Huskies are great dogs for many reasons, but do they make good guard dogs? In this article not only will you find out whether huskies make good guard dogs or not. You’ll also learn what other dogs can be good guard dogs as well as other things your husky can be great at!
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know and more.
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Are Huskies Good Guard Dogs?
Unfortunately, huskies don’t make the best guard dogs. While they’re great at many things, they can be difficult to train and are naturally friendly. Because of this, while it’s not impossible to train them to be guard dogs, it’s going to take a lot of time.
If you haven’t bought a husky yet, and you’re looking for a good guard dog, there are plenty of other great choices. But before we get to that…
Why Aren’t Huskies Good Guard Dogs?
There are actually a whole bunch of reasons why your husky won’t make the best guard dog. But don’t let that put this put you off them, while they don’t make the best guard dogs, they are great for other things!
However, here are all the reasons huskies don’t make the best guard dogs.
They’re Pack Dogs (Which Means They Love Company)
One problem with huskies being guard dogs is that they simply love company too much. This means they’re not going to work well on their own. In fact, they’ll hate being left on their own (which isn’t a great trait for guard dogs).
And while it doesn’t make them the best guard dogs, it does make them excellent family pets!
They’re Hard To Train
As previously mentioned, huskies are also quite difficult to train. So training them to be a guard dog is going to be even more of a mission. There are two reasons for this, partly because they’re stubborn, and partly because they’re so independent.
In fact, in some ways, huskies are more similar to cats than dogs in this regard. Even if you can train them, during moments where you need them most, they may end up acting stubbornly.
(Want to know if golden retrievers make good guard dogs?)
Huskies Aren’t Overly Aggressive
Another trait that you definitely want in your husky, which they sadly lack is aggressiveness. In fact, while they may look intimidating, typically huskies are the opposite of aggressive.
They have a very affection nature and love almost everyone they meet. And they’re not naturally suspicious or wary of strangers. Once again, this is another trait that makes them great family dogs, but not the best guard dogs.
They Tend To Be Possessive Over Protective
Huskies are definitely possessive dogs, however, this doesn’t normally come across as aggression. Instead, they’ll tend to clamber over their owner when they’re not getting the attention they want instead of acting aggressively in anyway.
They’ll Easily Escape Fences
Lastly, your husky is probably going to be more interested in getting out of an area rather than protecting it. Huskies have been known to dig under fences, and even jump over them when they want to get out.
While you can try to get as much of their instinct out as you can, if they want to escape what they’re meant to be guarding, they’re going to find a way to do it!
However, Huskies Can Make Great Watch Dogs
Fortunately, though, all hope is not lost for huskies. While they don’t make the best guard dogs, when trained right, they can make excellent watch dogs. Here are some of the reasons huskies make such good watch dogs!
They’re Vocal
One of the reasons that huskies make such great watchdogs is because they’re incredibly vocal dogs. As you know by now huskies are vocal in a lot of different ways. Huskies are going to howl, talk and whine and even bark if you train them right.
Not only this, but you can also train them to do this when they see strangers walking by, alerting you to danger.
They Look Intimidating
As well as being extremely vocal, huskies also look intimidating. This is a great trait for a watch dog, but remember, they’re definitely more bark than bite. If you’re going to use them as watch dogs, when push comes to shove, they’re not going to be able to do much more than that.
Part of the reason they look so intimidating is due to how closely related they are to wolves. What better thing to scare a potential intruder away than a wolf-like dog.
They’re Naturally Curious
Lastly, huskies are also naturally curious dogs. If they hear a noise, or something peaks their interest they’re definitely going to try and see what it is. Due to this, if you can train them to react (which is entirely possible, then you’ll have a great watch dog.)
How Can You Train Your Husky To Be A Good Watch Dog?
To train your husky to be a good watch dog, you need to play on their natural inquisitiveness and vocal nature.
The first step is to treat them every time they act vocally when they’re alerting you to the presence of someone. Once they hear the noise and start whining, howling or being vocal in anyway give them a treat to reward them for their good behavior.
Remember, once you start doing this they’ll begin being vocal about everything.
Once they’re at the point where they’re constantly talking, the second step is to teach them how to be quiet. To do this follow the steps below:
Once your husky has made noise, tell them “quiet”.
If they’re quiet straight away, reward the with a treat. However, in most cases, you’ll need to say it a few times before they end up being quiet. So be patient with them.
Once you’ve done this, keep finding triggers and telling them “quiet”. Once they’ve begun to associate the word with the action, stop giving them a treat.
Now find someone who will help you trigger your husky, by walking past your house etc. It’s important you don’t tell them quiet right away. Instead give them time to be vocal, and praise them. Then tell them “quiet” and praise them again.
Keep doing this over time, and they’ll learn to be vocal when there are intruders near your property, and more importantly to be quiet when you ask them to be quiet.
Most importantly, remember, when you’re training your husky make sure you’re only using positive reinforcement. This is what they’re going to respond best too.
Interested In Training Your Husky The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your Husky properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Husky completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
What Dogs Are A Better Choice As Guard Dogs?
Fortunately, there are a lot of great choices when it comes to deciding the dog you wish to protect your home. If you haven’t purchased a dog and you’re looking for a guard dog specifically, then you should consider getting one of the following.
German Shepherd
My top pick for a guard dog has to be a German Shepherd. And there are a few reasons for this. First of all, they’re intelligent and easy to train. As well as this, they’re naturally protective, not just over you but over your family and property as well.
They’re also not afraid of confrontation and they’re extremely confident in their own abilities. As you know, they’re also great at sniffing things out which means they’ll be able to sense someone coming.
However, if you plan on training your german shepherd to be a guard dog, then you need to make sure you have a strong enough will and presence. If you’re not extremely confident when you handle them, then they may end up becoming unruly and acting out.
(Find out more about german shepherds as guard dogs.)
Rottweilers
Rottweilers are another great choice when it comes to deciding which type of guard dog you want. They’re particularly good with families as well, so they’ll strike the fine balance between protecting your house, and being friendly around your children.
If you are going to pick a rottweiler to be a guard dog, then generally speaking it’s better to pick a male. While they’re more mischevious than females, they’re also less trusting and much less likely to be docile. And while it is possible to train a female to be a good guard dog, training a male will be easier.
Lastly, you’ll also need to make sure that you’re wary of any signs of aggression coming from your Rottweiler. They are known to be aggressive at times, but you need to make sure it’s aimed at the right places.
(Find out more about Rottweilers as guard dogs.)
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiff’s are another great choice, if you’re willing to put in the work. But from the get-go you’ll need to understand that a lot of work will need to be put in.
You’ll need to raise them from a puppy, making sure that they see your whole family as your pack. Once they see your family as their pack, they’ll do anything they can to protect them.
And they also back up their intimidating looks. Bullmastiffs, will have no issues taking down a fully grown man and attacking anyone that tries to harm your family or get onto your property.
However, they’re not all attack attack attack, so don’t let this put your off them. When they’re familiar with your family, they’re going to be extremely loving and gentle!
Boxer
Boxers are a particularly great dog if you already have children in your home. They strike the perfect balance between defending your family and loving them. In fact, boxers particularly love the attention of children.
While they may not be the biggest dog, they’re still big enough to appear menacing. And when this is combined with their desire to protect your family, you’ve got a great guard dog on your hands!
Rhodesian Ridgeback
No list of guard dogs would be complete without having Rhodesian Ridgebacks on it. Rhodesian ridgebacks were originally bred to hunt lions, and this is still rooted in their DNA. Because of their need to hunt lions, they have a lot of energy, resilience, and intelligence.
They also make great family pets with the right family. Your family should be energetic, and it’s best to avoid small children. This isn’t because they’re aggressive, but they can be extremely boisterous and it’s not uncommon for them to knock a child over.
And of course, they’re also intimidating dogs. Anyone that tried to break into your house or harm your family will quickly be scared off.
Dobermans
Dobermans are another great dog to keep as a guard dog, especially if you want them to protect your family. This is because they’re incredibly loyal, and once they’re trained, they follow all of their owners instructions.
They’re naturally wary of other people, which is another great trait that you want in any guard dog. Especially when it’s combined with their intimidating looks.
However, there are also some downsides to Dobermans. You definitely don’t want to add them in to any house with small children. And if you should also avoid Doberman’s with small children if the Doberman has passed the puppy phase of their life.
Recap
Now you know that while huskies don’t make the best guard dogs, they do make fantastic watch dogs. As well as this, there are also plenty of other great guard dog choices such as german shepherds, Rottweilers, boxers, Dobermans and Rhodesian ridgebacks.
If you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise have a great day!
