Long walks with your dog are among the best ways to grow a human-canine bond while developing the dog’s trust in your leadership. Dogs with seemingly boundless energy can benefit from wearing a canine training backpack with an appropriate amount of weight inside. Such devices help them burn off extra energy within the time frame of your walk.

Selecting a Backpack

Most canine backpacks are composed of two saddlebags connected by a pad resting on the dog’s shoulders and upper back. Choose one with an adjustable chest strap that allows you to position the pack so it does not slide down to the dog’s lower back, which can cause problems. The pack should be hand- or machine-washable. The best packs for training have straps inside the saddlebags that hold the bag’s contents in position.

Introducing the Backpack

Introduce the backpack several days before heading out on a hike, using a treat reward to help your dog acquaint the pack with a pleasant experience. On the first walk, place a small amount of weight in the pack, increasing on subsequent walk. Using half-liter bottles filled with water can provide extra hydration for you and your dog on a long hike, or you can use bags filled with rice or sand that will conform to your dog’s body. You’ll increase the weight in the saddlebags over time, to a maximum of one-third of your dog’s body weight.

Dogs are excellent companions and can be a dependable source of protection when properly trained. Canine security training is a worthwhile endeavor for dog owners who wish to give their dogs proper behavioral formation. Although the beginning stages of security training can be started by dog owners, professional help is recommended for those who desire advanced canine security training.

Benefits

Security dog training will allow for greater home security. Protection dogs are trained to perform various security tasks. For example, the Global K9 Group Training Program teaches dogs to investigate suspicious noises and check on children, protect property including vehicles, and still be friendly to strangers and guests. Security dog training also encourages bonding between dogs and their owners.

Features

Many types of training programs are available for security dogs, including K9 programs for police and personal use, the Koehler method and Schutzhund training. All types of security canine training utilize the dog’s “prey drive,” which is a dog’s drive to chase, grab and shake objects. This drive comes in very handy for security purposes, but owners must be very comfortable with this behavior and recognize that their dog is simply “playing a rough game of tug.”

Time Frame

Most training programs last for two to three months, or eight to 12 weeks. Many training programs have a designated age for dogs, usually between six months and one year. All dogs should be obedience trained before they begin a canine security training program.

Breeds

Certain dog breeds are better inclined to security dog positions than other dogs. These breeds include the Doberman pinscher, American bulldog, mastiff and bullmastiff, boxer, German shepherd, Great Dane, rottweiler and malinois.

Misconceptions

Security training will not make your dog aggressive; rather, it will teach the dog to channel its natural instincts for the protection of your family. Dogs who complete security training successfully are quite sociable and attached to their owners. Negative behaviors, such as extreme aggression and disobedience ,are normally only found in security dogs who lack affection and companionship from their owners.

Many large dog breeds make excellent companions for kids. Large dogs bred specifically for companionship and mild temperaments are ideal. Guard dog breeds are not a poor choice but they are protective and may harm friends of the kids if they feel threatened. The best traits for kid friendly breeds include a mellow disposition, desire to please and owner loyalty. Ultimately, raising the animal in a loving home encourages positive behavior and traits.

Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is a popular family dog, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed is known for loving attention and is mild mannered. Bred for retrieving birds, the dogs have a naturally soft mouth and little in the way of defensive instincts. The soft mouth means they will not clamp the jaws while playing. Golden retrievers mixed with other retriever breeds or poodles also make good large breed pets.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is one of the most common family dogs. They are known for being affectionate and loyal. They are moderately protective but not aggressive. Labradors share many of the same traits as a golden retriever but they have a shorter coat that requires less maintenance. Some of the traits they share are a soft mouth, mellow temperament and owner loyalty. The strong desire to retrieve makes them great for playing fetch with children. Labs are good in a variety of climates and they enjoy the playful attention of children.

Great Dane

The Great Dane is a large breed developed for hunting and guarding property. Despite the aggressive nature of their background, the breed is very mellow and works well for kids. They are large but surefooted, aware and not likely to knock over or hurt kids accidentally, but adults should provide supervision around young children. Some individual Great Danes are noted as couch-potatoes and slightly lazy, loving dogs. Great Danes do require room to play and move. A large yard space provides a good area for them to play with children. Confinement in small apartments is not a good choice for Great Danes. Small spaces make them more likely to knock over children accidentally.

Bloodhounds

Bloodhounds are passive unless a scent is present. Hounds move slowly around the home and are not likely to knock kids over like other large breeds, but Breeders.com advises adults to supervise interactions with small children to prevent the bulky breed from accidentally knocking them down. The hounds are not overly affectionate but they do not respond aggressively to playful kids. Hounds are so mild mannered that you must instruct the kids to prevent incidental abuse. Raising a bloodhound does require leash training and an enclosed yard. The dogs will instinctively chase scents until they are lost.