Author Topic: watch dog (Read 1046 times)

slim rem 7 · « **on:** May 30, 2009, 02:28:12 PM »

this not about hunting dogs.. my lil cheawa is falling dn on the job as watch dog.. so i picked up a pup today.... pt beagle no telling what else..
ive trained pit bulls to absolutely not be a watch or guard dog,for my on reasons.. but never attemted to encourage a young dog to yelp just as soon as something or somebody appears..its a gamble as she may just be the kind that don t sound the alarm.. but does any of you dog people know how i can encourage her to sound off an know shes doing right ....if somebody comes up.... its just the wife an myself so i have to have a sentinel..... any help appreciated. slim..

crustaceous · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2009, 02:36:48 PM »

I did a "watchdog traing" search and there are a bunch of sites about it. Basically you reward the dog for barking!

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:10:45 PM »

watch dog training search.. i ll google it.. thanks brother..
edited thanks much.. you just diligently go praise him when he does bark at strangers,or anyone ,for that matter.....where i live if he sees them pull in ..... its not something i don t want to know..... so he can bark anytime anyone or thing comes in the yrd..slim

GameHauler · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:41:38 PM »

Slim, to each their own.
I hate a barking dog and have trained mine not to
unless they hear something out of the ordinary and then
pay attention to what they are trying to tell me with a
squat with them and ask WHAT? and check it out with them.
If you want to train a dog to bark at everything it hears
I feel for you and your Neighbors if you have any close by.
I got a new next door neighbor a year or so ago and they
have one of those yeeping POS dogs that barks at anything,
has all the other neighbors and me talking about what we are going to do.
I would like to say we do live on 1 acre lots so we are not crammed together.
I think if you got a Beagle mix you will not have to worry about training it to bark
as it is part of their natural behavior so I would just let the dog come into its own and and see what it does.
It will be VERY easy to train it to bark more later with very easy training
if it does not give you the results you want on its own.
Sorry if you did not like my post but wanted to give my $.02 on it

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:11:34 PM »

thanks gamehauler and i understand exactly where you are coming from.. but i live the only house in front of a hundred acres of woods..
no passing pedestrians but the highways right out there,plus a railroad track.. i leave my wife here alone some an she knows how to use the guns in her reach.. but my fear is a person getting inside the house while shes napping or we are both a sleep...at night or otherwise..she an i have our intruder plan rehearsed an practiced.. but we do need to get it started before the dudes standing over us in the bed.. we both elderly.. thanks for your input.. slim

crustaceous · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:21:08 PM »

How about some guinea hens. My grandma had them and nothing got by without an alarm.

Tommyt · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:22:31 PM »

Get a Different Dog /or another type

If I had you situation I'd have me a Sheperd type dog
Heck a Lab is a good one and they are smart
sometimes smarter than the owner

mirage1988 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:53:33 PM »

Dogs are smart enough to know when to bark without you encouraging them to bark. When a dog barks everytime it sees a fly or a squirrel, pretty soon it's bark gets ignored.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:02:42 PM »

Get rid of the dog and get yourself a small flock of geese. Best watchdog you'll ever have.

Chilachuck · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:00:31 PM »

Birds are no good at night.

(Except those blasted green herons. If you have ever scared one up at night while walking along a shore line, you know what I mean. As bad a pheasants.)

Default · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:50:26 PM »

You get a little dog and a big dog , The little dog is the ears that gets the big dog alert and of course the big dog is the bite , If'n by that point you arent already awake..

But I have never rewarded a dog for barking without cause ... I have a little Choodle that has far better hearing then myself and she pretty much lets the master know whats up.

GameHauler makes a good point about beagals and barking , Around my parts those are the most commonly used dogs for driving deer ..

Default

teamnelson · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:54:58 PM »

Try a pig. Been attacked by one guarding his yard, talk about spooky.

DDZ · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:57:06 AM »

If you want a good watch dog, get a mixed breed. Like a collie-shepard mix. They make a great pet, and bark at strangers, or any unusual noise. I have had differant collie-shepard breeds and they act mean and look mean, but none of them would ever bite anyone. Also they all have been very intelligent dogs. I have seen some pure breads that are dumb as a box of rocks.

Brett · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2009, 03:12:34 AM »

Hmm, not often you hear of someone wanting to train their dog to bark. Most folks spend a bunch of time and or money trying to get them to shut up.

Barking comes pretty naturally to a dog but I'm with Gamehauler, I want my dog to bark only when there is a good reason to bark, (2 or 4 legged predators on the property). A dog that barks every time a squirrel comes in the yard or a bird flies by is soon ignored. Praise them when they bark for a legitimate reason and tell them to shush when barking is inappropriate.

crustaceous · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2009, 06:47:28 AM »

You want a dog like this
http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/ktvbn-may2909-chihuahua_cougar.2b6986e0.html

plumberroy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:56:20 PM »

I have a full blooded beagle that is one of the best watch I have seen If it isn't right he barks, I go looking . He barks if something is unusual, if he needs some thing, or He will howl with a train

. or of course if there is a rabbit in the yard. the thing is he has different barks for each . I can tell "that aint right" from "I'm hungry" just as easy as talking to a human he is backed up by my female beagle
Roy

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2009, 02:44:15 PM »

game hauler .. i appreciate your input.. your post was fine.. different people have different situation.. mine,,
im older an might be seen more readily as a target..
my wife is here by herself a good bit.. not in hollering distance to any neighbor.. an last access to my place from rr tracks the highway an woods ..
i shoot a good bit an can tell people are aware im armed.. so thats good.
but an old drunk looking for a place to find whiskey or something ,might try me ,as well as the young hoods that are looking for targets whether we know it or not.. but thanks for you post..
plumberry im hoping she barks at every animal or person that even walks in the woods behind the house..
don t mean to sound like a scaredy but this world seems to have gotten more dangerouse ,,when i wasn t looking..i can t count on being able to handle them anymore with my strength, its just pretty much gone.... slim

Cement Man · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2009, 04:04:22 PM »

I like when my miniature schnauzer alerts us. When someone pulls in the driveway I get his attention and say "Who's there?" kind of sharply and get him worked up a bit. He'll get alert and run to the window barking. I give him a treat.
I don't want a dog that will bite people just bark. He wags his tail when he barks and likes everybody - but at least he alerts us. I like that when I'm in the basement or behind the house. Let's me know someone is around.

rockbilly · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2009, 04:52:07 PM »

I have a miniture Schnauzer and a miniture Poodle, they are excellent watch dogs. They don't bark at everything that moves, but will let you know if something/someone is close to the house. I don't mind the barking since I can't hear anyway (too many years shooting the postol and working on airplanes). My son and daughter-in-law were recently robbed as they slept, the burgler came into their bedroom, stole her purse and rings, my son's wallet that contained about $1300. She had "beat" their dog until it wouldn't bark at anything. She said she heard the dog growl, but roilled over and told it to shut up. She complains when she comes to my house because the dogs bark, I just tell her that is their job and the reason I feed them. I don't worry about anyone slipping up on me with them here.

Don't snicker at the Poodle, I said I would never have one but ended up wiith this one after having to have my Rot put to sleep. He is large for a miniture, weighs in at about 23 pounds, but has a heart as big as any dog I have ever seen. He is either a fool or not afraid of anything, He keeps my German Shepard in line, and has run several other big dogs off.

Cement Man · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2009, 05:18:12 PM »

I get more impressed with poodles the more I am around them. Our neighbor had one that was smart as a whip and I liked him a lot. He was hanging around our house one Sunday morning and we had an extra breakfast sausage left so I offered it to him. He refused it. Later I told his owner about and he said "Elliot" didn't like that brand. off topic, but a funny memory for me.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2009, 11:02:52 PM »

sounds like you fellas got what i need.. this litte pup shows promiise..at 8 weeks he was raisin cane when i walked up this morning.. i just need a couple of seconds warning an i got a chance to evaluate any danger that might be there..
several plans are already in place..
uh oh she chewing on my yesterday sock as i type..

.. truth is this part of my childhood i can do again.. never really had time to enjoy a dog ,although i bred them for a while.. thats like farming though.. not the same as having a good pet,that can take walks in the wood with me..my first dog,as a boy,was spotty ,i ll never forget her.. this one appropriately named ,,what else spottie...

sure hope shes a good watch dog,,but either way she gonna be my buddy..slim
yep im a sucker for big brown eyes..

Mikey · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:45:22 AM »

I have five dogs that are all part of my early warning system, and as a early warning system they work very well. They know the sound of my vehicles and don't so much as wimper when I come home but if someone else drives up or is seen or heard then all getout breaks loose and I consider myself adequately warned.

I do not believe the breed matters. Some become wonderful lap dogs, some are always on alert because they know they are smarter than you. All will love you and protect (at least sound off) you if you treat them right. I have found that those I have rescued or simply found wandering lost and hungry are those most devoted.

Between the dogs growling softly at birds and turkeys making noise outside, or the dogs coming fully awake if a coytoe sets up a howl, or the cats using my full bladder as a launch pad when the dogs come alert, it doesn't matter - if something is going on I have no choice but to get up and if they are alert, so am I.

Dee · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:27:23 PM »

Quote from: slim rem 7 on May 31, 2009, 11:02:52 PM

sounds like you fellas got what i need.. this litte pup shows promiise..at 8 weeks he was raisin cane when i walked up this morning.. i just need a couple of seconds warning an i got a chance to evaluate any danger that might be there..
several plans are already in place..
uh oh she chewing on my yesterday sock as i type.. .. truth is this part of my childhood i can do again.. never really had time to enjoy a dog ,although i bred them for a while.. thats like farming though.. not the same as having a good pet,that can take walks in the wood with me..my first dog,as a boy,was spotty ,i ll never forget her.. this one appropriately named ,,what else spottie...
sure hope shes a good watch dog,,but either way she gonna be my buddy..slim
yep im a sucker for big brown eyes..

Here's the trick slim rem 7. Take the dog to a parking lot like a Wal Mart. Encourage the dog to watch people. ANY PEOPLE just walking by. When you are certain the dog is looking at a person walking close by, in a low voice hisss, and tell the dog to "watch him" (doesn't matter if the person is male or female). When the dog responds by barking and OR growling, quietly encourage him, and when the event passes, pretend that he just discovered penicillin, fired a rocket to the moon, and authored the original King James Bible. Act really excited, and speak to him in a baby talking voice to let him know your pleased.
Do this only about 10 to 15 minutes at a time once a day, or he will burn out when young. This will over a period of a few weeks "pump the dog up" and cause him to be every vigilant to PLEASE YOU by locating goblins.
It sounds too simple, but this is how it is done. Some may be skeptical, however, the United States Police K-9 Ass. thought I knew what I was talking about in 94 when I made the Nationals at Ft. Lauderdale. And no, I did not use vendor trained K-9s. I was a trainer.
This activity teaches the dog to be suspicious of EVERYONE, male or female. The positive and negative of it however, is that the dog will TRUST KNOW ONE BUT YOU AND YOUR WIFE. This at times can be a burden. My wife and I used to have to take my K-9s (partner at the time) on vacation with us, as he was hostile to everyone but us.

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:52:38 PM »

My wife praised our Beagles when someone came in the drive and they barked. She told them they were good boys, and gave them treats when they did bark. Both took to the lesson well and became a good watch dogs. One how ever became real aggressive and territorial. We have to keep him locked up when someone comes over or he will bite. The other one will run up barking, then try to lick them to death.

Dee · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:59:49 PM »

Quote from: Sourdough on June 01, 2009, 02:52:38 PM

My wife praised our Beagles when someone came in the drive and they barked. She told them they were good boys, and gave them treats when they did bark. Both took to the lesson well and became a good watch dogs. One how ever became real aggressive and territorial. We have to keep him locked up when someone comes over or he will bite. The other one will run up barking, then try to lick them to death.

As I said, they are both a blessing and a curse. I have a Jack Russel male, that was an "old man" when he was a pup however, my fenced in 1/2 acre is HIS, and he defends it against man or beast. He isn't the least yappy as some are, and when he speaks you would do well to check it out. BUT! HE BITES! There is no ritualistic growling, and bowing up. He runs to the fight, and when he gets there, it is immediately ON! We love him, but we watch him. He is now 7yoa, and in his prime, and totally fearless.

cochise · « **Reply #25 on:** June 01, 2009, 04:52:29 PM »

I used to have a bouvier des flanders dog that was a great watchdog. Old ugly would tree anybody who made the mistake of entering my property uninvited. He especially hated spandex wearing bicycle riders who came in off the highway looking for water. He bit several of them but was very gentle and affectionate with the family. In my current line of work I encounter a lot of dogs and the ones that scare me are the huge white pyrenees? dogs that farmers use for herding. They are incredibly protective of the farm and I have no doubt that one would happily rip off my arm if I entered into their enclosure.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #26 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:51:50 AM »

Quote from: DDZ on May 31, 2009, 01:57:06 AM

If you want a good watch dog, get a mixed breed. Like a collie-shepard mix. They make a great pet, and bark at strangers, or any unusual noise. I have had differant collie-shepard breeds and they act mean and look mean, but none of them would ever bite anyone. Also they all have been very intelligent dogs. I have seen some pure breads that are dumb as a box of rocks.

That's what I have. Best watch dog I've ever had. Very lovable as a pet too.

swordfish · « **Reply #27 on:** June 02, 2009, 05:02:12 AM »

Quote from: Rustyinfla on May 30, 2009, 05:02:42 PM

Get rid of the dog and get yourself a small flock of geese. Best watchdog you'll ever have.

This is great advise, we used Geese when I lived in Indo. They work great, and they do work at night also.
"If you are interested in living home security systems, consider geese as an alternative to dogs. I recommend hatching the eggs yourself so the goslings imprint on humans. That way your "security system" won't see you as a threat and attack you!"

Do a google search on "geese, security" you will fine some good info.

WylieKy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 02, 2009, 06:34:49 AM »

I often find beagles to be a bit much. Unless you have a LOT of time to spend with them, you will be alerted when a strangers comes on your property, when a predator comes on your property, when an animal comes on your property, when a bug comes on your property, when the wind blows across your property, when the rain falls on your property, and when the sun shines on your property. And leaves....they HATE leaves. Beagles are kind of like politicians, they love the sound of their own voice and will often raise the alarm over nothing just to hear themselves speak.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 02, 2009, 09:38:04 AM »

we gonna lover an kinda like dee said.. not particularly interested in her liken other folk.. so she ll be taught that way if she will learn it. slim