How to Choose the Right Watchdog

Many dog owners are on the lookout for a dog that will act as a watchdog for their family, by barking at the first sign of trouble. But choosing the right watchdog can be problematic, as you will want a dog that barks to alert you to danger, rather than an animal that is overly aggressive and barks constantly. How can you choose the right watchdog?

Train Your Puppy Early

The best time to train a dog is while the animal is still a puppy. Dog owners should never tolerate excessive barking, inside or outside the home. Dogs that are allowed to bark excessively will become agitated and aggressive. Stop excessive barking early on through personal intervention by carefully approaching the dog and stopping the barking right away. Some dogs respond well to gentle verbal prompts to stop barking, while others need to be kept on a lead and given correction in a firmer tone of voice.

Choosing the Right Breed

There are plenty of breeds of dog that would make great watchdogs. Over time, breeders have specifically singled out certain traits and characteristics that make for a good watchdog, such as loyalty, implicit obedience and aggressive tendencies. While a dog with these tendencies will make a good watchdog, owners need to handle the animal carefully so that those qualities are only manifested to alert them to danger, rather than toward guests or family members.

Training methods must be firm, but not harsh or overbearing. In the end, a good watchdog will learn to curb and control its aggressive until it is required to warn you of danger. Dogs that make good watchdogs include German Shepherds, Mastiffs and Doberman Pinschers.

Choosing the right watchdog is important. It is easy to settle for the fiercest most aggressive breed of dog, to deter intruders, without first doing your homework. But this is not the best approach. Start off with a puppy. The training needs to start from day one. Do not tolerate excessive barking. Rather, let the dog know when it needs to cam down. Choosing the right breed of dog is also important. But whatever breed you settle for, make sure training methods are firm, rather than harsh, so that you end up with a watchdog that will always alert you to danger, not bark excessively or uncontrollably.