A properly bred, raised and trained Personal Protection Dog is a pleasure to own. A good Protection Dog can provide piece of mind for you and your family.
Most dogs given the choice will choose flight rather then fight when faced with real altercation. A good Protection dog is a strong nerved dog that will fight to the end to protect you and your family.
A good Dog is well socialized, environmentally strong, will sit quietly at your side, unless an attack is made on you, or you deploy the dog. CCK9 Protection Dogs are all highly defensive dogs, very loyal and affectionate, and they love children.
A well trained dog or any dog for that matter, should be treated with respect and discipline. Keep him fit and sharp. You can pet your dog, love your dog, but don’t treat him like a human. We at Command Control Canine have a saying, you must treat your dog fair but firm.
There are many misconceptions about the purpose of hormones in the development and temperament of a dog. For instance, while many people believe that more testosterone will produce a larger dog, the truth is that testosterone causes the bones of a dog to stop growing earlier. In this article, we will outline the facts of how having your guard dog spayed or neutered will affect it’s growth, temperament, and ability work.
Firstly, you should always wait until your dog is at least 2 years of age before having them spayed or neutered. While it is true that having them spayed or neutered early may produce a larger dog, their bones will not develop evenly, and they will have problems with balance. After 2 years of age, it is mostly a matter of preference. For house pets, having a dog spayed or neutered is an effective method of lowering the number of accidental births and the creation of stray dogs. However, this not something that the responsible owner of a working dog should be concerned with.
We at Command Control K9 don’t spay or neuter our guard dogs, whether they are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois. We feel that this is unnatural and it does nothing to change the temperament of your Protection Dog. In fact, spaying or neutering your protection dog ruins his or her ability to judge their world correctly.
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.
A common practise among German Shepherd trainers is to train their dogs using German Commands. In North America, having your protection dog or guard dog trained in a language other than English can have several benefits. First and foremost, it helps ensure that your dog is only responding to your voice, and your commands. While you cannot guarantee that no one else around you will know German commands, it ensures that at least the majority of the North American population will not know the proper commands to even attempt to control your dog. Secondly, it is useful to ensure that your dog will not get confused between words you speak in every-day conversation versus commands you give it. While most dogs can tell when you are commanding them and when you are speaking to someone else, using commands in a different language than what you regularily speak is simply reassuring.
While some people may not be well versed in the languages of the world, learning simple commands in another language is easy. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most basic commands in English, German, French, Czech and Dutch.
English
German
Czech
French
Dutch
Heel
Fuß
(foos)
K nose
(kno zay)
Au pied
(oh-pee-ey)
Volg / Rechts
Sit
Sitz
(siitz)
Sedni
Assis
(ah-see)
Zit
Stay
Bleip
(blypp)
Zustan
Reste
Blifj
Down
Platz
(plahts)
Lehni
Coucher
(coo-shay)
Af / Liggen
Come / Here
Komm / Hier
Ke mne
(khe-mn-yea)
Viens / Ici
Hier
Stand
Steh
(shtay)
Stuj
(stooya)
Debout
(day-boo)
Staan
Kennel / Crate
Zwinger / Box
Kotec
Chenil
Hok / Kennel
Out / Let Go
Aus
Pust
(pusht)
Halte / Donne
Los / Loslaten
Go Out
Voraus
Vpřed
(va porshed)
En Avent
(on avon)
Voruit
Jump
Hopp
Skoc / Hop
Saute / Aller
(soht)
Over
Bite
Faß
(fass)
Drz
(dursh)
Attaque
Stellen
Good (praise)
Braver
(braffer)
Hodny
Bon
Braaf
No (correction)
Pfui / Nein
(fooey)
Fuj
(fooya)
Non / Mauvais
Foei
Leave it
Lass es
Nech to
Laisse
Los
While we’ve tried to include simple translation hints, they are very rough approximations, and this guide is not meant to replace a one-on-one training session. Here at CCK9 we offer customized training in the language of your choice for your protection dog, guard dog or security dog.
When making a home delivery, there’s always a lot to talk about. In addition to showing the client how to handle their protection dog, I offer advice ranging anywhere from nutrition, to bonding, to ensure that you’ll get the maximum security benefit from your dog.
One bit of advice that always seems to surprise our clients is that you should not reveal the name of your protection dog to anyone outside of your inner circle. Not many people have heard this. It seems like the most natural thing ever, like introducing a member of the family. However, knowing a dog’s name allows someone to exercise control.
My point was proven a few years back when I had a Dutch trainer at my kennel along with a new Belgian Malinois. The Malinois was in an enclosure and we were standing outside it. I commanded, in Dutch, that the dog ‘come here’. The dog looked at me but did not come. Using the dog’s name, I said “Troy, come here”. The dog immediately responded and came to me. Knowing his name made the dog feel less defensive. The trainer left having learned a lesson.
Protection dogs should be trained not to cue on name but on the handler’s vocals only. The handler’s voice is as important as the command. We also do not teach our dogs using hand signals (as commands) for the same reason. When we deliver a dog, we teach him or her to take command from your vocals instead of ours.
Here at the kennel, we do not use names in our training. We have one name for males and another for females. It’s not uncommon for us to train multiple dogs at the same time; during this time, we only control the dogs through voice commands and eye contact, not through the use of names. Although all of our dogs have a given pedigree name, they are delivered without knowing their names. I have several clients who never use their dog’s name at all.
So next time you are walking your dog and someone asks you what your dog’s name is, keep in mind that the truth may not be in your best interest. For security purposes, maybe “Max” will do?
The hot topic of the day when it comes to dogs usually has to do with diet. Every article relates to what we feed our dogs, yet no one ever seems to talk about the importance of the water that we give them. We always address this when we are delivering a personal protection dog, since it isn’t a topic that seems to get much press, if any.
It has been my experience that dogs are best served by receiving non-chlorinated water. Not only is there the elimination of unnecessary chemicals introduced into your canine’s system, but it may extend the life of the dog; often by years.
Command Control K9 is fortunate to have a well on its 105 acre, state-of-the-art facility. However, we realize that not everyone is so fortunate. The good news is that there are several other options. Many of my clients purchase a water filter that can either be attached to your faucet, or to the top of a pitcher. Another method involves leaving tap water in a bucket for 24 hours with an air stone for aeration. Leaving the water in the sun also removes the chlorine. Lastly, non-chlorinated water is available for purchase at your local grocery store.
Personal protection dogs are a big investment. Giving your dog non-chlorinated water is one small way to increase the life span of your German shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd. Our dogs not only protect us but are part of the family too.
Coming from a fitness background, I understand the importance of cardiovascular exercise for humans. The question: is cardiovascular as important for your protection dog? It is not only important, but vital. After all, what good is a personal protection dog, if you have to deploy your dog to take down an unwelcome intruder at 50 yards or more, and they are not conditioned to get into the fight when they get there.
A good protection dog has to be in top-notch shape, just like a professional boxer, to be effective. There are five components to total fitness: muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, body composition, and cardiovascular. We at Command Control K9 have all of our protection dogs do cardio’ every day to keep them in top shape, whether we run them with the quad, have them follow us on the bike, or simply go for a long power walk.
As my good friend Cesar Millan would say; “Exercise, discipline, affection… in that order!”
This is a million dollar question that I get asked almost very day. Genetics is everything when it comes to real protection dogs. It takes a very special dog to do real protection work. Most German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds that are being trained and sold as protection dogs are working in pray, which is NOT real protection.
It takes three things to make a good protection dog: first and foremost is genetics, second is environment, and third is training; in that order. You can be the best trainer in the world and put in the time, but if the genetics are not there you will not succeed in developing a good protection dog.
We at Command Control K9 have a policy that we will not breed any dog unless it has proven itself, and has completed at least our Elite Family Guard Dog program. To give you an example of what genetics is, this weekend I had a couple that came down to my kennel to do bite work with a female Belgian Malinois puppy that they had purchased from us, out of Cindy and Ducko’s litter, who was born March 20, 2009. Now knowing this pup, and knowing where she is in her training — she had not even taken a bite before, never mind seeing a French Ring bite suit — not only did she take a bite the first time, but she let go and transferred to the other leg when I thread her with it. Now this is Genetics.
Kennel Cough is a general term used to describe a highly contagious canine illness which can be caused by a wide variety of airborne bacterial and viral infections. Known medically as tracheobronchitis, it is the inflammation of the airways that connect the dog’s lungs to its throat and mouth. Symptoms are a dry coughing or hacking which is sometimes accompanied by nasal discharge, or fever. If the infection is not identified and treated, it can cause pneumonia by spreading to the lungs of the dog. The term Kennel Cough was given to describe the rapid rate at which the illness can spread in close confines, such as that of a dog kennel. Viral infections such as canine parainfluenza or canine distemper, as well as bacterial infections such as bordetella, are all highly contagious illnesses that can cause Kennel Cough, and be spread through the coughing and sneezing of infected dogs.
Treatment of Kennel Cough is similar to treatment of coughs and colds in humans. Antibiotics can be administered to fight bacterial infections. If no phlegm is being expelled, making it a dry cough, a cough-suppressant can be used. Vaccines can be administered to help prevent against common types of infections. Many kennels will refuse to board a dog without documented proof of vaccination. It is also important that kennels keep their cages cleaned and disinfected. Keeping the kennel well ventilated can also help prevent a buildup of airborne bacteria and viruses. If symptoms of Kennel Cough are detected in a dog, it should be quarantined to prevent the spread of infection.
Here at CCK9, health and well-being is our top priority. Each and every one of our dogs has to be in perfect health and peak physical condition to perform the excercises in our protection dog training. Keeping our facility clean and disinfected is the single most important thing we do to prevent infection and disease. We also give all of our German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds routine medical checkups to ensure that they’re performing at their best.
The first thing most people notice about German Shepherds and other intimidating looking dogs are the canine teeth, the four large teeth in the front. You don’t have to be bitten to know that contact between those teeth and any part of your body would hurt. A lot. Take my word for it. Anyway, dogs use these teeth for several reasons including grabbing, puncturing and shredding their prey. They also naturally use them for defense. Your personal protection dog, if trained correctly, also uses them for YOUR defense
So here’s the problem: the majority of protection and guard dog trainers don’t train their dogs to use these teeth. Instead, their dogs are conditioned to make use of the back molars, with the full mouth, in an attempt to deliver “bone crushing” bites. Police dogs use their back molars when apprehending a suspect. Once the dog has taken a bite, he or she hangs on (there are countless police dog training videos on YouTube that show this). This is called “bite-and-hold”. It’s not safe for the handler and it’s not safe for the dog either. Instead, dogs should bite with their canine teeth, multiple times after targeting the weapon hand. Ideally, they should deliver 7 or 8 shredding, devastating bites in a matter of seconds to different areas of the body until commanded to stop. The scene is quite frenzied. In theory, full mouth bites result in fewer injuries to the suspect and, I guess, less lawsuits for the police. In practice, the severity of injuries is just localized to one area of the body. The drawback is that the life of the dog is endangered as is the life of the K9 handler.
After biting and hanging on, the suspect is given an extended opportunity to stab or strangle the dog. It seems unlikely that anyone would be able to muster the courage to do this but add in the use of pain numbing controlled substances and we have a recipe for disaster. Adrenaline and the strong desire to evade arrest are also strong motivators. Once the dog has been killed, the officer is left to deal with situation. Training a protection dog for personal use to utilize a full mouth bite when deployed can lead to disastrous results. There’s no question. So don’t be fooled when a trainer recommends a dog that is trained to bite with its back molars
Mother Nature dictates that dogs defend with their canines; there’s really no need for improvement.
There are many misconceptions about the purpose of hormones in the development and temperament of a dog. For instance, while many people believe that more testosterone will produce a larger dog, the truth is that testosterone causes the bones of a dog to stop growing earlier. In this article, we will outline the facts of how having your guard dog spayed or neutered will affect it’s growth, temperament, and ability work.
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.
When making a home delivery, there’s always a lot to talk about. In addition to showing the client how to handle their protection dog, I offer advice ranging anywhere from nutrition, to bonding, to ensure that you’ll get the maximum security benefit from your dog.
The hot topic of the day when it comes to dogs usually has to do with diet. Every article relates to what we feed our dogs, yet no one ever seems to talk about the importance of the water that we give them. We always address this when we are delivering a personal protection dog, since it isn’t a topic that seems to get much press, if any.
Coming from a fitness background, I understand the importance of cardiovascular exercise for humans. The question: is cardiovascular as important for your protection dog? It is not only important, but vital. After all, what good is a 
This is a million dollar question that I get asked almost very day. Genetics is everything when it comes to real protection dogs. It takes a very special dog to do real protection work. Most 
Kennel Cough is a general term used to describe a highly contagious canine illness which can be caused by a wide variety of airborne bacterial and viral infections. Known medically as tracheobronchitis, it is the inflammation of the airways that connect the dog’s lungs to its throat and mouth. Symptoms are a dry coughing or hacking which is sometimes accompanied by nasal discharge, or fever. If the infection is not identified and treated, it can cause pneumonia by spreading to the lungs of the dog. The term Kennel Cough was given to describe the rapid rate at which the illness can spread in close confines, such as that of a dog kennel. Viral infections such as canine parainfluenza or canine distemper, as well as bacterial infections such as bordetella, are all highly contagious illnesses that can cause Kennel Cough, and be spread through the coughing and sneezing of infected dogs.
The first thing most people notice about German Shepherds and other intimidating looking dogs are the canine teeth, the four large teeth in the front. You don’t have to be bitten to know that contact between those teeth and any part of your body would hurt. A lot. Take my word for it. Anyway, dogs use these teeth for several reasons including grabbing, puncturing and shredding their prey. They also naturally use them for defense. Your