Uh...you want specifics? Got me! I'm a first time dog owner. I can't say I've been there or done that. However, I do plan on taking my little guy to have such an eval done in 6-12 months at an established K9 training facility.

Advice on this forum is the take it or leave it kind. And everyone has their own opinions, sorry for being "inexperienced" and having an opinion.

I am pretty aware of how the forum works, Keleah Don't be sorry for being inexperienced... it's not bad thing. You were trying to help, I just need a little more specifics. I should heve been more clear. I welcome your opinion & it's good you want to help out people who want to learn more After awhile on the forum, you learn (or assume) who people are and at what level they are at. I'll be more clear next time.

Steve- couldn't tell you were a 1st time owner! Please tell me how that evaluation of your guy goes- CJ blood has the genetics huh?! I'd love all the gooey details of all tests amd what they say.

(Bump!)

Besides confidence, stability, balance, socialization, control-

What types of scenarios and in what fashion whould you need to practive & train to prepare a dog to actually protect you in real life?

(always let the dog win to build confidence, increasing defense?)
I assume some wrestling, sense of urgency be displayed, reacting as if the pain was real. Actually playing a "decoy" of a criminal?

Please add more ...

Hi Alice,
Well the thing for me and in MY experience is that with a PPD , and like you said once you have dog that has all the works to become a PPD is to take it through a training that is gradual.And it all depends at what level of a PPD you want.We see some PPD that are trained for car protection and in-house only and then you have a PPD that is trained to encounter and stay in the fight out on the street etc...I really think after seeing different types of ppd and different levels that you have to know what level of PPD you really need and are willing to train and take on the liabilities.I have no second thought that you can handle a PPd for sure I know you can but think about the level that suits you and your life style.Then you know what type of dog to look for and what type of training it will need. A good friend of my parents own a jewelry store that has a PPD they brought back from France(Bouvier) They trained him to protect and guard the store.He will bite a man with a gun entering the store with no problems but that is the only type of training they have done with him and that is the only service(if you will) they need from the dog.I hope it makes sense , You will find some PPd that have one type of level and others that have way more training on different grounds and scenarios.It all depends on what you want..
I hope I answered your question cause I can talk nonstop and not have answered any of your questions...that is possibility

How about a "crossed trained" dog? You know, home patrol, car defense and street defense.
The difficult thing for me is to know where to start and how I can EVALUATE a good trainer. I don't want some goon making a mess out of my dogs. I believe there are very few trainers out there who can really make it work. Am I correct?
I also agree (although I'm not an expert and I'm going by common sense) that a sport dog probably won't protect, yet sport could be a good foundation. And if sport is a good foundation which sport? It seems PSA and ASR are on the top of the list.

I have found that ASR is probably the closest. I have heard that PSA is over-rated. Ring desensitizes the dogs to see it all as prey & sch is a dance. Correct me if I'm wrong. Please.

Well yes you can have all 3 , it all depends on what YOU need, not what you can get.You can get anyhting you want you just have to know what you want out of a dog.I have seen people who want a biting dog BUT they don't want their dog to bite the landscaper ,the maid walking in unannounced, the plumber coming in and out of the house while he is working.Believe me I have heard it all.And again it goes back to what you need from a PPD.
I have been lucky to train with people who know more than Schutzhund training.But I would assume that it can be tough finding a group or trainer that knows his stuff.You can come visit anytime !!

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The difficult thing for me is to know where to start and how I can EVALUATE a good trainer.

If nobody else wants to chime in, I guess you're stuck with me.

I'd say follow the money. Whom are police departments paying good money for dogs? Who has a reputation to uphold? Who has safety and liability at stake? Who has no personal or long-term financial interest in you and can provide an objective assessment?

Not so much the nice club guy who may be telling people what they want to here regarding dogs they'll probably never "use".

Thanks Ang and Steven for your intelligent comments. I suppose asking the PD's is a good start and evaluating one's situation and needs is another. How about you guys at Leerburg? Do you guys do evaluating and training of dogs? (DUH!) Perhaps I missed where it says so. I think I'm close enough to where I could visit. I'm in MN. Or flying to Vegas would be cool too! LIke I said before, there are few and far between good trainers out there.