Are you considering an Aussiedoodle for protection? Aussiedoodles, a charming mix of the intelligent Poodle and the loyal Australian Shepherd, have been gaining popularity–but do they fit the bill when it comes to guard dog work? Let’s explore how the blend of alertness from the Poodle and the protective nature of the Australian Shepherd contribute to the Aussiedoodle’s abilities to keep a watchful eye over its home and family.
The Family Tree
Aussiedoodles, a cross between Australian Shepherds and Poodles, inherit traits from both parent breeds that can influence their potential as guard dogs. To understand their guarding abilities, let’s examine the characteristics of both Poodles and Australian Shepherds.
Poodles
Known for their intelligence and obedience, Poodles are highly trainable. They are alert and often bark to notify their owners of unfamiliar situations or strangers, which can be a valuable trait for a guard dog. However, Poodles are not typically aggressive. They are more likely to alert their owner to a situation rather than confront it directly. Their ability to quickly learn and follow commands can be an asset in training for specific guarding tasks.
Australian Shepherds
These dogs are known for their loyalty and protective instincts. Australian Shepherds are also highly intelligent and trainable, much like Poodles. Their herding background means they are naturally vigilant and may be more inclined to watch over their territory and family. They can be cautious or wary around strangers, which aids in their role as guard dogs. However, without proper training and socialization, this wariness can turn into excessive shyness or aggression.
When these traits are combined in an Aussiedoodle, you get a dog that is likely to be intelligent, trainable, alert, and loyal. Their alertness to new and different situations can make them excellent at notifying their owner of anything unusual. However, the guarding ability of an individual Aussiedoodle can vary greatly depending on which traits they inherit from their parents and their individual temperament.
In general, while Aussiedoodles may be excellent at alerting their owners to new or different situations due to their alertness and intelligence, they may not have the natural aggression or inclination to physically confront a threat like some traditional guard dog breeds.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t play a role in keeping your home safe. Instead of guard dog duties, let’s look at the job of watch dog for your Aussiedoodle and how this differs from the role of guard dog.
Do Aussiedoodles Make Good Watch Dogs?
The terms “guard dog” and “watch dog” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different roles and behaviors in dogs. Since we’ve determined that Aussiedoodles aren’t the best choice for a guard dog, let’s look at the possibility of a watch dog role for your new companion.
What is a Watch Dog?
- Primary Role: The main role of a watch dog is to alert their owners to the presence of intruders or unusual occurrences. They are essentially ‘alarm systems’ on four legs.
- Size and Breed: Watch dogs can be of any size. Often, smaller breeds are more vocal and alert, making them excellent watch dogs. This means both the Mini Aussiedoodle and the Aussiedoodle qualify!
- Behavior: They are known for their high alertness and tendency to bark or make noise when they detect something unusual. This barking is their way of alerting their owners.
- Training: Watch dogs typically require less specialized training compared to guard dogs. Their natural alertness is often sufficient for their role. We definitely know that Aussiedoodles are known for their alertness!
- Aggressiveness: Generally, watch dogs are not expected to be physically confrontational. Their job ends at making the owner aware of a potential threat.
How this differs from a guard dog
- Primary Role: Guard dogs are trained to protect property and people from intruders or threats. They are more than just alarm systems; they are also part of the response.
- Size and Breed: Typically, guard dogs are larger and physically imposing. Breeds often used as guard dogs include German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Rottweilers, known for their strength and courage.
- Behavior: They are trained to assess and respond to threats, which can include barking, chasing, or physically confronting an intruder.
- Training: Guard dogs require extensive and ongoing training to ensure they can differentiate between normal and threatening situations and react appropriately.
- Aggressiveness: They can be aggressive when necessary but should be well-controlled. A well-trained guard dog is not needlessly aggressive and knows when to engage or stand down.
How to Teach Your Aussiedoodle to be a Watch Dog
As you can see, the job of WATCH dog is one in which either the standard Aussiedoodle or the Miniature Aussiedoodle can excel. Watch dogs are more about sounding the alarm, while guard dogs are trained to physically respond and protect.
Training your Aussiedoodle to be a watch dog is about balancing their natural instincts with disciplined training. Remember, the goal is to create a responsible, alert watch dog, not an aggressive or fearful one.
Here are some steps to take to encourage your Aussiepoo to let you know when something’s not quite right!
Socializing Your Dog
Socialize your Aussiedoodle from a young age by exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals. This helps them learn to distinguish between normal and abnormal situations.
Introduce your dog to different sounds, sights, and experiences in a controlled manner to prevent fear or aggression.
Learn What Sounds are Normal
Much of the watch dog job will come to your dog naturally–but it helps to train your dog to know which situations are bark-worthy and which are part of everyday life.
Teach your dog not to bark at familiar people or normal noises. This can be done by desensitizing them to regular occurrences and rewarding them when they remain calm. Introduce your pup to non-threatening cues (like mail delivery or familiar visitors) and train them not to bark at these cues.
Reinforce Alert Behavior
Watch for signs of alertness in your dog. When your pup shows alert behavior (like perking up their ears or focusing on something), verbally acknowledge it with phrases like “What’s that?”.
Encourage investigation, and allow them to investigate, and praise them for showing alertness.
Boundary Training
It helps to establish boundaries. Show your Aussiedoodle the boundaries of their territory (like your yard or home).
Take them on walks around these boundaries regularly to reinforce their sense of territory.
Bark on Cue
One way you can help encourage your Aussiedoodle’s natural watch dog abilities is to teach your dog to bark on cue.
Train your dog to bark on a specific cue, like “Alert” or “Speak”. You can do this by creating a situation that naturally causes your dog to bark, like knocking on a door, and then using the cue word as they bark.
Immediately reward them with treats and praise when they bark on cue. Over time, they will associate the command with the action of barking. If you hear a noise that hasn’t alerted your dog, you can give the “Speak” command to ask your dog to bark.
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