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February 8th, 2010
 Whether it is the introduction of a new protection dog into a home with an infant, or the introduction of a newborn child into a home that already owns a protection dog, the initial introduction is important in establishing a good relationship between your protection dog and your child. A well-trained dog should already be comfortable around children and infants. However, safety should still be a concern. There are a number of steps you can take to help ensure that the introduction goes smoothly.
Introducing a new child into a home that already owns a protection dog can sometimes be troublesome when it causes an abrupt change in your canine’s routine. Negative changes in routine such as suddenly reducing the amount of time and attention spent on your dog will quickly be associated with the new child. In order to prevent this, it is best to change your dog’s routine well in advance of the child’s arrival. It is also advisable to introduce new furniture into the home sooner rather than later. Before the baby is brought home, you can use an article of clothing or a blanket used by the child to familiarize your protection dog with the scent of the newborn. While your dog is in its crate, place the article of clothing next to the crate, and your dog will pick up on the smell. This will help the dog associate the scent with the comfort and familiarity of the crate. It is important that you do not let the dog mouth the article of clothing in any way.
When the time comes for the actual introduction, do not introduce your protection dog to your child immediately upon entering the home. Wait until your dog is in a calm and relaxed state. Your dog will want to sniff the child to investigate the new arrival. You should allow this briefly, and then return the dog to it’s normal routine. As your child ages, he or she may be inclined to pull the hair or ears of your dog. It is up to you to teach your child the correct and incorrect ways to interact with your canine, and to monitor your child closely until he or she is able to make this distinction.
Common protection dog breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd are well known for having good temperament and being good around children. Taking the proper precautions when introducing your protection dog to an infant will help reinforce the correct behavior and help build a strong relationship between your canine and your child.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Child safety, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in Child safety, Protection Dogs | No Comments »
February 4th, 2010
 For many dog owners, an encounter with a skunk is almost an inevitability. Often, it’s simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A skunk will only spray when it believes that it is in danger. Often, it will display warning signs first, such as a making low growling noise, stamping it’s front feet, and raising it’s tail. A skunk’s spray is actually a sulphuric substance known as mercaptan. As well as smelling terrible, mercaptan can actually blind your dog for up two days if it makes direct contact with the eyes. For a guard dog, that’s two days that your canine is unable to work, and unable to defend you, your family or your property.
In the event that your dog gets sprayed, you must act as quickly as possible. The oily spray, if left for too long, can become nearly impossible to remove and may continue to smell for up to two years. Keep in mind that anything that your dog touches from the point of being sprayed will pick up the oils and begin to smell. Keep your dog out of your house, out of its dog house, and away from its bed to prevent them from picking up the smell. Wear old clothes and old gloves, because your clothes and skin will pick up the smell as well. The first thing you should do is to try and determine the exact area that was sprayed. For the first washing, focus only on the areas that were directly sprayed. This will prevent the spray from being spread into otherwise unaffected parts of your dog’s coat. After the initial washing, you will want to bathe your dog again in its entirety to remove the rest of the residue from the spray. The goal at this point is not to remove the smell, but to remove the sprayed substance itself to prevent it from soaking further into your dog’s coat.
Once you’ve washed your dog thoroughly to remove the spray, it is very likely that the scent will remain. Removing the skunk scent can be tricky, but there are a number of methods available. Excess washing and scent-removing chemicals can dry out and irritate your dog’s skin. For a guard dog or protection dog, dry fur and skin can affect your canine’s ability to operate efficiently, especially in harsh weather conditions. Methods such as tomato juice are often questionable and may not do much to remove the smell. Your veterinarian or local dog groomer may able to offer a safer and more effective method of scent removal, or you may have to simply wait it out.
Tags: dog groomer, Guard Dog, Protection Dog, remove skunk, skunk spray
Posted in Canine Health | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2010
 We were very fortunate to be in a position to have purchased Oma. Oma is a K.N.P.V. PH1 title female German Shepherd that we are importing from Holland. She earned her coveted title a year ago. For a female German Shepherd to have a K.N.P.V title is almost unheard of. There are only 800 to 1000 Dogs a year that are awarded this difficult title, and only 1% are German Shepherds. Oma is NOT for sale. After she completes our Elite Family Estate Protection Dog program, she will be held back for our breeding program. Her first breed will take place in Holland, where she will be bred to the top K.N.P.V. German Shepherd dog in Holland, Carlo.
Tags: German Shepherd, Holland, K.N.P.V., PH1 Title, Protection Dog
Posted in Announcement | No Comments »
February 2nd, 2010
 Hip and elbow dysplasia can be found in a variety of animals, including humans. However, the disorder is commonly found in, and associated with canines. Larger and especially active dogs are particularly at risk due to the excess stress put on their limbs and joints.
Dysplasia is an inherited disorder, and diagnosis can be tricky. While some sever cases are recognizable in a dog’s infancy, many cases go unnoticed until well into the dog’s adult years. Dysplasia is the most common cause for arthritis in canines. The disorder often worsens as the dog ages and can be both painful and debilitating.
Work as a guard dog often involves rigorous exercise. As a result, flaws in the hip joints affecting balance and posture often become apparent far sooner than in less active dogs. Because dysplasia is inherited, dogs from poorly maintained German Shepherd bloodlines are often at high risk. Working line German Shepherd breeders need to pay special attention to the hips and elbows of their dogs in order to ensure that they are not introducing dysplacia into their bloodlines.
While your guard dog may not show symptoms of hip or elbow dysplasia for the majority of its adult life, there is still a chance that minor deformations in the joints will worsen over the years with standard wear-and-tear caused by the exercise your dog needs. Regular x-rays of your dog’s joints can help you and your vet monitor your guard dog for signs of dysplasia in the joints. For working dogs who may be getting on in their years, signs of hip and elbow dysplasia may be an indicator that it’s time to retire your canine to a less active lifestyle.
Tags: Canine Health, Elbow Dysplasia, Guard Dogs, Hip Dysplasia, X-Ray
Posted in Canine Health, Guard Dogs | No Comments »
January 28th, 2010
 A dog kennel or a dog run is an enclosed outdoor area, usually secured by a chain-link fence and gate, in which a dog is kept. The use of a kennel has become standard practise, especially among owners of working dogs and other large dogs. However, while the use of a dog kennel certainly isn’t terrible, it may not be the best solution for your canine.
When making your decision on whether or not to kennel your protection dog, you must take into consideration the natural behavior of a dog. Many people make the mistake of assuming that what feels natural to them as a human will be true of their dog. Unlike many humans, dogs are not claustrophobic. In fact, small enclosed environments that simulate natural dens make them feel protected and comfortable. However, while this applies to the dog house or crate where your canine will be spending his nights, it does not apply to the kennel or dog run where your dog may have to spend his days.
The ideal environment to keep your dog would be a large, fenced-off yard. Some kind of fence or enclosure is preferred, especially in rural environments, as it helps prevent other wild animals from wandering in. If your yard is not an option, a kennel may be the only other solution, but remember that bigger is always better. The more space you can give your canine, the happier and healthier it will be.
We at CCK9 don’t believe in housing our Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs in the traditional method, which is to have dog kennels or dog runs. We feel that this creates erratic behavior in the dogs; they end up pacing back and fourth, and it creates a spinning effect. We at CCK9 prefer a more natural environment. That is why we give all of our Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs free range on our 105 acre state-of-the-art facility. This creates a much more balanced dog, and a much happier dog.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog kennel, dog run, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in CCK9 Facility | No Comments »
January 26th, 2010
 The grooming requirements of a dog are largely dependent on both the breed, and the type of coat. For your dog guard, grooming will be largely based on these two factors. However, considering that the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois are two of the most common breeds used as guard dogs, and that both share nearly identical grooming requirements, the following grooming tips should apply to the many guard dog owners with either of these two breeds.
Both the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois are considered relatively low-maintenance breeds of dog. Of course, this does not mean that regular grooming can be completely avoided. Both breeds will shed lightly year-round. It is advised that you brush your guard dog at least twice a week to prevent the fur from matting. Both of these breeds also shed seasonally. This means that twice a year, over the course of a couple weeks, they will shed profusely in order to rid themselves of their winter or summer undercoat, and allow the next season’s undercoat to grow in. This may be a good time to bathe your dog. Baths should only be given once or twice per year in order to prevent the natural oils in the fur and skin from drying out. The removal of fur during seasonal shedding can sometimes be made easier when the fur is almost, but not completely, dry after bathing.
Although there are literally thousands of dog brushes to choose from, we at CCK9 feel that the best brush money can buy is the Furminator brush. We use it on all of our Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs, whether it be a German shepherd, Dutch shepherd, or a Belgian Malinois which typically has a shorter coat. When using the Furminator, it is important use it on a consistent basis, at less two or three times per week, to be 100% effective.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Dog Grooming, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd | No Comments »
January 21st, 2010
 When a dog is introduced into a new home, it establishes its place among the other members of the household, and establishes them as part of its pack. It is natural for a dog to place all members of its perceived pack into a hierarchy, and to attempt to place themselves as high as possible in this hierarchy. A dog will understand through training that the humans in the household are the ones in charge. However, when multiple dogs are present, the ways in which they establish dominance over each other can cause problems. Fortunately, these problems can be avoided.
The most important step is the initial meeting. Before bringing a new dog into the household, it is best to introduce it to your resident dogs in a neutral area outside of the home. Dogs are territorial, and the introduction of your new protection dog into an area that your resident dogs perceive as their territory may cause them to act aggressively towards the new addition to your household. Bringing them to a neutral space allows them to build trust and cooperation. Allow them to sniff each other briefly, and then bring their attention back to the handler for positive reinforcement. This should be done with a separate handler for each dog in order to maintain a sense of control, and each dog should be kept on a leash. Take note of posture, and be on the lookout for signs of aggression such as low growling, bared teeth or a prolonged stare.
Once the dogs appear to be comfortable in each others’ presence, you may bring them home. Ensure that each dog has its own resting area, food bowl, water bowl, leash etc. They will establish a sense of hierarchy amongst themselves, but you should watch to ensure this occurs peacefully. Take note of which dog appears to have established leadership between them. At feeding time, feeding the lead dog first can help prevent problems.
Protection dogs and security dogs are trained and bred for obedience. However, you cannot always expect the same from household pets. Following the above steps will help ensure that the introduction of your new personal protection dog will go as smoothly as possible.
Tags: Guard Dog, new dog, Personal Protection Dog, Protection Dog, Security Dog
Posted in Protection Dogs | No Comments »
January 19th, 2010
 It has been nearly 20 years since the reunification of Germany in 1990, preceded by the opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989. However, a divide still exists, even today, between the German Shepherd bloodlines that were recovered after the Second World War. From 1949 until 1990, Germany was divided into the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) in the East, and the Federal Republic of Germany in the West. The DDR, being a communist state under influence from the USSR, was kept wholly separate from West Germany. This separation is what caused the split in German Shepherd bloodlines that persists to this day.
The DDR and Czechoslovakia, both members of the Soviet Bloc, developed working bloodlines for use as aids to border guards as well as for use as police protection dogs. Due to the close relationship between the two, Czech line German Shepherds and East German DDR German Shepherds are essentially the same bloodline. Meanwhile, bloodlines in West Germany were split once more between working line dogs and show line dogs. It is important to recognize that the working line and show line German Shepherds from West Germany are vastly different. Show line dogs are bred to be physically attractive, but lack the courage and strong nerves of a true protection dog.
Accepting that West German show line dogs are unfit for protection work, the true comparison is between the West German working line (often stated simply as German working line), and the DDR/Czech line. There has been much debate over which is superior, and this debate may continue for years to come. Some people consider the West German lines to be superior, arguing that the DDR/Czech lines were developed before the split between working and show lines, and are not extraordinary in either discipline. However, it is important to consider that both were recovered from the original German bloodlines after WWII, and both have been continuously built up and bred for working qualities over the past 60 years. The bottom line is that they are both working line dogs, and they are both a solid choice for work as a personal protection dog, guard dog or security dog.
Tags: bloodlines, Czech Working Line, DDR Working Line, German Shepherd, Import Protection Dogs
Posted in German Shepherd | No Comments »
January 14th, 2010
 Dog parks are often in found in urban areas as means for dog owners to let their dogs exercise off-leash and to socialize with other dogs. However, the benefits incurred by dog parks may not necessarily out-weight the problems that they create.
The first and foremost benefit of dog parks is that off-leash exercise is good for your dog. In regular parks, and other public areas, taking your dog off its leash may be both illegal and dangerous. As a result, your dog is forced to run only as fast as you are able to. For the majority of dogs, this is far slower than their natural running speed and does not provide the same level of exercise as being able to run free. This is especially true of working line protection dogs who are bred to have improved speed and agility. Another benefit of dog parks is the opportunity for dogs to socialize with others of their species. A dog needs to feel connected to those that it identifies as members of its pack. Most often, this means yourself and your family. Socialisation outside of this is mostly a matter of keeping your dog obedient and comfortable in different environments and around different people or other dogs. However, just as you should not allow other people to pet your protection dog, you may also want to limit the ways in which your protection dog may interact with other dogs.
The cons associated with dog parks are centered primarily around injury incurred between dogs. Many dog owners simply allow their dogs to run free and play amongst themselves while in dog parks. Unfortunately, many smaller or weaker dogs may become subject to the rougher play of a much larger dog. This is most often the fault of an owner who does not take the care and responsibility to ensure that their dog plays safely and harmlessly. Unfortunately, the majority of dog parks are unregulated and unsupervised. However, a number of private dog parks do exist. Private dog parks often screen dogs for temperament before they are permitted to enter. Some breeds with a reputation for aggressive behavior are often denied outright. Working breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd may have to undergo an extensive evaluation of their obedience and temperament. However, a well bred and well trained protection dog or guard dog should have no trouble passing any evaluation of obedience and temperament.
The best option for you and your dog is a stretch of field or farmland in which your dog may obtain off-leash exercise without interference from others. However, this is not an option for many people, especially those who do not own plots of farm land. A private dog park may be the best alternative, as it ensures that all dogs in the park will be trained, with good temperament, and will not harass or provoke your dog. Likewise, the owners are likely to be more attentive to the behavior of their dog.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Dog Parks, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in CCK9 Policy | No Comments »
January 13th, 2010
 We were very fortunate to be in a position to have purchased Ranger. Ranger comes from one of the top Kennels in North America. She is 100% working line, with no sporting line, even seven generations back. At only one year of age she does it all, from man scent tracking, to article search, to advanced agility, to off-lead obedience, to high-end tactical protection work.
Ranger is not for sale; after she completes our Elite Family Guard Dog program, she will be held back for our breeding program, for future executive protection dogs.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Belgian Malinois Breeder, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in Announcement, Belgian Malinois | No Comments »
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