I ran across an article in the NYT this morning (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/us/12dogs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp) discussing the use of high-end security dogs by the well-to-do. One guy, who used to train dogs for the Navy SEALS and the British special forces, trains “executive protection dogs” which sell for as much as $230,000.
I have a couple of dogs but they ain’t gonna pass muster as guard dogs. They do a good job of letting me know when someone is around, although they aren’t nuisance barkers. But I can’t imagine either of these marshmallows taking a chunk out of someone. Then again, I’ve never seen either of them seriously threatened or witnessing my wife and I seriously threatened. They might surprise me.
I know there are a lot of dog owners and dog lovers on M4C. I was wondering how many own dogs which are trained security dogs or have received special training for security purposes. And, for those with trained dogs, how comfortable they are with these “pets” around your kids, kids they don’t know, other dogs in public places, etc.
It’s all about who trains them and how they’re handled thereafter. My dogs are great around everyone including strangers… granted I don’t “tell them not to be”.
One of our dogs is an Aussie Shepherd/Cattle Dog mix. She’s a sweetheart, very alert and attentive, but you’re right, they need some room to run off all that energy. Once I got her used to the water, we found she’s a terrific swimmer and can get in a great workout fetching dummies at a local lake.
My friends patents spent something like 50k getting their dog trained and he says they have never had a problem with it around others or in public. I have never met this dog though so im just going on what he said
I have a Mini Aussie and a full size. My mini is alert, smart as a tack, and loyal to the T, but he’s only about the size of a pomeranian. My full size is ridiculously smart but skittish as all get out. He’s great at reading body language and eyes of people, but as soon as he sense danger… he splits haha. Smart, smart dogs.
