Training A Lab To Be A Guard Dog? Can You and How?

Yes, you can train a lab to be a guard dog. I know you must be thinking labs are good pets. How can they be guard dogs? In this case, you need to have a talk with a specialised trainer in doing so. 

Most breeds are good guard dogs in the sense that they will bark when they see a new person. There is usually a reason why some canines are used as guards and some are not. Actually, some dogs just do not make good guard dog, and lab is one of those breeds.

Are labs good guard dogs and watch dogs?

The answer is partial yes in the case of guard dogs. There is a significant difference between a guard dog and a watchdog.

A guard dog is trained and used to guard livestock or property. For instance, a sheepdog falls into this category. A guard dog is expected to be alert and engage if necessary. Moreover, it is trained to display alert behaviour before biting. 

Talking about a watchdog, it is trained to alert the owner in specific conditions. It uses barking to alert its owner. However, it does not engage in a fight.

There are various breeds that work to keep the areas safe and guarded. According to AKC, these breeds include Beauceron, Akita, Australian Shepherd, Bullmastiff, etc. 

Labrador Traits That Make Them Good Guard Dogs

Smart

Labs are very playful and very smart. Moreover, they are ranked the 7th smartest canine breed. Also, they are very intelligent and obedient. Therefore, there is a good possibility that they can be good guard dogs. 

Huge

Labs are sturdy and big dogs. They are square in appearance, with sturdy legs and strong bodies. Depending on the gender, a lab can stand up to 25 in. and weighs around 80 pounds. This is a good thing to be a guard dog.

Protective nature and energy

Labs are very playful, protective, and energetic dogs. Therefore, they need good exercise to stay healthy and sane. Also, you need to train them as well. They are easy to train and can be guard dogs. 

Obedient

Labs are very obedient canine breeds. In simple words, they are very obedient to their owners. Obedience training is naturally in them, and this is why guard dog training becomes easy. 

How Training Your Dog to Guard Your House

Start at an early age

The earlier you start the better it is. You will see results sooner. This means that you need to start encouraging guard dog training at an early age. You have to start rewarding your lab when he barks after seeing the strangers.

Obedience training 

You have to teach your lab basic obedience. You can use your backyard to train your canine. This way, your canine will become territorial as it learns to obey your instructions. Moreover, you need to teach basic commands like bark, stay, leave it, sit, and down. 

Use a trigger word

To train your blab you need to establish a trigger word. Moreover, you can use “bark command’ as a trigger word. However, some owners prefer “speak” rather than “bark”. 

Once you choose your trigger word, say it with the same energy each time you instruct your canine this command. 

Test drive

Practice this with people approaching your house. You can draw your lab’s attention by whispering or pointing. Once the dog barks, reward him with his favourite treat. Do this every time to get them into the habit of barking at strangers. 

Run around your property’s boundary with your canine

You have to end your obedience training with this. Run around your property’s boundary with your lab. Your pooch will learn about his property and be familiar with the land you own. 

Be clear with your command

Practice and consistency are the keys to getting clear about his command. If you wish to test your canine’s response, stop walking him and look at him. Afterwards, say the trigger word with full enthusiasm. 

Avoid punishment

This is an important thing. You should not use punishment during training. This can make your canine aggressive and then cause danger to you. Labs can do best with positive reinforcement. 

Reward

Praise your canine through treats and verbally. This is an important part of the training process. This will help your lab to correlate between trigger words and actual attacking an intruder. 

Conclusion

We all know labs are very friendly canines. However, with the right training, you can train them as a guard dogs. Labs are usually bred to hunt and hence you can train them easily. They may not be dangerous attack dogs, but they are known for their loud bark and alertness.

I hope you enjoyed the article. I will be back soon with more interesting and informative pieces of writing. Till then, stay connected. Stay connected. 

Frequently asked question

Can a lab be a guard dog?

Yes, a lab can be a guard dog. Moreover, it can also be a good watchdog if you train it properly. To be honest, early training is the best thing to do. You can make your lab a good guard dog by training him from 8 weeks to 12 weeks.  

Can we make Labrador aggressive?

Yes, you can. Just like any other canine when labs are threatened, they can get aggressive. Moreover, it is up to you to train your lab properly and avoid situations that frighten or confuse your lab. 

How powerful is a Labrador bite?

The bite force of a lab is around 230 PSI. Moreover, labradors come on the list of canine breeds with strong bite force. I know this is quite surprising as they are very loving. But this is completely true. 

What is the most protective dog?

• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Rottweilers
• German shepherd
• Giant Schnauzer
• Bullmastiff
• Belgian Malinois

Are black Labs protective?

Yes, black labs are protective towards their people. They are excellent pets because they love to be around people. That is why they are protective towards their people and the people who they love the most. 

How do I get my lab aggressive to strangers?

Here are a few tips to train your lab to be aggressive toward strangers-

• Hire a professional trainer
• Exercise patience
• Avoid living in an apartment. Try to live in an open space
• Expose him to dummy situations
• Tell your visitors to call before coming
• Do not spay/neuter

Which Labrador is more aggressive?

It is said that chocolate labs are difficult to train and are more aggressive and hyperactive than other labs. Therefore, we can consider chocolate labs as more aggressive ones than others. 

Will a Labrador bark at an intruder?

The answer to this question is yes. This is true in case you train your lab to do so. Labs are very loving and loyal towards their owners. Therefore, a protective nature comes along with it. Moreover, you can easily convert this protectiveness by training your lab.  

Will a Lab defend its owner?

Labs are less protective than other breeds. However, they may defend their owners if a situation arises. Labs do not fall in the category of “threatening” dogs. Still, they have the capability to protect the house from potential threats. 

Why would a Labrador bite?

This may be due to incorrect upbringing, environment, and training. Labs are naturally loving dogs but if they bite, there’s something wrong. An unhealthy environment can exert pressure on a lab’s brain which may irritate him and he tends to bite anyone. 

Are female Labs more aggressive?

No, female labs are not more aggressive than male labs. However, they can be aggressive towards other female canines. 

What do Labradors love the most?

Here are 4 things that your lab loves more than anything else

1. Socialising
2. Swimming
3. Eating
4. Sleeping