German Shepherd Puppies Starting Their K-9 Journeys Are As Fierce As They Are Cute
Some dogs live a life of undeniable leisure, spending the majority of their time cuddling, lounging, and sleeping on the sofa. Other dogs, though still part of the family, are also expected to contribute to the household, often by protecting the human inhabitants. Delta K9 Academy in North Hollywood, California, offers obedience training as well as protection training. The company recently shared a TikTok video — which has been viewed more than 503,000 times — of a couple of German shepherd puppies, one of the most loyal dog breeds around, who are having so much fun chasing, jumping, and biting the trainer's padded arm that it's easy to miss the fact that groundwork is being laid for protection training.
@deltak9academy From curious eyes to fearless defenders—this is where the journey begins. 🔥
Viewers couldn't get enough of how cute the puppies looked, even as they were learning some serious skills. "It's so hard to take those uncontrollable ears, the feet too big for their body and that little baby bark seriously," one viewer commented. "I volunteer to be a bad guy to help train these floof officers 😍," another added. Many viewers also shared stories of their own extremely pampered, inept, or just downright silly dogs who wouldn't be cut out for protection work. "My Cane Corso watches Paw Patrol. He's not about the working dog life," one wrote.
Why German shepherds make good guard dogs
German shepherds are practically synonymous with guard dogs. They're one of the strongest dog breeds in the world, often used by police and military to track criminals and patrol areas. These intelligent, confident, highly trainable animals display natural protective instincts, and they have the strength and the stamina to chase the perpetrator of a crime without tiring. Not easily distracted, German shepherds can also become adept at scent work, learning to sniff out bombs, drugs, avalanche survivors, and cadavers.
If you're ready to start training your own pampered pooch — whether to be a protection dog or just to stop snatching potato chips off the kitchen counter — be sure to learn the proper dog training terminology first and choose a qualified trainer. Avoid dog trainer red flags, such as those who are secretive about their training methods or who use physical punishment. Instead, look for professionals who employ positive reinforcement training. And, above all else, make sure your dog is having fun during the whole process.