May 17, 2011

My dog will protect the home when I am there, but not when Iā€™m gone. What should I do to correct this?

Full Question:
Hi, I was wondering if you can help me. I have a 3 year old American Bulldog that won't protect the house when I'm gone. But he does when I am there. When I am home he won't let anyone come in. He will protect me but when I am not around he doesn't do anything. Can you tell me what I should do?

Dawn
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
This dog has a strong pack drive - that's why he protects you (as the leader), but lacks some territorial drive - he would protect or at least bark when you are gone.

He needs to have his defense drive stimulated when you are not there. If you want him to bite then you need to take him through the bite development in The First Steps of Bite Training and one on The First Steps of Defense.

You could just do the defense work if you are only interested in the dog barking - you just need to make sure you do not do too much of it and make him neurotic.

I would also read the articles on my web site about bite work.

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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