Labrador can be trained as a guard dog: Although they are lovable pets, one of the greatest indirect benefits of owning a large dog is the added security they provide to the family. Even though it can be annoying every time a doorbell chimes on the TV, or when a package is delivered, we should try to appreciate the created perception of what is behind our front door. Labradors are quite friendly to humans, but if anything ever escalates beyond that, it may prove to be a disadvantage. The last thing we should do is to discourage the alertness and loud barking responses that dogs may have. It is therefore important to ask the question – can a Labrador be trained to be a guard dog?
It is possible to train Labrador Retrievers so that they can be used as guard dogs. Almost any dog can be trained to be a guard dog with the appropriate amount of training. Still, the training professionals at Dog Academy state that a lab dog’s training to become a guard dog will be a bit more complicated than training other dogs, since they are naturally less aggressive and more docile towards humans.
Labradors can be trained to become effective guard dogs, but it takes a lot of time and effort. While they are one of the most intelligent and hardworking breeds of dogs, they are also one of the most playful and energetic dogs. It is possible to succeed in business through consistency, hard work, and the right set of tools and strategies. Here I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how you can train a Labrador to be a guard dog by sharing everything I’ve learned about it.
The traits that make Labradors good guard dogs
You would expect that a Labrador retriever dog would have all the qualities that you would hope for in a guard dog. Nevertheless, certain of these traits need to be harnessed through training to make your Lab an effective guard dog.
Size
There is no doubt that Labradors are big dogs. In addition to being a guard dog, one of the guard dogs’ responsibilities is to be intimidating, which is why the overall size of a lab is perfect for this job. Labrador puppies already come with the right size to be a guard dog, so that’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
Trainability
In addition to being exceptionally playful, labs are also exceptionally intelligent. They are not only capable of doing amazing things if they are trained correctly. There are several ways to train a lab to act as a guard dog if you have the time and energy. You just need to have patience and commitment on your part.
Labrador can be trained as a guard dog: Pros and Cons.
Some dog breeds are more capable than others of becoming guard dogs. Almost everyone knows that Chihuahuas are very loud dogs with very strong personalities, but the dogs are too small to be of much assistance to humans in times of crisis.
A Labrador Retriever’s bark can be heard from the other end of the yard as they are very loud and have an impressive stature. As a guard dog, a Labrador Retriever can be a great addition to your family. However, there are some cons to keep in mind.
Pros
In addition to simply being a lovey beast, training your Lab to be a guard dog has several advantages. These include the simple fact that they make great companions. Let us take a look at some of the benefits of training a Labrador to become a guard dog.
Energetic
The Labrador Retriever breed makes for a very energetic and playful dog, which makes training one fun activity. In addition to that, they can also be very alert when it comes to any suspicious activities that occur around the house.
Protective
Labs are protective of their owners, their property, their toys, food, and water. Guard dogs must be protective of their owners to be considered guard dogs.
Obedient
The Labrador Retriever breed was built specifically to be obedient, as they were bred from the start to be that way. The training of Labrador Retrievers to be guard dogs should be relatively easy because, as mentioned earlier, obedience training comes almost naturally to them.
Loud bark
A dog with a labrador retriever crossbreed has a very noticeable bark that can be used to warn people away from potential danger. When a very loud bark is heard, it can also warn owners to remain cautious even when trouble is nearby.
Intelligence
There is no doubt that Labradors are some of the smartest dogs in the world. Stanley Corden’s Intelligence of Dogs reports that Labradors rank 7th in overall intelligence, which means that they are one of only ten dogs who can obey first commands 95% of the time and can learn new commands in under five repetitions.
Cons
In terms of cons, there are only two major ones to consider, and neither one is a deal-breaker. It is true that not all Labrador Retrievers are the same. Some Labrador Retrievers may be better suited for guard duty than others. However, training can help to improve some of these cons.
Lack of aggression
Labrador retrievers are known to be some of the friendliest dogs in existence. It was their breed that bred them to be friendly animals. One of the reasons why they are one of the most popular pets in the world is because of their lack of aggression towards humans and even other animals.
Labrador retrievers do not perceive a lot of things that people tend to perceive as threats to them. In the case of Labrador retrievers, it is not a good trait to have if you want your dog to serve as a guard dog. For instance, if someone comes into your home for the first time.
Even though your Lab may bark at you when this visitor comes to the door, usually a gentle hand and a calming voice from this visitor can calm your Lab very quickly. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing.
On the other hand, if your Labrador’s only purpose is to serve as a guard dog, this might prove problematic. Nevertheless, Labs can be retrained to handle this situation with the correct amount of training.
Slow to bite
A lab will rarely bite a human being, and it is very rare for a lab to attack a human. Also because of this, labs are great family dogs, so it is not a bad thing to have them around. Unfortunately, this is a more complex problem when it comes to situational threats such as dogs and humans who do not run away at the first sound of an alarm or warning bark.
How to train a Labrador to be a guard dog
When you are away or at home, guard dogs can act as a highly effective way to ensure that your property is protected. The following are some reasons that may make a Lab the right choice for you:
Labs are quick to react
Whenever a dog perceives anything as a threat, he is quick to react. It is the dog’s natural curiosity that makes sure that any unusual sightings will be sniffed out and barked at, making sure the owner and the rest of the family are protected. As a consequence, they can act as a natural alarm system, barking until the threat has disappeared completely out of sight and mind.
They are loyal
It is no secret that Labrador retrievers are incredibly loyal creatures who are bound to their human owners. There is also something about the loyalty they have for their owners that is linked to their natural urge to protect them when they encounter dangerous situations. Having this quality is even more important when considering what to look for in a guard dog since they must protect what is dear to you.
Wide range of protection
The security systems installed in laboratories offer a wider range of protection than those installed in most homes. As many alarm systems only alert when a break-in occurs, Labradors, on the other hand, using their acute hearing senses, can locate strangers and high-pitch threatening sounds such as glass breaking and tires screeching much better than humans or alarm systems.
Proactively eliminate threats
We know that in some instances when an alarm goes off, it may take a bit of time for help to arrive. In those instances where there is an intruder on the premises, guard dogs are of great assistance. The barking of a Labrador can serve as a deterrent to potential intruders before the matter escalates.
Although we all know that there is a loving family pet at the other end of the door, it is doubtful that a criminal will be able to differentiate between different barks.
Stress relief
There is nothing more stressful than having an intruder in your home. Inevitably, we will all experience a fear of possible intrusions or wake up in the middle of the night believing that we’ve heard something.
You can have peace of mind when you know that there is an alert and highly sensitive Labrador nearby. Additionally, I have pitched that benefit to my concerned children in the middle of the night! There is no need to worry about Molly barking if she doesn’t!
Resources for Training Your Lab
As mentioned previously, if you intend to make your Lab into a good guard dog, you must train it to become so. It has been my experience that with the right training that these challenges can be easily overcome despite some of the challenges we discussed. The only problem is finding a guard dog trainer that is affordable.
Online training
Online training has become one of the most effective and convenient ways to train your dog. It is even endorsed by organizations like the American Kennel Club as being a great way to train dogs.
For online training to be preferred to traditional training, the following reasons should be mentioned:
- It is a cost-effective option – trainers can be expensive!
- In my experience, energetic dogs (hint: labs) tend to be more comfortable in their own home with their owners
- When it comes to learning how to take care of them
The one that I would recommend is Brain Training For Dogs, by Adrienne Farricelli. Adrienne is a recognized authority and a certified dog training specialist within the dog training industry.
It is important to note that although the training is not specifically geared towards guard dog training, it does provide an overall level of training that has proved to be extremely useful in learning to control behavior. As a result of this, guard dog training will be more effective, and the methods can be applied seamlessly.
Conclusion
With the right training tools, you can train the Labrador to become a guard dog. There are pros and cons to training them, but keeping proper expectations is essential. Regardless of the pros, the cons outweigh the pros. There is no doubt that labradors are not vicious attack dogs, but they can serve as great deterrents because of their alert and loud bark. As well as being extremely beneficial to a family, the sense of security that they bring to a home is something to be celebrated amongst everyone.k
Can Labradors be protective?
Labrador Retrievers are not typically considered protective in the same way that traditional guarding breeds are. They may try to protect their household from things they view as a threat. But to the open-hearted Lab, not many encounters fall into the category of “threatening”
Can a Labrador fight?
No, you do not. Remember, Labs are not aggressive by default. Like any animal, they will display aggression if that’s their last resort against a threat. A kitten is not a threat to a Lab, just like your young children aren’t either.
Can a Labrador be aggressive?
Happily, Labradors are not known to be aggressive dogs. In fact, they are generally known for having a laid back, friendly and patient personality – which makes them such a great family dog. However, some Labradors can have behavioral issues.
Are Labradors loyal?
Labs are a dog breed that naturally bond to their family. This is different than some breeds that have a tendency to bond very strongly with one person, which makes the Lab a dog that is happy to spend time with everyone in the family. A Lab is also loyal and will bark to let you know that strangers are around.
Can a Labrador beat a German Shepherd?
If a GSD and a lab were to fight then the GSD would almost certainly win the fight. German Shepherd intelligence. Both German Shepherds and Labradors are highly intelligent and easily trainable dogs.
Are Labs strong?
In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will.