"CIVIL"-Defense vs Prey Drive

We have heard various opinions about what a true "Civil" trained protection working line German Shepherd is or should be. By drawing from the experience of those who have trained and worked first hand with these dogs for many years both abroad and domestically we hope to provide some clarification on the matter.

The definition of a civil dog can be explained as a dog whose protective instincts and drives have been tuned to focus on and engage a single decoy or assailant without be agitated or stimulated. Their instincts help them to discern the difference between a threatening and non threatening person or situation. 

Drives are defined here as to what motivates a dog to engage in specific behaviors, such as hunting, herding, or guarding. These drives are inherited instincts that impact a dog's energy levels, training, and behavior.  

The first priority in creating a true "Civil" trained protection dog is to find and start with a dog that possesses the necessary built-in genetic qualities, instincts and temperament. We highly recommend that you research the genetic tendencies of the particular dogs parents, pedigree and bloodlines. A good trainer or breeder can help evaluate a puppy as to whether it has the potential and natural instincts needed. It's important to keep in mind though, that it is just a puppy, as it grows and matures a puppy will experience changes in its overall character. But, if you select a puppy whose parents have and display the needed qualities, you increase the chances that your puppy will also possess the natural abilities and instincts needed.  

A skillful trainer will know how to develop and work with a dogs natural instincts and abilities in order to help it to reach its greatest potential as a "Civil" trained dog. It's important to understand that not all trainers are created equal, especially when it comes to the needed skills for evaluating, training and developing a stable protection dog. 

A "Civil" dogs bite work or protection training relies heavily on its strength of mind and discipline and the right balance between Prey, Defense and Fight drives. Our experience has proven that Protection/Defense and Apprehension training that is developed based on a balance of all three drives is more likely to produce stable dogs. The outcome is a dog that will stand its ground and defend under extreme pressure yet remain in control and able to follow what could be life saving commands. An example of this is referred to as a dogs On/Off switch where a dog's protection or fight drive can be turned On by Command and turned Off by Command. It strength of mind and discipline help the dog to be able to focus its aggression on one thing or person as directed by its handler.

To illustrate this topic further, family members and their friends should never feel threatened or fearful of their trained protection dog. Instead, they should feel comfortable and safe in the dogs presence, viewing it as another member of the family that is watching over them and "has their backs."

Bite work and protection training that is based mostly on a dog's prey drive is based on and triggered by motion. The result can be dangerous to innocent bystanders such as children playing if the dog is not trained properly and doesn't possess the discipline or a genetically determined stable of mind. We believe that extreme or heightened prey or motion drives can be the cause of "Junkyard" dogs reacting aggressively in non threatening situations even towards their handler as well as other animals. For example, a working K9 excited by prey drive can be triggered by motion and may be the reason why, during the commotion of tracking, chasing and apprehension of suspects that some working K9's bite their human coworkers and handlers. It seems that their high prey drive causes them to lose their focus, control and discipline. As logic would dictate, a dog like this would not be recommended as family pet or trusted in a public setting.

Prey drive is not all bad and it does have its place when it comes to dogs in general. For example, it's what drives a dog to fetch a frisbee and perform certain exercises during sporting competitions. Also, the training and duties of some police, security and military dogs need to develop and utilize a dog's prey drive to fill certain needs. Again, genetics and training are going to be a strong factor in how a dog turns out.

So, to have and develop a civil dog their needs to be a balance between prey, fight and defense drives. Doing so will create a stable, confident, courageous and composed protection dog.