May 18, 2011
My friend has a Doberman as a guard dog for his business. The business was recently robbed. Did he over-socialize his dog?
Full Question:
Dear ED,I have a question about socializing guard dogs. Can you over socialize? My friend has a 3-year-old Doberman Pincher. He bought him from a family that was afraid of him (because he is an aggressive and dominate dog) and left him in his kennel a lot.
The dog was 11 months when he got him and vary aggressive. He had to chain him up when people came around in fear that he would bite someone. In the past two years the dog has had a lot of socializing. He works in a shop were he lets the dog run around. Every one that comes over pet's him or play's with him. He has ton's of prey drive, he's always wanting to play tug or tarring something up. The problem is that the other day someone broke into the shop and stole a bunch of things from him. Is this due to over socializing? Is there anything that he can do to make sure his dog will protect his property when he's gone. I do believe the dog has the genetics. Once someone came at him in an aggressive type manner and the dog bite him so he is protective and he does bark at the door when people knock or when he heir's a strange noise. I hope I gave you enough information so that you can help him with his situation.
Thank you for your time,
Jason
Ed's Answer:
It's hard to answer a question like this in an email.
It is very unlikely that a Doberman would have a very strong temperament. The true working ability of this breed has been bred out of it (which is too bad). Showing aggression, and biting someone like you describe, does not necessarily indicate a dog that will be a good protection dog.
If your friend wants a dog that is going to protect his business when he is gone. He should not allow the dog to be friendly to everyone who comes in. The dog should be kept away from the people and then receive some training. Dogs don't naturally become good protection dogs. They need to learn skills and gain confidence in their own abilities to fight humans.
It is very unlikely that a Doberman would have a very strong temperament. The true working ability of this breed has been bred out of it (which is too bad). Showing aggression, and biting someone like you describe, does not necessarily indicate a dog that will be a good protection dog.
If your friend wants a dog that is going to protect his business when he is gone. He should not allow the dog to be friendly to everyone who comes in. The dog should be kept away from the people and then receive some training. Dogs don't naturally become good protection dogs. They need to learn skills and gain confidence in their own abilities to fight humans.
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