Protection dog companies often place their dogs at different protection levels. Although there isn’t a specific system for determining these levels, many companies create their own system or tiers of protection dog training.
Many people wonder what a third level protection dog means.
What is a Level 3 protection dog? A Level 3 protection dog is a dog that has been highly trained to protect and defend an individual or family. This skilled dog can defend against weapons, fight off an intruder, guard your home and property, and chase after an attacker.
Because of the level of protection you get from a Level 3 dog, you can expect to pay more.
Table of Contents
Understanding Protection Dog Levels
Although there isn’t a specific rating system dogs, it’s understood that protection dog companies train their dogs differently depending upon the job they will do.
All dogs are taught basic commands, but some dogs will be trained for police work or search and rescue or for military jobs. So, here is a list of what a dog may learn at each level.
Level 1 Protection Dog
Obedience
This is the first thing a trainer will teach a young dog in the protection dog program. He will learn basic commands including
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Down
- Heel
The obedience training is foundational to the dog’s learning in the future. He must obey both on and off a leash.
Socialization
Dogs must be socialized around children, crowded areas, noisy areas early on so he will be gentle with children and calm in noisy, crowded places like malls, churches, or shopping centers.
Housebroken
This goes without saying that a puppy must learn his bathroom rules.
Crate trained
Crate training gives the dog a place to go that is his own. Crates allow a dog somewhere to sleep and rest.
Trained to protect from an intruder
Protection dog must protect home and property from intruders This is a basic skill level.
Gun training
This means the dog will be comfortable around gunfire, whether you’re shooting or an intruder is shooting. The protection dog won’t run away, but will calmly take down the intruder.
Car protection
This includes carjacking and car protection.
Enhanced searching skills
At this level, a protection dog has better searching skills for around the house, property or small business.
Obeys aggressive command
If the protection dog is given the command, he will growl, bark, show his teeth or attack. The dog will immediately stop this aggression when commanded.
Level 2 Protection Dog
A level 2 protection dog will have all the skills and training of a Level 1 dog, but with other skillsets for his work.
Obey whispered or hand signal commands
A level 2 protection dog must be able to obey his owner’s hand signals or whispered commands if an intruder is hiding inside their home. This allows the dog to sneak up on the intruder without alerting him.
Attack more than one intruder
This training teaches a dog to attack and disable two intruders.
Stronger fighting skills
When faced with a more difficult situation with an intruder or attacker, the dog is expected to exhibit greater courage and strength. Level 2 dogs have an intense, painful bite.
A Level 2 protection dog will get expensive training in these scenarios:
- Carjacking situations
- Small business invasion
- Home invasion
- Shopping mall parking lot protection
- Running or jogging outside-the level 2 dog is trained for more discrimination of who is a threat and who isn’t.
A Level 2 protection dog is recommended for family protection or for a small business.
Level 3 Protection Dog
A Level 3 protection dog has all training and skills of Levels 1 and 2, plus additional specialized training. Let’s have a look.
Kidnapping scenarios
The dog is trained to go in after an abducted person, guard them so they can escape or face the kidnapper to disarm him or her.
High-level fighter
This level dog is a fierce attacker using his body, teeth, and intelligence to fight.
Protect medium-sized homes and businesses
Refuses food
A level 3 dog will refuse food so he can’t be poisoned by an attacker.
Friendly aggressor training
This training teaches a dog to spot when an attacker who seems friendly, threatens his owner.
Explosive and drug training
At this level, a dog can sniff out explosives and drugs.
A Level 3 dog would be used for family protection, individual protection, police K9 unit, medium-sized business or home.
How Long Does It Take To Train A Level 3 Dog
Most trainers say that training a higher level protection dog can take three years. Those three years of training are necessary to teach the extensive amount of information a level 3 protection dog must know.
The “training” actually begins with choosing the right temperament of puppy for the protection dog training program. Protection dog companies are diligent to find the right dogs. Once they’ve bought the puppies that seem right for their program, they begin training right away.
They will be housebroken, socialized and taught basic commands. There will a lot of emphasis on desensitizing the pups to the environment around them. This teaches the dog to be comfortable in any setting, remaining calm and in control. If the dogs don’t have these experiences, they grow skittish and bark at every sound they hear.
After this point, the trainer begins to shape the puppy’s behavior, teaching him what’s appropriate and what isn’t. The puppy will begin to learn to obey, he’ll receive treats when he obeys. He’ll learn how to bite and when to stop. He’ll be socialized even more.
When he’s one year of age, the trainer will teach him stronger biting and how to distinguish what is a threat. By now, the young adult dog should obey completely even in distracting situations. He’ll know the German commands he’s been taught.
By the time the dog has reached this level, he is a level 1 protection dog, suitable to give basic protection for a family or individual. Of course, depending upon what is needed, a dog can go through a level 2 or 3 programs for more extensive training.
Protection dog training has been divided up into levels officially, but many dog protection companies have created the levels or tiers so that customers can determine what kind of protection they need. Dogs that learn skills to rescue victims in a kidnap scheme, thwart off an attack by more than one invader, disarm and bit the invaders and refuse food to avoid poisoning are level 3 protection dogs.
It’s easy to see why it’s necessary these training companies need some way to show their clients the level of protection each dog can give them. If you’re looking for a level 3 protection dog, discuss your protection needs with a trainer so you can find the best dog for you and your family.
