The original purpose of the German Shepherd's Dog and many other breeds including the Dobe, Rotti, Malinois, and other Shepherd breeds was as the protector of flock and home. All of a sudden it is no longer acceptable to have such a dog as a family dog. What has caused this change? The dog, society, or both?

Poor breeding has definitely created a mass of dogs that are not fit to receive protection training, but neither are these dogs fit for family life. Weak nerved, thoughtless creatures, they are only a shadow of what their breed once was. An empty shell of their former selves Training this dog will not create a bad dog; he already is a bad dog.

Finding a dog that has been well socialized and well trained with minimal time in a kennel is of utmost importance. You can take a great dog with great genetics, isolate him in a kennel for a year, use poor unethical training tactics on him and you will have created a bad dog. A dog should be exposed to as many different sights, sounds, and experiences as possible as a pup. He should know more than just to bite. Proper training will teach your dog to sit quietly at your side while someone may be waving their arms and yelling at you. Proper training will teach your dog to deploy should that person attempt to strike you. Good genetics and training will provide you with a dog that will think and react under stress. Bad genetics and/or bad training will give you a dog that bites under stress.

Society has created weakness in dogs and in themselves. People want a dog sharp and hard enough to deploy through smoke, fire and live gunfire to save their lives. These same people push their dogs on plump cushions in shopping carts so they can go doggie shopping at the big Pet Store and show off their dog. They want a soft, useless couch potato that they can feed from the table, who will sleep in their bed, roll on their back for tummy rubs and then when a crazed maniac breaks into their house they want a K-9 Soldier. A well-trained dog or any dog for that matter, should be treated with respect and discipline. Keep him fit and sharp. You can pet your dog, love your dog, but don't treat him like a mindless idiot. You wouldn't take a real gun to a water gun fight, so don't treat your real dog like a toy. It's time to get disciplined with yourselves, your children and your dogs. Dogs must have discipline and structure in their lives maintained to keep sharp. They are not dress up dolls to be poked, prodded and pulled at. Children and dogs are naturally drawn to each other and make great playmates and friends, but they must be treated with respect and dignity by children. Children must be taught this.

Purchase a well-bred, well-trained dog and with a little effort and responsibility, you will enjoy the companionship, loyalty, and protection of his company for many years. Such a dog is without question a noble and most trusted friend, who will give his life for yours.

© Mike McConnery