My husband wanted to leave all 4 dogs loose during the night within our yard, this as protection against burglers  (We've already been assaulted once.)  

He finally agreed to put 3 in their kennels, though insisted to have one Pit loose. But our dogs are all human friendly and I don't believe they'd attack a burgler, on the contrary they'd probably welcome him, probably jump at him out of joy.

Ok, this jumping might have a deterrent effect for someone who doesn't know them. My husband believes, just because two of them are Pits they are automatically protection dogs. But I think we can call a dog only like this, when he has been trained from a highly specialised trainer for that purpose.

Now one Pit can roam within the yard. I can live with that situation, but quite reluctant. I've got the impression we undermine our leadership by letting her do all night long what she wants without any supervision. Or could I accept this as a compromise? She doesn't do anything foolish when the other 3 are in their kennels, except shit wherever she wants.

Unless she has created problem by herself all night I don't really see any issues.

Many, if not most people seeing a Pit will have second thoughts about breaking in, etc.

I agree with you though.

MOST ALL pits are people lovers.

Let the shit fall where it may!

Thanks Bob. Yes, I'll "let the shit fall where it may". Good principle for almost everything in life.

FWIW my dog is a guard dog. Even though she has been trained in IPO and we constantly train new behaviors with markers, I do have to work around a few little issues that are the result of her being left to her own devices. However, because guard dog is her primary role, I tolerate a few bad habits (such as barrier aggression, for example) because eliminating them might affect her effectiveness as a guard. She is also an alpha female, and I let that be, too.

I have a good enough relationship with my dog that, when I am present, she defaults to me as the leader. When I am around, I am the boss. When left alone, she is clearly in charge and she knows it. I sometimes have to remind her, but she immediately corrects the undesired behavior. If she were left alone 24 hours in the yard, I do not believe that would be the case. By continuously training and working, we maintain our roles without conflict.

You can mange a dog to be a guard dog and still be a companion, but you have to be able to read your dog and edit your expectations. A good example would be Sadie's gate behavior. Many old school trainers would tell you that you should never let an alpha display dominant behavior, and that things like letting the dog run ahead of you when you open the gate should not be tolerated. With that in mind, I trained my dog to sit and wait when I open the gate. However, once she knew what was expected, I quit enforcing it religiously, and occasionally she will brush past me if she is bent on getting somewhere. We still have that core training implanted, and If I don't feel like being run over, I tell her to wait and she does what I ask.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

My husband wanted to leave all 4 dogs loose during the night within our yard, this as protection against burglers  (We've already been assaulted once.)  

He finally agreed to put 3 in their kennels, though insisted to have one Pit loose. But our dogs are all human friendly and I don't believe they'd attack a burgler, on the contrary they'd probably welcome him, probably jump at him out of joy.

Ok, this jumping might have a deterrent effect for someone who doesn't know them. My husband believes, just because two of them are Pits they are automatically protection dogs. But I think we can call a dog only like this, when he has been trained from a highly specialised trainer for that purpose.

Now one Pit can roam within the yard. I can live with that situation, but quite reluctant. I've got the impression we undermine our leadership by letting her do all night long what she wants without any supervision. Or could I accept this as a compromise? She doesn't do anything foolish when the other 3 are in their kennels, except shit wherever she wants.

I am certainly NOT a "guard dog trainer" just a Pet owner, but I'll throw in my 2 cents here anyway, Christina

Dogs as a Deterrent against "bad guys":

Any dog who BARKS at "things that go bump in the night" works as a Watchdog -- It is their Vocal/Visual Challenge that discourages would-be intruders ... A guard dog, particularly when Trained to do so, will mount an actual Attack against serious resistance from assailants (often not ever needed in most home protection cases).

Old-time literature on Pitbulls typically used to say, "Will happily accept guests & visitors whom YOU WELCOME into the home When you are Present -- Will usually Not Allow even "known parties" entrance to the property in your ABSENCE ... This is also the case If you are Asleep especially at NIGHT."

99% of the time that barking dog is all most people/families need.

Those that seriously need a dog that will back up it's bark with bite should also carry, or at least have a firearm in the house AND learn to properly use it.

For those 1% of "bad guys" that are willing to go through a serious dog, the homeowner needs to understand that even a good dog is there as a first line of defense.

The second, and final line of defense is a firearm.

At this point, I am compelled to point out that I am just a pet owner, as well (that, AND a firearm owner...)

 Quote: Bob Scott

99% of the time that barking dog is all most people/families need.

Those that seriously need a dog that will back up it's bark with bite should also carry, or at least have a firearm in the house AND learn to properly use it.

For those 1% of "bad guys" that are willing to go through a serious dog, the homeowner needs to understand that even a good dog is there as a first line of defense.

The second, and final line of defense is a firearm.

Bang-On RIGHT, Bob -- The unspoken bottom-line of "using" a dog to defend you & yours requires a willingness (no matter how reluctant it may be on the owner's part) for that dog to Sacrifice ITS Life in order to protect the master's property & person, if needs be

Well said Bob, for those of us lucky enough to live in the US! Christina's situation in Brazil might be different.