a job for the dog to please it's owner.

I breed dogs and spoil them more than most people spoil and baby their kids. I love each of my dogs and consider them to be my kids since I don't have nor do I want kids.

But some of mine have thier jobs of guarding (the large german shepherds, some (the cockers) have the "jobs" of just playing all day; some have their duties to keep me company & let me play with them; 1 is a therapy dog for the elderly and sick; and 2 are just my little princesses with their only job in the world to be babied and pampered.

Some dogs are too small to be a guard dog or "earn their keep" what would you have a teacup chihuahu or yorkie or poodle to do?

And yes I am one of those crazy owners who buy clothes; and all kinds of crazy things like Lectro Kennel Heating pads and doggy beds; etc. I'm not one of the fanatics that will spend $14,000 for the designer dog houses or thousands on one item for them. Usually I will go up to $150 on a pampering item but that's the max.

And yes a Dog IS more than a dog; that's like saying a child is just a child and no more; when they are mini humans that lead our future or that a car is just a car---when in fact people go crazy spening thousands on "just" a means of transportation.

You're blessed to have companions; but what about those that don't? Like the elderly widow down the street; or the sick child that has cancer and no friends. That dog is more than just a dog to that person in need; it is a friend that doesn't betray them something to ease the lonliness and bring a smile to their faces which is a job in itself.

Answer 6

Christ....sounds like you have a real issue! I have a HUGE German Shepherd....I love him....baby him (in fact, he has just cost me 4,000 in vets bills)....but I must admit, as a 7stone 12 lb woman...feel very protected by him. There is absolutely NO problem with having dogs as guard dogs...or as babies.....use them as you need. I use mine for both. When I am out with him people would be crazy to do anything to me....when I am out and he is indoors he protects the house. I DO NOT allow my dog to get fat, or get lazy. I live in Wapping by Tower Bridge in London and he goes to the park for 2-3 hours a day. I think a good balance is the key. You can do too much of one thing or the other. It sounds to me as though some no mark has critisized you in some way, I would put money on it that it is someone that knows sweet FA. Screw them darling. you know what you are doing, you are happy, the dogs are happy....balls to them! There are tooooo many people shoving their inexperienced hooters into places that are just alien to them.

Answer 7

All seven of my dogs guard?? I don't have a problem with that. Yes, dogs do need to have a purpose. Sometimes I get those annoying phone calls from telemarketers asking if I will buy their alarm systems...I just laugh because I know the second someone steps on my property. My dogs are also, companions and I have a service dog that helps me.PS.. He is more than just a dog to me!....................Excuse me but, if your dogs wont protect you then why do you keep them. You just gave all of us a thumbs down yet admit you dont have guard dogs either. Well what do they do for you then? No dog works harder than my service dog.. He picks things up for me, allows me to lean on him when my legs are weak and stopped a pit bull from attacking me almost killing him. I dont understand your anger. I am not being rude I am just curious..Why do you keep your dogs???

Answer 8

Yes they are! dogs are like babies all dogs fat or not spoiled or mistreated will protect you if you are close enough to the dog or it beleives you are being threatend Some people dont have children, a job, or a husband, and a dog is just someone to always be there and listen to your problems and not talk back. stop hating on the pet dogs you can not tell me that you dont get extreamly attached to you dog sure some people take it to far but a dog is more than a dog.

Answer 9

So let me get this straight..you think people are 'idiots' cos they choose a different lifestyle for their dogs than you do? I agree that dogs by nature like to please..and there are many ways they can feel they are pleasing their owner..even by just bringing a ball back that has been thrown for them. I wonder why you feel so angry about it that you feel the need to rant on....what you chose to do with your animals, as long as they are not ill treated, is up to you but why do you think that other people are idiots cos they chose a different way than you...I do not use my dogs as protection but I feel they are happy, they know their place, they have a good life and are by no means the fattened up lazy creatures that you seem to think we are all making them to be.

Answer 10

Well it's not a very good argument you have put forward is it. The last time guard dogs hit he news in the UK they had savaged a child, two week previous there was another incident involving guard dogs and guess what they had killed a child. They need to have a job? I suppose that when you take them for walks you put a muzzle on them and are not stupid enough to think that they won't go for someone.