Q. I live in a gated community. Can I let my dog off the leash in this environment?

It is your responsibility as a large breed dog owner to have your dog under control at all times in a public place. It is also against the law in most European countries to let dogs off leash in a public place that is not designated as a dog walking zone.

Q. I want my dog to stay next to me at all times off the leash, like on the gof course, or in a public park. Is this possible?

This is not a realistic expectation with an effective Protection Dog. 

If you see a Protection Dog that will not leave its handler's side when off leash in public it has probably been trained with the use of a so called 'remote trainer' - a shock collar. Training the dog in this way creates a loss of confidence and self assurance in  the dog, making him fearful and insecure outside the comfort zone of his handler. This in turn creates an ineffective Protection Dog, as the qualities of self confidence and fearlessness are essential characterisics of the effective Protection Dog.

If you are considering the purchase of a Protection Dog that has been trained with the use of a shock collar (e-collar, remote trainer) be aware that the dog's obedience may well be impressive, but it will be at the expense of his ability to protect you.

Q. Can I allow my Protection Dog to exercise off leash?

Yes, the same as you would be able to for any dog that has been trained to the recall and as long as you practice responsible dog ownership at all times. Make sure that the environment is appropriate and safe, not only for the sake of other people but also for the sake of your dog. Make the exercise time fun and interesting, like fetching a ball, to keep your dog's focus on you - if you are boring your dog will wander off to find something more interesting to do!

Q. Can a Protection Dog live in an apartment?

An apartment is not an ideal environment for a large breed dog. Having said that, if you are prepared to put in the extra time it takes to provide your dog with the stimulation and exercise he needs there is no reason why the dog should not be content to live in an apartment.

Remember that a Protection Dog is intelligent and energetic and so will become easily bored and begin to display unwanted behaviours if you cannot provide suitable and regular opportunities for exercise and stimulation.

Q. I have read that a Protection Dog should allow a 'criminal' to pet it after an attack, demonstrating the control of the handler over the dog. Is that correct?

If you see a Protection Dog demonstrating this then beware! This dog thinks that protection is just a game. 

This type of Protection Dog training is very unrealistic and I cannot think of any circumstance in which a criminal that your dog has apprehended would want to go any near the dog, let alone to pet him. This type of Protection work is purely to demonstrate control over the dog and has no other real world application. A Protection Dog demonstated in this way is merely to impress the uninitiated onlooker.

Your Protection Dog should take your safety and his job of protecting you very seriously, and this cannot be achieved by  teaching him that a 'criminal' might be attacking you in one moment and be your friend the next.

Alpha K9 dogs are taught the difference between threatening and non-threatening behaviour and body language, but we believe that this should not be taught by using the criminal in this way.

Alpha K9 Protection Dogs take all attacks seriously. They are never encouraged to accept a criminal in this way, and during training the 'criminal' behaves in just the same way a real assailant would behave. The 'criminal' and the dog never meet socially, and have no contact outside of the training. It is this way that we keep the training as realistic as possible to reflect real-world scenarios.

Q. Can you supply me with a dog trained to my specifications?

Within reason, yes. We encourage clients to discuss their requirements with the Trainer in order to establish realistic expectations of the dog and his capabilities.  Rembember that the Trainer is an expert on dog training and we would like clients to trust the Trainer's recommendations.

There are many Protection Dog  suppliers who will just say 'yes' to all your requirements in order to secure a sale. Bear in mind the training methods to achieve your requirements may compromise the dog's Protection capabilities and dampen his natural characterisitcs - see the question regarding off-leash heeling in public.