Protection-guard service: definition, skills and features

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The Protective Guard Service (ZKS) is one of the Soviet dog training systems. This direction serves several purposes at once. Cynologists develop in animals during training the ability to smell identification, and also develop certain security and protective skills.

History of the phenomenon and learning features

ZKS itself originated as part of one of the military areas in dog training. This happened in the twentieth century, but the technique does not lose its relevance at the present time. On the course of protective guard service, dogs are trained to work in law enforcement agencies. Quadrupeds are widely used for search, guard and escort tasks. One of the extensive training programs is selected in accordance with the future specialization and where exactly the skills of the animal will be applied.

The training process should be conducted by experienced dog handlers to avoidtrauma to the dog's psyche. Independent work without the help of a qualified specialist can lead to unpredictable results, making the animal overly aggressive or cowardly. Upon completion of training, the dog must fully comply with the established standards. One of the most popular courses is considered to be IPO - international testing of custom dogs. Actually, ZKS is a national analogue with its own system built during the Soviet Union.

Animal requirements

Cynologists do not undertake the training of all dogs in a row. Programs are designed for those four-legged animals that meet a number of specific requirements. For the course of protective and sentry service, it is necessary to take into account the following parameters of the animal:

• dog must be at least one year old;
• requires stress resistance, high strength of the nervous system and overall mental stability;
• the animal must always clearly and flawlessly obey the owner and follow all commands;
• requires excellent he alth and proper physical development, strong teeth and jaws, as well as good auditory and olfactory abilities;

In addition, the dog must pass a general training course (OKD) in advance, pass all the standards and receive an appropriate diploma. For the guard service course (CS), the requirements for quadrupeds can be supplemented by the following items:

• pronounced active and defensive reaction;
• visually robust appearance,thick coat and well-developed muscles;
• high levels of vision, smell, hearing and the state of the dental system.

Suitable dog breeds

There is an opinion that there are practically no restrictions on the choice. However, practice shows a more frequent preference for service breeds such as German or East European Shepherds, Boxers, Dobermans, Black or Russian Terriers, American Bulldogs and many others. There is one very common misconception that all large tetrapods are suitable for training at the ZKS course. However, in reality this is not entirely true, since overly aggressive and ferocious dogs cannot perform a number of standard commands.

As an example of breeds unsuitable for the ZKS, one can cite the Central Asian and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. Their innate character traits do not provide for the fetching of objects, that is, they cannot select things by smell. At the same time, these breeds have proven themselves as guards of a certain territory or person. If you look for similar options, you can find that German Shepherds are used quite often in the protective guard service. They are also trained according to the international IPO system and the Schutzhund system. Under the ZKC, the requirements for this breed are no different from those for other dogs.

Sampling and protection of things

Often in operational work it is required to attack the trail of a person. Forthis animal is taught the skill of selecting things, with which they can find someone by smell. Each dog from birth has a tendency to differentiate the information obtained with the help of smell. In other words, dogs are able to separate different smells from each other. Training within the framework of the program allows you to raise these skills to a new level, which cannot be achieved in the ordinary life of a four-legged. The work with animals is based on a special base, including olfactory-search and food behavioral reactions.

For picking items, the dog must be interested in sniffing the item offered. The dog is actively looking for a thing among others, and then brings it to the trainer. The skill of protection is often needed in everyday life, for example, when it is required to leave luggage under the supervision of a four-legged pet for some time. The special skills of the guard guard service for tracking the territory begin with the development of this option. The dog's protective abilities are based on an active-defensive reaction of behavior.

Detention with guarding and escort

There are many situations in which this skill can be applied. These include the possibility of a danger of an attack on the trainer, his relatives and friends, as well as the penetration of criminals into the house for the purpose of robbery or robbery. The training program within the framework of the protective guard service of dogs includes the development of skills for detaining people, their subsequent guarding with an increased level of attention and a bold active fight.

It is worth noting that these abilities are the starting base for further development at a more advanced course of the ZKS. This skill builds on the animal's defensive-aggressive response, develops a he althy wary distrust of strangers, and serves as a starting point for more specialized skills.

Searching the area

This ability is the key to the successful completion of four-legged tasks to search for things or objects in a certain area. This skill is worked out as part of the basic training program in the protective guard service. With the help of this ability, the dog learns to find not only objects, but also people who have taken refuge in the area. The skill is based on several reactions of the animal at once, including olfactory-search, defensive, food and fetching.

Possibilities of dogs after training

A dog that is ready to carry out protective and sentry duty must meet a number of requirements presented below.

1. On a leash on the outside of the guarded object, the dog must warn the owner of the approach of strangers at a distance of up to 40 meters.
2. The animal ceases to react in any way to extraneous sounds like shots and explosions, and also completely ignores treats from strangers.
3. When free guarding, the dog will warn the owner about an attempt to enter the territory.
4. The dog will become distrustful of strangers, and if necessary, will be able to neutralize and detain the offender.

Free and non-free guarding

In the first case, a four-legged guard patrols the area surrounded by a blank fence with a height of up to 2.5 meters. This is done not only in order to protect the territory from outside threats, but also to prevent the dog from escaping. Also, free guarding is allowed in various rooms. The non-free option involves finding the dog on a leash on the outside of the object that needs to be protected. As part of the watchdog program, animals are trained in both methods of guarding.